Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO for short, is a chronic bacterial infection of the small intestine. SIBO is being diagnosed in those with a history of frequent antibiotic exposure, use of acid blocking drugs or proton pump inhibitors, and/or gut motility problems (ileocecal valve dysfunction). You don’t even have to experience digestion system symptoms to have a SIBO problem. In fact, many people with this condition have a brain-based problem such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, or depression. Because SIBO interferes with the methylation cycle, it can cause many common health problems such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, infertility, heart disease and more.
The problem with SIBO is that bacteria that are normally present in the colon (large intestine) become dramatically overpopulated in the small intestine, a part of the digestive tract where they do not belong! This leads to many detrimental effects, not only creating symptoms that can make life down-right miserable, but also putting you at risk for a number of chronic conditions associated with long term protein, fat, and nutrient malabsorption.
Those who are suffering with SIBO frequently experience excessive gas or bloating, abdominal discomfort, chronic diarrhea or constipation, food intolerances or sensitivities, weight loss, anemia, and low energy. Because the bacteria are living where they don’t belong (in the small intestine), they are eating your food first! Even if you are eating a perfectly clean diet and taking the highest quality supplements, you are not benefitting from that all nutrition.
Instead, the bacteria are stealing those B-vitamins and iron and other nutrients to grow more of themselves, all the while producing a nasty array of byproducts and toxins from their own metabolism. Some of these byproducts (i.e. folic acid) can actually cause neurological and cognitive symptoms, making methylation issues worse!
Many patients with SIBO have been treated with antibiotics for this condition without any lasting results. You can see how this is problematic since antibiotics are one of the biggest causes of SIBO in the first place! Healing from SIBO is absolutely possible, but it requires a comprehensive approach that involves restoring digestive function, eliminating excess bacteria, avoid problem foods, and replenishing the gut with beneficial bacteria.
If you are looking for the details on which diet and supplements are most useful for addressing SIBO, then you are in the right place. Below you will find our recommendations, including what supplements to take to correct digestive function and eliminate the infection. Instructions are included below on how to order these powerful nutrients from our online nutritional pharmacy.
Recommended diet for SIBO:
In order to effectively eliminate the bacterial overgrowth occurring with SIBO, you must eat a diet that will ultimately “starve out” these bacteria. Since they prefer certain foods over others, you must avoid eating the foods that make them thrive.
Eat from the Dr. Seibecker SCD/FODMAP diet shown here: Dr. Seibecker’s SCD/FODMAP Food Guide. You may eat from all categories except the red “food to avoid”. This assures that you are avoiding the worst offenders in terms of foods which feed bacteria and promote excess fermentation.
In our experience, this diet must be strictly followed for a minimum of 3 months. In some very stubborn cases this diet must be followed up to 12 months to get lasting results. You will know your SIBO is healed when your symptoms are gone and do not return when you eat foods containing FODMAPs.
SIBO HEALING PROTOCOL:
HCl Support – HCl stomach acid that will support the digestion and break down of your food. Take this product right at the end of the meal. To find out what dose is best for you, please see the HCl stomach acid instructions page.†
NOTE: If pain or discomfort occurs when taking HCl Support, it indicates inflammation of the lining of the stomach and esophagus. To heal the stomach and esophagus, use the Gastritis Repair Protocol below for at least 4 weeks before trying to reintroduce the HCl Support.
Pan 5x – Take 1 or 2 tablets five minutes before meals and snacks. Pancreatic enzymes that will help you break down your food. Will improve digestion and absorption of nutrients.†
Lipo-Flow – Take 2 tablets with each meal. Bile salts and bitter extracts help the body break down fats in the diet. Supports optimum fat digestion as well as healthy GB and liver fxn.
Spectrum AR – Take 2 softgels 3x daily. Aromatic oils which work as well as gold standard antibiotics at killing bad bugs, yet has no negative side effect found with antibiotics. Cleanses the bowel of bacteria/viruses/yeast/parasites. After finishing one large bottle, dosage should be reduced to 40-50%.
Spectrum BR – Take 3 tablets 3x daily. Berberine which works also as a cleanse for the GI tract killing more bacteria/viruses/yeast/parasites. After finishing one large bottle, dosage should be reduced to 40-50%.
UltraBiotic Daily – Take 1 am, 1 pm away from food – A well-rounded, dairy-free probiotic capsule to help your gut flora get rid of yeast and pathogens while supporting digestion.†
NOTE: Not every individual with SIBO tolerates taking a probiotic during the initial phases of treatment, however, we find that many of our patients do very well. It is recommended you start this probiotic and if it gives you any flaring of symptoms, simply discontinue use for 2 weeks before trying it again.
GASTRITIS AND ULCER REPAIR PROTOCOL:
This protocol is for those individuals who have active gastritis, who cannot tolerate stomach acid supplements, or who are healing from an H.Pylori infection. The below protocol should be taken for at least 4 weeks. After one month the dosages may be reduced and the supplements can be taken long term for ongoing support.
Dynamic GI Integrity – mix 1 serving into water every 2 hours or after each meal, which ever comes first. Powerful support that will help reduce inflammation of the upper GI tract. Acts as a calming salve to relieve burning pain associated with gastritis and inflammation of the mucosa. Provides key nutrients to support the health of the esophageal and stomach lining.†
Zinc Carnosine – 2 tablets 2x per day away from food. Zinc-carnosine will enhance the repair of the stomach lining; used in Japan for decades to repair gastric mucosa after antibiotic therapy.†