How to Overcome SIBO: A Three-Sided Approach

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is a complex condition that requires a three-sided approach in order to support and rebalance your body, giving it what it needs to heal itself:

1. a specific diet to eliminate bloating
2. neurological exercises to retrain the nerves that control your gastrointestinal tract
3. SIBO-specific natural compounds to support your system

SIBO Diet

You can search and find all sorts of dietary guidelines people have used and doctors recommend to help relieve the symptoms of SIBO. But there’s a new diet that I’ve been using with my patients that is more specific than anything I’ve seen. However, it needs to be said that there is no one definitive absolute diet that works for all SIBO patients 100% of the time.

There are over 2000 bacterial species that may have taken up residence in your small intestine. And in the same way that we all like and dislike certain foods, I would imagine those bacterial species like to eat and ferment on different foods too. So since everyone has different microbiota, everyone is going to have different foods that cause their symptoms, depending on which ones their bacteria reacts to.

Also to consider is the fact that there very well may also be additional factors contributing to bloating that should be investigated. Some would include, but are not limited to, Candida overgrowth in the gut, food sensitivities, Celiac Disease, lack of enzymes, and hypochlorhydria. . .just to name a few.

You have to eat really clean, not only to starve the bacteria, but to give your body a chance to clear out all the inflammation and mucus that has built up. Much of it is trial and error. It may take a few weeks to eliminate enough inflammation and bloating that you can actually tell which foods won’t work for you. You can tell this because once your symptoms subside, you will know right away when you eat something that ferments in your GI tract, causing your usual SIBO symptoms to reappear. Within 24 hours, your bloating, belching, gas, pain, distention, etc. will return.

Sign up HERE and Dr Lisa’s free eBook will emailed to you. In there, you will find a tried and tested dietary guideline, recipes, menus, how to prepare for traveling, eating out and so much more.

Neurological Exercises

Neurological exercises are imperative in order to reestablish a good brain-gut connection and stimulate motor control of the intestines. As you know, your brain controls all functions in your body. But when there is neurological disruption, the brain may not be able to properly innervate the digestive organs or instruct them on motility (the body’s ability to mix and move food contents through the intestines).

1) Gargle as hard as you can for as long as you can – 3 to 5 times per day

2) Using a tongue depressor, stimulate your gag reflex until you cough – repeat about 10 times, also 3 to 5 times per day

3) Using an enema bag or enema bucket, do water or coffee retention enemas once per day – this will hydrate and cleanse your colon, stimulate the liver to release toxins, assist in physically removing dead bacteria coming out of the small intestine, and tone the muscles that control the intestines and their movement

Supplements

Many times, health issues resolve on their own with a change in diet alone. SIBO, however, is like a beast. And fortunately, we have come up with a combination of natural and non-toxic compounds that when used together, seem to create a very healing environment within the body of the SIBO sufferer.

Although people may not be used to taking a lot of supplements, this is one time it is highly recommend in order to address all aspects. A thorough approach includes:

1. Enzymes to help break down food, giving your body a break by minimizing bloating
2. Herbs to create a hostile environment where bugs of all sorts really don’t like to live
3. Very specific strains of probiotics that help balance out the microbiota
4. Compounds to support rebuilding of the gut wall and brush border
5. Boosting nutrition while gently cleansing the gastrointestinal tract

For more details on this system, see the article on SIBO-Specific Supplements.

Putting it All Together

There are multiple cycles compounding the SIBO issue, all feeding into and dependent upon each other, that need to be broken simultaneously. Here’s why:

Cycle #1 that needs to be broken

If you are lacking HCl or enzymes, you will have bloating when you eat. If you have bloating in the small intestine, the ileocecal valve will prop open and allow bacteria to translocate from your colon into your small intestine. Without eliminating the bloating, you will continue to reinfect your small intestine.

Cycle #2 that needs to be broken

Without getting rid of the bugs, you cannot stop the bloating. So you will never be able to digest your food properly. Without digestion and assimilation of nutrients, your body will not have what it needs to repair the inner intestinal lining. Without repairing the intestinal lining, you will never be able to thoroughly assimilate your nutrients.

Cycle #3 that needs to be broken

Without proper replenishment of good SIBO-friendly probiotics, your colon’s bacterial flora will be out of balance. So until you break cycle #1, the specific strains of bacteria entering your small intestine can be problematic.

If you need help figuring all of this out, have questions or simply want more information, Contact Dr Lisa, Book an Appointment or check out Dr Lisa’s End SIBO Support Package.

There is SO much hope! And as always, I like to give a disclaimer:

With nearly 20 years of clinical experience in the healing arts profession, Dr Lisa Giusiana uses the knowledge-base she has acquired from her degrees as a Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Traditional Naturopath and Holistic Health Practitioner to share what she knows and help others THRIVE and Live Fully Alive.