SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) can be quite disabling. For some, it’s a lonely life of isolation, often being bed-ridden or unable to leave the house, never able to share meals out with family or friends, and usually accompanied by multiple health issues. Here is the story of one patient’s journey and transformation from SIBO and chronic fatigue to an abundance of energy, resolution of gut issues and weight loss to top it all off.
This article appeared in the July 2016 edition of First for Women magazine. Although some of the information about SIBO and supplements are a little off, the message of her recovery and transformation are quite encouraging.
For her SIBO, we started her on a SIBO-friendly diet. We introduced the following supplements:
GI Synergy (herbal antimicrobial) and EnzymixPro (digestive enzyme + HCl) by Apex Energetics along with Cholacol (gall bladder support) by Standard Process. We then phased her off GI Synergy and added in Glutagenics by Metagenics to support gut repair and healing. Our final step, that happened after the interview for this article, was to support her overall microbiome using MegaSporeBiotic. She is doing fantastic, eating a wide variety of foods, and reports feeling “absolutely wonderful!”
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.
Frank
October 14, 2016 at 6:22 pm (8 years ago)Hi Dr. Lisa
I’ve been battling overgrowth/dysbiosis for awhile now (3+ years), and it just keeps coming back. I go in a 3 month period of anti-microbials, then after the 2-3 month period, I take some probiotics (usually 1-2 months) then I start eating high fiber foods such as sweet potato and fruits.
But then sometimes the overgrowth/infection just keeps coming back, and I have to go through the cycle again, is there a reason for that being? What are possible underlying causes? I have been through this cycle at least 3 times. And it can feel hopeless sometimes.
Some say, it’s inappropriate methylation, or blood sugar issues or hormonal issues. Some say it’s food allergies that are causing the relapse of SIBO, and that I will probably have to avoid certain foods for the rest of my life.
What is your take on it? Obviously it’s a very general statement, but I just want to know if you had any clients that were struggling with persistent dysbiosis. Would you conclude that maybe SIBO is a symptom of something else?
Dr Lisa Giusiana
October 21, 2016 at 1:27 am (8 years ago)Hi Frank,
Complex topic for sure. One thing I emphasize is that you cannot compartmentalize or only look at the SIBO or dysbiosis and expect to have a restoration of health. Thing don’t just “happen” in the body, meaning these conditions don’t just show up out of nowhere, in most cases. The body was designed with so many built in self-regulating functions it’s beyond comprehension. So SIBO doesn’t just happen. SIFO doesn’t just happen. Dysbiosis, you name it, there’s always something underlying it which it sounds like you’re already seeing and questioning. When I see someone who does get relief from treatment but the condition returns, I often think heavy metal burden. That’s one thing that can anchor the overgrowths. Not to say that that’s your issue, but it’s one I look at clearing. Methylation, hormones (sex hormones, adrenal, thyroid and blood sugar hormones) as well as blood sugar dysregulation are also definite contenders. Brain degeneration can affect motility, leading to bacterial overgrowth too. Then I also like to take it step further and look at restoring the microbiome as a whole with products like MegaSpore Biotic. It’s a much bigger picture than looking at just SIBO or the small intestine, for instance. So to answer that last question of yours, yes, SIBO usually seems to be a symptom of something else. It takes some detective work to figure out out. The exception I see is when a food borne pathogen triggers an autoimmune attack against the vagus nerve causing slowed motility. That’s a tough one, and the approach in cases like that is to address the autoimmunity.