6 Signs that SIBO might be the root cause of your IBS

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Studies show that over 50% of patients diagnosed with IBS actually have an underlying imbalance called SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The majority of our gut bacteria should be in the colon. When the bacteria migrate backwards into the small bowel or when there is low stomach acid or poor pancreatic enzyme production, bacteria in the small bowel can overgrow and cause symptoms, such as diarrhea, gas, or bloating.

Six signs you might have SIBO

1. You notice that fiber worsens your constipation
2. You notice an improvement in IBS symptoms when taking antibiotics
3. You feel more gas and bloating when you take probiotics that contain prebiotics
4. You are celiac or gluten intolerant and do not have 100% resolution of symptoms on a gluten-free diet
5. You develop chronic symptoms of gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea after taking pain medications, like opiates.
6. Your blood work shows chronically low iron or ferratin with no known cause

Top 6 Symptoms of SIBO

1. Abdominal bloating and distention
2. Constipation 
3. Diarrhea
4. Abdominal pain or discomfort
5.  Acid reflux or heartburn
6. Excessive gas or belching

How do I know this isn’t just leaky gut?

While SIBO usually manifests with local GI symptoms, a leaky gut will manifest with systemic complaints that affect the immune system. Keep in mind that is is not uncommon to have both SIBO and leaky gut simultaneously. And very often if you have SIBO for a long period of time, you will develop a leaky gut.

Here are some systemic signs of a leaky gut:

• Multiple food sensitivities
• Skin rashes, acne or rosacea
• Respiratory symptoms, like asthma
• Allergic symptoms or increase in seasonal allergies
• Fatigue
• Brain fog or poor concentration, especially after meals
• Any autoimmune disease
• Joint pain or arthritis
• Headaches or migraines

Remember SIBO can cause leaky gut syndrome but not everyone with SIBO has leaky gut. About half of the patients diagnosed with SIBO will also have leaky gut. Most of the time if SIBO is treated, leaky gut will heal itself!

10 conditions that may predispose you to have SIBO

1. Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
2. Pancreatic insufficiency
3. Decreased motility in small intestine
4. Bowel obstruction
5. Diverticula 
6. Surgical bowel resection or bariatric surgery 
7. Food poisoning (Post infectious IBS)
8. Nerve damage that affects the GI tract
9. Drugs, like opiates 
10. Any disease that slows motility (diabetes, hypothyroid)

Other disorders that may be associated with SIBO

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Scleroderma
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Rosacea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Crohn’s disease
• Celiac disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Kidney failure
• Liver disease
• Diverticulosis

How to Diagnose SIBO

Ask your doctor to order the Lactulose Breath Test (preferred over glucose as it will test the entire small bowel vs. just duodenum). You may also need to check a comprehensive stool analysis and urinary organic acids, which may point in the direction of other dysbiosis but are not directly assessing small bowel bacterial overgrowth

How do we treat SIBO?

1. Diet options

• Paleo diet or autoimmune paleo diet
• Low FODMAP diet
• Specific Carbohydrate Diet
• GAPS Diet
• Avoid all alcohol
• Use caution with probiotics/prebiotics
• Use caution with fermented foods as they can increase histamine
• Homemade Elemental Diet by Dr. Siebecker

2. Antibiotics

• Xifaxan

3. Dr. Jill’s favorite antimicrobial herbs

• Allimed
• Oil of oregano
• Thorne Berberine 500
• Biocidin 

Treating SIBO successfully is not always easy and may involve major dietary changes and medication or herbal treatment for an extended period of time. However, getting the balance of your gut microbes healthy will likely prove to be the most important step in regaining your health and vitality! I know it was in my case… if you haven't read My Story, read more here.

Stay connected by signing up for my monthly newsletter so you don't miss any great content!

Top 10 Secrets to Fabulous Looking Skin!

 Top 10 Secrets to Fabulous Looking Skin

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

1. Keep your gut bugs happy! Take a high-quality probiotic supplement can promote a healthy balance of gut flora and support your immune system.
2. Optimize your vitamin D levels – Vitamin D is crucial for establishing a healthy immune system and to help promote healthy-looking skin.
3. Eliminate sugar in your diet – Like grains, sugar causes an insulin spike which can lead to  skin break-outs and imperfections.
4. Avoid eating grains, especially wheat – Bread, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes, and corn can cause surges in insulin production. Instead, eat vegetable sources of carbs, which your body digests easier.  Consider a gluten-free diet if you suffer from gluten intolerance, which may help you avoid toxins being pushed through your skin due to the intolerance.
5. Drink plenty of fresh pure water – Hydrating your body facilitates cell growth and regeneration, elimination of wastes, and helps remove dead skin cells.
6. Might you have hidden food allergies?  wheat, milk, egg, and soy are common foods that people are unknowingly sensitive to.  If you don't know, try eliminating all of these foods and sugar for 14 days to see if your skin clears.  If you aren't up to an elimination diet, ask for the IgG/IgE blood test.
7. Eliminate all sodas, juice, and energy drinks – These drinks mostly sugar, artificial flavoring, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and artificial colors. As far as juices, eat the whole fruit in moderation instead.
8. Reduce your stress & Get your sleep – Research suggests that changes in skin often correlate with increased stress. And your body's time for rejuvenating (including your skin!) is at night while you sleep.
9. Exercise regularly – Getting plenty of high-intensity exercise helps your body flush out toxins, including those in the pores of your skin. The more you sweat, the better your body can get rid of toxins and impurities
10. Naturally cleanse and moisturize your skin – Avoid toxic skin care products with risky chemical ingredients. They can cause more skin problems than they solve.   For non-toxic products, visit the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database.

Celiac Disease & Gluten Intolerance... What's up with wheat?

Have you been told you have "gluten-intolerance" or worse... that you have celiac disease?  Many people go for years without knowing the connection between gluten and their gastrointestinal symptoms, autoimmune disease (thyroiditis, arthritis, lupus etc), skin disorder (eczema, acne, psoriasis), and even neurological disorders (epilepsy, ADHD, autism, etc) 

What is gluten?

It's a protein found in wheat grain and part of "gluey" proline and glutamine rich proteins known as prolamines. Prolamines are found in all cereal grains, even rice, corn and oats. Gluten ingestion in susceptible individuals is assosiated with the serious neurological and autoimmune reactions often linked to autism spectrum disorder.  

Historically, we can see a large increase in chronic degenerative diseases, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and bone loss/tooth decay when societies start to increase intake of grains and especially wheat.  I have seen remarkable improvement in many patient's illnesses, especially skin disorders and autoimmune disease on a grain-free diet.

 Here is a must watch video from Peter Osborne, D.C. that does a very nice job of explaining the differences between gluten intolerance and celiac disease and explaining how this could be contributing to your symptoms...

If you want to know more about YOUR PERSONAL RISK, just ask Dr. Jill about how you can be tested for HLA typing DQ2/DQ8 genes to determine if you are at risk!

PCOS - Are you one of the thousands of women who suffer from it?

Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the most common metabolic disorder of reproductive-age women
in the United States, is generally known as a reproductive disorder but is also associated with lifethreatening  medical illnesses. In the U.S., six million reproductive-age women are affected with the
syndrome. PCOS is generally considered a syndrome rather than a disease because it manifests itself
through a group of signs and symptoms that can occur in any combination, rather than having one known cause or presentation.

• Affects an estimated 10% of all women and most don't even know they have it
• Is naturally treatable with changes in diet and exercise
• Is the leading cause of infertility in women.
• PCOS is generally considered a syndrome rather than a disease (though it is sometimes called
  Polycystic Ovary Disease) because it manifests itself through a group of signs and symptoms that can occur in any combination, rather than having one known cause or presentation.
• Affects far more than just reproduction
• PCOS is associated with increased risk for endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, insulin
  resistance, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
  
• Infertility in this condition is caused by hormonal changes and poor ovulation as well as recurrent miscarriages and complications of pregnancy.

Symptoms of PCOS

• Irregular or absent periods
• Less frequent ovulation or infertility
• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth on chin or chest, stomach, back)
• Acne or frequent breakouts
• Exhaustion or lack of mental focus (due to alterations in blood sugar)
• Abnormal cholesterol levels (high LDL or low HDL)
• Hair loss on scalp or male pattern thinning
• Decreased sex drive
• Skin tags
• Weight gain or obesity (1/3 of patients with PCOS are normal or underweight!)

LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Avoid stress and maintain balance - include stretching & breathing exercises daily and prayer or meditation
2. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.
3. Participate in a regular balanced exercise program. High intensity short bursts (20-60 seconds) of activity during the day is recommended to enhance growth hormone release. Also engage in resistance training that works all major muscle groups (work each group at least 2 times a week).
4. Check blood vitamin D levels. Supplement with Vitamin D - optimal blood levels are 40-100 ng/ml.
5. Practice good sleep habits and get between 8-9 hours of sleep a night.
6. Eliminate parabens and BPA and other toxins from your skin care and bath & body products - these chemicals are major endocrine disruptors!


DIET GUIDELINES
1. Avoid all sugars. Replace sugar with xylitol or stevia.  Better yet, kick the sweet habit altogether!
2. Avoid white flour and all refined carbohydrates including cereals and pasta.
3. Get a balance of omega 3's (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines) and omega 9 fats (olive oil, olives, almonds, hazelnuts, avocados).
4. Choose lean, clean quality protein at each meal such as chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef, fish (especially salmon and sardines), eggs and whey protein.  Total protein should be 80-100mg per day
5. Avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils and fried foods.
6. Cook with olive oil at a low heat or coconut/grape seed oils at higher heat
7. Snack on vegetables and small amounts of nuts, olives or avocado.
8. Eat 5-9 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily (fruits must be limited to 1 -2 per day due to sugar content)
9. Avoid sugary drinks, concentrated sweets, fast food and processed foods.  If it comes in a package with a label, limit it!
10.  Don't forget to start your day with a high protein breakfast!  At least 20gm will get you off to the right start.  Ideas are eggs, smoked salmon, whey or rice protein smoothies!