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

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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.

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Stewed Apples with cinnamon - Healing Recipe for a Healthy Gut

 

Stewed Healing Apples and Immune Cofactors

Foods confer information to humans through the direct delivery of micro and macronutrients via different signalling mechanisms. The immune system in the gastrointestinal system is a highly active component of human health and its bacterial load, in conjunction with the foods selected confer a wide range of opportunities for the delivery of information to down-regulate inflammation and heal the gut
 

Functional digestive tract conditions reflect a change in the relationship between the host "microbes" and the mucosal immune and nervous system. These result in a wide range of distressing symptoms for which there are a variety of strategies, but no single intervention of consistent benefit.  However, food choices and types can dramatically affect the gut microbes and encourage healing.  

 

This immune modulating food combination may be eaten for breakfast and dinner or as a meal substitute (no more than 1 substitution per day for many days) and as a quick and soothing snack.

Recipe:

Ingredients for primary stage

• 6 Rome or Granny Smith cooking apples (or apples of choice preferably grown organically)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup raisins/sultanas (for added sweetness and fibre)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions

Peel and core the apples and chop them into small evenly sized pieces.
Put all the ingredients in a covered, heavy-bottomed pan and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Cook until soft with rough shapes, no longer identifiable as apple slices. The colour should be a russet brown with the cinnamon effect.
These may be eaten warm, or cold. I suggest making up as many ramekins (sized to hold 1 – 1.5 apple equivalent in each and covered and put in the fridge for easy access.

Ingredients for secondary stage

• 1 tsp. of larch arabinogalactans stirred into the apple
• 1 Saccharomyces Boulardii 250mg capsule sprinkled on the top – or swallowed separately
• 1 mix of Bifidobacteria (mixed strains) (500mg) 5billion CFU sprinkled on top – or swallowed separately
• 1 x LGG sprinkled on top – or swallowed separately
• ½ container of organic natural yogurt or soy equivalent
• Add 6-8 blueberries and 4-5 almonds in their skins
• Finally, if required, a teaspoon of Manuka honey

http://www.nleducation.co.uk