Five facts about SIBO

Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there are too many bacteria in the small intestine. In this post we will discuss what kind of underlying health concerns may cause bacteria relocation to the small intestine, and we will speak about treatment, relapse and diet as well.

Five facts about SIBO

If we have abdominal complaints, pains, diarrhea, or constipation, we often have to think of SIBO as the primary cause. In this article, you can read the details on the five main facts about SIBO.

1. SIBO is generally associated with an underlying condition, so it is not an infection, it is a consequence.

There are many reasons why bacteria can relocate to the small intestine. In order to fully treat SIBO, it is important to identify what caused it. Without treating the cause, SIBO will likely recur after treatment.

Low stomach acid

Stomach acid kills off many of the microbes that are present in your food, and the environment What causes low acid: Proton Pump Inhibitors – or PPIs. These drugs effectively shut off the production of acid in the stomach. Histamine producing bacteria proliferation in the gut – elevated histamine levels due to these bacteria can cause lower acid levels in the stomach

Altered bile flow and enzyme production

Proteolytic enzymes and bile acids are required for adequate digestion of the food and additionally have anti-bacterial effects, helping to protect the gut against bacterial overgrowth. Without sufficient enzymes, carbohydrates may not be broken down sufficiently, providing fuel for bacteria to overgrow. Without the protective effects of enzymes and bile acids, there is an increased risk of developing SIBO (1).

Migrating Motor Complex Dysfunction

The migrating motor complex (MMC) is a pattern of gut contraction. Due to this function bacteria are moved from the small intestine into the large intestine between meals and during the night. However, a variety of conditions increase the risk of impaired MMC function, which can lead to SIBO including:

hypothyroidism
opioids PPI’s
Crohn’s, Colitis
Diabetes
Celiac disease
gastroenteritis, (C difficile and other infections)
Lyme disease

The digestive tract requires peristalsis to move food through the digestive tract. If this movement slows down bacteria may colonize in the small intestine. Many conditions can cause slow motility but are not limited to achalasia, gastroparesis, Parkinson’s, scleroderma, and other neurogenic issues (Gut Motility). Additionally, certain medications reduce gut motility such as anticholinergics and opioids (2). Structural changes in the digestive tract can also inhibit the movement of bacteria from the small intestine to the large intestine, or allow migration of bacteria upwards from the large intestine. Including adhesions, obstructions, diverticles), ileocecal valve impairment.

Antibiotics and other medication

It is well known that there are medications that affect or interfere with normal intestinal flora. These are mainly antibiotics and antacids. However the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids also adversely affect the intestinal flora. SIBO can be developed by the dysbiotic effects of antibiotics. Systemic antibiotic exposure kills off both harmful and helpful bacteria, destroying the balance of the microbiome. When many of the protective bacteria are killed, other bacteria can proliferate and overgrow, increasing the risk of developing SIBO. (3).

Dysfunctional immune system

The foundation of our gut microbiome is first built in during childbirth and breastfeeding. Children who are born via C-section and those who are not breastfed are at greater risk for microbiome imbalances (dysbiosis)and SIBO (4).

Food poisoning

Food poisoning (acute gastroenteritis) can damage the MMC. When we are infected by harmful bacteria during a case of food poisoning, the bacteria release a toxin. Our immune system attacks these toxins. Unfortunately, certain cells in our intestine that play a role in the MMC look very similar to the toxin thus our immune system attacks those cells as well causing damage in the MMC, which can lead to bacterial overgrowth (5, 6).

2. SIBO can be cured but it can relapse, but relapses can be prevented

There may be 2 reasons why you feel relapsed because you have abdominal symptoms again that are reminiscent of SIBO

The root cause of SIBO is not treated
Check the above underlying issues regarding SIBO and try to find a gastroenterologist who help you find the root cause
You don’t have a relapse, you just have intestinal dysbiosis due to the previous antibiotic treatments. After SIBO treatment it would be obvious to test the gut microbiome to rule out gut dysbiosis

3. If you are having SIBO, soil-based probiotics are recommended to take because they cannot colonize in the small intestine

Soil-based probiotics do not exacerbate symptoms of SIBO. If you have an exacerbation of your symptoms such as more gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or other digestive symptoms after taking probiotics containing any kind of lactobacillus, streptococcus, or bifidobacterium you can be sure that you have SIBO.

This is a strong sign. If you are currently dealing with SIBO, a probiotic containing lactobacillus or bifidobacterium, or streptococcus probiotic strains is not recommended until you eliminate your bacterial overgrowth and repair your gut microbiome.

DO NOT use dietary supplements containing higher amounts of the above probiotic strains to avoid contaminated small intestine (SIBO).

4. Diet will not cure SIBO permanently, it can only relieve the symptoms

Diet is very important. To starve the overgrown bacteria by removing the foods that feed it from your diet is the first step of the SIBO treatment.

This means cutting all sugar and alcohol and limiting carbohydrates such as fruit, starchy vegetables, grains, and legumes. But it won’t be enough!

You need to attack the bacteria because you don’t know how much pathogen is living in your gut. Probably you don’t even know exactly what kind of bacteria is living there. So you will need medication to eliminate SIBO and after treatment, you need to fill your gut with gut bacteria.

5. In case of severe SIBO, you probably need to take antibiotic

If you are struggling with severe SIBO you need to take antibiotics, mainly rifaximin, or that type of antibiotic that was prescribed by your doctor according to the type of SIBO you have.

Herbal antibiotics seem to be as effective as antibiotics but if you have severe long-term symptoms you probably need to take antibiotics first.

Foods in SIBO

Treatment of SIBO

Symptoms and causes of SIBO

Diagnosis of SIBO

SIBO aggravating factors

Foods in SIBO

SIBO treatment

Symptoms, causes

Diagnosis

Aggravatings

Resources

L-Glutamine

Autism and Genes, Histamine intolerance and MCAS, Microbiome and Gut health, SIBO, Weight loss

L-glutamine

L-glutamine, the universal amino acid.

L-glutamine is the most common amino acid in the bloodstream, accounting for 30-35% of the amino acid content of the blood.

This is a well-known and popular dietary supplement not only for athletes but it is an effective amino acid for gut regeneration in SIBO.

What is glutamine?

L-glutamine is the most common amino acid in the bloodstream, accounting for 30-35% of the amino acid content of the blood. It is a conditionally essential amino acid because it is used in large amounts by our body.

It is found in animal and plant proteins, in the form of supplements, and is widely popular in the fitness community and among those who lead a healthy lifestyle. It is also found in large amounts of casein and whey protein.It is essential to know that most people do not get enough this amino acid from food.

Therefore, dietary supplementation is an excellent way to strengthen the immune system and improve the ability to fight infections and diseases.

Benefit of L-glutamine

Glutamine has several physiological effects that research has confirmed in turn that even a person living an average life should have enough reason to pay more attention to this amino acid.

1. Improves gastrointestinal health

This amino acid is good for health if you have gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, diverticulitis, permeable bowel, or any problem related to leaking bowel. (e.g., joint pain, rosacea, or autoimmune response).

We regularly need a certain amount of this mino acid because it is an essential nutrient for the gut to rebuild and regenerate. It is worth noting that a man famous for discovering the Krebs cycle (also known as the “citric acid cycle”) was the first to suggest L-glutamine treats intestinal problems.

Sir Hans Adolf Krebs – a German-born British biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in 1953 – found that it helped improve a healthy gut immune response.

A study published in the journal Clinical Immunology found that L-glutamine normalizes the effects of the TH2 immune response that stimulates inflammatory cytokines. The result of L-glutamine in these studies shows that it reduces intestinal inflammation and may help recover food sensitivity.

2. Helps with leaky gut and ulcers

Millions of people struggle with leaky gut syndrome, which is today the leading cause of autoimmune disease. Leaky gut can cause thyroid problems such as Hashimoto’s disease; contributes to arthritis, skin problems such as psoriasis, and other serious health problems.

Because glutamine is the primary fuel source for small intestinal cells, it has been shown in clinical trials to cure the pain of a leaking gut. A study published in a medical journal examined 20 hospitalized patients and found that supplementation with L-glutamine reduced intestinal permeability.

Animal experiments published in the British Journal of Surgery have found that L-glutamine promotes the cure for ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. It can also help heal ulcers by protecting them from further damage and is a healthier, natural alternative to antibiotics for treating stomach ulcers.

If we do seem to suffer from Leaky Gut Syndrome, L-glutamine is the number one amino acid we need to heal and repair.

3. Effect on the brain – enhances brain health

It is a precursor of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. Glutamine is key to improving brain health. Why?

Interrupting the glutamine-glutamate cycle can result in brain problems, including Reye’s syndrome, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and alcohol dependence. Glutamine can also prevent the brain from aging.

Mitochondrial dysfunction causes abnormal growth of the neurotransmitter glutamate; again, the brain is at risk for developing the above problems. A study at the University of Medicine in New York found that even mild traumatic brain injury caused cerebral atrophy. Much of this damage is due to an interrupted glutamine-glutamate cycle and an abnormal increase in glutamate levels.

4. Improves IBS and diarrhea

Glutamine improves IBS and diarrhea by balancing mucus production, resulting in healthy bowel movements. If you have Hashimoto’s disease or an abnormal thyroid problem, it should be part of the diet for hypothyroidism. If you also have symptoms of IBS, such as persistent diarrhea or ulcers, this should be part of your IBS diet.

5. Glutamine is essential for the immune system

One of the most critical functions of glutamine is its role in the immune system. It is a vital fuel source for immune cells, including white blood cells and specific intestinal cells. However, your blood levels may drop due to severe injuries, burns, or surgery.

If the body’s need for glutamine is more significant than its ability to produce it, it can break down protein stores, such as muscle, to release more amino acids. In addition, the immune system may be compromised if there is low glutamine available. For these reasons, high-protein, high-glutamine, or glutamine supplements are often prescribed after severe injuries such as burns.

Studies have shown that glutamine supplements can improve health, reduce infections and result in shorter hospital stays after surgery. Moreover, they have been shown to improve survival and reduce medical costs in critically ill patients.

Other studies have shown that glutamine supplements can improve the immune system in animals infected with bacteria or viruses. However, the benefits for healthy adults are not strongly supported, and the needs of these individuals can be met through diet and natural production of the body.

6. Promotes muscle growth and reduces muscle breakdown

L-glutamine can provide significant support if you aim to increase athletic performance, boost metabolism, improve recovery, or build muscle. During intense exercise, the body gets stressed, and the muscles and tendons require more glutamine than the amount provided by a regular diet.

So after an intense workout, your cellular glutamine levels can drop by 50% and your plasma levels by 30%! This state of muscle breakdown is a gateway for the body when it uses its muscles to gain energy, not carbohydrates. But glutamine supplementation can prevent this from happening. Supplementation with L-glutamine allows the forces to fight and endure a little longer, which increases strength and helps restore skeletal muscle.

One study found that glutamine supplements allow faster regeneration of intense weight training because it improves muscle hydration. This facilitates muscle recovery and reduces the recovery time for wounds and burns.

Therefore, glutamine supplementation is not only helpful and widespread for bodybuilders, but in almost every sport. It can take up to six days to replenish your glutamine levels after an intense workout, so it’s essential to take it regularly if you do intense exercise.

Some athletes say glutamine works best when combined with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), especially leucine. Others consume creatine after a workout to improve muscle recovery and restore the body’s energy stores.

7. Improves athletic performance and recovery from endurance practice

One of the primary roles of L-glutamine in the body is to support detoxification by cleansing the body of high ammonia. It acts as a buffer and converts excess ammonia to other amino acids, amino sugars, and urea.

Exercising for about an hour can reduce the amount of glutamine in your body by 40%. It can also cause suppressed immune function. This hurts your endurance training and can lead to overtraining syndrome. L-glutamine is also beneficial for long-term athletes as it boosts the immune system (T-helper cells).

Animal experiments have shown that increasing T-helper cells can reduce the “stress” associated with overtraining syndrome.

8. Glutamine and overtraining

During intense exercise, our body uses glutamine from storage sites faster than it can replenish. When this happens, the body breaks down the muscles, and thus the catabolic state begins. It is proven that oral glutamine supplementation supports glycogen storage, aids in synthesizing other amino acids, and reduces the catabolic state during overtraining.

With low glutamine levels, both performance and regeneration are compromised. After strenuous exercise, glutamine levels drop significantly, so we are more exposed to infections in the so-called “open window” period after workouts.

This amino acid consumed after exercise can help us in this as well. A study of marathon runners showed that runners consuming glutamine had a 35% reduction in the risk of developing infections. Consuming enough glutamine after workouts will also help with regeneration and strengthen your immune system.

The most potent antioxidant for the body plays a crucial role in synthesizing glutathione. It is well known for its ability to increase GH (growth hormone) levels, which can be effectively increased by consuming as much as 4 g. During a rigorous and strenuous training process, such as training camps, preparation periods for regeneration time are not always sufficient.

Athletes may experience what is known as Over Training Syndrome (OTS). The researchers linked this OTS to an amino acid imbalance. This disruption of the amino acid balance can lead to poor performance, loss of mood, and the risk of developing infections that can lead to upper respiratory disease.

9. Stimulates fat burning and improves diabetes

Research has shown that HGH (growth hormone) levels increase by nearly 400 percent after glutamine supplementation. This hormonal response increases resting metabolism and enhances the post-burning effect or EPOC training.

Post-burn is essential for fat burning, weight loss, and fibrous muscle building. L-glutamine also burns fat and increases lean muscle mass by suppressing insulin levels and stabilizing blood sugar levels; therefore allows the body to use less muscle mass to maintain the blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity of the cells.

Thirty grams of glutamine supplementation per day for six weeks “significantly improved cardiovascular risk factors and body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, L-glutamine benefits diabetics and those with high cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.

Resources

[1]

Aldini G, Altomare A, Baron G, Vistoli G, Carini M, Borsani L, Sergio F. N-Acetylcysteine as an antioxidant and disulphide breaking agent: the reasons why. Free Radic Res. 2018 Jul;52(7):751-762

[2]

Samuni Y, Goldstein S, Dean OM, Berk M. The chemistry and biological activities of N-acetylcysteine. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2013 Aug;1830(8):4117-29.

[3]

Fulghesu AM, Ciampelli M, Muzj G, et al. N-acetyl-cysteine treatment improves insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2002 Jun;77(6):1128-35.

[4]

Safarinejad MR, Safarinejad S. Efficacy of selenium and/or N-acetyl-cysteine for improving semen parameters in infertile men: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study. J Urol. 2009 Feb;181(2):741-51.

[5]

Badawy A, State O, Abdelgawad S. N-Acetyl cysteine and clomiphene citrate for induction of ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-over trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(2):218-22.

[6]

Porpora MG, Brunelli R, Costa G, Imperiale L, Krasnowska EK, Lundeberg T, Nofroni I, Piccioni MG, Pittaluga E, Ticino A, Parasassi T. A promise in the treatment of endometriosis: an observational cohort study on ovarian endometrioma reduction by N-acetylcysteine. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:240702.

[7]

Stey C, Steurer J, Bachmann S, Medici TC, Tramèr MR. The effect of oral N-acetylcysteine in chronic bronchitis: a quantitative systematic review. Eur Respir J. 2000 Aug;16(2):253-62.

[8]

Stav D, Raz M. Effect of N-acetyl cysteine on air trapping in COPD: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Chest. 2009 Aug;136(2):381-6.

[9]

Mokhtari V, Afsharian P, Shahhoseini M, Kalantar SM, Moini A. A Review on Various Uses of N-Acetyl Cysteine. Cell J. 2017;19(1):11-17. doi:10.22074/cellj.2016.4872

[10]

Sandhir R, Sood A, Mehrotra A, Kamboj SS. N-Acetylcysteine reverses mitochondrial dysfunctions and behavioral abnormalities in 3-nitropropionic acid-induced Huntington’s disease. Neurodegener Dis. 2012;9(3):145-57.

[11]

Shungu DC. N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of glutathione deficiency and oxidative stress in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Jun 1;71(11):937-8.

Foods in SIBO

Digestion, Health, Microbiome and Gut health, SIBO

In the next “Foods in SIBO” list, you can find all kinds of food you can eat if you are struggling with SIBO, but you can also use this list if you have abdominal discomfort or IBS.

If you have SIBO, avoiding carbohydrates from your diet is essential. SCD, LFD, GAPS, and FODMAP diets and their variants are the most popular diets recommended to people struggling with SIBO.

All these diets are based on low carbohydrate intake because this feeds pathogens.

The only carbohydrate that bacteria do not eat much of is insoluble fiber. Below you can find most of the food consumed if you have SIBO.

“Foods in SIBO” list

If you have SIBO, you should avoid any carbohydrates. In the “Foods in SIBO” list, you can find all the food that can be consumed

Quality Protein Sources

Bone soup
Eggs (quail eggs only)
Pumpkin seed
Organic grass-fed lamb
Organic pasture poultry (chicken, duck, turkey)
Hydrolyzed bovine collagen
Vegan protein: rice, hemp, pea, etc.

Healthy Fats

Coconut, coconut oil, coconut flour, coconut + butter / semolina / milk / yogurt / cream
Ghee (if you tolerate)
Grape seed oil
Olive oil
Flaxseed oil

Alternatives for diary products

Coconut milk, yogurt, cream
Oat milk
Rice milk

Bio, Non-Starch Vegetable

Sprouts (including broccoli, radishes and sunflower sprouts)
Artichoke
Asparagus
Bean sprouts
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Fennel
Onions
Green onions
Turnips
Herbs (parsley, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, dill, lemongrass, etc.)
Kohlrabi
Leek
Salad (baby salad, iceberg lettuce)
Peppers (green, red, yellow, orange jalapeno)
Radish
Rhubarb
Onions
Swiss chard
Watercress
Zucchini

Delicious spices

Anise
Basil
Bay leaf
Cocoa beans
Cayenne
Coriander / coriander
Cinnamon
Clove
Cumin
Dill
Ginger
Ground black pepper
Mint
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Red chili flakes
Rosemary
Sea salt
Stevia
Tarragon
Thyme
Curcuma
Vanilla

Drinks

Bone soup
Coconut milk
Smoothies
Tea, herbal, decaffeinated
Water

Gluten-Free Flour

Arrow root starch
Coconut flour
Sweet potato flour
Tapioca flour

Fruits

Apples
Apricots
Blueberries
Blackberries
Redcurrant
Cherry
Cranberries
Figs
Goji berries
Gooseberry
Solo
Kiwi
Lychee
Mango
Melon
Mulberry
Nectarine
Passionfruit
Peach
Pear
Persimmon
Plum
Pomegranate
Quince
Raspberry

Starched vegetables after SIBO treatment

Carrot
Chestnut
Jerusalem artichoke
Parsley
Potato
Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes

Leaky Gut

Autism and Genes, Digestion, Microbiome and Gut health, SIBO

Symptoms and causes

Normally, the bowel does not leak. However, if there is a problem with the intestinal tract, the intestinal wall can also penetrate, leading to inflammation.

On the one hand, the intestines must be sufficiently permeable to absorb nutrients and fluids. Still, they also need a defense mechanism that retains harmful substances and pathogens. The nutrients come from the outside world, i.e., many microorganisms, chemicals, and toxins are ingested daily through food and drink, which enter the body through the intestinal tract.

Formation of Leaky Gut Syndrome

The gut as a defense system

The first stop of this defense system is the barrier, i.e. the gut flora, or as it is now called: the microbiome.

The beneficial bacteria in the gut flora are capable of:

To destroy pathogens
“Filters out” various toxins, carcinogens,
to produce substances that nourish the cells of the intestinal wall,
they also take part in mucus production, which involves the inner surface of the gut,
They make B vitamins, folic acid, short-chain fatty acids,
“Inform” the immune system of the presence of pathogens and harmful substances.

The second line of defense is the intestinal epithelial cell

In the gut, this is done by a specialized epithelial cell (epithelium), which is made up of only one layer. The intestinal mucosa is damaged by SIBO and does not ingest the pathogens due to inflammation; the duct between the intestinal cells remains open, allowing pathogens and toxins to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation in other parts of the body, in addition to food sensitivities. Allergies develop. If SIBO is not treated for a long time, autoimmune processes may start.

The third line of defense is the gut’s immune system which is 70-80% of all immune cells in the body.

Leakage in the gut can also be caused by gluten, as gluten triggers the production of zonulin in the gut. Zonulin is a protein found in the small intestine that regulates the opening and closing of a channel between intestinal cells. When the zonulin rises, it opens the nodes, and the nodes close when the zonulin level falls down. This protein is activated by gluten, which elevates zonulin and opens nodes in the channels between intestinal cells.
While many suspect celiac diseases as the cause of their problems, SIBO is often the case.

Zonulin can also be activated and elevated by infections such as Candida overgrowth, SIBO, and parasites, and exposure to toxins and stress can all cause leaking intestinal tract.

Symptoms of a leaky gut

Digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Food allergy or food intolerance
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Mood imbalances such as depression and anxiety, decreased ability to manage stress
Skin problems such as acne, rosacea, or eczema
Seasonal allergies or asthma
Hormonal imbalances such as irregular menstruation, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Diagnosis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia

Causes of a leaky gut

So the following can lead to the development of leaky gut syndrome:

colonization of harmful pathogens in the intestine
food allergies
Hidden food intolerances: these are very insidious because
intolerance usually develops to food that is consumed often, even every day but does not cause immediate symptoms. (gluten, casein, eggs)
long-term medication, antibiotics
digestive enzyme deficiencies
hormonal changes
abnormal fluctuations in blood sugar levels
persistent stress
Accumulation of chemicals, and toxins in the intestine

10 signs of leaky gut

Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating
Nutritional deficiencies
Poor immune system
Headaches, brain fog, memory loss
Excessive fatigue
Skin rashes and problems such as acne, eczema or rosacea
Cravings for sugar or carbs
Arthritis or joint pain
Depression, anxiety, ADD, ADHD
Autoimmune diseases

If you are experiencing these symptoms, consider talking to your healthcare provider and test your microbiome with the newest technology to find out what is happening inside your gut. Re-rebuilding the gut microbiome and repairing the intestinal wall is essential to stay healthy for the long term.

Resources

1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33171587/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32902315/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23851019/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30394372/

Treatment of SIBO

Microbiome and Gut health, SIBO

It is very important to note again that if you notice any symptoms of SIBO and it starts to get worse, for example, food runs through the digestive system in 1 hour and it seems to be undigested, see a doctor immediately. Antibiotic (rifaximin) is usually given to treat SIBO, which only works in the gut. 1 cure may not be enough.

I had 5. However, if your symptoms return despite medication, you can to try the alternative suggestions below. If the symptoms of SIBO have resolved with rifaximin, it is still advisable to use the alternative protocol mentioned below.

Remember, this is your intestinal system, the health of which affects many physiological processes, so your quality of life is highly dependent on the health of your intestinal system. It is worth maintaining it even after recovery.

Treatment of SIBO

Steps you need to follow!

Don’t feed the pathogens

Effective treatment of SIBO begins by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The first step is to remove the foods that feed the bacteria. These include sugar, alcohol, and all kinds of carbohydrates. Intake of complex carbohydrates such as cereals, beans, pumpkins, or sweet potatoes, only low-sugar fruits can be eaten.

With SIBO, starch-free vegetables, leafy vegetables, lean colds and healthy fats can be consumed and it is worth avoiding gluten and dairy products for a while.

Other inflammatory foods, corn, soy, refined sugar, GMOs and other processed foods should also be excluded from the diet. At the same time, it is advisable to follow an elimination diet for histamine intolerance, ie it is recommended to eat foods with a low histamine content. You can find the list of dishes you can eat in

Eridication of pathogens

Unfortunately only by diet you won’t really managet get rid of SIBO permanently. Antibiotics may be needed in almost all cases. There are 2 active substances used abroad, one is Rifaximin, the other is effective against hydrogen-dominant SIBO and the other is more successful than methane-dominant SIBO. Rifaximin (Normix) is used at home. These antibiotics are essential to kill pathogens with specific SIBO symptoms with the least amount of damage to the good bacteria in your microbiome.

After a course of antibiotics, someone who has severe or recurrent symptoms may want to take Berberin as a cure to prevent the symptoms from returning. Berberine is a wonderful drug.

In addition to its many positive physiological effects (promoting weight loss, supporting the cardiovascular system, etc.), it destroys pathogens from the intestinal tract.

Effect of berberine on SIBO

Berberin inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria that cause diarrhea, thereby relieving the symptoms of diarrhea. SIBO can be a great help in case of intestinal inflammation problems.
Insulin resistance often develops as a result of intestinal problems. The blood sugar optimizing effect of Berberin prevents the development of insulin resistance and reverses existing insulin resistance, promotes weight loss

It also inhibits Candida overgrowth, SIBO and prevents leakage. Berberine does not choose between good and bad bacteria, but it does less harm to good bacteria than antibiotics. It is worth taking it with a probiotic, but while the eradication is in progress, only soil bacteria should be taken, followed by others. This will be discussed later.
You can find Berberin in the webshop here: Berberin

If you have a rash, Oregano capsules can be good to take as a fire extinguisher due to its antimicrobial effect.

Initial malaise

Although many patients feel better soon after starting treatment, there are those who experience the negative effects of bacterial death almost immediately. Dying bacteria often begin to produce amounts of toxins that the body cannot handle, causing unpleasant symptoms. You should not be afraid if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Brain fog
Memory impairment
Dizziness
Headache
Fatigue
Anxiety or irritability
Gas formation, bloating
Diarrhea or constipation
Joint and muscle pain

Although the symptoms are not pleasant, they indicate that you are well on your way to recovery.
3 detoxification options if you are very bothered by the above symptoms:
Sit in an infrared sauna, which is tolerated relatively well by the body, even in the case of histamine intolerance, so that toxins are cleared quickly through sweating.
Soak yourself in bitter water for half an hour. The epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfates and is absorbed through the skin, reducing muscle pain, cramps and even detoxifying (put 30g of epsom salt and 30g of baking soda in 1 tub of water)
Take a charcoal tablet. Carbon binds toxins and removes them from the body.
In all three cases, drink a lot. Preferably 3 l of clean water.

Restore good bacteria

It is a very important step to restore good bacteria in the gut for optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients.
It is advisable to take a probiotic only after the antibiotic and only what has been detected in the Intestinal genome or a simpler intestinal flora status test. If you are not taking a probiotic to make up for the missing bacteria in your gut, you are not actually doing anything, but you may even be doing yourself a foul because an overgrowth of good bacteria can result in SIBO !!!!

Among the good bacteria in the small intestine, lactobacillus or bifidobacterium species tend to multiply. The small intestine is not meant for bacteria to rest in it. Since most probiotic preparations contain lactobacillus or bifidobacteria, using this type of probiotic will only increase the bacteria in your small intestine by throwing oil on the fire. This is why it is very important to know the composition of your intestinal flora.

In the case of SIBO,

it is recommended to use only soil-based probiotics to reduce symptoms, regardless of the condition of the intestinal flora. They contain innovative strains of bacteria that efficiently produce highly bioavailable antioxidants and riboflavin, precisely at the site of absorption. Riboflavin is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Soil-based probiotics do not aggravate the symptoms because they do not colonize the small intestine or nourish the bacteria that are already growing there. So they do not populate the small intestine, but start to multiply in the colon.
Probiotic in the webshop at LactoSpore probiotic

You may also want to consume a digestive enzyme to prevent the fermentation of food due to your poor digestion, which is good for bad bacteria.
You can find a digestive enzyme in the webshop: Opti7 Dygest Enzyme

Treatment of leaking gut

The treatment of leaking gut can be speeded up by taking quality L-Glutamine. L-Glutamine strengthens the intestinal mucosa, helps cells produce more mucus and more Immunoglobulin A, regenerates intestinal wall cells, closes the duct openings between intestinal wall cells.
You can buy it here in the webshop: Glutamine

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Introduce a perfect stress-relieving routine into your everyday life so that your body can regenerate with peace of mind, such as:
Infrared sauna therapy 2x a week
Mild exercise: yoga or long walks, cycling
Body massage, foot massage
Avoid evening blue light exposure which can disturb your sleep as good night’s sleep is essential for proper recovery and recovery

SIBO treatment summary

Low FODMAP Diet
Berberine -Antimicrobial effect
Dygest Enzyme – Digestive Support
Glutamine – Treatment of leaky gut
Soil based Probiotics – Intestinal Regeneration

If you have Microbiome test done, you can take probiotics according to the result of the test but only after antibiotic or Berberine treatment.

A 1-2 week course of oregano oil is also recommended to maintain the condition. Berberine kills also good bacteria, so it is only recommended for SIBO symptoms or severe diarrhea. In milder cases, oregano is better.

Five facts about SIBO