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Remember… “SIBO” is a symptom, not a root cause!
If you haven’t heard of SIBO, it stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.It’s basically bacteria in the wrong place. ♀️
If given the opportunity, bacteria from the large intestine can creep up into the small intestine and ferment the simple sugars and starches from food causing bloating, belching, gas, abdominal pain, cramping, constipation and diarrhea.
Treatment typically involves natural anti-microbials and/or antibiotics like Rifaximin but unfortunately the rate of recurrence is oh-so common because SIBO is just a symptom, not the root cause!
To prevent recurrence, also address these common risk factors:
1️⃣Chronic stress (of all kinds)! Reduce it or else you have a revolving door!
Stress impairs digestive secretions, including stomach acid causing undigested food fodder for microbes and allowing ingested bacteria to enter the small intestine unchallenged. I discuss this thoroughly inside the Gut Health Masterclass.
✔️Practice better eating hygiene. Eat sitting down, when calm and relaxed, and chew your food thoroughly. Simple but SO powerful!
2️⃣Poor immune function. You need a strong immune system to be able to counter overgrowths. Things that tax immunity:
Stress (again), too much sugar/flour products & alcohol, poor sleep, other simmering infections like parasites and viruses, toxins, food sensitivities. Also check your mouth for hidden infections from root canals and/or extractions!
Be sure to optimize immune nutrients vitamins A, D and zinc!
3️⃣Poor thyroid function. Sluggish thyroid = sluggish EVERYTHING including sluggish “cleansing waves” generated by the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) when we aren’t eating.
The MMC are like the cleaners at the movies who come in to do a quick clean sweep before the next movie starts.
In our body, cleansing waves should occur every 90 minutes when we aren’t eating. But unfortunately low thyroid function (and stress again) reduces the frequency and intensity of these “clean sweeps” and can allow microbial imbalance to develop.
4️⃣Grazing all day. As mentioned above, frequent snacking prevents cleansing waves. Instead keep 4-5 hours between eating episodes to help prevent recurrence.
Let me know if you have any questions below. If you’d like a deeper dive on SIBO/IBS, please vote for that course in the Have Your Say space.
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