Everything You Wanted To Know About SIBO But Were Afraid to Ask

Last Update: June 20, 2018 at 11:22 am

SOURCE – News for the Soul

DATE – April 18, 2018

BY DR HOLLY

Heard On Wednesdays at NOON PST on News for the Soul Radio

 

Do you know what SIBO is?

The acronym stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It used to be thought that is was a fairly rare disorder. Now it is recognized to be a lot more prevalent than previously believed. Perhaps due to the excessive use of anti-biotics.

 

There appears to be various categories of bacterial issues. If there is a predominance of bacteria the convert bile salts to insoluble compounds – then we have fat malabsorption and bile acid diarrhea.

If on the other hand, we have microbiota that metabolize carbohydrates to short chain fatty acids and gas, we have bloating but no diarrhea.

If we have a type of bacteria called gram-negative coliforms, (ie., Klebsiella) then they produce toxins that damage the mucosa lining of the intestines.

So what causes SIBO? The most typically studied issues that cause SIBO are:

  1. Lack of gastric acid, aka hypochlorhydria
  2. Motility disruption, i.e., either constipation or diarrhea
  3. Gut immune dysfunction, i.e., inflammatory conditions
  4. Anatomical abnormalities
  5. Diabetes

So why would these issues cause SIBO?

  1. Insufficient hydrochloric acid

The hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach aspect of the GI tract is important for a variety of reasons:

Kills off pathogens

Provides compounds for absorption of nutrients like:

Vitamin B12

Iron

So what diminishes hydrochloric acid production?

Histamine blockers (for allergies)

Proton pump inhibitors (prescribed for heart burn; acid reflux; inflamed oesophagus)

  1. Motility disruption

If food is swept too fast through the intestines or stays too long in the tract, then bacterial overgrowth can take place either because the good bacteria can’t do their job helping the immune function and the stability of the gastric lining or food with bad bacteria can hang around too long causing problems

Similarly with intestinal blockages, fistulas or twists preventing normal stool mobility

  1. Gut immune dysfunction

Immune dysfunction in the gut is a common issue thanks to the overprescribing of anti-biotics and other medications. Likewise, too much sugar and too little fiber in the diet effects the microbiota of the gut. Obviously if the good guys are insufficient or due to environmental conditions are unable to eliminate the bad guys then, the bad guys can continue to reproduce and take over

  1. Structural abnormalities

All kinds of structural abnormalities can occur in the GIT. Often surgical protocols like bypasses.

Issues like diverticulitis, especially if they are large, can harbour bacterial growth. Strictures (a narrowing) that occur after any kind of surgical procedure.

Another issue that may occur is what is called “blind loop” syndrome. This is identified when the small intestine forms a loop causing food to bypass parts of the normal digestive tract. Food travels more slowly and provides a breeding ground for bacteria.

The Symptoms are typically:

Abdominal pain and/or cramping and/or distention

Bloating

Cirrhosis

Diabetes (in one study 43% of diabetics had SIBO)

Diarrhea and/or constipation

Fatigue

Food intolerances: casein, fructose, gluten, lactose, etc

Gas

Gastroparesis: a chronic disorder of delayed gastric emptying

Osteoporosis

Renal failure

Scleroderma

Weight loss

 

Often people have diagnoses like:

Celiac disease

Crohn’s disease

False positive diagnosis of H. pylori

Irritable bowel syndrome

Leaky gut syndrome

 

Unfortunately, like many diseases and disorders, it is often misdiagnosed. Note: the latest studies indicate that 88% of diagnoses are incorrect at best or outright wrong.

 

SIBO is usually indicated by such as issues:

Malabsorption of various nutrients:

Fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K

Iron

Excess of nutrients:

Vitamin 9 (Folate)

 

So how do we treat it? Well you can take anti-biotics – but there is a high recurrence rate and even more symptoms…but there is an alternative.

  • Various herbs have shown good response:

Oil of oregano

Berberine extracts

Wormwood

Indian barberry

  • Eating smaller amounts that allow for easier digestion
  • Increasing gastric production
  • Eating healthy probiotic and prebiotics foods
  • Eating leafy green vegetables
  • AVOID: ALL sugars (processed & artificial sugars as well as honey, syrup, etc; sweet fruit; simple carbs; etc), grains and dairy

 

Many people have had success with the GAPS diet

Many people utilize a variety of supplements:

Vit B12, D, K

Digestive enzymes

Iron

Zinc

Many oils have been found to be useful, like:

Cinnamon (Ceylon)

Clove

Oregano

Tarragon

 

As always, find out what is causing your problems and address the source of the issue.

Here’s to your health.

 

Find more articles for your health at www.DrHollyBooks.com