SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, i.e., bacteria that should not be there.
You can experience problems such as stomach pain, intestinal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating after eating.
You can also have skin problems like acne and rosacea.
*Researchers at the University of Genoa in Italy found that rosacea patients have a significantly higher prevalence of SIBO. That study also showed "an almost complete regression of their cutaneous lesions that maintained excellent results for at least 9 months" after SIBO was cured.
Why do you get SIBO?
Things that can cause SIBO are:
- Reduced hydrochloric acid production and bile secretion.
- Long-term use of acid-suppressing agents.
- Disrupted pH level in the stomach. Bacteria should be stopped in the acidic environment of the stomach, so if the pH level is disrupted in the stomach, the bacteria are not stopped but continue into the small intestine where they should not be.
- The formation of hydrochloric acid. The formation of hydrochloric acid also depends on several minerals such as zinc, chromium, manganese, selenium, iron, copper, and chromium.
- Hydrochloric acid deficiency – lack of enzymes.
- Chronic constipation.
- Diabetes.
- Old age.
What is the difference between SIBO & IBS?
The indications of SIBO mirror the symptoms of other gastrointestinal diseases, including IBS. So it is important to rule out SIBO before making a definitive diagnosis of IBS.
Many with IBS actually have SIBO, and it needs to be addressed first. Studies show that 80-85% of people with IBS have bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
What happens if I do nothing about SIBO?
- First of all, it is not normal to have constant stomach problems; it should not be normalized, it can be cured.
- Secondly, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can lead to malnutrition.
- Important nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fats are not properly absorbed, causing deficiencies. If SIBO is long-lasting, we can develop anemia (iron deficiency), vitamin B12 deficiency, calcium deficiency, and deficiencies in the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- With nutrient deficiencies, our immune system weakens, we become tired, and often have skin problems. We do not feel well.
How to overcome SIBO
The first thing to review is diet. Then there are herbs and supplements that counteract SIBO. See below.
SIBO issues are very much related to lifestyle and can affect both children and adults. It’s about lifestyle; it is definitely not an incurable disease!
You should first test and see if you have SIBO through healthcare or privately; it is also possible to buy tests online.
SIBO is usually treated with antibiotics in healthcare. This helps reduce the problematic bacteria but also kills the healthy bacteria necessary for proper digestion.
We recommend starting with diet and herbs first.
Diet
Diet is crucial to cure SIBO. You need to work on basic health, replenish with good and clean nutrition. At the same time, you add bacteria-killing herbs to normalize the bacterial count.
- Drinking lemon water, celery juice, and green juices and eating sour and bitter foods like grapefruit and sauerkraut is great.
- Bitter greens like arugula and endives also support digestion and bile.
- Vegetables and berries are essential.
- It also helps to consume smaller amounts of food during meals. Spread meals over 5-6 smaller portions per day rather than 3 larger meals.
- Equally important is to chew your food properly.
- Remember to drink water throughout the day.
Exclude
You should completely exclude:
- Most conventional, processed dairy products.
- All sugar.
- Gluten.
- Bad vegetable oils like sunflower, rapeseed, and soybean oil.
- Fast carbohydrates – over a longer period.
Herbs
Bitter herbs like dandelion, artichoke, clove, and wormwood support digestion and bile.
Ginger, peppermint, fennel, turmeric support digestion. Thyme and garlic are also good.
Herbal extracts that counteract bacteria are oregano oil, berberine, thyme, olive leaf, and lemon balm.
All herbs and bitter herbs should be taken in low doses at first to see if you tolerate them.
Supplement tips
- Digestive enzymes
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- B-12
- B-complex
- Magnesium
- Possible iron if you have iron deficiency (should be tested first).
- Good gut bacteria (English: probiotics). A good microbe strain for SIBO is Saccharomyces boulardii. Or a product like Holistic's Spore Biome.
- Holistic hydrochloric acid.
- SIBOBA (special product specifically for SIBO). Products that can advantageously be combined with SIBOBA are oregano oil, Ultrabalans, as well as products that support digestion such as enzymes and hydrochloric acid.
We wish you good luck and please email us if you have any questions.
