SIBO – an acronym for small intestine bacterial overgrowth- is the new trending diagnosis for many lower GI symptoms. These symptoms include gas, bloating, stool problems, and general lower belly discomfort. SIBO is diagnosed by MDs by a breath test, and is generally treated with antibiotics by MDs, or biocidal herbs by alternative practitioners. In addition, most nutritionists recommend cutting out wide array of foods such as legumes, grains, dairy, garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables.
Many people do experience a reduction in symptoms after doing antibiotics or biocidal supplements, as well as stopping the above foods, however, most people find there symptoms return again within 6-12 months. In addition some people experience new problems from the treatment itself, such as joint pains, fatigue, rashes, mood changes, headaches, and even a new set of digestive symptoms. And these may not be just temporary. So what are better ways of treating “SIBO”, and is “SIBO” really the problem at all?
My experience with testing clients who have been medically diagnosed with SIBO, is that the overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines is simply a symptom, not the cause, of a different problem.
For instance, it is a well observed phenomenon that yeasts, bacterias and parasites tend to proliferate in areas of the body where toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic, copper and others reside. These pathogens “eat” the heavy metals, protecting our body from raw exposure to them. And while these bugs may causing problems like bloating or stool issues, it is just the body’s defense mechanism against the toxic metals. When we use antibiotics or antimicrobial supplements to kill these pathogens off, they release these metals back into the body, and new symptoms are created. Once the antibiotics are over, the body again tries to sheild itself from the metals by again sending over bacteria, yeasts, or parasites (and even tries to use different ones than it did before, hoping they will be more resistant if antibiotics are used again)
Nutritional anaysis can test for this and if toxic metals are the underlying issue, I use a variety of herbs and supplements to detoxify the system gently and effectively. I also try to troubleshoot where the metals are coming from. Many times it is a past exposure, but sometimes I do advise on reducing high mercury fish, or too many brown rice products (arsenic). The pathogens in the small intestines and elsewhere start normalizing on their own, as they are not needed to protect the body so much from the toxic metals.
Another common SIBO cause is that there is a toxin in the liver and gall bladder, which then creates a deficiency in the quantity or quality of bile that goes into the small intestine. This can change the microbiome of the small intestine to be less than ideal. The liver is a big filter for the blood, and toxic chemcials can easily get stuck in there, creating dysfunction. What I have seen across the board is glyphosate and gmo toxicity strongly impacting liver function. Again, I use supplements to detoxify the liver, gall bladder, and digestive tract of these chemicals, and advise on foods to avoid to reduce gmo and glyphosate (wheat, corn, soy, canola). The bacterias in the gut and associated symptoms will start normalizing soon, without needing to kill anything off and create side effects.
Another factor influencing our microbiome is our exposure to EMFs – electromagnetic frequencies. Many people use a laptop on their lap, and this increases yeast and bacteria in the gut. Again, these pathogens are just defense mechanisms against the harmful frequencies. I advise people to stop using any laptops or ipads on the lap (even through a pillow, and even for short periods of time). This too can help restore a normal microbiome.
Nutritional Analysis results in a much more comprehensive look at digestive disorders, and can identify and address the issues at their root. Again, I encourage people to realize that SIBO is simply one symptom of, not the cause of, an underlying stressor such as a heavy metal or chemical toxicity. Once these factors are dealt with, a person can make a complete recovery from their symptoms.
