Could You Have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)?
This is an extremely common condition that can be the root of many complex health problems. Our intestines are meant to house a large number of bacteria and other organisms. They help us to digest food, produce some nutrients for us and assist our immune function. Unfortunately, alterations in bowel bacteria are common and this can produce health problems.
SIBO is defined as an increased number and/or abnormal types of bacteria in the small intestine. The condition encompasses yeast overgrowth such as Candida too, but excess bacteria is more common and a bigger problem.
There is not supposed to be a lot of bacteria in your small intestine. This part of your intestine is designed for nutrient digestion and absorption. Most of the bugs in your gut are supposed to live in your colon (large intestine).
How does the bacteria end up in your small intestine? It can either travel upwards from your colon, or downwards from your mouth. The far more common scenario is where the bugs travel up from your large intestine.
The bacteria present in SIBO are not necessarily bad bacteria, like the ones that cause gastroenteritis or food poisoning. The problem is, the bacteria are just in the wrong place. Having too much bacteria here can make you feel bloated and it can cause symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as abdominal cramps, gas, diarrhea or constipation. New research has shown that many cases of irritable bowel syndrome are actually caused by SIBO.
The lining of your small intestine is very thin; it’s only one cell thick. The excess bacteria in the small intestine of someone living with SIBO cause inflammatory damage to the lining of the small intestine. The damaged, leaky gut now absorbs those toxins, plus other wastes. They get into your bloodstream and travel straight to your liver. It’s not surprising then to learn that SIBO is a strong contributing factor to liver inflammation and fatty liver.
Symptoms of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
The symptoms of SIBO can vary enormously from person to person. Some people get terrible IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, burping, abdominal pains, constipation or diarrhea. Other people get no digestive symptoms at all; they just experience some of the harmful consequences of SIBO, listed below.
- Nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency, B 12 and vitamin D deficiency.
- Muscle cramps, spasms or restless legs syndrome. Muscle cramps and spasms are usually caused by magnesium deficiency due to malabsorption. Iron deficiency and vitamin E deficiency are strongly correlated with restless legs syndrome as well.
- Joint pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Fatigue
- Multiple food sensitivities
- Inflammation of the liver (raised liver enzymes)
- Skin problems, including eczema, acne rosacea, rashes or itchy skin.
- Refractory celiac disease (celiac disease that doesn’t resolve on a gluten free diet)
- Strong sugar or carbohydrate cravings. The excess bacteria and yeast in the small intestine want to be fed. They need carbohydrate in order to survive, so you’re likely to have big cravings for these foods.
How to overcome SIBO
The conventional treatment of SIBO involves the use of antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics include rifaximin (brand name Xifaxan), vancomycin (brand name Vancocin), metronidazole (brand name Flagyl) and neomycin (brand name Neosulf). Neomycin is usually only added to the mix in people who suffer with constipation, because it’s good for stimulating intestinal contractions. Antibiotics can be problematic though, as they can wipe out too much good bacteria in the gut. Their benefits are usually short lived, and SIBO returns soon afterwards. BactoClear provides effective microbiome correction, can be taken for a longer time and bacteria can't develop resistance to the bioactive ingredients.
An interesting article was published in the medical journal Global Advances in Health and Medicine called Herbal Therapy is Equivalent to Rifaximin for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. The conclusion to the study read:
“Herbal therapies are at least as effective as rifaximin for resolution of SIBO by lactulose breath testing. Herbals also appear to be as effective as triple antibiotic therapy for SIBO rescue therapy for rifaximin non-responders. Further, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and explore additional alternative therapies in patients with refractory SIBO.” Victor Chedid, et al. Glob Adv Health Med 2014 May;3(3):16-24
The herbs wormwood, cloves and garlic are particularly beneficial for helping to eradicate SIBO. These herbs are found in Intestinal Parasite Cleanse capsules. Changing your diet is essential. It is important to stop consuming sugar and highly refined carbohydrates like white flour. Some people need to restrict fermentable carbohydrates for a period of time by going on a low FODMAP diet.
It is vital to improve digestive function, as people with SIBO usually don’t produce enough hydrochloric acid in their stomach and they do not produce enough digestive enzymes. Taking betaine hydrochloride in supplement form, as well as digestive enzymes can offer great relief from digestive problems, and it can help to prevent the SIBO from returning after it has been successfully treated.
Some people with SIBO experience significant constipation. This is sometimes due to excess levels of methane-producing bacteria in the gut, which interferes with normal intestinal peristalsis. Once the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine has been treated, it is important to use a good quality probiotic to help prevent a relapse. It is also important to keep sugary foods in the diet to a minimum. Some people find they need to restrict high FODMAP foods like onion, garlic and cabbage long term.
SIBO can be difficult to overcome, but the above strategies should help to give you some symptom relief.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
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Please check out Dr Cabot’s recent videos on the gallbladder here:https://www.youtube.com/@drsandracabot/search?query=gallbladder
Many people with Gallbladder problems, still have a congested liver remaining after surgery and this is best reversed to improve your general health by reducing inflammation. The most common reason for gallbladder removal is liver congestion.
You may benefit from trying Dr Cabot's 15 Day Cleanse - Two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. Please go to www.drcabotcleanse.com to place an order.
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan that is available at the same website.
Now that you no longer have a gallbladder it is important to ensure there is sufficient bile present at each meal.
To supply bile, boost liver health and your vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes
Ox Bile capsules – 1 – 2 capsules during each meal to replace the bile that can no longer be delivered from your gallbladder to help essential fat and fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Livatone Plus – Start with 1 capsule twice daily for the first 2 weeks and then increase to 2 caps twice daily, to improve liver function.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – Start with 1 cap twice daily for the first 2 weeks and then increase to 2 caps twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant. NAC should be taken with a whole glass of water away from food. Do not take just before retiring to bed. NAC can be strong on the stomach, and this is why you need to take it with a whole glass of water.
These can be purchased herehttps://www.liverdoctor.com/products/supplements.html
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist
The idea that the bacteria come down from the colon has long been disproved. Of course there are other causes such as, parasites, adhesions, but it is about trying to get the MMC moving again, killing off the bacteria and reduce the toxins.
This article is not out of date, but it is looking at the problem in a different way.
Food poisoning based SIBO is not a simple cause and effect situation and SIBO is far more often associated with long standing SI inflammation from food based inflammogens like gluten and dairy foods.
To improve the Migrating Motor Complex it is most important to consider Intermittent Fasting as part of the treatment protocol as well as ensuring the diet has low inflammation triggers.
Another strategy is to reduce the reactivity of Mucosal Mast Cells so there are far less histamine mediated inflammatory processes and we strongly recommend Glutamine to heal much of the damage to the Brush Border of the SI, and soothe the whole of the digestive system.
Low stomach acid enables normally killed microbes to survive through to the Small Intestines and when SIBO has been healed we recommend Betaine at the beginning of each meal to effectively increase stomach acid concentration.
Kind regards
Victoria
Naturopath for Dr Sandra Cabot MD
The medications that you required after your back injury would have placed considerable stress on your liver, and we are pleased that your diet has reduced the stress on this valuable organ.
Although your symptoms are affecting different areas of your body, the treatment required is to reduce inflammation, which is the most often cause of many of your present signs.
Obtaining a copy of Dr Cabot’s wonderful book ‘Heal Your Gut – An A to Z Guide’ offers a wealth of information on the causes of all health maladies that may affect the digestive system.https://www.liverdoctor.com/products/books/heal-your-gut-an-a-to-z-guide.html
An anti-inflammatory diet is suggested and we are delighted to let you know that Dr Cabot’s highly acclaimed 15 Day Cleanse is available and provides you with two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. This is an anti-inflammatory program and the supplements are immune boosting, body alkalinising and gut healing.https://www.liverdoctor.com/15-day-cleanse.html
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan.https://www.liverdoctor.com/dr-cabot-ultimate-maintenance-plan.html
Fibromyalgia and tinnitus are often indicators of deficiencies, and Dr Cabot prescribes
Magnesium Ultrapotent – ½ teaspoon twice daily in a little water.https://www.liverdoctor.com/magnesium-ultra-potent-powder-210-grams.html
or
Magnesium Complete – 2 tablets twice daily.https://www.liverdoctor.com/magnesium-complete-100-tablets.html
Vitamin D 5,000iu – 1 capsule daily. Please have a Vitamin D blood test to ensure this dose is sufficient.https://www.liverdoctor.com/vitamin-d3-super-strength-5000-iu-120-capsules.html
Most cases of IBS respond well to the dietary plan and supplements of Dr Cabot’s 15 Day Cleanse, to calm, heal and soothe the digestive tract.
Insomnia can have many causes, so please send an email if yours does not respond to the above recommendations.
Kind regards
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
High ESR: 48 mm / hr
High Serum Bilirubin : 3.4 mgm
My MD prescribed me Livopill DS (Metadoxine, Silymarin, Folic Acid and Vitamin B6) and Ofloxacin & Ornidazole Antibiotics and some electrolytes supplements. My urine analysis was normal and i got negative in hepatitis tests. My MD said my high WBC and Neutrophils count shows that I have bacterial infection and my esr shows that i have inflammation. Do i have SIBO and liver inflammation because of SIBO? Is it possible that high bilirubin count could be a result of liver inflammation? IBS Symptoms started after a diarrhea i had 2 weeks ago and I did heavy abs workout the previous evening like 50+ leg raisers without break (I usually split and take break but that day I just went hard on it). I think I have SIBO (maybe coz of that workout) and liver inflammation because of SIBO. Is Ofloxacin & Ornidazole enough for SIBO? or Should I go for Rifaximin?
Inflammation always accompanies a bacterial infection, it is our body’s way to prime the immune system to fight the infection.
Many of your symptoms are consistent with SIBO and your vigorous workout may have tipped the infection from subclinical to acute, but they are also consistent with the side effects of Metadoxine. We expect you are not consuming alcohol, and raised bilirubin indicates reduced liver function.
To boost liver health and your vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes
Livatone Plus – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant and potent detoxifier.
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.
If your present antibiotics have not resolved the symptoms you were experiencing, Dr Cabot prescribes
BactoClear – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily. Designed to selectively clear bacterial infections along the digestive and upper respiratory tract. From H.pylori or candida to SIBO and Dysbiotic Large Bowel, Sinusitis and Immune System support. It is recommended that you take a two bottle course and then have the blood tests repeated.
Many of our patients with SIBO have used Rifaximin without sustained results.
You may purchase these supplements and Dr Cabot’s books athttps://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
FODMAPs are foods that are fermented by the bacteria in your bowels. When you have SIBO, there are lots of bacteria that are exposed to these foods very soon after you eat, and the fermentation creates excessive amounts of painful gas. Thus, foods high in FODMAPs are more painful to digest and foods low in FODMAPs are easier to digest for those with this condition.
There is an excellent eating plan in Dr Cabot's book 'Healthy Bowel, Healthy Body'.
Fibre is what feeds the good bacteria, and overgrowth of bad bacteria is commonly caused by a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates.
We recommend you take
Bactoclear 2 caps twice daily for 4-8 weeks eradicate bacterial overgrowth and SIBO symptoms.
Floratone-10 1 cap twice daily between meals or on an empty stomach as it is a probiotic and will recolonise your microbiome with good gut bacteria and help to keep bad bacteria under control.
These can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritionist for Liverdoctor.com
Thank you, Kay in Denver.
Fatty liver can be reversed with a liver friendly diet and supplements that support liver function and repair liver cells.
We recommend you obtain a copy of Dr Cabot’s wonderful book ‘Fatty Liver – You Can Reverse It’ as it provides a complete eating plan with recipes.
Eat less carbohydrate – including sugar, grains and other starchy foods, because the liver converts any excess carbohydrate into fat. Don't drink too much alcohol.
Eliminate all processed foods.
Eat more vegetables, protein and healthy fats.
Drink raw vegetable juices 250 to 300mls 2 to 3 times a week. Dr Cabot’s book ‘Raw Juices can save your life’ has recipes for many different health conditions. Try the ‘Liver Cleanse’ or ‘Liver Tonic’ juices in the book.
To reverse Fatty Liver, boost liver health and her vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes,
LivaTone Plus - 2 capsules twice a day to help repair damage to the liver and improve the liver’s ability to metabolise fat.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement hastens liver healing. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant.
BactoClear – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily – Day 1. Designed to selectively clear bacterial infections along the digestive and upper respiratory tract. From H.pylori or candida to SIBO and Dysbiotic Large Bowel, Sinusitis and Immune System support.
You can order the above supplements and Dr Cabot’s books athttps://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritionist for Liverdoctor.com
Yes, it would be very beneficial to take
Floratone – 1 capsule after the main meal of the day to improve your intestinal flora.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritionist for Liverdoctor.com