Gastrointestinal function is critical for good health. Emerging evidence has associated overall GI function and gut microbiome status with a wide variety of common illnesses including, but not limited to:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Celiac and Other Malabsorption Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Autoimmune
- Autism
SIBO – Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
SIBO – is a newer term referring to a condition commonly referred to as gastrointestinal dysbiosis. Only SIBO is more specific to the small intestine. It is a disorder of excessive bacterial growth in areas that don’t typically have that large of a bacterial population. There are many symptoms associated with this condition including:
IBS Symptoms – SIBO has been shown to exist in up to 84% of IBS patients
- Abdominal bloating (gas) including belching and/or flatulence
- Abdominal cramping, pain, or pressure
- Constipation, Diarrhea, or both (common to see both in IBS patients)
Heartburn (Reflux or GERD)
Leaky Gut/Food Sensitivities and related symptoms
- Migraines/Headaches
- Joint Pain and/or body aches
- Fatigue/Malaise
- Skin issues such as eczema, dry skin,
- Allergies & asthma
- Cognitive related issues – including: poor memory, brain fog, depression, anxiety
- Behavioral issues – including ASD, ADD/ADHD
- Malabsorption Symptoms – including fatty stools, anemia, weight loss
I have been seeing more and more people in my practice dealing with this condition. The following includes a list of things you can do to approach this condition:
TESTING:
- Bacterial Overgrowth of the Small Intestine Breath Test (BOSI) by Genova Diagnostics
- This simple, non-invasive test detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, a common condition that often underlies chronic symptoms of maldigestion and malabsorption, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, irregularity, and abdominal pain.
- GI Effects®Comprehensive Stool Profile by Genova Diagnostics
- The GI Effects®Comprehensive Stool Profile is an advanced stool test that provides immediate, actionable clinical information for the management of gut health. Using the most innovative technologies available, this ground-breaking stool test offers:
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), a molecular assay optimized for stool testing, assesses 24 commensal bacteria associated in the scientific literature with health and disease, and provides valuable insight into the human microbiome
- O&P (ova & parasite), the gold standard for parasite identification
- The GI Effects®Comprehensive Stool Profile is an advanced stool test that provides immediate, actionable clinical information for the management of gut health. Using the most innovative technologies available, this ground-breaking stool test offers:
DIET:
- SIBO Specific Diet
- This diet is a result of the work of Dr Allison Siebecker. It is her version of a combination of The Specific Carbohydrate Diet and The Low Fodmap Diet. I have found her combination of these two diets to work very well for SIBO as well as other GI issues including: IBS, UC, Crohn’s, etc. It combines the best of both diets, reducing a broader range of fermentable carbohydrates than any other SIBO diet
ANTIMICROBIALS, PROBIOTICS, & DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
- The use of natural medicine based antimicrobials, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can be an EXTREMELY important part of treating almost any gastrointestinal related conditions and are especially important in SIBO. They should be used, however, under the direction of a doctor trained in naturopathic/functional medicine because the dosage and timing of these products are critical in using them safely and effectively.
- Hydrastis – by Wise Woman Herbals
- MicroDefense , Cat’s Claw, and AC Formula II by Pure Encapsulations
- Probiotic 50B, Saccharomyces Boulardi, PureBiOme GI – by Pure Encapsulations
- Therbiotic Complete by Klaire Labs
- Digestive Enzymes Ultra & Digestive Enzymes Ultra with Betaine HCL
Michael Brown, ND