In recent years, science has learned a great deal about the human microbiome – the ecosystem of microbes living inside each one of us. When these organisms are in healthy balance, they help digest your food and provide nutrients to your body. They boost your immunity. And they can even alter your mood and emotions.

The average person has 10,000 different microbial species living within us. In fact, the number of bacterial cells in your body (about 100 trillion) outnumbers your own cells by 10 to 1!

By this measure, you are more microbial than you are human!

Of course, most of these ‘bugs’ live in your gut. And the highest concentrations are found within the large intestine and the colon. But there is a part of your digestive system that, by comparison, is relatively sterile.

In a healthy person, the small intestine should contain low levels (perhaps 100 thousand) of bacterial organisms.

But this is not always the case…

In some people, bacterial species proliferate in the small intestine. This condition is known as “small intestinal bacterial overgrowth” or SIBO. And it can cause serious health problems.

When you have SIBO, the bacterial overgrowth interferes with your normal digestion and absorption of nutrients. As food passes through your small intestine, the SIBO actually consumes nutrients before your own body has a chance to benefit!

This can cause a range of unpleasant digestive symptoms including bloating, gas, abdominal pain... and a range of other gut disturbances.

If you experience these uncomfortable symptoms, the big question you are asking is, "What’s causing these painful and sometimes embarrassingsymptoms and how do I get rid of them for good? (So I can have my life back!)"

Finding the root cause of symptoms is the key to lifelong health.

In today's article below, we take a closer look into the health complications associated with SIBO...plus three specific dietary protocols to help bring you relief.

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An now for more on SIBO - a condition where bacteria in your gut have over-proliferated in the wrong place... your small intestine.

One of the biggest health concerns associated with SIBO is malnutrition and a cascade of nutrient deficiencies. After all, when this condition exists, the bacteria in your gut steal nutrition from you every time you eat!

SIBO is a common cause of iron deficiency, which could lead to anemia. It can also cause B12 deficiency, which may lead to the symptoms of mental illness. It is also associated with vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, which can weaken your bones and immune system.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can also lead to a vitamin E deficiency, which can cause chronic liver disease and a decline in neurological health. Vitamin K deficiency, which can also be caused by SIBO, could lead to poor clotting.

Common Symptoms of SIBO

If you experience digestive discomfort, gas and bloating along with other seemingly unrelated health problems, you may be experiencing symptoms of SIBO. These can include:

• Acne
• Asthma
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Eczema
• Chronic fatigue
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Rashes and rosacea
• Weight loss

But how do we develop this dangerous overgrowth in the first place?

Common Causes of SIBO

One of the common causes of SIBO is prolonged or excessive intermittent use of antibiotics (which is ironic, considering that antibiotics are often the first line of treatment used by conventional medicine).

Conventional antibiotics destroy all gut flora, not just the infectious kind. Over time, this can damage the nerves in your gut. It can also leave a temporary ‘vacuum,’ which allows pathogenic microbes to take over.

Other medications that can contribute to the development of SIBO include proton pump inhibitors and immunosuppressant medications.

The SIBO Link to IBS

Have you been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Approximately 15 percent of Americans are living with this condition and research has shown a very strong connection between SIBO and IBS.

According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 157 out of 202 patients with IBS (that's 78 percent!) tested positive for SIBO. Furthermore, eradication of the overgrowth in the small intestine eliminated irritable bowel syndrome in 48 percent of subjects.

Unfortunately, because the symptoms of IBS are often confused with other gastrointestinal disorders, it can be frustrating to get a proper diagnosis.

The most common conventional treatment for SIBO is a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. While this approach can be effective in the short term, research shows that there is often a recurrence of SIBO symptoms within three to nine months. Patients have also reported an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms.

Due to the unreliable effects of conventional antibiotics, most natural health experts recommend a combination of herbal antibiotics and dietary changes to eradicate SIBO and heal your gut.

Herbal antibiotics have often been shown to have equivalent effects as their conventional counterparts – without the negative side effects and risk of antibiotic resistance.

Some herbal antibiotics that have been used for SIBO treatment include:

- Olive leaf extract
- Neem
- Oil of oregano
- Raw, organic garlic
- Berberine
- Wormwood
- Field horsetail

According to research on SIBO, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, “The most important thing is always treatment of the basic underlying disease. Nutritional support is mandatory in SIBO associated with malnutrition, weight loss and nutrient deficiency.” 

Dietary Protocols for SIBO

There are three diets commonly used in the treatment of SIBO.

1. Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet was originally created by Dr. Sidney V. Haas in 1923 for the treatment of celiac disease. The SCD is designed to “reboot” your digestive system and heal your gut. It advises the removal of grains, starchy vegetables, lactose, beans, and most sweeteners.

2. Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS Diet)

The Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet was derived from the SCD, and it focuses on removing foods that are difficult to digest and may be damaging to intestinal flora. These foods are then replaced with nutrient-dense foods (especially bone broth, organ meats and traditional fats like tallow and lard) to allow the intestinal lining to heal and rebuild itself.

3. Low FODMAP Diet (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols)

The Low FODMAP Diet was developed by a team of researchers at Monash University in Australia. It has shown excellent success in treating IBS, IBD, and other similar gastrointestinal conditions. The Low FODMAP Diet reduces short-chain carbohydrate foods, as they are very poorly absorbed in the small intestine.

Even if you've been living with SIBO symptoms for a long time, you can overcome them with a healing diet based on ancestral principles, herbal protocols and a little patience.

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To Your Health,