Naturopathic Solutions For SIBO

Digestive issues are unfortunately commonplace, and the symptoms often overlap between disorders.

It’s important to figure out what’s causing your digestive distress in order to receive proper treatment and get back to your healthy self.

SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is a relatively new diagnosis but not a new condition.

Some estimate 40-60% of individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) actually have SIBO.

But what causes this condition, and what natural treatments are available for it?

Let’s investigate some naturopathic digestive health solutions known to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with SIBO.

What Is SIBO?

SIBO is a condition that affects your small intestine.

When bacteria grow excessively in the small intestine it can cause pain, discomfort, and digestive distress.

This overgrowth may also include bacteria not meant to be in your small intestine at all.

Your small intestine is the longest section of your digestive tract and is responsible for absorbing vitamins and minerals.

The bacteria can cause larger problems by causing malabsorption, especially of iron and fat-soluble vitamins.

There are many kinds of “good” bacteria that help your body digest food; however, bacterial overgrowth interferes with these healthy processes.

What Causes SIBO?

There are many varying factors and underlying conditions thought to cause SIBO, including:

• Diabetes
• Aging
• Rosacea
• Intestinal lymphoma
• Scleroderma
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Immune system disorders
• Recent abdominal surgery
• Celiac disease
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• A history of food poisoning

Some medications are connected to an increased risk of developing SIBO as well, such as immunosuppressants or proton pump inhibitors.

Other factors include sudden pH changes and anatomic or structural abnormalities in your small intestine.

What Are The Symptoms Of SIBO?

SIBO can often be confused for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to the similarity of symptoms.

Commonly experienced signs and symptoms of SIBO include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Skin conditions such as eczema, acne, rosacea, and rashes
• Asthma
• Depression
• Joint pain
• Chronic fatigue

If you are experiencing any combination of the above symptoms, consider talking to your naturopathic doctor about SIBO.

Left untreated, this condition may potentially result in serious health concerns including extreme vitamin deficiencies and anaemia.

Naturopathic Solutions For SIBO

There are effective solutions I can offer as a naturopathic doctor in Toronto designed to bring long-term relief from the uncomfortable and often painful symptoms of SIBO.

Let’s look at some of the best natural tools you can implement into your lifestyle.

1. A FODMAP Elimination Diet

Your diet affects so many aspects of your health, but it’s especially key when it comes to your gastrointestinal system.

Proper nutrition can help heal your gut and keep bacteria from taking over your small intestine.

The FODMAP elimination diet is widely used for its impact on illnesses affecting digestion.

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols.

Essentially, FODMAPs are carbohydrates found in plant-based foods, and they are known to cause digestive issues by fermenting in your gut.

If you reduce the amount of these components in your diet and your symptoms decrease in severity, there is a good chance you have SIBO.

There are many online resources and guides to following this diet, but always check in with your naturopathic doctor or other medical practitioner before drastically changing your diet.

2. Address Your Nutrient Deficiencies

It’s important to ensure your gastrointestinal system is providing your body with the building blocks it needs to recover, heal, and balance your gut bacteria.

Dealing with any nutrient deficiencies should be your first step in dealing with SIBO.

Make sure you’re consuming a nutritional diet and taking any necessary supplements to reverse any potential vitamin deficiencies.

This will restore balance to your body and give you the best chance of overcoming SIBO.

To find out whether you’re deficient in any particular nutrient, contact your naturopathic doctor.

3. Take Probiotics

Antibiotics are the current default treatment for SIBO, but the scientific research supporting this treatment’s effectiveness is limited.

The side effects of antibiotics, which get rid of good as well as bad bacteria from your digestive system, may outweigh the benefits for some individuals.

Probiotics as treatment for SIBO also have limited evidence, but they are a gentler treatment option with a variety of other health benefits.

Additionally, a study focused on the respective benefits of antibiotics (specifically metronidazole) and probiotics found the latter had a more profound positive impact and higher efficacy in individuals with SIBO.

In fact, 82% of the study group receiving probiotics reported clinical improvement.

There are many different strains of probiotic supplements, which are live bacteria and yeasts that help support your digestive system.

Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha are also good dietary sources of probiotics.

4. Acupuncture

A popular method belonging to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a treatment in which tiny needles are inserted along specific points of your body.

Acupuncture can not only provide mental relief from the stress and anxiety of digestive distress, but it can also help ease gut inflammation, abdominal pain, and constipation.

Although it is unlikely to be an effective solo treatment for SIBO, acupuncture can help support your body and mind throughout your treatment.

Book An Appointment With Dr. Sheila

SIBO is a gastrointestinal condition that can greatly impact your quality of life.

You don’t have to suffer through the uncomfortable and painful symptoms of this illness alone.

Contact me, Dr. Sheila Dyer — I can help.

I am a naturopathic doctor in Toronto with a special interest in digestive concerns.

I would love to work with you on solutions you can use to help heal your gut and address the root causes of your health concerns.

Book an appointment with me, Dr. Sheila, today.