Sibo Was Destroying My Gut Here’s What I Wish I’d Known
If you’d asked me back in 2017 if I ate a gut-friendly diet, I would have given an emphatic yes.
I’d recently come off a yearlong odyssey healing my Hashimoto’s one lifestyle change at a time, and as part of it had learned the do’s and don’ts of living with my microbiome in mind. I was eating plenty of fiber, dousing my grain bowls in kefir green goddess dressing and kimchi, and washing it all down with homemade kombucha.
Yet despite my habit overhaul, about a year ago, I started to notice some digestive woes creeping back into my life. My usual dietfull of woody veggies and fermented foods that, in theory, supported good gut healthwas starting to make me feel bloated after meals. And I began to worry that my habitual burping, and more than occasional tooting, was becoming a regular companion soundtrack to my husband’s and my nighttime Netflix binges.
Gaps Diet Important Guidelines
- Drink one cup of bone broth with each meal.
- Use coconut oil or grass-fed ghee for cooking.
- Only eat low-glycemic fruit
- Never eat fruit with meat of any type
- Introduce probiotic-rich foods slowly
- Dont eat pasteurized dairy consume only fermented raw dairy as tolerated.
- Include one tablespoon fermented vegetable juice with each meal.
Incorporate organic coconut oil, grass-fed ghee and coconut butter whenever possible during this stage. These are all rich in medium-chain triglycerides which are easy on the digestive system and help support the health of the gut lining and blood brain barrier.
Leaky Gut: What Is It And What Does It Mean For You
- By , Contributor
Before the medical community had better understanding of the mechanisms that cause disease, doctors believed certain ailments could originate from imbalances in the stomach. This was called hypochondriasis. This concept was rejected as science evolved and, for example, we could look under a microscope and see bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The meaning of the term changed, and for many years doctors used the word “hypochondriac” to describe a person who has a persistent, often inexplicable fear of having a serious medical illness.
But what if this ancient concept of illnesses originating in the gut actually holds some truth? Could some of the chronic diseases our society faces today actually be associated with a dysfunctional gastrointestinal system?
The expression “leaky gut” is getting a lot of attention in medical blogs and social media lately, but dont be surprised if your doctor does not recognize this term. Leaky gut, also called increased intestinal permeability, is somewhat new and most of the research occurs in basic sciences. However, there is growing interest to develop medications that may be used in patients to combat the effects of this problem.
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And What Is Leaky Gut
This one is more like star Wars!
As your digestion gets clogged up and the good guys are fewer in numbers, they get bad at digesting your food. And tiny parts of the gut wall, one of our major immune system barriers, get inflamed and worn down, letting through undigested food particles into the bloodstream.
Your immune system recognises these food particles as invaders and attacks them. The next time you eat that food, the chances are that your immune system will react to it again and this is the start of food intolerance, and why you can continue to develop new food sensitivity.
If you are unlucky ou can, of course, have SIBO, Candida, and leaky gut!
What Is The Fastest Way To Heal Leaky Gut
As you can see, many studies have shown that its possible to improve leaky gut in a matter of weeks, or even days.
The fastest way to heal your own leaky gut completely depends on why your gut is leaky. Everyone has their own unique set of reasons.
Its important to remember that leaky gut is only ever just one element of an unhappy gut. Bad diets, stress, dysbiosis and infections are all part of the picture too. Leaky gut is unlikely to exist without some or all of those things.
Leaky gut is involved in an almost infinite number of diseases and gut symptoms, but we dont know what comes first: the disease, the gut symptoms or the leaky gut. What we do know is that looking after your gut health can kill all these birds with one stone.
Thats because your gut health affects the health of your entire body and mind, and vice versa. Its all connected. So rather than trying to heal your leaky gut as fast as you can, we recommend taking a step back and digging deep into your gut health.
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Whos At Risk For Sibo
As testing for SIBO has improved over the years, more people have been able to receive a diagnosis and treat their disorder. Unfortunately, though, SIBO remains one of the most misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed conditions to date, so being able to recognize the risk factors and symptoms of it are paramount in properly treating it. While SIBO can occur in anyone, there are certain risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing it. Frequent use of antibiotics, narcotics, anti-spasm medications for IBS and lengthy proton pump inhibitors can contribute to SIBO development. If you have a lowered immune system, such as those with HIV, you also have an increased risk of SIBO. Chronic conditions like lupus, diabetes and connective tissue disorders can cause motility issues in the bowel, leading to small intestine dysmotility and eventual SIBO. Surgery and anatomical changes to the body can also cause motility issues, such as gastric bypass surgery, colon surgery and surgery altering the small intestine. There is even a connection between IBS and the development of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. In fact, 36% of patients suffering from IBS could trace their disease back to SIBO. Treating symptoms of SIBO can help prevent IBS from developing and can help you avoid further damage to your digestive system and decrease bacterial overgrowth.
This Condition Is Not Typically Diagnosed But Could Be Affecting The Health Of Many People
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My body never completely bounced back after I had my first child15 years ago. I’ve told myself that my symptoms were part of being a busy mom: fatigue, digestive problems, joint pain, insomnia, low libido, even mild-grade depression. Many moms I know suffer the same ailments, or worse. They’ll subside at some point, I told myself. My health care provider tested me over the years for various medical conditionsfrom anemia and thyroid disorders to mononucleosis and Lyme disease. The tests always came out negative. “You just need to sleep more and manage your stress better,” he told me.
I found an answer four months ago when I went to see Willie Victor, a nutritionist in Mill Valley, California, whose practice is based on the healing properties of food. She asked me to keep a food diary and take a blood test for food allergies and sensitivities.
The results were shocking. It turns out I was “highly sensitive” to a number of foods that had been a regular part of my daily dietdairy, soy, sugar, caffeine and gluten.
10 signs you have a leaky gut:
According to Dr. Leo Galland, director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, the following symptoms might be signs of leaky gut:
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How Is Sibo Diagnosed
At present, the only reliable way to diagnose SIBO is a hydrogen breath test, in which multiple breath samples are collected at timed intervals. In each sample, the levels of hydrogen and methane gas are recorded. If the test indicates these gas levels are higher than normal, a diagnosis of SIBO can be confirmed.
Conditions Associated With Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
SIBO, whose overall prevalence is not yet clear, is an overlooked contributing factor in several common disorders.5 Several studies, for example, have demonstrated the presence of SIBO in patients with IBS.6,7 In one study, in which 84% of patients with IBS tested positive for SIBO , successful eradication of SIBO led to a 75% improvement .8 SIBO has also been observed in patients with acne rosacea,9 Crohns disease,10 restless legs syndrome,11 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,12 interstitial cystitis,13 chronic prostatitis,14 chronic fatigue syndrome,15 and fibromyalgia.16 SIBO may increase intestinal permeability ,17 an abnormality that was shown in a small study to resolve in 75% of patients successfully treated for SIBO.3 Investigators who found leaky gut in 37.5% of patients with fibromyalgia suggested exposure of immune cells to luminal antigens and consequent immune modulation as a likely mechanism for the pain syndrome.18
Interestingly, many patients with celiac disease whose symptoms persist despite a gluten-free diet have been shown to have SIBO, with improvement only after bacterial eradication.26 The incidence of SIBO also increases with age.27 It has been found that 64% of individuals more than 75 years of age with chronic diarrhea have colonic-type flora in their small bowels,5 and that SIBO is the most common cause of clinically significant malabsorption in elderly persons.19
Gerardo Calderón, Andrés Acosta, in, 2019
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Signs You May Have A Leaky Gut
Your intestines are the gateway to your health. If your gut is healthy, chances are your overall state of health is good. Whereas if your digestive health is poor, you probably experience several varied health problems. One of the most common is fatigue.
You may have heard of leaky gut syndrome. It is increasingly being recognised as an underlying factor in most inflammatory and immune mediated health problems.
Get Help And Information From The Hauser Neck Center At Caring Medical
1 Robinson-Papp J, Nmashie-Osei A, Pedowitz E, Benn EK, George MC, Sharma S, Murray J, Machac J, Heiba S, Mehandru S, Kim-Schulze S. Vagal dysfunction and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: novel pathways to chronic inflammation in HIV. AIDS . 2018 Jun 1 32:1147. 2 Song XH, Xu XX, Ding LW, Cao L, Sadel A, Wen H. A preliminary study of neck-stomach syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG. 2007 May 14 13:2575. 3 Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G. Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain-gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in psychiatry. 2018 Mar 13 9:44. 4 Roland BC, Ciarleglio MM, Clarke JO, Semler JR, Tomakin E, Mullin GE, Pasricha PJ. Small intestinal transit time is delayed in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Journal of clinical gastroenterology. 2015 Aug 1 49:571-6. 5 Roland BC, Mullin GE, Passi M, Zheng X, Salem A, Yolken R, Pasricha PJ. A prospective evaluation of ileocecal valve dysfunction and intestinal motility derangements in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2017 Dec 1 62:3525-35. 6 Steilen D, Hauser R, Woldin B, Sawyer S. Chronic neck pain: making the connection between capsular ligament laxity and cervical instability. The open orthopaedics journal. 2014 8:326.
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Histamine Intolerance And The Gut: A Web Of Connections
Histamine intolerance and the gut are interconnected in many ways. The root cause of histamine intolerance can often be traced back to an issue or imbalance in the gut, including SIBO, dysbiosis, leaky gut, or a food sensitivity or intolerance. Similarly, histamine intolerance can contribute to and worsen gut problems, creating a vicious cycle.
Getting to the bottom of histamine and/or mast cell issues inherently involves investigating gut health, and working towards a healthy gut is one of the most important things you can do to heal.
Here, we will explore some of the many connections between histamine intolerance and the gut. For more background on histamine intolerance before you dive in, you can start with our primer here, and browse our entire library of histamine intolerance articles here.
Suggested Treatments Range From Bogus To Dangerous
The Myth: Many solutions that leaky gut syndrome proponents recommend are based in fad diets, which declare that normal foods cause serious problems in most people. For instance, proponents of leaky gut syndrome recommend that patients avoid any foods with high sugar content , claiming that the excess sugar causes an overgrowth of a certain strain of yeast in the GI tract that is responsible for the damage to the intestinal wall. In addition, they say that sensitivities to gluten or lactose damage the intestine, and they recommend avoiding all dairy products and anything containing gluten.
Debunked: Fruit will not cause yeast to attack your intestines. While a small percentage of the population have symptoms related to gluten and lactose intake, these foods cause no problems for most individuals. Following these practitioners instructions is more likely to lead to nutritional deficiencies rather than reduced symptoms.
Another issue in this field is that many people in the popular media who support this unverified condition try to sell special products as a treatment for leaky gut syndrome. They offer unproven treatments for a condition that has no medical basis. Additionally, since many of these supplements havent been well researched, taking them could cost you a lot of money, do little to reduce your symptoms, and could even be dangerous.
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Causes Of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The causes of leaky gut syndrome include:
- Dietary: Alcohol, gluten, sugar, processed food, casein, lectin
- Infections: Bacterial overgrowth, yeast overgrowth, parasites, and H. pylori
- Medications: Antibiotics, antacids, corticosteroids
- Hormonal: Decreased thyroid hormones and sex hormones such as estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone
- Autoimmune disease & inflammation: Autoimmune disease and intestinal inflammation are also known contributors
- Bacterial imbalances: Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance between the healthy as well as the pathogenic bacteria in the gut
How Is Sibo Can Be Treated
Everyday Nutrition dietician Joanna Baker says SIBO diagnosis is tricky.
Although breath tests are easy to administer, they are not overly reliable, Joanna says.
The most effective treatment for SIBO is antibiotics, followed by dietary modifications if symptoms persisted.
Given that SIBO is a condition involving the overgrowth of bacteria, antibiotics targeting these bacteria are the most effective treatment, she says.
Joanna says SIBO has a high incidence of recurrence, and risk factors include coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, previous surgeries and PPI usage.
Once SIBO has been treated, I like to see where the dust settles in terms of symptoms and then address symptoms either empirically or by addressing food sensitivities, she says.
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I Wish You Health Happiness And A Better Quality Of Life
If you would like more information about functional medicine and integrative medicine or Dr. Sexton go to www.napervilleintegratedwellness.com
Do your own research, inform yourself and ask lots of questions. When collecting information, you MUST consider the source. There is no shortage of false, misleading, outdated, profit-driven and utterly biased information in healthcare today even from the most respected sources and organizations.
This approach to healthcare is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. Why? The FDA enforces its position that these words can only be used with drugs. This approach does not use drugs.
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Our Personal Leaky Gut Recovery Program Is A Great Place To Start
The Personal Leaky Gut Repair Program is a Natural Treatment for IBS and other GI related problems. Our office utilizes nutritional supplements, Dietary modifications, Hormone and endocrine support formula, and lifestyle guidance.
- To Schedule a Free 15 minute Phone Consult to see if this program is right for you
- Were here to listen! Let us help you through this frustrating and confusing time.
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Histamine Intolerance And Your Gut
My patients with gut health issues, such as leaky gut syndrome, Candida overgrowth, SIBO, other gut infections, Crohns disease, and ulcerative colitis, often experience symptoms of histamine intolerance as well. This is not surprising.
Your gut is connected to everything in your body. Gut health issues, including leaky gut syndrome, gut infections, and inflammatory bowel disease can trigger histamine intolerance. If you have symptoms of both gut health problems and histamine intolerance, it is critical that we address both so you can recover your health and reclaim your life.
In this article, you will learn everything about leaky gut syndrome, gut infections, and inflammatory bowel disease. You will understand what they are, what their symptoms are, and what causes them. I will discuss the connection between your gut, gut health issues, and histamine intolerance. Lastly, I will offer my best natural solutions for gut health and histamine intolerance.
Candida Signs And Symptoms
Candida overgrowth signs and symptoms include:
- Skin and nail fungal infections such as athletes foot, ringworm, and toenail fungus
- Feeling tired and worn down or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
- Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- Autoimmune disease such as Hashimotos thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma, or multiple sclerosis
- Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD, and/or brain fog
- Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes
- Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Vaginal infections , urinary tract infections, rectal itching, or vaginal itching
- Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears
- Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings
Testing for a Candida overgrowth is done via IgG, IgA and IgM Candida Antibodies, Complete Blood Count , stool testing, and/or a Urine Organix Dysbiosis Test.
Treating a Candida overgrowth includes:
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Is Leaky Gut Real
Your gut, also known as the gastrointestinal tract, includes over 4,000 square feet of intestinal epithelial lining that controls what gets into your bloodstream.
If unhealthy, this lining may be leaky with holes or cracks that allow bacteria, toxins, antigens, and partially digested food to penetrate the tissues beneath it.
That can trigger inflammation and changes in the gut flora , which could lead to problems within your digestive tract and beyond.
Although leaky gut is not recognized by mainstream medical professionals as a condition, its generally recognized as a symptom.
According to a
currently available specifically for leaky gut. The treatment recommendations youre likely to receive from your doctor will be focused on the underlying condition theyve diagnosed, which might include leaky gut as a symptom. For example:
- If youve been diagnosed withceliac disease, following a gluten-free diet may help heal your gut.
- If youve been diagnosed with IBD, anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, pain relievers, and supplements such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D may help the lining of your gut to recover.
- If youve been diagnosed with IBS, anticholinergic medications, tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, antidepressants, antibiotics, pain relievers, or medications specifically for IBS may help reduce your symptoms.