Treat SIBO naturally through home remedies

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or with its shortcut – SIBO is defined as excessive bacteria in the small intestine. The bacterium naturally happens throughout the digestive tract. In the small intestine, there are low levels of bacteria.

The levels of bacteria are highest in the colon. When a bacterium is in proper balance, then the bacterium in the colon helps digest food, and the body absorbs essential nutrients. But when the bacteria invades and takes over the small intestines, then it could lead to poor nutrient absorption, symptoms which are commonly associated with IBS, and they can lead to damage to the stomach lining [1].

When some person suffers small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, then the food he consumes passes through the small intestine, and the bacterial overgrowth interferes with the healthy digestive and absorption process. The bacterium which is associated with this condition consumes some of the nutrients and foods, which leads to pain, bloating, and gas. The symptoms of SIBO are very similar to the symptoms of other conditions, such as IBS. The most common symptoms of SIBO are rosacea, depression; asthma; eczema; acne; rashes, fatigue, joint pain; weight loss; malnutrition; diarrhea; vomiting, bloating, and nausea [1].

One of the biggest concerns with SIBO is bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, which leads to malnutrition. Talk with your doctor if you suffer from SIBO before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for this condition.

4 Home remedies for SIBO

Lifestyle changes

When you want to heal your digestive system, then a few lifestyle changes can be helpful. When you are having both phase 1 and phase 2 of the SIBO diet, then you should eat smaller meals, ideally 3 – 4 hours apart.

It is very important to chew each bite thoroughly. You should remember that digestion starts in the mouth. You should drink a lot of water throughout the day because it is very important to stay hydrated.

Also, it is very important to manage your stress during the healing process. Some exercises which you can use in the natural treatment of SIBO are regular exercise, Tai Chi, Barre, Yoga, and acupuncture because these exercises can reduce your stress levels and they can keep you motivated to stay on track with the SIBO diet. When you are treating the symptoms of this condition, then it is very important to give your body time to repair while it is fighting against the bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine.

When you are eliminating FODMAPS from your diet in a period of 2 weeks, and then you are transitioning to the GAPS diet and protocol, then you can start the healing process, and you can feel well on your way to killing the bacteria that is cause for your SIBO symptoms.

Essential oils

You can use essential oils as your natural treatment for the symptoms of SIBO. There was one study in which it was shown that peppermint oil could give you relief from some gastrointestinal symptoms, such as IBS. Also, other patients have said that peppermint oil has helped them in the treatment of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and IBS, but a lot more studies need to be done in the future to approve or disapprove the effectiveness of peppermint oil in the natural treatment of SIBO.

Also, there are other essential oils that can be used in the natural treatment of SIBO, such as clove oil, frankincense oil, tarragon oil, and oregano oil. You should use only high–quality and food–grade essential oils. You can add a drop or two in your glass of water prior to your meal because it can help to reduce the gas and bloating, as well as other symptoms associated with digestive upset. [2]

Supplements

There are some supplements that you can use in the natural treatment of SIBO. Zinc, iron, digestive enzymes, probiotics, Vitamin K, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12 are supplements that are recommended to be consumed in the natural treatment of SIBO. Talk with your doctor about the right dosage that you should consume for the mentioned supplements. [3]

The SIBO diet

You should start with a FODMAP elimination diet for a period of 2 weeks because, in this way, you will start ridding your small intestines of bacteria overgrowth. FODMAPS are foods that are not fully absorbed in the body, and they end up fermenting in the digestive tract. The fermentation feeds the bacteria, which is making more difficult to fight against SIBO and its symptoms. There are two phases in this diet [5], and below, we will describe them:

1. Foods to avoid during phase 1: You need to avoid the following foods [6]:

• Polyols: Here are included erythritol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt, and sorbitol, which are commonly found in mints, sugar–free gums, and some medications.
• Galactans: They are part of soy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and legumes, so you need to avoid eating these foods.
• Fructans: They are part of the cabbage, broccoli, artichokes, leeks, asparagus, onion, garlic, and wheat. You should not eat these foods.
• Lactose: This component takes part from conventional dairy and processed products with added lactose and dairy.
• Fructose: You should avoid fructose, which is found in some fruits and fruit juices, processed sugars, maple syrup, high–fructose corn syrup, baked goods, processed cereals, and honey.

It is very important for your natural treatment of SIBO to stick with total elimination of the foods which are given to avoid the list for this period. When you are reading the “avoid” list, you think that there are not many things that you can eat during your natural treatment of SIBO, but you are wrong. There are many foods which you can consume.

2. Foods to enjoy during phase 1: Here are some foods which you should consume during your natural treatment of SIBO:

• Sprouted nut butter
• Quinoa
• Strawberries
• Pineapple
• Cantaloupe and honeydew melons
• Grapes
• Blueberries
• Bananas
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Squash
• Leafy greens
• Almond or coconut milk
• Raw hard cheeses
• Free–range poultry and eggs
• Grass-fed beef and lamb
• Wild–caught tuna and lamb

The goal which is on the SIBO diet is to repair the intestinal lining, get rid of bacterial overgrowth, ease inflammation, and eat a diet that is rich in the essential nutrients that your body has not been absorbing. When you are in your elimination phase, you need to keep a supply of foods from the enjoy list on your hand. If you slip and consume any FODMAPS, then doctors are suggesting to start the 2 – week period again.

You should consume eggs, free–rage poultry, grass-fed beef and lamb, wild-caught tuna, and salmon. All of the mentioned products are high–quality clean proteins. They are easy to digest. They will give your body the needed energy and essential nutrients. When you are limited during the FODMAPS elimination, you can enjoy some fruits, such as pineapple, melons, honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, bananas, and tomatoes.

3. Phase 2 – GAPS diet: After two weeks have passed and you have avoided FODMAPS, then you should transfer to the GAPS diet plan and protocol. This type of diet can help to repair leaky gut syndrome, prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream and rebalance bacteria throughout the digestive tract. This nutritional plan is also healing IBS, reduces anxiety and depression, boost the immune system, improve neurological function and reduce food sensitivities. There are many foods that you should continue to avoid. You should avoid dairy, non–organic meats, processed foods, high–starch foods, processed sugars, and all grains. The system is still healing from the SIBO. It is repairing your digestive tract, and also it is trying to get you back in balance.

GAPS Diet:

• You should include one tablespoon of fermented vegetable juice with each meal.
• You should not eat store-bought yogurt. You should consume only raw dairy fermented 24 hours or longer.
• You should slowly start consuming probiotic-rich foods, such as natto, kombucha, and cultured vegetables.
• You should eat fruits between meals, not with your meals.
• You should use coconut oil or ghee for cooking.
• You should drink one cup of bone broth with each meal.

You should not let the guidelines and protocols of the GAPS diet intimidate you. You will get into the swing of it in no time, and you will notice that your digestive tract will continue to heal from the SIBO [6]. You should incorporate organic coconut oil whenever possible during this stage.

References:

[1] Dukowicz AC, Lacy BE, Levine GM. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: A comprehensive review. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2007;3(2):112-122.

[2] Kerlin P, Wong L. Breath hydrogen testing in bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine. Gastroenterology. 1988;95(4):982-8.

[3] Pimentel, Mark, Chow, Evelyn J. & Lin, Henry C. Eradication of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000;95(12):3503-3506.

[4] Shindo K, Machida M, Miyakawa K, Fukumura M. A syndrome of cirrhosis, achlorhydria, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and fat malabsorption. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 1993;88(12):2084-91.

[5] Hill P, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Controversies and recent developments of the low-FODMAP diet. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2017;13(1):36-45.

[6] Jacob A. Treatment and management of SIBO – Taking a dietary approach can control intestinal fermentation and inflammation. Today’s Dietitian. 2012;14(12):16.