Introduction

The gut system is home to the organs and intestines that ensure that the consumed food is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream while being transported throughout the entire body. The gut system makes sure that the energy, growth, metabolism, and immune support are provided to the body and the immune system, endocrine system, and even the central nervous system for optimal performance. When pathogens enter the gut system, they can cause a variety of gut disorders like SIBO (small intestinal bacterial growth) to cause havoc in the gut system and cause the body to be dysfunctional. In this 2 part series, we will be looking at different treatments for SIBO and SIFO to optimize gut health. In Part 1, we looked at how SIBO and SIFO affect the gut and their symptoms. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology services. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

 

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

SIBO/SIFO & The Intestines

 

In the gut, trillions of bacteria live in the stomach and intestines that help make sure that the food is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream as nutrients. These bacteria help keep the gut and intestines healthy and the body functioning as they help regulate the digestive system. The intestines are the primary reason nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. When there is an overabundance of bacteria and fungi species in the intestines causing the gut to be dysfunctional, it’s known as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth). Part 1 looked at what SIBO and SIFO are and how their symptoms impact the gut. Research shows that SIBO is a commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder that causes maldigestion and malabsorption in the intestines. When there are more bad bacteria than good, it can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain in the gut system and overlap with gastrointestinal disorders causing gut discomfort. Hence treatments can help with eliminating SIBO and SIFO out of the intestines and provide relief to the gut.

---

How To Treat SIBO

Research studies have shown that SIBO is considered one of the manifestations of gut microbiome dysbiosis and can be highly prevalent in IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). When SIBO starts to affect the gut and the intestines, it can cause many gastrointestinal disorders and cause the body to be dysfunctional. There are ways to treat SIBO from reoccurring in the intestines as therapeutic options can help lower the harmful bacterial growth and replenish the good bacteria back in the gut. Once a person utilizes treatment to their gut by getting rid of the excess amount of harmful bacteria, they can continue their wellness journey without gut issues.

---

Therapeutic Treatments For SIBO/SIFO

There are many ways to ensure that SIBO and SIFO will be eliminated from the body. Research studies show that many doctors will treat SIBO by utilizing treatments more focused on correcting the nutritional deficiencies and eliminating the bacterial overgrowth taking over the intestines. The goal here is to treat the underlying causes, contain the bacterial overgrowth, and provide nutritional support for the gut when SIBO and SIFO affect it. Some of the therapy treatments that are used to treat SIBO and SIFO in the intestines include:

• Diet (low FODMAPs)
• Antibiotic therapy (Weeding)
• Prokinetic agents
• Herbs for weeding* (berberine, oregano oil, wormwood)
• Probiotics (multiple mechanisms)
• Serum Bovine-derived Immunoglobulins (SBIs)
• Enzymes/HCl
• Other(Antrantil, SYN-001:)

 

Probiotics

Research studies have found that probiotics can provide health benefits to the body. When a person has SIBO in their gut, antibiotics can help eliminate the harmful bacteria; however, that can cause antibiotic resistance and recolonize the harmful bacteria. Probiotics are living organisms with unique beneficial properties that can produce good bacteria to get rid of the harmful bacteria out of the intestines, enhance the mucosal barrier function, and even downregulate inflammatory responses that affect the gut. Probiotics are necessary for promoting gut health as part of the 5Rs program for repairing a dysfunctional gut.

 

Healthy Diet

 

Eating healthy food can help many individuals that are suffering from SIBO. Research studies have found that having a healthy diet can provide alterations and induce significant, temporary microbial shifts in 24 hours. Eating the right kinds of food that help promote gut health and offer nutrients to the body can lower the reoccurrence of SIBO from coming back. When a person makes small changes in their eating habits, it can provide excellent results as the body needs these nutrients from whole fruits and vegetables. Other research studies have found that the gut microbiome plays a vital role in human health as dietary patterns and environmental factors profoundly shape gut microbiota. When a person doesn’t change their eating habits and continues to eat processed food, their gut, and the bacteria microbiome will cause chronic issues to pop up over time. When they make those necessary changes in their eating habits, the gut microbiome will produce more beneficial bacteria for the nutrients to be absorbed.

 

Conclusion

Overall, the gut system makes sure that the bacteria in the intestines take the digested food and transform them into nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream and make the body functional. When gastrointestinal disorders like SIBO start to affect the intestines, it can cause the development of chronic conditions to affect not just the gut but also the body. Incorporating a healthy diet with gut-healthy food, taking probiotics, and finding ways to lower gut inflammation can help many individuals take care of their gut microbiota and produce more beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. With these treatments, a person can continue their wellness journey without gut issues affecting them.

 

Reference

Achufusi, Ted George O, et al. “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment Methods.” Cureus, Cureus, 27 June 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7386065/.

Chen, Wei Chung, and Eamonn M M Quigley. “Probiotics, Prebiotics & Synbiotics in Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: Opening up a New Therapeutic Horizon!” The Indian Journal of Medical Research, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Nov. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311309/.

Hills, Ronald D, et al. “Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease.” Nutrients, MDPI, 16 July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682904/.

Singh, Rasnik K, et al. “Influence of Diet on the Gut Microbiome and Implications for Human Health.” Journal of Translational Medicine, BioMed Central, 8 Apr. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5385025/.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Jan. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370172.

Takakura, Will, and Mark Pimental. “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome – an Update.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 July 2020, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32754068/.

Disclaimer