SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth)

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 7:00 am

Hi!

I am healing slowly. The only complaint I have is the bloating and some gas, through the night (it lessens in the morning after a bm). The bloat is not pain, but uncomfortable.

I read this article and wondered if my small intestine could be the issue. I did take birth control pills for 10 years, I do have low stomach acid (taking betaine hcl, about 13,000 IU with each meal) I have never been able to tolerate fermented foods. I did take tons of probiotics until I was diagnosed with MC.

I am only eating 3 meats, and a few other foods, but no veggies or fruit. I wonder if I could progress using this type of diet, or is it too soon in my recovery? I was diagnosed with MC in Oct. of 2012, but just seemed to find safe foods, within the past 4-5 months.

http://www.eat-real-food-paleodietitian ... -SIBO.html

Post by **tex** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:42 pm

Hi Linda,

I have no doubt that many/most of us probably have some degree of SIBO before and during the early stages of our recovery. That said, I'm not sure whether it's worth worrying about (addressing). One reason for that opinion is based on the fact that as our digestive abilities head south, we tend to automatically change our diet in one way or another order to try to minimize our symptoms. (And this is likely before we ever become aware that we might have actual food sensitivities.) Both poor digestion and diet changes will naturally cause a huge shift in our gut bacteria population balances (gut bacteria demographics).

While some would categorize this shift as SIBO (and it is certainly likely to appear to be SIBO), I'm not so sure that it is. Why? Because it will almost always resolve on its own after proper digestion is restored, and/or our diet is returned to a more traditional balance. The key here is that SIBO (if you want to call it that) in this case is caused by poor digestion and/or diet changes. The poor digestion and/or diet changes did not occur because of SIBO. Anyone who would argue against that observation is overlooking the fact that the poor digestion (and the subsequent diet changes) are primarily due to a loss of digestive enzyme availability as a result of the enteritis (intestinal inflammation) that causes MC in the first place.

The enzyme issue is also associated with pancreatic dysfunction (which is also due to inflammation associated with the disease), and we are well aware that such problems with the functioning of the pancreas virtually always resolve without intervention, after the intestinal inflammation is resolved.

Some doctors make a lot of extra money from some MC patients by treating gallbladder issues and pancreas issues (and various other problems) that are satellite issues associated with MC, but I have not seen where this has ever shortened the path to overall recovery.

That's just my 2 cents worth, and obviously I could be wrong. Surely some exceptions exist, and as always, YMMV.

I see no reason why your diet shouldn't work, because I can't think of any reason why fruits and vegetables are essential to good health. True, they can come in handy if constipation is a problem, because they irritate the gut, and increase BM mass and frequency. But Vilhjalmur Stefansson proved conclusively that an all-meat diet is healthy, roughly 80 years ago.

I thought that you were already eating a paleo diet.

Tex

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:45 pm

Hi Linda. I read the whole article and liked it. very easy to understand. I don't know what you have been eating, but many of us on this forum already eat this way. Taking all grains and fruit out will probably help with your symptoms fairly quickly. Google FODMAP for a list of other potential problem foods. My cousin did the FODMAP challenge and did find that onions, garlic, and legumes are all issues for her ( and she does not have an IBD)

Like the article said, be careful with the type of veggies you start with ( FODMAP list will help you). If you do decide to try this, let us know how it goes. Good luck
Leah

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:38 pm

Tex,

I don't know what you'd call my diet

I eliminated everything except a meat to start, then built on that for the three meats which I have safely for each meal. I also make a waffle from Teff/arrowroot in the morning, a sunflower seed butter muffin at lunch, and a biscuit made from arrowroot flour for dinner. I also eat coconut, and a few Enjoy Life mini chips as a sweet.
I have ginger tea daily.

I take Vit D3 & betaine hcl.

It is such a slow process, but I am feeling better, except for the bloat/gas & joint aches, and it's not horrible, just a nuisance. I guess I need to continue to practice patience. I just really, really miss my veggies!

I am glad that you reinforced the fact that these problem tend to resolved themselves when healing has taken place. I'm holding on........

Leah,

I kept Teff flour (grain) in my diet because, as per Enterolab, I can't eat rice, corn, oats, potatoes, or nuts. I was too hungry to give up all grains, because I didn't have anything else to eat. That's why I was wondering if I should be doing something else, diet wise, and when I read the article I just wanted your opinions. Oh, and sweet potatoes are out per MRT testing. Jeez!!!!

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 2:09 pm

That's rough Linda. If I were to try veggies, I would go for the squash family first. They seem to be the most gentle. Cooked pumpkin is very good also.

Leah

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:10 am

So I get that improper digestion causes SIBO, but why does treating SIBO (presumably with antibiotics), suddenly improve certain conditions, if the poor digestion is still there? Examples given in this blog post are Parkinson's, rosacea, RLS and celiac...

http://alt-ternativeautoimmune.com/2014 ... art-5.html