What is SIBO

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and is the most common cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It occurs when bacteria normally present in the large intestine is found in large amounts in the small intestines. It’s the location of the bacteria that is problematic rather than the bacteria itself. The small intestines should only be home to very small numbers of bacteria but the large intestines need the large numbers to help complete digestion. The small intestine should only have 100,000 bacteria per ¼ teaspoon of content whereas the large intestine has as many as 20 billion bacteria per ¼ teaspoon of content.

What’s the problem with these bacteria being in the small intestine?

The bacteria will fight for all carbohydrate and sugar sources to feed themselves. They rob us of our food and nutrients and cause it to ferment. This fermentation produces the hydrogen and/or methane gas. Humans don’t produce these gases, they are only produced by the bacteria. These excess gases cause the bloating, burping, flatulence and pain. The type of gas produced can also mean your symptoms tend more to constipation or to diarrhoea.

Both hydrogen and methane also cause damage to the microvilli that line our intestines. This causes leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability. Your gut when working properly acts as a filter, letting the nutrients in while keeping the toxins out. When the gut becomes ‘leaky’ it allows toxins and larger, undigested food particles to get through. This can cause symptoms like joint pain, headaches or skin breakouts depending on your individual areas of susceptibility.

The small intestine can also have its motility damaged by SIBO. The cleansing wave or migrating motor complex (MMC) is a muscular contraction that moves content along at regular intervals throughout the day and is affected by SIBO and no longer works properly. This MMC is also impaired by stress and eating too often.

The symptoms of SIBO are:

Bloating and abdominal distention
Excess gas (flatulence and/or burping)
Cramping, pain or discomfort of the abdomen
Constipation and diarrhoea (or alternating)
Fibre causes symptoms to worsen

SIBO sufferers may also suffer at least one of these systemic symptoms:

GERD / acid reflux
Headaches / migraines
Nausea
Malabsorption of nutrients
Food intolerances / food sensitivities
Leaky gut
Depression or mood issues
Obesity
Fatigue
Hormonal imbalance
Joint pain
Skin issues (eczema, breakouts, rosacea)
Brain fog / concentration issues
Autoimmune conditions (Coeliac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
IBD (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

From this list you’ll see that the symptoms affect more than just our digestive system, they can affect just about any organ. If you have SIBO you’ll notice a worsening of symptoms when you eat sugary and starchy foods like bread, pasta, potatoes etc. The longer SIBO has been present the more likely you are to become intolerant to more and more foods for example gluten containing foods, dairy and fructose in fruit.