What Is SIBO? Causes, Symptoms and Why Its Hard To Treat | Chris Kresser

Jul 21, 2021

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is a common  overgrowth that causes A LOT of gut symptoms and other symptoms that may seem unrelated.

Your small intestine is about 20 feet long and connects to to large intestine. Normally small amounts of bacteria live in the small intestine and the majority live in the colon. The small intestine is where you digest and assimilate food and nutrients.

The normal good bacteria that live there help to protect bad bacteria as well as help absorb and produce nutrients and vitamins. The good bacteria also helps the muscles of your small intestine do the work to move the contents through your intestines for healthy bowel movements.

When things go wrong and an overgrowth of bacteria takes place in the small intestine, you end up with SIBO. This overgrowth of bacteria interferes with digestion and absorption and can lead to leaky gut which can cause inflammation throughout the body. When this happens, you’re more likely to end of with immune reactions to various foods and even autoimmune diseases. Having SIBO can also cause malnutrition leading to low vitamin B12 and vitamin D as well as other important vitamins and minerals.

SIBO can be complex having multiple contributing factors. According to the article linked below here are some risk factors and symptoms.

Risk Factors for SIBO:

  • Low stomach acid
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Celiac disease (long-standing)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Prior bowel surgery
  • Diabetes mellitus (type I and type II)
  • Multiple courses of antibiotics
  • Organ system dysfunction, such as liver cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, or renal failure
  • Alcohol Consulmption
  • Birth Control Pills

The most common symptoms of SIBO include:

  • Abdominal pain/discomfort
  • Bloating and abdominal distention
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation (generally associated with methanogens as Chris discussed in his recent podcast)
  • Gas and belching
  • In more severe cases, there may be weight loss and symptoms related to vitamin deficiencies.

Less common symptoms of SIBO include:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Joint Pain
  • Brain Fog
  • Depression
  • Skin issues

SIBO can be difficult to treat and it’s important to address the underlying cause to prevent re-occurrence.

If you think you may have SIBO, working with a practitioner and using testing to identify the root causes is important. If you need support and would like to learn more about how we can work together, you can book a complimentary session.

To learn more about SIBO and read the full article, enjoy the link below!

SIBO is caused by an overgrowth of various types of bacteria, normally found in the colon that disrupts small intestine functionality. Read on for details.

Source: What Is SIBO? Causes, Symptoms and Why Its Hard To Treat | Chris Kresser

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