SIBO refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria are present in the small intestine, and the types of bacteria in the small intestine resemble more the bacteria of the colon than the small intestine.
Some of the common symptoms associated with SIBO are gas-bloat, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, steatorrhea, and weight loss.
Not all SIBO patients will present with gut symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea. They may only have fatigue; they may only have things like skin problems or bad beath or maybe muscle aches and pains like fibromyalgia. 76% of Patients with Fibromyalgia test positive for SIBO
SIBO can be an overlooked contributor to other common disorders such as IBS, 78% of patients with IBS test positive for SIBO.
Patient will have micronutrient deficiencies with the following: B12, A, D, E, K, iron, thiamine, niacin.
B12 deficiency can cause symptoms of neuropathy, cognitive decline or even dementia. So, given the prevalence of SIBO in the elderly, it makes you wonder how much of B12 deficiency symptoms that are associated with aging are related to SIBO and not just “aging.”
Diets that have been reported to work well with people trying to eliminate SIBO are the low FODMAP food plan, the specific Carbohydrate diet, the 6-food elimination diet, and anti-fungal diet to name a few.
If you would like to know more about the FODMAP diet I recommend, “The complete low fodmap diet by Dr. Sue Shepherd and Dr. Peter Sisson”. You can also visit www.breakingthevisciouscycle.info for other information on other intestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, Celiac Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis of the pancreas.