SIBO: Understand the Type.
Test Properly. Build a Recovery Plan.
Constant bloating, gas, burping, constipation or diarrhoea can sometimes be linked with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. The important part is not to keep changing supplements randomly - first identify the gas pattern, investigate why it happened and build a structured recovery strategy.
What Kind of SIBO Do You Have?
Symptoms can provide clues, but symptoms alone cannot confirm SIBO. The gas pattern matters because diarrhoea-dominant and constipation-dominant cases may require a different strategy.
Hydrogen SIBO
More commonly associated with bloating, gas, abdominal cramps, loose stools, diarrhoea and urgency.
Methane / IMO
More commonly associated with constipation, hard stools, incomplete emptying, slow intestinal transit and strong bloating.
Hydrogen Sulfide
Possible clues include diarrhoea, urgency, rotten-egg smelling gas and sensitivity to certain sulfur-containing foods.
Mixed Pattern
More than one gas pattern may be elevated. Symptoms can include gas, pain and alternating constipation and diarrhoea.
SIBO Breath Testing
The commonly used non-invasive investigation is a glucose or lactulose breath test. After drinking the test solution, breath samples are collected repeatedly so the laboratory can measure gas production.
- Glucose or lactulose solution is consumed.
- Breath samples are commonly collected every 15-20 minutes.
- The test usually lasts approximately 2-3 hours.
- Hydrogen and methane should ideally both be measured.
- If available, a 3-gas test can also measure hydrogen sulfide.
What Should You Ask the Lab?
How Do You Work Toward Resolving SIBO?
SIBO is rarely just a “kill the bacteria” problem. A structured plan should address the overgrowth, intestinal movement, food tolerance, nutrient status and the underlying reason the problem developed.
Support Stomach Acid - When Appropriate
Normal stomach acid helps digest protein and acts as an important defence against microorganisms entering through food. Low stomach acid may contribute to poor digestion in some people, but it is only one possible factor.
- Apple cider vinegar may be tolerated by some people before meals.
- Betaine HCl may be considered when low stomach acid is genuinely suspected.
- Stomach acid support is not required for every SIBO case.
Meal Spacing & Intermittent Fasting
Between meals, your stomach and small intestine activate a natural cleansing pattern called the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC). These waves help move food residue and microorganisms toward the large intestine.
- Avoid constant calorie-containing snacking.
- For suitable individuals, allow approximately 4-5 hours between meals.
- The goal is digestive spacing - not starvation or extreme fasting.
Don't Add Prebiotics or Probiotics Blindly
During a highly symptomatic phase, immediately adding large amounts of fermentable prebiotic fibre may worsen gas and bloating in some people because intestinal microbes can ferment it.
- Do not assume more fibre automatically means better gut health.
- High-dose prebiotic supplements may need to be delayed.
- Probiotic response is individual and depends on the clinical situation.
- Reintroduce foods and fibres progressively according to tolerance.
Herbal Antimicrobial Strategy
Certain botanical compounds are used in nutritional protocols because of their antimicrobial properties. Examples may include:
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Clove
- Garlic-derived compounds
Identify & Correct Nutrient Deficiencies
Long-standing digestive dysfunction or malabsorption can contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Correcting a documented deficiency can be an important part of rebuilding digestive and metabolic health.
- Vitamin B12 - particularly important when malabsorption is suspected.
- Iron / Ferritin - assess iron status rather than supplementing blindly.
- Vitamin D - commonly assessed as part of overall nutritional status.
- Vitamins A, E & K - may deserve attention when fat malabsorption or poor bile/pancreatic function is suspected.
Don't Stop After “Killing the Overgrowth.”
If the underlying reason is still present, symptoms may return. A complete assessment may need to consider:
Want Help Building Your Personalised SIBO Recovery Plan?
If you already have a SIBO breath-test report - or you are struggling with recurring bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, food intolerance or digestive discomfort - send me your case details on WhatsApp. We can review your symptoms, reports, diet, supplements and possible underlying factors before creating a structured plan.
Choose the Level of Support You Need
Your coaching strategy is built around your symptoms, test results, treatment route, lifestyle, food tolerance and recovery progress.
Foundation Plan
- Detailed case & lifestyle assessment
- Medical report review
- Personalised diet strategy
- Supplement guidance
- Food & symptom monitoring
- WhatsApp support
- Home-based lifestyle activity or gym-based training plan according to your physique and recovery needs
Gut Transformation
- Everything included in Foundation Plan
- Treatment-phase nutrition support
- Post-treatment diet progression
- Gut-lining support strategy
- Progressive food reintroduction
- Supplement adjustments
- Continuous WhatsApp guidance
- Home-based lifestyle activity or gym-based training plan according to physique, recovery and individual needs
Complete Transformation
- Long-term personalised coaching
- Diet progression according to tolerance
- Supplement optimisation
- Extended symptom monitoring
- Multiple protocol adjustments
- Daily WhatsApp accountability
- Progressive food reintroduction
- Home-based lifestyle activity or gym-based training according to physique, recovery and individual requirements
Prefer to Start With a One-Time Gut Consultation?
If you are not ready for ongoing coaching, you can first discuss your symptoms, existing reports, testing priorities, diet and current supplements in a one-time consultation. Message me for consultation availability and current charges.