ADSENSE Link Ads 200 x 90
ADSENSE 336 x 280
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be suffering from Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO for short.
What is SIBO?
The small bowel, also known as the small intestine, is part of the digestive system that connects the stomach with the large bowel or colon. The main purpose of the small intestine is to digest and absorb food into the body. The small bowel is divided into three parts: the duodenum (which food from the stomach empties into), the jejunum and the ileum (which empties undigested food into the large intestine or colon).
The entire gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine, normally contains bacteria. The number of bacteria is greatest in the colon but much lower in the small intestine. Also, the types of bacteria within the small intestine are different to the types of bacteria within the colon. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria are present in the small intestine, while the types of bacteria found in the small intestine are more like the bacteria found in the colon.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is also known as small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBBOS).
Causes of SIBO
Many conditions are associated with SIBO. A few are common:
Neurological and muscular diseases can alter the normal activity of the intestinal muscles. Diabetes mellitus damages the nerves that control the intestinal muscles. Scleroderma damages the intestinal muscles directly. In both cases, abnormal muscular activity in the small intestine allows SIBO to develop.
Partial or intermittent obstruction of the small intestine can interfere with the transport of food and bacteria through the small intestine and can result in SIBO. Causes of obstruction leading to SIBO include adhesions - or scarring - from previous surgery and Crohn's disease.
Diverticuli (small pouches) of the small intestine that allow bacteria to multiply inside diverticuli.
Conventional Treatments for SIBO
"Classic" SIBO
SIBO has been recognised for many years as a problem with severe disorders of intestinal muscles and intestinal obstruction. The treatment has been antibiotics, and they are very effective, although the underlying cause is still unclear and symptoms frequently return when antibiotics are stopped.
SIBO associated with IBS
There are very few rigorous, scientific studies on the treatment of IBS with therapies that assume the possibility of underlying SIBO.
The two most common treatments for SIBO among patients with irritable bowel syndrome are oral antibiotics and probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that, when ingested by an individual, may result in a health benefit, but it is unclear how they work.
Several antibiotics, either alone or in combination, have been reported to be successful. Most physicians use standard doses of antibiotics for one to two weeks. Probiotics may be used alone, in combination with antibiotics, or for prolonged maintenance.
Treatment with antibiotics versus probiotics
Some experts believe that for short-term (one to two weeks) treatment, antibiotics are more effective than probiotics. However, antibiotics do have certain disadvantages. Specifically, symptoms tend to recur after treatment is discontinued, and prolonged or repeated courses of treatment may be necessary in some patients. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotics because of concern over long-term side effects of the antibiotics. Doctors have less concern over long-term side effects with probiotics and are more willing to recommend probiotics repeatedly and for prolonged periods. One option is to initially treat the patient with a short course of antibiotics and then long-term with probiotics. Long-term studies comparing antibiotics, probiotics and combinations of antibiotics and probiotics are needed.
How to Treat SIBO Naturally?
Luckily, there are multiple ways to treat SIBO naturally. The first step is to work with a practitioner to ensure you have adequate stomach acid and sufficient enzyme production; they will likely provide you with betaine hydrochloride supplements and digestive enzymes to ensure that a foundation for optimal digestion is in place.
In addition to the supplements above, there are some excellent herbs that can be used on a regular basis to prevent or relieve that uncomfortable bloated feeling.
Quebracho (colorado)
Benefits: A lesser-known herb with amazing benefits, Quebracho comes from the hardwood tree in South America The flavonoids in quebracho are effective against archaebacteria, or, bacteria that cause the production of methane gas.
How to use it: Using quebracho on it’s own depends on certain factors, like the person’s age, health, and pre-existing conditions. You can use quebracho’s benefits safely however, in some supplements such as Atrantil where the flavonoids will soak up hydrogen and create an unfriendly environment for the archaebacteria.
Garlic
Benefits: Garlic supplements are a source of prebiotics that helps boost good bacteria levels, while also working against unwanted yeasts in the gut that cause stomach bloating.
How to use it: Try one 200 mg capsule three times a day, or you can also add a clove to your meals each day. Keep in mind however, that the supplement will have a much more concentrated dose and will therefore be stronger than raw garlic.
Ginger
Benefits: It’s known as the great stomach-soother for a reason. It is part of the group of herbs known as carminative herbs that soothe the digestive tract. Ginger is especially effective, it calms down intestinal activity while also expelling gas from the digestive tract.
How to use it: A great way to use ginger is by using some of the actual root and making a ginger tea, just add hot water, some lemon, and honey to taste. You can also take it in supplement form. A daily dose of 1g (divided throughout the day) is usually taken to increase intestinal motility
Horse Chestnut
Benefits: Horse chestnut contains saponin/flavonoid, a natural antibacterial that reduces methane (gas) production. When used in combination with another herb that has the ability to weaken archaebacteria (such as Quebracho) it is then able to bind to the reductase enzyme that stops methane production.
How to use it: Horse chestnut is not recommended to be taken in its raw form as it contains aesculin, a compound that is poisonous if consumed in teas or remedies made with raw or unprocessed seeds, leaves, bark or flowers. Horse chestnut is best taken in supplement form, usually in extracts containing 16 to 20 percent aescin. Atrantil harnesses the power of horse chestnut, in combination with its two other botanicals to fight uncomfortable stomach bloating.
Peppermint Leaf
Benefits: Peppermint is great for relieving stomach bloating because of its muscle relaxing properties. Keep in mind that peppermint alone will only work to alleviate symptoms.
How to use it: You can make a delicious tea using fresh peppermint leaves, or you could use supplements. A regular peppermint capsule would require a dosage of 1,200 mg in an enteric-coated capsule. You can also find peppermint in combination with other herbs such as Atrantil, a 3-part supplement that, along with two other herbs, works to treat the cause of the bloating and not just the symptoms.
3-Step Action Plan
Visit a practitioner to confirm if you have SIBO. Some of these symptoms are similar to GERD or acid reflux so being sure SIBO is the cause of your discomfort is step one. The hydrogen breath test is a non-invasive test that measures hydrogen and methane gas levels in the body.
Ensure optimal digestion (HCL and enzymes). It’s important to not keep creating an environment where there is potential for bacteria overgrowth. Conduct a stomach acid test to assess if supplementation is required. You can also make the following changes to ensure proper stomach acid levels: eating smaller meals 5-6 times a day, drinking enough water (away from meals), and cutting back on animal meat, along with eating a variety of raw foods that contain live enzymes to aid digestion.
Start using 1-3 of these herbs on a regular basis in the raw form or tea. Or one of the easiest ways is a supplement that combines all these herbs. Our recommendation is Atrantil: it perfectly combines peppermint, quebracho, and horse chestnut into one supplement that only needs to be taken once daily to eliminate stomach bloating for good.
Sources:
THS
WebMD
0 Response to "Bloated Belly? These 5 Herbs Will Flatten Your Belly in 1 Hour!"
Post a Comment