Cures for SIBO: Bacteria and Intestinal Function

Detox Drink Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 glass of water (12-16 oz.)
• 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 dash Cayenne Pepper
• (optional) stevia to taste

This is what I read as far as when to take: If you want to cleanse, lose body fat, boost energy and reverse disease then adding natural detox drinks to your diet can help you improve your quality of life fast. I recommend consuming this drink 3x daily 20 minutes before meals for 2 weeks then consuming it 1x daily before breakfast or lunch.

Some people with SIBO cannot tolerate vinegar of any kind or any fermented foods.....

I would agree with you, Deborah. Recently it's been suspected that I have a problem with SIBO. Began increasing fermented foods; sauerkraut used to be a favorite but I hadn't had it in years. So I made some after reading that fermented foods help with digestive problems; but it just about did me in. So I'll be staying away from fermented foods until I get this SIBO sorted out. I'll be trying the peppermint caps, the oregano and fresh garlic, as well as the saccharomyces boulardi. I'm hoping it does the trick.

Hi, Carry, thank-you for your recommendation. Have started on the formula listed but have been splitting up the dose into three 4oz servings. To be clear, you recommend, 12oz 3xpd, correct? If you have a link to the page, it would be appreciated.

I get it. I had stomach pain, loose bowels, my skin itched at night a had a rash on my stomach. I went to a Gastrologist. they did a endoscopy, and a colonoscopy. and told me I had acid reflux. but other than the pain the symptoms stayed the same. My family Doctor told me I might have a internal infection. I went back to the Gastrologist and he said no you have acid reflux. He flat out was not interested in testing me for anything. He just wanted to do another Endoscopy and colonoscopy...if you ask me that's where the money is. This went on for about 8 years and finally I saw a naturopath. I told her my symptoms and she said lets do a test and as she said I had SIBO. I feel better and I haven't been on Acid reflux pills in 3 months. Acid reflux pills kills off the good acids I found out. MY wife also was told she had Acid reflux, she had a Bug that went away in a couple off months. I think that's just the answer they give. Not sure but some of them are more educated than others. So yeah, keep trying. I am pain free no more cramps. ETC.

Thanks For sharing Rick

Hi. I also tested positive for SIBO, with c.diff toxin B being the culprit. I have not been able to rid myself, and its been years. Skin issues, colitis, etc. What helped you? Thanks!

Saccharomyces boulardi is helpful for c diff infections.

Fecal transplants have been said to be really good for C dif.

Could someone please provide me with the ratio of cayenne pepper and ACV for SIBO that Bill is referring to?

Thank you in advance,

KT

Hello Sharon:

So sorry to hear of your suffering.

There are so many variations of abdominal issues. I'm sure you know that. If me, I'd make sure, as well as possible, that I'd done all possible to knock out the possibility of infection from virus, bacteria and parasite. I'd take colloidal silver three times daily for six months...three tablespoons in each dose.

On the flushing issue, flushing can come from many directions, but I have seen it associated with "carcinoids" and hope this is not the case with you or anyone. But I do have a theory that carcinoids tumors might be caused by an infection of the appendix and then the appendix produces aberrant bacteria. Its job is to produce beneficial bacteria but with much abdominal problems who knows but the condition has produced harmful bacteria...and if this in turn has produced carcinoids, then a hallmark of carcinoids is flushing. Any one of those tumors could block a vital organ. So consider going to your gastroenterologist and press for such an analysis. Just a guess. But the idea of taking colloidal silver would not hurt. I'd try it for a few weeks and see if I could tell if my condition had improved. If yes, then I'd keep it up for another two weeks, and so forth.

I hope I am wrong about carcinoids but asking your specialist to consider this is a safe way to proceed. A carcinoid can block organ activity...for instance block the small intestine from sending refuse to the large intestine; can crush a kidney or block function.

The "flushing" is the clue.

When they did my colonoscopy, endoscopy, abdominal xrays, at Mayo Clinic, they searched for carcinoid tumors, and said none were found. Breath test positive for SIBO.

Have done 3 weeks of Rifaximin, and they want me to do another 2 weeks. No relief, Bloated all day, tried scd diet, but last 5 days, no relief, going to an all liquid diet need some relief. Flushing goes on for hours. stomach hard, hurts, bloated, skin itching, constipation (now trying 1200 magnesium, and vitC, sienna tea, prunes) Acid reflux, do not know what else to try.

I have painful burning all over my body and it's caused by oxalates. I'm now on a low oxalate diet. This allows the oxalates to come out of saturation in the skin, etc., BUT you MUST reduce oxalate intake slowly. If you think this might be the cause of your problems, join the Trying Low Oxalates Facebrok Group. I had years of antibiotics due to Lyme Disease. This compromised my gut microbiome. Oxalate-degrading bacteria were destroyed and allowed the oxalates to get deposited in my skin/muscles/bones/brain.

Sharon, it's been awhile since your post but you're going through many of the same symptoms as I am. I've been diagnosed with SIBO and after 3 1/2 years I'm still trying to find answers and a good doctor. I'm taking probiotics and I have seen a little difference for the better. I hope you are doing better now but in case you are still suffering you may want to try a good probiotic that is vegan and doesn't have any soy or wheat or fillers. I hope this helps. Thank you.

There was a great article in For Women First a month or two ago on SIBO. It told what supplements cured it. Try to get a copy of the July issue, I believe.

Camille, I am also dealing with SIBO/Candida. I had read a blog about another woman who realized her continual relapse was caused by probiotics. Her last treatment series she discontinued the probiotics and finally recovered. However, when she would share her story on other blogs she received backlash. I began this process with probiotics as well (very high end expensive types - several variations) and realized they caused me issues (with my mother as well). It is just a thought. My mom and I will never take them again.

Dear Dave from Fountain Inn,

I took my last Bactrim DS this morning at 9:35. I had not been on a 10 day regimen and I only had two left from an Rx in March. A friend was kind to send me some Colloidal Silver (CS) to try and I started feeling better. I have since made my own but I made the stupid choice of taking one of the last tablets at 9:11 before I went to bed last night. After I took the remaining one this morning, I remembered how bad they had made me feel. My Medicare Rx coverage changed so I had to get the Rx filled at an unfamiliar pharmacy that was the new preferred one.

I remembered, too late, seeing a Dateline report about generic drugs/ingredients being tested overseas in unsanitary conditions.

When I start the CS, how close would be advisable to take it after the Bactrim I took?

Thank you in advance for your reply.

KT

Hello KT

About answering your question....you are taking Bactrim and want to know how close after taking the Bactrim you can take CS.

Well, I can't give you personalized medical advice. I do not know how the two might interact. If this were me having taken an antibiotic I would ask my doctor or the pharmacists if they could check a drug interaction book .... however CS might not show up as a possible interaction agent. So if the doctor/pharmacist could not tell me, I'd probable wait a few days before taking the CS. But that's just my take for me. Again, I just don't give personal advise to any individual situation except to speculate what I might do in a similar situation; but can't comment any further.

Can the woman with the oxalates tell me what diet you followed to relieve burning?

I am extremely confused about all the information on how to treat SIBO - I've been taking probiotics, and had a worsening of symptoms. Is this due to die-off, or am I making matters worse?

I took pepogest, and I know that product works: I felt I was going to die when it released into my stomach. I may have an open area from antibiotics.

Isn't there a consensus on what the best way is to cure possible SIBO?

Rose, I had the same experience with Peptogest. Thought I was going to die and it took several hours to calm the stomach down. Point is that it was supposed to open in the small intestine and it did not. I have no lesions in my stomach, so I do not think that is your problem. I do not have any problems with IB GUARD from the drug store. I just wish there was an exact answer and protocol for SIBO. It is hell on earth for sure. I am a vegetarian for most of my life, so can not do the bone broth, but that seems to be a help for most "normal" folks. I will keep trying, what else can we do?

John, I'm a vegetarian too! Did you ever heal, and if so, how?

Sounds like Candida. Try the "spit test":

First thing in the morning when you wake up and before eating, drinking or brushing teeth. Accumulate a dime size amount of spit in your mouth and spit into a glass of water. Watch it for an hour. If it sinks or grows leg - you have candida.

I've read and heard that it is not always healthy to take probiotics when one is diagnosed with SIBO. SIBO bacteria is not necessarily simply bad bacteria as opposed to good bacteria (or probiotics) but rather an overgrowth of any and all bacteria in the small intestine. Probiotics are supposedly 'good bacteria' but even this can become part of SIBO.

My son has been struggling for months too, Positive test for SIBO, ND says Rifaximin with Flagyl antibiotic - the two must be used together. We tried Flagyl alone with limited results. Will be trying ND's herbal protocol and will post once it is written up.

There are oxygenated magnesium colon cleansers, one of which I tried and was very pleased with. Look into them.

You are likely having a histamine reaction. Flushing all over and high blood pressure put me in hospital 2x's in 2019…cardio docs were baffled - turned out I ate kimchi and fermented foods - SIBO does NOT like! Skip what offends your gut.

OMG! I just realized my probiotics contain maltodextrin. Not good!

Hi there, what probiotic has the B. Subtilis? I've searched, and I'm finding that it's not available in the US. Would appreciate your help. Thanks!

Copasetic, even thought its a year after your question, the only Bacillus Subtillis I know of is Primal Defense Ultra by Garden of Life. It should be available at any health food store near you

I wonder if that strain is ok for a 1 year old to take? My baby was born with a bowel obstruction and as a consequence lost half of his small intestine and illeocecal valve. He's prone to SIBO so I'm always looking for ways to keep him healthy. So far I've had great success using fermented coconut water, aka coconut kefir, made using a starter culture from Body Ecology. He hasn't needed to be on any antibiotics in the last year for SIBO, which is rare according to his doc for children with his condition.

Hi Meeya - my 15 month old daughter also had her ileum, IC valve and colon removed. Do you find probitoics help your son? My daughter can't tolerate them for some reason. Does your son tolerate dairy? I'm definitely going to look into coconut kefir!

Hi Anonymous,

What kind of B12 were you taking? And was your royal jelly in honey or just capsules? I also take B12 but it is difficult to find one without sugar alcohols which is bad for SIBO. Thanks.

Three Lac has B. Subtilis and so does Biokult.

Be careful with ginger, if u have bleeding hemmorhoids, it will thin your blood, like aspirin.

Thank you for the heads up, Tom. I've just had my first episode of bleeding after a bad food poisoning from fish. I bought fresh ginger and was about to start making tea with it. I think I'll hold off for a while now until I get the bleeding under control.

Maryjean , if you have food poisoning take activated charcoal capsules, they really help a lot.

Thank you, Renate! I will definitely try the charcoal. I've been suffering since the poisoning happened on June 3. 2 months ago now. I do believe the charcoal will help; something needs to be removed from my system, that is for sure!

What strength of berberine and how many times a day did you take it? How long before you see the results?

Checking to see how you feel. Like this protocol has worked long term? Do you have dosages you used?

Do you take berberine with food?

So gas trapped means I have sibo? I am taking black seed oil for h pylori, but it is giving me gas, does that mean j also have sibo?

Rob,

How long did it take to get results? How long should one keep drinking this for? Did you go on any special diet? Thank you.

Good info, Rob!

How did you know you had SIBO? I'm assuming you knew it was gone because certain symptoms of having SIBO disappeared. If you'd like to share more that would be great.

My baby boy was born with a birth defect that resulted in his lower bowel getting cut off, or essentially strangled, by undissolved bands in his intestines. At 4 months old, he had emergency surgery to remove the bands and the dead portion of his intestine which included the last half of the small intestine, appendix, and ileocecal valve. I'm monitoring him for SIBO now that he is older.

I plan to give him your recipe in a smaller dose anyway, since it seems the chlorine dioxide only eliminates harmful pathogens and not beneficial bacteria.

In response to your post - the protocol you list is the basic one for people camping to clean their drinking water. It's what is listed in the instructions that come with them. Are you sure what you've listed does something more?

I would proceed with caution on using that. Harmful effects of chlorine dioxide exposure Https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7982344/

Yes, I had taken Chlorine Dioxide, thinking it would help me with Candida. I self-diagnosed, and it turned out that it was bacterial. Anyhow, it certainly didn't cure me, though, I wasn't taking it aggressively. It does have a taste but not terrible. There is a slight chlorine odor so try not to inhale through your nose while drinking it. Also, due to have many allergies and sensitivities due to gut issues, I have to take much smaller doses than most people can indulge in. I would dilute the CD quite a bit more than what was recommended, here. Maybe because of the less frequent diluted doses, I didn't get the benefit. Maybe I'll try again. I'm working on trying to desensitize to berberine herbs, but so far I can't get them in. I have to do whatever my body will tolerate at any given time.

Hi Rob,

How long did you take it before it helped you..do you still take it?

Are you still having success with coconut oil? are you doing anything else to treat SIBO - antibiotics, herbs, specific diet??? thanks!

I continue to use coconut oil successfully - 4+Tablespoons per day. I also make a very rich meat broth with soup bones (cow, chicken) which is very healing. If I fall off the wagon and have grains, then inevitably the SIBO returns, so I am trying to walk the straight and narrow with diet.

Re: Coconut Oil for SIBO. What were the symptoms you experienced in your head?

Re: Coconut Oil for SIBO: Yes, Bikermom, I don't understand what symptoms you would experience in your head. Would you please advise?

I have also experienced "symptoms in my head" and can tell you it was really not pleasant. When candida is raging, my head fogs over so that I can't complete a sentence. I forget what it was I wanted to say. The accompanying headache is low grade, but serious enough to further impede clear thinking. I can't remember things and make many mistakes at work. My ears itch to the point that it wakes me in the night. At one point, my eyes fogged over as if I were looking through wax paper. It was all caused by candida.

Hey zippy , I have the exact same symptoms as you had . For the first time ever I have found someone with the exact same symptoms as me. Please let me know the treatment you underwent.

If any one here knows Zippy personally kindly ask him/her to reply to my post immediately. Btw, I have begun consuming coconut oil since yesterday, lets see if it helps.

How much coconut oil did you take a day? I too experience the SIBO effects in my head and a desperate for a solution. Thanks

Hi kayla, I can see that this is a really old post I'm replying to. I found this thread due to a search on Rosacea which has been linked to SIBO. Your symptoms completely resemble this.

I'm from Seattle and looking for a doctor that has experience treating SIBO, can I ask who you see?

Can anyone suggest a good naturopath in Seattle area who has treated/helped with SIBO. I live in Eastside Seattle and currently I am suffering from SIBO. I am doing Xifaxan treatment - 2nd time but would love to go see a good naturopath for this issue in Seattle area or eastside.

Hi, Megan, one of the foremost experts in the world is in Seattle at Bastyr University. I think her name is Dr. Laura Siebecker. She is a national authority on SIBO

In Seattle area call Ruth Urand ND, Poulsbo, Washington.

Naturopath or doctor who specializes in SIBO recovery please near Arlington, Ma.

Looking for a knowledgeable dr or practitioner in Philadelphia or bucks county

Hi. My husband and I presented at the 2nd annual SIBO Symposium in Portland, OR in June. We do manual physical therapy that helps detach adhesions from previous surgery, trauma, infection or inflammatory conditions (endometriosis, Crohn's etc). We were invited to speak because Drs. Siebecker and SSL believe that with SIBO patients they treat, and the SIBO returns is usually because they have a history of adhesions.

Dr. Allison Siebecker is in Portland, along with Drs. Steven Sandberg-Lewis and Melanie Keller. They are all wonderful naturopaths, great people, and among the experts in the country in treating SIBO. I am working with Dr. SSL myself now as I have Hydrogen-dominant SIBO, but my methane was positive as well. I have a history of taking way too many antibiotics since I was a teen-ager for frequent sinus infections. I also had radiation therapy to the pelvis for cervical cancer, and subsequently had 2 total bowel resections, with 36" of my ileum and ileocecal valve removed.

I just started the Rifaximin, and am going to gradually add in the Allicin and Neem Plus, and at the end of the Rifaximin, I'll be taking the Erythromycin as a prokinetic. Fingers crossed!

You mentioned that you took probiotics during your antibiotic treatment. I read somewhere that people with SIBO should be extra careful when starting to take probiotics. The bad bacteria needs to be starved off and eradicated first and only then should a careful process of building better gut bacteria started by a step by step introduction of probiotics. You might benefit from a retry. Also, the same source adviced that the natural antibiotics should be alternated so that the body does not grown resistant to them.

Thanks I will try it. In my second go around with SIBO my doctor strategized this program take Interphase 25 minutes before taking the garlic, berberine, and oregano. Interphase kills the biofilm. The second thing to do is very important is to take enteric coated peppermint oil 1-2 capsules three times a day that enteric coated capsules dissolve and open once they've reached the small intestines, and kill the bacteria. I'm learning that to eliminate SIBO it might take six months and that you must be on the SCD diet during that time.

Hi there. Could you explain what Interphase is? A medication, procedure, etc.

Recent research is indicating that IBS may very well be caused by bacterial overgrowth. So be sure to ask for breath test to verify SIBO, Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

This is a natural herbal process for killing SIBO. My MD gave me take Interfase or you may use Interfase plus ( this is an enzyme that dissolves the biofilm around the bacteria which allows the powerful herbs to penetrate the bacteria to kill them) Take four Interfase or Interfase Plus 20-25 minutes before the herbs. The herbal process is a 30 days or longer process. Herbs take longer than antibiotics. While on herbs you must get on the SCD diet, this starves the bacteria. Also drinking 2-3 drops of food grade peppermint oil in half glass of water 3-4 times a day helps a lot! I take a two peppermint pills before bed and eat two to three raw garlic cloves daily.

Herbs for SIBO: Take alicin Garlic 450 mg 3 times daily, take 3 berberine complex 3 time daily, take 1 golden seal 2 x times day, take 1 capsule oregano oil 3 times a day and take Neem 300 milligrams 3 times a day.

If you can't take it anymore the symptomsare driving you mad and making you crazy. Go on the Elemental Diet for 2-3 weeks , you can buy it over the counter. This means you will have no food just drink the packets. I believe 14 days would be enough depending on how bad you have it. This method I read is supposedly to be the fastest and most effective way to get rid of SIBO because you are literally starving the bacteria. Of course anytime you do this it is best to get under the care ND or MD that is specialized in this area. Once the SIBO is gone, you will need some insight on how to get the system balanced, sweeping and working appropriately. Be well!

I also wanted to mention I think heat in the area of the abdomen helps. I use an oil mixture. Since castor oil has the amazing ability to penetrates 7 inches into the body I mix castor oil with black seed cumin oil, a couple drops of medicinal oregano, peppermint and lavender oil place the heating pad over the entire abdomen maybe 3-4 times a day. My ND told me to drink hot liquids of course not to burn yourself, but as hot as you can stand it and add peppermint leaves and splash of oregano oil in it and drink. My doctor also gave me holistic Notatum (Pen. Notatum) for bacterial infections suppository penetrate into the small bowels to kill the bacteria.

I have been having SIBO problems for the last two years. I have been hospitalized a few times, and have gone to the Mayo Clinic. My issue is stomach dumping (my stomach does not open fully and food is dumped directly into my small intestine). My small intestine is working at 28% the normal speed and I get the bacteria overgrowth. Causes me great pain, bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Finally I am going for a Breath test next Tuesday. I have been reading and listening to "experts" declaring the benefit of Berberine, Allicin, Neem, and Peppermint. The question is which brands to trust? With the recent report out of NY that numerous manufacturers do not even have the active ingredient contained in the supplement is making me nervous.

I need to figure out a solution. I am already gluten free, avoid high fructose corn syrup and try to stick to the FODMAP diet. Yet my attacks are often and brutal.

Anyone have any suggestions on the effective use of Berberine, Neem, Allicin and Peppermint? Also, what brands have you used that you think are effective. I totally lost faith in brands like Natures Bounty, GNC, Walmart, Target, etc. 90% of me believes supplements and herbs are a giant scam but I have reached rock bottom. I am willing to try anything at this point.

Thanks, Bernard

Dear Bernard,

Well, sorry to hear you have been dealing with this for so long!

You asked for suggestions on supplement brands of herbs. I have been using herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs for years. I find them to be of excellent quality and have seen them to be effective. For ready made herbal tinctures, I like Herbpharm. I have used Now essential oils for years and many of their other things and have found them helpful. They may not be the absolute best quality, but they have worked and so I continue to use them.

When you refer to allicin, do you mean using garlic? We have found it to be an excellent anti-biotic in a variety of ways.

Others here have a lot more knowledge on the digestive system, so I will leave more counsel to them. I hope you feel much better soon!

~Mama to Many~

I cannot speak to the issue of natural antibiotics, as I used the medicinal type when fighting SIBO, but I can attest to the positive effects of the Low FODMAP diet. It has completely eliminated my SIBO symptoms. If you do have SIBO, one issue that can be a factor is the timing of your meals. SIBO apparently slows down the digestive system's natural cleaning wave, which does not allow it to cleanse away the bacteria. The advice is to go 3-5 hours between meals, no snacking, to ensure this cleansing wave happens. Kate Scarlata, a dietician in Boston who has battled SIBO herself, has a great website and blog with lots of great advice. I was determined not to continue taking antibiotics because they only got rid of the problem temporarily and I hate taking medications. I was determined there had to be a dietary approach. Doctors were no help, so I did my own research and found the Low FODMAP diet. It is hard to stick to at first, but I got the hang of it and I NEVER get sick anymore.

Here are a couple of links:
http://blog.katescarlata.com/2014/01/22/small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/040511p46.shtml

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

When I'm not sure what brands are best, I go to Amazon and start with the most highly rated versions of any supplement I'm getting...and I start reading the reviews, looking for people who seem to have researched what is good, and what is not.

I.E. you can go by reviews in general. You go by those which seem to be written by people who have researched or have good reasons to pick a brand. I even look at the one stars for those kind of well-thought-out reviews. Sometimes with the information in the reviews, I do to the internet to get further information.

But doing this with Amazon reviews always helps me make a decision on what brand I want to go with...