You ever get that bloated feeling right at the top of your gut?
You’re uncomfortable, nauseous, maybe even are dealing with diarrhea or constipation and can’t seem to even think straight it is so irritating.
Well, one of the reasons you could be feeling that way is because you may have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
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What the heck is SIBO?
SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria found in the small intestine. Bacteria are usually present in every part of the gastrointestinal tract, but vary in amounts and types. If we were to compare the amount of bacteria in our small to large intestine, we would have 10,000 vs 1000000000! That’s a huge difference.
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Normally, with SIBO, clients have an overgrowth of not a single type of bacteria, but of many different ones that are supposed to be found in the colon. This disruption of microbiome interferes with the small intestine’s ability to do it’s job properly, such as digesting food and absorbing nutrients by damaging the cells lining to the mucosal barrier, aka gut lining.
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This is dangerous, for we can then end up with gut permeability which can contribute to a whole host of other issues such as the body creating a lot of inflammation as a defense mechanism, reacting to food that can cause allergic reactions, autoimmune reactions and more.
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In addition, the overgrowth can also get in the way of being able to fight off any infections and even produce particular nutrients such as short chain fatty acids, vitamins B9, B12, K, and more.
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Symptoms can look like distention and bloating right after eating, flatulence, nausea, acne, constipation or diarrhea, belching, joint pain, nutrient deficiencies can arise, as well as uncontrolled weight loss.
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But now we ask ourselves, well how did these bacteria end up in the small intestine when they’re supposed to be in the colon?
Did they just climb up?
Not really…
The root cause of your SIBO?
I may sound like a broken record at this point but if you haven’t guessed it by now, you haven’t been listening: a slow metabolism
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What is our metabolism? The rate in which our cells absorb and utilize energy.
Let’s also remember that EVERY cell in your body requires T3, active thyroid hormone. Let’s also recognize that our liver (mostly), gut, kidneys and spleen convert inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to T3 for our cells.
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Where do we have cells? Everywhere.
So if the cells in those organs aren’t getting the energy they need, our body will then automatically SLOW DOWN so it can preserve it.
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How is this enacted in our gut?
Well, our digestive system technically starts in the MOUTH where when we start chewing we start excreting digestive enzymes and signal to our body to prepare stomach acid to break down food.
Just that process in itself can hinder us, but let’s go beyond that for conversation purposes.
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Let’s say we swallow our food, more organs are at play.
We have our stomach which is covered in cells that help produce stomach acid to breakdown and produce some key nutrients. Stomach acidity is important in maintaining a particular ecosystem of bacteria.
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Then we have our pancreas which is covered in cells that produces enzymes. If we don’t get that, then some food can ferment and we can end up with undigested food and bacteria.
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We also have our gut lining, which is ALL cells, and is considered our first line of defense in the gut. If THAT isn’t working, we’re susceptible to parasites, viruses and unwanted bacteria.
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Don’t forget the gallbladder, which its cells help with the secretion of bile that CARRY bacteria out.
See the connection?
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Other factors that are hindered are the migrating motor complex doesn’t push down food, as well as the ileocecal valve gets stuck (check this out for another SIBO post)
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Hence the only way to surely rid SIBO is not to throw antibacterials but rather fix the metabolism by eating enough, eating the right foods and watching out for environmental and physical stressors.
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If you’re looking for support for your gut issues, click the link here to book a call!
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