Herbal remedies can be as effective as conventional antibiotics for managing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Key herbs with strong antimicrobial properties that target the overgrowth include:
To try to get rid of SIBO, some healthcare providers recommend a short-term elimination diet. That means temporarily restricting all carbohydrates from what you eat to starve the bacteria. The more severe version of this is the elemental diet for SIBO, a liquid eating plan of pre-digested formulas.
Herbal therapies, especially oregano, berberine, and allicin, have been found to be as effective as antibiotics like rifaximin in reducing SIBO symptoms and gas production.
SIBO commonly results when a circumstance — such as surgery or disease — slows the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. The excess bacteria often cause diarrhea and may cause weight loss and malnutrition.
Complications from SIBO include: Vitamin deficiency: Due to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, vitamins and minerals may not be properly absorbed. As a result, people with SIBO can experience weight loss, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
Common initial symptoms include dyspepsia, abdominal pain , nausea and vomiting. A major pre-disposing risk factor for SIBO is Roux en-y gastric bypass surgery. Optic neuropathy secondary to nutritional deficiency often manifests as bilateral symmetrical visual impairment, centrocecal scotoma, and dyschromatopsias.
Nutritional support
These treatments may improve vitamin deficiencies, reduce intestinal distress and help with weight gain: Nutritional supplements. People with SIBO may need intramuscular injections of vitamin B-12, as well as oral vitamins, calcium and iron supplements.
SIBO testing and diagnosis
Diagnostic screening testing may include imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray) of the abdomen and bowel to evaluate for dilated loops of bowel and screen for any areas of narrowing of the bowel causing decreased motility through the intestines.
[10]The most common species identified in SIBO are Escherichia coli, Aeromonas, and Klebsiella species. [11] Anaerobes cause direct epithelial injury and produce enterotoxins, whereas aerobes only produce enterotoxins, resulting in intestinal inflammation. [10] Bacterial overgrowth can even affect bowel motility.
If you have SIBO, you may want to consider reducing or avoiding the following high-FODMAP foods:
SIBO diagnosed individuals in this group will receive olive leaf tea orally, twice a day after meals for 8 weeks.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), from the Myrtaceae family, is one of the most effective antimicrobial and antioxidant herbs.
The best probiotics for SIBO include strains that have been shown to support gut health, such as Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Saccharomyces boulardii. These probiotics help restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria, and improve digestive function.
The Herbs That Target Bad Bacteria
Neem and oregano oil have broad-spectrum effects, making them useful for mixed hydrogen- and methane-dominant SIBO cases. When paired appropriately, these herbs can target bacterial overgrowth without severely disrupting beneficial gut microbes.
Neem Plus: Neem is a tropical evergreen tree. Neem Plus can be purchased online as well as in our office. Dosage: Take 1 cap 3x per day for a total of 14 days. In addition, while being treated, there are a variety of herbal supplements that can treat the symptoms of SIBO in order to provide day to day relief.
But even after treatment, some people's symptoms don't completely go away. For others, symptoms improve, but return again shortly. Since many people experience recurrent SIBO, be alert to a return or worsening of SIBO symptoms such as: Abdominal pain.
Some carbohydrates and sugar substitutes actually feed the bacteria that are a problem. Avoid fiber supplements (Metamucil etc.)
Allicin (Garlic Extract):
It can effectively target SIBO bacteria while also supporting immune function and reducing intestinal inflammation. Recommended dosage: 600-1200 mg daily in divided doses for six weeks.
Conclusions: Colonoscopy does not produce SIBO. Preparing for colonoscopy influences the level of expired H2, it reduces the number of intestinal bacteria, probably trough a mechanic effect or by inflating air during the procedure.
While intermittent fasting typically involves an extended overnight fast or alternate fasting days, fasting for short periods during the day may help treat SIBO naturally. The migrating motor complex (MMC) is a digestive function that happens every 90-120 minutes while fasting.
There are a variety of antibiotics that your doctor may recommend to treat SIBO, including rifaximin, neomycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin-clavulanate, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
Vitamin A, D, and E deficiencies can all be seen in SIBO. Because vitamin K is synthesized by luminal bacteria, deficiency of this vitamin is rarely seen in the context of SIBO.
Fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, may not be properly absorbed if you have SIBO: Vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems and immune deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency causes osteoporosis and depression.