SIBO: May Not Be What You Think!

If you are reading this, then you most likely already know what SIBO is. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. Sounds serious, right?  I believe that it is serious and if you’ve been diagnosed with it, it’s certainly a pressing issue for you.

Here is the main problem- there is a lot of conflicting information available on how to treat SIBO and even, exactly what it is.  For those of you that know me, know that I am a fan of the work of Anthony William. Not because I read his books or listened to his podcast but primarily because I had a consultation with him and found that the information that he shared with me was clinically relevant.  All the theories in the world can be helpful but having a clear understanding of the cause of your symptoms and some simple strategies for overcoming them is even more important!

What does this have to do with SIBO? Anthony believes that the bacteria causing SIBO is streptococcus bacterial and that it is not only in the small intestine but can live in your sinus cavities, oral and esophageal cavities and all the way down to your anus.  Now, doesn’t that make sense? How is it possible that the bacteria would be limited to your small intestine/SI alone? As if the sphincter between your stomach and SI  has some magical anti-bacterial properties to prevent it from ascending up from the SI and into your stomach?  If your HCL acid levels are good in your stomach, and your liver/gallbladder is functioning optimally making high quality bile for digestion, then yes, we can say that the inferior sphincter of your stomach has magical abilities to eliminate bacteria.

However, if you’ve been diagnosed with SIBO then we know that this sphincter has been compromised and most likely not functioning properly. What causes this sphincter to become weak? Lots of things, but our focus now is going to be how to get your system strong enough so that this SIBO will be eliminated.  This treatment strategy involves improving your HCL in your stomach. This can easily be done by using Standard Processes’s (SP) Zypan digestive enzyme during meals, especially high fat/high protein meals.  The SIBO elimination treatment strategy also includes optimizing your liver and gallbladder function.  There are many approaches to improving liver function. I particularly like Standard Process’s LivCo or LivTon product.  And when it comes to gall bladder function, nothing compares to SP’s Betafood or AF Betafood. This is a beet based product designed to support your gallbladder to function optimally in producing the highest quality bile possible. If you do not have a gallbladder, then you will need to upgrade to the SP cholacol product which will replace gallbladder function. High quality bile is key to your recovery of SIBO.  According to Anthony William (AW), “one of bile’s roles is keeping fat from saturating in the intestinal lining and going rancid. When fat does go rancid in the digestive tract- it can happen with any radical fat source- it can feed pathogens”.

Once you balance your HCL in your stomach, support your liver and gallbladder at each meal, then you are ready to begin a more targeted treatment strategy to eliminate the streptococcus bacteria from your GI tract.  This has to be done however, in combination with a good diet. There is so much information available to you now regarding a good diet, I am not going to go into that here. A good diet means stop eating crap! Poison in the form of pesticides, refined carbohydrates, bad fats & oils including canola oil, fried food, lots of processed sugar especially high fructose corn syrup. The general rule is to avoid: Gluten, dairy, soy, corn and sugar. If you can do that, then you don’t have to worry about a low FODMAP diet or be on a very restricted diet. Most likely you are already allergic to the list above as these foods create inflammation and no one should be eating them. Period. My favorite food book is Life Changing Food by Anthony William. He also has lots of excellent, simple, easy to follow recipes on his blog.

Making these changes is more about lifestyle changes vs. a “diet”. If you want to have good health, you have to eat well. It’s that simple.  Taking the right supplements at the right time also helps eliminate digestive stress. Your digestive health is the core of your health, both physical and emotional so please, please, make it a priority.

I really like the protocol below which was created by Dr. Sean Devlin.  In fact, I like it so much that I believe that everyone should do this protocol for a minimum of 2 weeks annually preferably in the spring when we are supported by nature to naturally detox and purify.  After reading countless microbiome gut reports from Standard Process and Biohm, I am certain that everyone needs to clean up their guts! Folks are loaded with not only SIBO but candida and e-coli. This sovereign silver and aloe vera juice protocol, when combined with a good diet will benefit everyone.

Intestinal Health Protocols developed by Sean Devlin DO, MD(H), MS

This protocol is for eliminating gut dysbiosis including: Candida, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Leaky Gut, Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, Diverticulitis, SIBO and C-Diff.

1. In a glass, mix 2 tablespoons (1oz) Argentyn brand bio-active silver hydrosol with 2 tablespoons (1oz) pure Aloe Vera Juice – swallow straight into an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast, one hour before lunch and one hour before dinner, unless part of your therapy includes fasting.
2. While employing this protocol, take a high-quality *probiotic every night before going to bed. When mixing a pure bio-active silver hydrosol with Aloe Vera juice, and swallowing straight to an empty stomach, there will be some impact to the good flora as this mixture attacks harmful flora. The body is all about balance.
3. To offset the chance of a commonly-known die-off reaction or healing crisis, called a Jarisch- Herxheimer event, due to the interactivity of the silver hydrosol with anything pathogenic, take a 200 mcg or 400 mcg supplement of a high-quality selenium daily and 400 to 800 IU of natural Vitamin E once a week. These are only to restore nutrients which interact with silver in trace amounts. Examples of quality selenium are: selenomethionine, methyl-selenomethionine, selenocysteine, or a whole food selenium. These can assist in preserving healthy bacteria and help you maintain a good nutritional balance.

**This program can run from 2 weeks to 8 weeks or longer. At the rate above, three 16oz bottles of bio- active silver hydrosol will be required every 2 weeks. This program can also be used in conjunction with a 72 hour water/green tea fast at the beginning and close of the treatment cycle. Remember to always consult with your doctor prior to initiating a fast.

Note: A lighter (120lbs or less) person should mix 1 tablespoon of bio-active silver hydrosol, with 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice – also taken 3 times daily. The rest of the protocol is followed as detailed above. Always follow up with your personal physician for any concerns or questions you may have concerning this process.

Sean Devlin, DO, MD(H), MS Bio

Dr. Devlin is a board-certified family practice physician and is board eligible in emergency medicine (BCEM). He is fellowship trained in neuromuscular medicine and anatomy and has extensive experience in pain management and functional medicine. Dr. Devlin is also trained as a homeopathic medical doctor and has been board certified since 2002. Board certified in anti-aging medicine and regenerative medicine, he is also fellowship trained in anti-aging, regenerative and functional medicine.

Dr Devlin has completed a fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapeutics. He is an experienced IPTLD (Insulin Potentiated Therapy — Low Dose High Frequency Chemotherapy) practitioner and received his IPT training and certification in 2003. He is also a certified IPTLD instructor (since 2006) and has educated clinicians and helped establish integrative cancer medical practices around the country.

Dr. Devlin has traveled extensively abroad to study and evaluate unique and progressive cancer therapies and integrative medical techniques. Dr. Devlin’s broad knowledge base and open-minded approach to the practice of medicine allows his patients to receive effective and individualized care. 

*I like the SP Prosynbiotic probiotic supplement.

Resources:

Liver Rescue: Answers to eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, strep, acne, gout, gloating, gallstones, adrenal stress, fatigue, fatter liver, weight issues, SIBO & Autoimmune by Anthony William.