SIBO: What Your Gut’s Been Trying to Tell You
When your gut speaks, are you listening?
If you’ve ever eaten a small, “healthy” meal and walked away looking six months pregnant…
If constipation or diarrhea rules your calendar more than you’d like to admit…
If bloating, brain fog, fatigue, or even skin flare-ups make you feel like your body is sabotaging you-
there’s a reason.
This isn’t about willpower. It’s not “just stress.” And it’s definitely not “all in your head.”
Your gut is speaking. The question is: are you ready to listen?
What Is SIBO, Really?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is exactly what it sounds like- bacteria growing in the wrong place.
Your small intestine is meant for absorbing nutrients, not housing colonies of microbes. When bacteria overpopulate here, they:
Ferment the food you eat, creating uncomfortable gas and bloating.
Steal nutrients, leaving you drained, achy, or foggy.
Slow (or speed up) your motility, triggering constipation or diarrhea.
Ripple outward, affecting everything from skin health to hormones to mood.
This is why SIBO isn’t just a “gut problem.” It’s a whole-body imbalance.
Why Does SIBO Happen?
SIBO rarely arrives uninvited- it’s almost always the result of deeper root causes.
Some of the most common:
Food poisoning (post-infectious changes) One of the biggest overlooked triggers. Certain bacteria produce toxins that damage the gut’s “clean sweep” system (the migrating motor complex), leaving bacteria free to linger and multiply in the small intestine. Many cases of SIBO can be traced back to a single bad meal or stomach bug.
Motility breakdowns When your gut’s “sweeper waves” (migrating motor complex) slow down or stop, bacteria aren’t cleared effectively. This can happen after illness, infections, or chronic dysregulation.
Low stomach acid or bile output Weak digestive secretions mean microbes aren’t properly kept in check.
Hormone + thyroid imbalances Slowing the rhythm of your digestion and motility.
Adhesions, scar tissue, or surgery Physically changing the way food and microbes move through your gut.
Stress + nervous system dysregulation Shutting down digestion at the root and allowing imbalance to thrive.
Translation: SIBO is less about “what you ate” and more about the ecosystem your body created that allowed it to flourish.
Symptoms That Go Beyond the Gut
SIBO shows up differently for everyone, but the common threads include:
Bloating (especially after meals)
Constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between both
Abdominal pain or pressure
Excessive gas or burping
Nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12)
Fatigue, mood swings, or brain fog
Skin issues (acne, rashes, rosacea)
You don’t need to check every box. SIBO is often the “invisible thread” connecting multiple frustrating symptoms that never seem to make sense together.
Testing (And Why It’s Not the Whole Story)
Yes, there are tests. Breath tests can measure hydrogen, methane, or hydrogen sulfide gases produced by overgrowth. But here’s the catch: they’re not foolproof.
False negatives, tricky prep, and confusing results can leave you more frustrated than before.
Testing provides data, but healing comes from connecting your story + symptoms + test results into a bigger picture. That’s the functional medicine difference.
Food: A Powerful Tool (But Not the Whole Solution)
Let’s clear this up: no restrictive diet alone will “cure” SIBO.
That said, food is powerful. It can:
Calm symptoms by reducing fermentable foods (like with low-FODMAP or SCD tweaks).
Provide temporary relief, creating space for deeper healing work.
Teach you how your unique body responds to certain foods.
But the end goal isn’t endless restriction. It’s freedom and flexibility- where food nourishes you, not controls you.
What Actually Works Long-Term
Lasting SIBO recovery isn’t about chasing a single protocol, it’s about sequencing the right steps in the right order.
Here’s the functional medicine approach I use with my clients:
Calm the storm- reduce inflammation, stabilize symptoms, regulate the nervous system.
Clear the overgrowth- with carefully chosen herbs or medications matched to your SIBO type.
Repair the terrain- restore the gut lining, reduce permeability, and build resilience.
Reset motility- support the body’s natural clearing waves so bacteria don’t simply return.
Rebuild the microbiome- reseed with diverse, protective microbes to keep balance long-term.
This is where temporary relief becomes a lasting transformation.
Why Guidance Matters
SIBO is complex. And let’s be honest: trying to “DIY” it from Google or Facebook groups often leads to relapse, burnout, or even more restrictive eating.
Every gut is different. Your history, your triggers, your lifestyle, and your body’s terrain make your case unique. That’s why cookie-cutter approaches fail, and why you need a phased, personalized plan to finally get unstuck.
Ready for Your Next Step?
Option 1: Learn the Foundations
If you’re still trying to connect the dots, my Gut Logic Video-On-Demand (SIBO 101) will help you understand the patterns driving your symptoms… and the keys to real healing.
[Watch the Free video HERE}
Option 2: Get Personalized Support
If you’re ready for a customized roadmap, apply to work with me. Together we’ll uncover your unique root causes and design a phased plan for lasting gut resilience.
[Apply to Work With Me HERE]
—-
FAQ: Your Top SIBO Questions, Answered
Is SIBO the same as IBS?
No. IBS is a diagnosis of symptoms. SIBO is often an underlying cause of those IBS symptoms.
Can SIBO come back?
Yes- if the root causes aren’t addressed, relapse is common. That’s why repair + motility support are critical.
What’s the best test for SIBO?
Breath tests can provide useful data, but they’re not perfect. Interpreting results in the context of your history and current symptom picture is key.
Can SIBO be healed naturally?
Yes. Herbal protocols, dietary shifts, motility support, and gut-lining repair can be powerful when sequenced correctly.
—-
Final Word
SIBO is your gut’s way of waving the white flag… it’s not random, and it’s not hopeless.
When you learn to listen to what your gut’s been trying to tell you, you gain the clarity, strategy, and support to finally heal.
You don’t have to navigate this maze alone. This is your invitation to stop guessing and start transforming-with the right guide by your side.