How to cure SIBO naturally? Gut microbes are friends. Not foes.
With the boom of the probiotic, kombucha, yogurt and commercial stool testing industry, this is slowly, but surely becoming a more accepted belief.
But what if I told you that SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), candida and general dysbiosis are actually good for us too? They aren’t as “bad” as we’ve made them out to be. They are actually trying to help us heal.
And how to cure SIBO?
(Pin drop).
Yes way.
Newsflash: You’ve Been Lied To (The Germ Theory)
Ever take antibiotics, sterilize your hands with antimicrobial soap or sanitizer, or use Lysol and Clorox to clean your kitchen countertops.
Duh. Doesn’t everyone?
Unfortunately, we’ve been misinformed about “germs” our entire life—something the “germ theory”.
Even in holistic health! If you’ve been in the holistic health world for longer than 2 seconds, chances are you’ve heard about cleansing, candida diets or “killing pathogens.”
The germ – or microbial – theory of disease was popularized by Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895), the inventor of pasteurization (heating foods to kill microbes).
This theory states that there are fixed, external germs which invade the body and are the direct cause of disease. If you truly want to get well, you need to kill whatever germ made you sick, and do whatever possible to make “sure” that you never allow a microbe to enter your body in the first place.
With this theory came Western medicine and its tools and technologies to eradicate unfriendly microbes through drugs, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Taking it a step further, in order to try and avoid infections various vaccines have been introduced to attempt to keep the disease from invading our body in the first place.
Interestingly, before Pasteur died, he retracted his conclusions saying that it is more environment, the breeding ground that make microbes active or not. But it was too late, the scientific community started already marching on his initial idea, and ever since modern medicine is based on this model.
Viruses and bacteria cause disease.
The Terrain Theory
That said, there are two sides to every story. The less popular “Terrain Theory” did come onto the scene.
The Terrain Theory states that germs are not the actual root cause of sickness or disease… in reality, it is a weak terrain (microbiome) that is the ROOT CAUSE of sickness and disease.
Terrain-weakening agents include:
- Poor nutrition
- Environmental toxins (mold, EMFs, pesticides, fertilizers)
- Improper pH balance (alkaline vs. acidic)
- Stress (mental and physical)
Enter: The reason why, in functional medicine, that we recognize that things like probiotics, pre-biotics and restoring a healthy gut microbiome are good for us.
However, that said, many clinicians (even holistic clinicians) still hold on to the “germ theory” of disease when it comes to things like SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), candida and dysbiosis (ie. “we need to kill the pathogens!”)…until now.
SIBO & Candida Are “Good” for You
Different from what you’ve been taught, there is a biological purpose to the presence of excess bacteria and fungi.
Nature does not make mistakes. Bacteria and fungi are not our enemies. Instead, SIBO, SIFO, candida are all signs that your body is trying to heal from something.
When all is peaceful in your life and health, gut microbes and fungi are dormant—inactive in the body. However, when they get a “911 phone call” after a stressor (mental or physical) has occurred, they rush to the rescue in the aftermath to help you heal.
If stress is chronic, unresolved or intense, then even more microbes and fungi become “necessary” to help your tissues and organs recover.
“Stress” is the Root Cause (Not SIBO, Candida or Dysbiosis)
“Stress” is a buzz word that may fall on deaf ears, but it is what we should really be tackling to help the gut come back to balance — more so than just “killing” pathogens.
Stress includes both mental and physical factors.
Gut issues in particular are often byproducts of “indigestible” or “morsel” conflicts in our lives, such as:
- A single 30-something year old woman wondering if she will ever find the love of her life
- Involvement in a nasty law suit or bad breakup or divorce
- A season of excess work load in your career or education
- Several months or years spent yo-yo dieting, excessive exercise or hating on your body
- A parent that you can never measure up to their demands
- Receiving a diagnosis, bad news or something hard to “digest” or “swallow”
- Isolation or separation from friends and family during a move to a new city
- Feeling like “nothing ever works out for me”
“Indigestible stress” that triggers SIBO, candida and other gut problems is super unique for every individual.
Often times, we don’t even consciously recognize that we are actually “stressed.” This is because the subconscious mind fights to protect us.
However, remember the brain (subconsciously) sees all sources of stress the same—it cannot tell the difference in running from a bear versus “OMG, I am 10 grams of carbs over my limit” versus feeling lonely.
If you’ve ever had “gut issues,” SIBO, candida, etc., think about what “indigestible” stressor(s) in your life preceded your diagnosis in the months or years leading up to your gut imbalance(s). How to cure SIBO?
Basically, like poking a sleeping wasp nest, when stress comes into the mix, gut microbes wake up and become active.
In other words, microbes are not the primary originator of a disease, rather they are helpers and only active in the regeneration phase of healing.
How to Cure SIBO Naturally (along with Candida & Dysbiosis)?
If bacteria and fungi are not present, then the body cannot ever heal completely.
So…what do we do then about SIBO and candida?
I mean, SIBO and candida are uncomfortable. Are you just telling me I should just suck it up and deal with SIBO and candida? Or that supplements and diets don’t do anything?
No. This framework does not negate the use of some symptom-relieving strategies we’ve come to adopt in functional medicine (such as diet and supplements).
However, that said, remember there was a time in history when people thought the world was flat (not round). And on this note, SIBO and candida are friends, not foes.
With this framework, “addressing” SIBO and candida actually is simpler (and more remissible) then many think. We shift the focus from “killing” or “starving” pathogens to addressing the real root causes so you can get back to “baseline.”
Enter my 3-pronged approach to kick SIBO, candida and other gut imbalances:
#1. Identify the “Indigestible” or Morsel Conflict
Take a health timeline “inventory.” What stressor(s) preceded your SIBO, candida or other gut issues? Even if the conflict is no longer present or seemingly resolved, identify the indigestible conflict(s) in your timeline.
#2. “Clear Out” the Conflict
Turbo-boost healing comes when we “clear” out the conflicts (thoughts, limiting beliefs, negative emotions, maladaptive habits or strategies) that developed post conflict.
Example: Bad Breakup Resolution
For example, if the “conflict” in my life prior to SIBO was a breakup with a guy that I believed was the “one” and now I inwardly wonder (and sometimes doubt) that there is someone out there for me, then the “clear out” or resolution may be as simple as:
- Getting crystal clear on the partner I want in my life, making my list and praying over it.
- Re-engineering the story I am telling myself (“I’ll never find someone” to being thankful and grateful for the partner I am about to meet)
- Going out with friends and simply doing things I love (knowing when I do what I love, likeminds run in the same circle).
Example: Work Demands Resolution
If the “conflict” in my life prior to candida was starting my current job as a paralegal at a law office or personal assistant (where the stress is high), then the “clear out” or resolution may be as simple as:
- Choosing to create boundaries between myself and my boss (ie. Email checking during work hours only)
- Taking “recess breaks” during the day to go to yoga, go on a walk or just step away to breathe
- Focusing on doing one thing at a time (instead of a bazillion) and doing it really well
#3. Use Food & Supplements to Relieve Symptoms & Optimize Gut Health
Bloating, constipation, gas and indigestion are uncomfortable. To relieve symptoms associated with SIBO and candida , certain foods and supplements, some strategies may include:
- Prokinetic agents and digestive bitter herbs (to help go #2 and decrease gas and bloating)
- Magnesium and buffered vitamin C (for golden poos)
- Digestive enzymes (to help break food down)
- Short-term ‘cleanses’ (3-7 days elemental formula, bone broth)
- Well-cooked vegetables and stewed/slow cooked meats
Additionally, over the years, I’ve shifted my focus more away from killing and eradicating, and more to supporting, restoring and optimizing. Instead of 30 to 90 day protocols stacked with antimicrobials, antibiotics or other “killing” agents, I tend towards more “boosting” supports to boost the activity of the gut microbes so you can heal faster.
This often includes:
- Quality probiotics (spore based, sacchormyces boulardii and low histamine bifidobacteria/lactic acid bacteria)
- Soluble fiber and resistant starch based prebiotics
- Tributyrin for reducing inflammation
- Colostrum, bone broth, immunoglobulins, liposomal curcumin and minerals for restoring a leaky gut
- Medicinal foods: Celery juice, Himalayan sea salt, sea moss and bone broth
- Gentle short-term use of single-agent herbs (thyme, allicin, goldenseal, oregano oil)
- Caprylic acid (yeast balancer and immune booster)
- Mouth Detox Kit (to balance the oral biome—which is responsible for the gut microbiome)
Let’s Cure SIBO & Candida Naturally!
Struggling with gut issues? Let’s help you heal together.
Reach out for support today and let’s heal with a total gut reset.