Probiotics, Bloating, SIBO & IBS
April is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) awareness month, but it is probably one of the most common complaints I see in the practice, therefore I thought it is a great time to refocus on health routines—especially gut health!
This month I’ve rounded up some health news, tips, and insights for anyone dealing with annoying and embarrassing symptoms like gas, bloating, or digestive distress.
Does the probiotic strain matter?
Most people who take probiotics don’t think twice about what strains are in it. Does it have Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1? Bifidobacterium lactis BI-07? Or one of the other thousands of strains out there?
You might think it doesn’t matter, but the truth is that different strains have different benefits. For example: A new study just found that a probiotic strain of Bacillus subtilis eliminated more than 95% of the dangerous Staph aureus bacteria in people with detectable levels in their intestines.
Staph can be harmless in some people but turn deadly in others—especially when it spreads in hospitals and nursing homes. PLUS, it’s almost impossible to treat because of antibiotic resistance!
This study shows that a specific probiotic strain (but not just ANY probiotic) can eliminate Staph infections.
What’s causing the bloat?
Bloating is one of the most aggravating symptoms because of how uncomfortable and embarrassing it can be!
When attempts to avoid beans and broccoli fail, it’s time to get to the root cause. Here are some driving factors we look for when a client comes to us with bloating:
Food Reactions/ sensitivities - It’s not only beans that can cause the bloat! Some people are reactive to gluten, dairy, or other foods they eat every day without even thinking about it.
Gut Dysbiosis - That’s a fancy word to say the gut microbiome is out of balance. There could be an overgrowth of yeast or unwanted bacteria to blame.
Hormones - Hormonal changes can cause fluid retention and bloating—sometimes leading people to believe they have a digestive problem when it’s actually hormones!
SIBO or IBS - Hormonal changes can cause fluid retention and bloating—sometimes leading people to believe they have a digestive problem when it’s actually hormones!
How can you know what the cause is for you?
Not always that easy, but with systematic elimination and reintroduction of certain foods, you will quickly get to know your triggers. It is often necessary to test for specific food sensitivities and other causes. What tests to do depends on the severity of your symptoms, how long you have been struggling with these symptoms, and treatments you have tried before.
Best & Worst Uses of Peppermint Oil
If you’re on the market for supplements to support better digestion, the first thing to know is that just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
Enteric-coated peppermint oil is best for digestive issues like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. The enteric coating is important because it prevents the peppermint oil from being released in the stomach.
But peppermint oil can potentially worsen heartburn and reflux. Its safety is not known during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it may interact with some medications.
What’s the difference between IBS & SIBO?
On the surface, IBS and SIBO are hard to tell apart. Both can cause bloating, gas, pain, and either diarrhea or constipation.
But they are NOT the same,
IBS and SIBO have different causes and different solutions—making it critical to know which is to blame if you ever want to heal. Solving digestive mysteries may require testing to know for sure what we are working with.
Here are some differences between IBS and SIBO that anyone struggling with gas and bloating needs to know:
SIBO affects the small intestine, whereas IBS affects the large intestine.
SIBO is caused by overgrowth of good bacteria, whereas IBS often involves yeast, parasites, or pathogenic bacteria.
Antibiotics may give temporary relief from SIBO but not IBS.
Probiotics and prebiotics are more likely to make SIBO worse and IBS better.
Stop starving yourself!
Don’t Make This Mistake!
Most people believe that if they have SIBO or IBS or other digestive problems… that they need to follow a highly restrictive diet forever. It’s not true!!!!
Here’s the reality:
Bacteria in the gut feed on carbohydrates to produce gas.
Diets like the Low-FODMAP Diet and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet limit the fuel source for gas-producing bacteria.
These diets can be extremely helpful at temporarily reducing symptoms like gas and bloating.
In the long run, the gut microbiome needs variety AND carbohydrate fuel sources to stay healthy.
So, a better approach is to work on healing the gut and gradually reintroduce foods over time.
Why some people feel worse taking probiotics
The microbiome and probiotics are all the rage. Healthy bacteria support gut health, immunity, brain function, and more. But probiotics are not for everyone! In some people, probiotics make gut problems even worse.
The most common explanation for this is that there is already an overgrowth of bacteria— called SIBO.
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Excessive numbers of bacteria convert carbohydrates into gas, causing bloating and digestive problems. Adding more bacteria to the mix? It’s like adding fuel to a fire.
Prebiotics can be equally problematic, so look closely at supplement labels for things like inulin, chicory, arabinogalactan, FOS, or GOS.
The gut is a complex organ and if your symptoms persist, investigate!