Note: Make sure you are taking CanXida Restore while you are following my SIBO Diet. You can find more about canxidarestore on canxida.com
Many people try to control the symptoms of both SIBO and IBS by practicing a restricted diet. It has to be said at the outset that being on any kind of restricted diet for any length of time, whether it reduces the symptoms or not, can result in numerous deficiencies and other problems. If you are thinking of going on a special diet, or have been on one for a long time, then it’s recommended you speak with your clinician about the possible health implications.
Fiber
The human digestive system is very specialized: the upper half is designed to digest meats and the lower half to cope with fibrous material.
Regarding SIBO in particular the overgrowth which occurs relates to that found in the upper part of the small intestine. These bacteria are normally found in the large intestine which is also known as the lower colon or bowel, and simply put, the bacteria causing the problems are thought to be those which are residing where they shouldn’t.
Although eating fiber has been recommended for several decades as a way to resolving dietary disorders in cases of SIBO it can cause more problems. This is because fiber which is normally degraded by the colon bacteria within the large, lower colon, is actually being degraded by the same bacteria but in the upper intestine. This can cause fermentation, gas and bloating in addition to other digestive issues. Some fiber such as that provided by inulin, is good for digestive function as it feeds certain beneficial bacteria, however not all fiber is alike.
Sugars
Many people with digestive dysfunction, including that of SIBO, find that sugars exaggerate their problems. The word sugar as a singular is though quite misleading, Sugars of many kinds can be found in most commercial products and, of course, occur naturally in many foodstuffs. Generally speaking it is refined sugar products which cause the most problems.
Limiting sugars which are refined, such as fructose and lactose, does help many people, however managing to avoid such products is extremely difficult even for those who cut out dairy products, chocolate and sweet stuff in general. This is because they can appear in such diverse foodstuffs as processed ham to tinned tomatoes.
As a guideline try to cut back on adding sugar to food and also on sugar products. In other situations try a natural alternative as opposed to any sugar which has been added to food. Because although many natural sugars have been added to foods they may still be causing a system overload. For example, instead of eating tinned fruit, most of which contains lactose, buy fresh fruit or a good quality yoghurt.
Baking Soda
Many people find that products which include baking soda as an ingredient increase digestive problems although they are difficult to pin down as the cause. And, unfortunately, this is because many baked cooks contain baking soda. Since low stomach acid is deemed to be a possible cause of SIBO then it is not surprising that ingesting baking soda, which neutralizes acid, would cause further issues. I have spent a long time arguing the significance of low stomach acid with not only clinicians but also natural practitioners and it is only now that my words are achieving some level of validity and recognition. As I mentioned in an earlier article, establishing if you have low stomach acid, and then going on to rectify the problem if indeed you have it, will reduce negative reactions not only to baking soda but also to many other products. Meanwhile if you find you have a problem with a particular kind of baked product then it makes sense to avoid it.
Rice and Pasta
Rice and pasta make a good alternative to potatoes for many people. However some find that where they do not react adversely to rice they will to pasta and vice versa. Where possible, and until you can get the cause of your problems identified and treated, cut back on the one which causes you problems and also consider other alternatives such as salads and non-starchy vegetables.
Everything in Moderation
Many people find that they develop not only digestive problems but also problems relating to food intolerance when they over consume a certain product. Admittedly in many cases, because of the way our food is processed they may not be aware they are actually over-consuming. This is particularly relevant in respect of lactose because many people assume that simply by cutting out dairy products they are cutting out lactose consumption – a quick glance at the ingredients label of any product in your food cupboard or refrigerator will quickly dispel this myth.
However there is no doubt that many of us do overindulge with our favorite foodstuffs, whether that be chocolate, vegetables, meat, fizzy drinks, takeaways or chips. So remember to balance things out a little more.
If we take one fact: that of the lower intestine ferments foodstuffs which are capable of producing 500kcals of energy each day, and which contributes to keeping us warm, then we can see that participating in an elimination diet can result in some pretty significant effects.