Do you ever feel like no matter what you eat, your gut just doesn’t cooperate? Maybe you wake up already bloated, struggle with brain fog at work, or find that even “healthy” foods leave you feeling heavy and uncomfortable. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing something deeper than everyday indigestion. One possible culprit is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that’s often overlooked yet surprisingly common.

What Exactly Is SIBO?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, most of which belong in the large intestine, where they play vital roles in digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. The small intestine, on the other hand, should host only a small amount of bacteria. But when this balance shifts and too many bacteria set up camp in the small intestine, the result is SIBO.

Why does this matter? The small intestine is where most of your nutrients are absorbed. If bacteria are fermenting food there, they can cause gas, inflammation, and block the very nutrients your body needs to thrive. Research suggests that up to 78% of people diagnosed with IBS may actually have SIBO, so if you’ve been told you “just have IBS,” there could be more to the story.

The Telltale Signs of SIBO

SIBO can look different for everyone, but common symptoms include:

Persistent bloating and abdominal distension
Excessive gas and discomfort after meals
Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both
Low appetite, nausea, or a sense of fullness after small meals
Fatigue, weakness, or brain fog
Nutrient deficiencies such as low iron, B12, or vitamin D
Intolerance to high-FODMAP foods like garlic, onion, and apples

If these symptoms sound familiar, and especially if they improve temporarily with antibiotics or worsen with probiotics, it may be worth investigating further.

Why Does SIBO Develop?

SIBO doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s usually a sign that something has disrupted the natural balance of your digestive system. A few of the more common contributors include:

Slow gut motility: When food moves too slowly through your gut, bacteria have more time to grow where they shouldn’t. Conditions like endometriosis, Parkinson’s disease, or even chronic stress can interfere with motility.
Low stomach acid: Stomach acid not only digests food, it also acts as a natural barrier to bacteria. Low stomach acid, sometimes due to stress, nutrient deficiencies, or medications, makes it easier for bacteria to flourish.
Weakened immunity: Autoimmune conditions or nutrient deficiencies can reduce the body’s ability to keep bacterial populations in check.
Past infections: Food poisoning or gastro can disrupt your gut’s “cleaning wave,” known as the migrating motor complex, making relapse more likely.
Medications and surgeries: Certain medications (like proton pump inhibitors and opioids) or gut surgeries can increase your risk.

Understanding your personal risk factors is a crucial step toward long-term healing.

The Conventional Approach and Its Limits

In conventional medicine, antibiotics are often the first-line treatment for SIBO. While they may provide quick relief, relapse rates are high; around 40% of people experience symptoms again within nine months. A long-term low-FODMAP diet is another common recommendation, but staying on this diet indefinitely can actually reduce beneficial bacteria and compromise gut health.

The problem with these approaches is that they tend to focus on managing symptoms rather than identifying and addressing the root cause of the bacterial overgrowth.

The Naturopathic Perspective

As a naturopath, I see SIBO not just as a bacterial issue but as a signal that your digestive system needs deeper support. Healing involves more than eradicating bacteria; it’s about restoring balance, improving motility, strengthening digestion, and preventing relapse.

A holistic roadmap for SIBO may include:

Relieving uncomfortable symptoms so you can feel better day-to-day
Supporting digestion with herbs, bitters, or enzymes to restore stomach acid and bile flow
Using prokinetics such as ginger, peppermint, or fennel to enhance the migrating motor complex
Rebalancing the microbiome with carefully designed dietary strategies (not just restriction)
Addressing nutrient deficiencies like iron, zinc, B12, or vitamin D
Strengthening the gut lining and reducing inflammation to prevent future flare-ups

Every person’s journey looks different, which is why personalised guidance is so important.

Gentle First Steps You Can Try

While full SIBO treatment should always be guided by a practitioner, there are simple changes you can start today:ory online can make all the difference.

Allow 4 hours between meals and aim for 12 hours overnight without food to support your gut’s natural cleansing cycle.

Sit down to eat without distractions, chew slowly, and stop when satisfied.
Enjoy herbal teas like ginger, licorice, or peppermint to support digestion and motility.
Practice daily stress management, whether deep breathing, yoga, journaling, or a short walk in nature.

These may sound simple, but they lay the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient digestive system.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve been living with persistent bloating, discomfort, or fatigue, it might be time to explore whether SIBO is playing a role. The good news is, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. With the right testing, guidance, and holistic plan, it is possible to restore balance and feel like yourself again.

To help you take the next step, I’ve created a free Gut Health eBook that dives deeper into these principles and outlines a naturopathic framework for healing.

👉 Click the link to download your copy and begin your journey toward better digestion, energy, and overall well-being.

https://www.pranay.au/sibo-handout

And if you’re ready for personalised support, I’d love to work with you one-on-one to uncover the root causes of your symptoms and create a plan that’s tailored to you.

Could Small Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) be the Root Cause of Your Gut Symptoms?