Podcast appearances and mentions of allison siebecker

Send us a textThe mystery of stubborn digestive issues often leads to a single culprit hiding in plain sight: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). In this illuminating conversation with world-renowned SIBO expert Dr. Allison Siebecker, we unravel the complexities of this common yet frequently misunderstood condition.Dr. Siebecker explains why SIBO occurs when bacteria normally found in our large intestine inappropriately colonize the small intestine, creating a cascade of symptoms from bloating and pain to irregular bowel movements. Most surprisingly, she reveals that past food poisoning episodes are the leading trigger, causing an autoimmune reaction that damages the gut's critical "housekeeper wave" – the migrating motor complex that normally sweeps bacteria away.The conversation dives deep into practical clinical wisdom, exploring why testing matters (symptoms don't reliably predict which bacterial gases are present), why treatments often fail (most cases require 2-5 treatment rounds), and why prokinetics are non-negotiable (they can quadruple remission time). Dr. Siebecker shares her preferred protocols for each type of SIBO – hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide – with specific herbal and pharmaceutical recommendations refined through years of clinical experience.Perhaps most valuable for long-suffering patients is the discussion of challenging cases. When SIBO seems impossible to resolve, underlying factors like mold illness, parasites, or histamine intolerance may be the missing piece. The episode also clarifies the confusing world of SIBO diets, explaining why the Low FODMAP diet isn't optimal for SIBO despite its popularity, and how the elemental diet can dramatically reduce bacterial levels when other approaches fail.Whether you're a clinician treating digestive disorders or someone struggling with persistent gut symptoms, this episode provides the roadmap you need to navigate the journey from diagnosis to lasting recovery. Visit siboinfo.com for free educational resources mentioned in the episode.Episode Links: www.SIBOinfo.comYou can listen to the Inflammation Nation podcast on Apple Spotify and all other major podcast platform You can also watch on YouTube. Check out my online store for self-learning/DIY programs for thyroid, gut health and detox. You can use this form to reach out and request an Initial ConsultationVisit my LabShop store to self-order the same tests I use with my one-on-one coaching clients. https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_3GMxe4pSOCIAL LINKSInstagramFacebookTikTok

In this episode of Proven Health Alternatives, I sit down with Dr. Allison Siebecker, one of the leading voices in Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). If you're looking for the best way to test, treat, and manage SIBO, this episode has the answers. We break down common misconceptions, the different gas types involved (yes, that matters!), and how SIBO connects to IBS and other gut issues. Dr. Siebecker also shares the best testing methods, including the lactulose breath test, and why one-size-fits-all treatments just don't work. Plus, we get into diet strategies like FODMAP and elemental diets, the probiotic debate, and how to actually prevent relapse. If you've struggled with gut issues—or treat patients who do—you won't want to miss this one! Key Takeaways: The Complex Nature of SIBO: SIBO involves an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and can lead to symptoms similar to those of IBS, such as bloating, diarrhea, and more. Testing and Diagnosis: The lactulose breath test is emphasized as an effective method for diagnosing SIBO, and it's important to distinguish between the different types of gas overproduction involved. Treatment Approaches: Treatment for SIBO includes pharmaceuticals, herbal antibiotics, and dietary changes like the elemental diet. Success rates are high, but multiple rounds may be required. Preventive Measures and Relapse: Using prokinetics and maintaining a suitable low-carbohydrate diet can help prevent SIBO relapse, which is common in chronic cases. The Role of Probiotics: While probiotics can aid in treatment, their appropriateness depends on individual tolerance and phasing during SIBO management. More About Dr. Allison Siebecker: Dr. Allison Siebecker has been at the forefront of SIBO research and treatment since 2011, helping thousands worldwide with her integrative protocols. She's an award-winning author, educator, and practitioner, known for breaking down complex gut health topics into practical, effective strategies. She's also the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the Gastro ANP, has been teaching Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM since 2013, and co-founded the SIBO Center for Digestive Health. If you're looking for trusted, science-backed insights on SIBO, her free resource hub siboinfo.com is a must-visit! Website Practitioner Course Practitioner Mini Course Patient Coaching & Course Instagram Connect with me! Website Instagram Facebook YouTube  

In today's episode, I was very excited to sit down with Dr. Ilana Gurevich to discuss the latest, most effective approaches to GI conditions. We explore the usage of sulfur for the gut, the role of the mitochondria in the body's overall health, treating parasites, as well as SIBO and Candida. We'll also share recommended protocols for each condition. Listen now!   

As 2024 comes to an end, I'm rounding up some of the best gut health research and advice from the past year! In this compilation video, I'll share some of the best gut supplement recommendations as given by great expert guests – Dr. Allison Siebecker, Herbalist Olivia Amitrano, Dr. Alex Ford, Dr. Josh Axe, and Nutritional Therapist Elliot Overton. You don't want to miss this! Watch full interviews with each expert below.  

Now of course, this is a huge topic and there are so many different probiotics out there, which can often just get confusing and overwhelming, so with this podcast my intention is for it to be succinct and easy to digest, with a smaller array of probiotics to start exploring on your initial steps to gut healing.  Read more. Show Notes SIBO The SIBO, Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis Connection wth Dr. Allison Siebecker How To Treat SIBO with Dr Allison Siebecker Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 3: SIBO Symptoms How Do You Know When to Test for SIBO? How to Test for SIBO at Home Histamine intolerance Histamine Intolerance 101 Dr. Becky Campbell https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/strategies-for-lowering-histamine-reducing-allergies-endometriosis https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/association-between-endometriosis-allergies Endometriosis, SIBO, Interstitial Cystitis and Allergies: The Histamine Connection  L.Plantarum 299v research https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/80/10/1682/199965/Degradation-of-Histamine-by-Lactobacillus?redirectedFrom=fulltext https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21381407/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3316997/  L.Plantarum 299v brands Jarrow Ideal Bowel Support 299V, at one caps twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) Metagenics Ultra Flora Intensive Care, at one caps twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) Leaky Gut https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/endometriosis-leaky-gut https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/-the-endometriosis-belly https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/understanding-the-endometriosis-belly-part-2 https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/root-causes-of-bloating-endometriosis LPS https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/endometriosis-leaky-gut https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519769/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2327198/ https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/pdf/S1931-3128(16)30161-5.pdf S.Boulardi research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6375115/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26316791/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/immunoglobulin-a-deficiency https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/professionals/latest-research/gut-health/probiotics-best-for-candida S.Boulardi brands and doses Klaire Labs Saccharomyces boulardi, at two caps taken twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) Invivo Bio.Me S. boulardii, at two caps daily Bioceuticals SB Floractiv, at two caps taken twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) L.rhamnosus GG research https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18813028/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21390145/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30040527/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239510/ L.rhamnosus GG brands and doses Nutrigold L. Rhamnosus GG, label dose (caution: contains brown rice flour) Metagenics, Ultra Flora LGG® 60, at one cap twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) CAUTION: If looking for your own brands to buy, avoid probiotics containing probiotics, as these may worsen SIBO symptoms. For a list of ingredients to be mindful of when choosing probiotics, see Dr Allison Siebecker's handout here. Free resources: This podcast!  Endometriosis Net Column Endometriosis News Column Newsletter Instagram Email me: hello@theendobellycoach.com Ways to work with me: This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast digital cookbook Masterclasses in endo nutrition, surgery prep and recovery and pain relief Live and Thrive with Endo: The Foundations DIY course One to one coaching info and application This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works

If you're struggling with these gut and other health symptoms, you may be dealing with a vector borne illness  such as lyme disease. What are the warning signs of vector borne illnesses, how do you test for them, and how do you treat them? All of this and more will be answered in this episode. Watch now!  AcuDart Tick-Borne Disease Test Panel: https://www.acudarthealth.com/collections/individual-tests   Timestamps: 00:00  Intro 03:22 What organisms cause chronic infections? 05:51 What are the symptoms? 14:53 Testing 18:17 Treatment 28:21 How &  where do you get these infections?  

Many of our viewers watch our videos to improve their gut health.  Did you know that histamine intolerance can directly relate to gut issues?  Learn the 5 warning signs that you're histamine intolerant,  and what you can do to start healing.  Low histamine diet handout:  https://drruscio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/HistamineHandout.pdf  

Are you dealing with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)? Does it seem like your current antibiotics or other treatments aren't working?  In this episode, I'll dive into four proven and effective treatments that will finally help you heal.  Learn more, watch now!  

Did you know that SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) occurs in your nose and mouth? Dr. Allison Siebecker discusses “hidden SIBO” and how it can affect your health. Watch our full interview with Dr. Siebecker where she shares new SIBO research and more: Exciting NEW Treatments For Healing SIBO and Bacterial Infections | Dr. Allison Siebecker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y8Vl6IHNlM&t=3302s  

In this episode, I'll share my favorite SIBO healing supplements and break down an exciting new study that found an herbal remedy to be more effective in treating SIBO than a common antibiotic. Watch now!   Elemental Heal: https://store.drruscio.com/products/elemental-heal Elemental Heal Low Carb: https://store.drruscio.com/products/elemental-heal-low-carb Elemental Heal Whey Free: https://store.drruscio.com/products/elemental-heal-whey-free

An exciting new study finds that these herbal treatments and probiotics are very effective in healing SIBO! In this episode,I'll break down the study and provide the best protocol for approaching SIBO naturally. Watch now!  

Not seeing improvement on your current candida protocol?  You may find better results through natural remedies! In this episode, I'll name the most effective herbal supplements, recommended dosages, and the best lifestyle habits that will help to heal candida overgrowth. Watch now! Candida Diet Handout: https://drruscio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Candida-Diet-Handout-2024.pdf  

Whether you need a quick fix for constipation or you've been dealing with it consistently, we've got the most effective solutions for you! In this episode, I'll break down the 4 causes of constipation, how to fix it when it happens, and how to prevent ongoing constipation moving forward. Watch now!  Grab your FREE low FODMAP diet guide!: https://drruscio.com/getlowfodmapguide/ MSM supplement from Dr. Kathleen Jane: https://gijanel.com/the-formulas/gi-janel-one Get the Monash FODMAP Diet App: https://www.monashfodmap.com/ibs-central/i-have-ibs/get-the-app/

SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth), candida overgrowth and vector-borne illnesses can be very difficult to cure. However, Dr. Allison Siebecker has exciting new treatments and research that can help you on your way to healing! Join us for this insightful discussion - you don't want to miss it! 

This week I want to give you some tools to actually alleviate that bloating, now you know why it's happening. I'm going to give you two types of tools, one set to deal with in the moment of bloating and another set for which are long-term strategies to help you to address the root cause.  So, let's start with the tools you can use in the moment. Many of these tools I'm about to share are based on my training with world leading SIBO doctor, Dr Allison Siebecker. I'm using her doses, which are safe and effective and if you'd like a reference for these doses, they are actually available on her website, under handouts, in a handout called Symptomatic Relief Guide. So these doses are available publicly, you don't need a prescription for them, but always consult your doctor before starting new supplements.  Read more. Free resources: This podcast!  Endometriosis Net Column Endometriosis News Column Newsletter Instagram Ways to work with me: This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast digital cookbook Masterclasses in endo nutrition, surgery prep and recovery and pain relief Live and Thrive with Endo: The Foundations DIY course One to one coaching info and application This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works Produced by Chris Robson

View the Show Notes For This Episode Dr. Allison Siebecker discusses Controversies in SIBO Testing and Treatment with Dr. Ben Weitz. [If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, so more people will find The Rational Wellness Podcast. Also check out the video version on my WeitzChiro YouTube page.]    Podcast Highlights     Dr. Allison Siebecker is a Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist specializes in the treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and she teaches advanced gastroenterology at the National University of Natural Medicine. She has the most incredible resource of research articles and information about SIBO, siboinfo.com.  Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.  Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111.

Dr. Siebecker has been specializing in SIBO since 2011. She received a lifetime achievement award from the Gastro ANP for her work in SIBO and outstanding contributions to the field. She has been teaching Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM since 2013 and is an award-winning author. She was the co-Founder and former Medical Director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM. She also is the co-Founder of the NUNM SIBO Symposium and the creator and teacher of multiple online SIBO courses. Her integrative SIBO protocols have helped thousands world-wide. Dr. Siebecker's free educational website is siboinfo.com.Dr Allison Siebecker's Links: Website: https://www.siboinfo.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allisonsiebecker4595SIBO Pro Course (Practitioners): https://drallisonsiebecker.simplero.com/products/92632-SIBO-Pro-Course-Self-Study?ref=51727-stephanie-peacockSIBO Pro MINI-Course (Practitioners): https://drallisonsiebecker.simplero.com/products/190022-NEW-The-SIBO-Pro-Mini-course?ref=51727-stephanie-peacockSIBO Diagnosis & Testing MINI-Course (Practitioners): https://drallisonsiebecker.simplero.com/products/190014-Diagnosis-Testing-SIBO-Pro-Mini-course?ref=51727-stephanie-peacockSIBO Recovery Roadmap Course (Patients): https://sibosos.com/sibo-recovery-roadmapCheck Your Blindspots ebook: https://smpl.ro/al/boB32kMA1u4H9awpWo5DCyY6/51727-stephanie-peacockDr Steph's Links Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drstephpeacock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstephpeacock/ Sunlighten: https://stephaniepeacock.com/Sunlighten-Affiliate Use code: DRPEACOCK AirDoctor: https://stephaniepeacock.com/affiliate-airdoctor AquaTru: https://stephaniepeacock.com/affiliate-aquatru Prolon: https://stephaniepeacock.com/affiliate-prolon Work with me: https://stephaniepeacock.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://stephanies-newsletter-c410d1.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Struggling with IBS or similar symptoms? It's not just a list of discomforts—it could be a sign of something deeper.

Struggling with SIBO symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, gas, and diarrhea, can be very frustrating. SIBO (short for small intestine bacterial overgrowth) is basically what it sounds like: Bacteria overgrow in the small intestine leading to many symptoms that impact the gut and other body systems. The presence of SIBO can trigger IBS, SIBO malabsorption (where you don't absorb the nutrients from food and end up with nutrient deficiencies), and even anxiety due to inflammation. And SIBO symptoms can also include skin problems! For example, there's an established SIBO-rosacea connection: Research has shown that SIBO is present in about 77% of people with rosacea! Additionally, SIBO is found in about 20% of psoriasis cases. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Allison Siebecker to answer all of your burning SIBO questions. We'll discuss common (and uncommon!) SIBO symptoms, SIBO test options, as well as how to treat SIBO (the conventional vs alternative options). Dr. Allison Siebecker, ND, LAc, MSOM has been specializing in small intestine bacterial overgrowth (aka SIBO) since 2011. She is the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the GastroANP, has been teaching Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM since 2013, and is an award-winning author. Dr. Siebecker was the co-founder and former Medical Director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM. Her integrative SIBO protocols have helped thousands worldwide. In This Episode: What is small intestine bacterial overgrowth (aka SIBO)? SIBO symptoms + surprising triggers SIBO-rosacea connection + (other skin rash connections) SIBO breath test vs other testing options How to treat SIBO (conventional vs alternative SIBO treatment options) Myth busting: Can you stop SIBO with a SIBO diet (low FODMAP)? Nervous system dysregulation + SIBO Quotes “Our small intestine is where we digest and then absorb our nutrients from our food. And when there's too many bacteria overgrown there or methanogens, they interfere with that process. It can cause malnutrition and then all sorts of other problems. Skin problems can be one of them.” “What are those symptoms [of SIBO]? Abdominal bloating, that could come with discomfort, general pain or discomfort in the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea or a mixture of the two. So those are our core symptoms. There can also be nausea, a feeling that food is sitting in the stomach and won't move down. There could be gas exiting, so burping or excessive flatulence.” Links Find Dr. Siebecker online Healthy Skin Show ep. 018: SIBO-Skin Rash Connection w/ Amy Hollenkamp Healthy Skin Show ep. 019: SIBO-Rosacea Connection w/ Dr. Leonard Weinstock SIBO Recovery Roadmap® Course For practitioners: The SIBO Pro Mini Course (SAVE $220) For practitioners: Check Your Blindspots and Become A Better SIBO Practitioner book Nerva App (for IBS symptoms)

Dr. Allison Siebecker has been specializing in SIBO since 2011. She was the co-Founder and former Medical Director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM - The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM). She has been teaching Advanced Gastroenterology since 2013, and is an award-winning author. Her integrative SIBO protocols have helped thousands world-wide. I rely upon Dr. Sebeckers protocol in managing patients with SIBO.  In this interview, Dr. Siebecker gives us so much fabulous information about SIBO that you don't want to miss.   Links Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course Free 9-Step Protocol for SIBO Recovery Roadmap SIBO Recovery Roadmap (Patient Program) Use coupon code HAPPYBONES for $200 discount SIBO Pro Course (Practitioner Program) Free 3 lessons - Freebie sales funnel SIBO Pro Course Use coupon code HAPPYBONES for $300 discount Dr. Siebecker's Website   Timestamps [02:38] - SIBO Defined - What Is It? [08:12] - Recommendations For Testing [22:04] - Dr. Siebecker's Favorite Prokinetics [34:21] - Why Do So Many People Have SIBO & Osteoporosis [43:02] - What Has Dr. Siebecker Seen With Probiotics   DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Dr. Ben Weitz discusses SIBO and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Dr. Ben Weitz. [If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, so more people will find The Rational Wellness Podcast. Also check out the video version on my WeitzChiro YouTube page.]    Podcast Highlights 0:32  I'm going to make some comments, pose some questions, and discuss some recent podcasts that we've done on SIBO and IBS. We had a discussion with Drs. Rahbar and Gurevich on SIBO and IBS: Discussion on SIBO and IBS with Dr. Sam Rahbar and Dr. Ilana Gurevich: Rational Wellness Podcast 298.  We also had a presentation by Dr. Mark Pimentel on the latest research that his group has recently published on SIBO and IBS:  SIBO: New Research Findings with Dr. Mark Pimentel: Rational Wellness Podcast 311.   I also recommend that you listen to the interview that Shivan Sarna and Dr. Allison Siebecker conducted with Dr. Ali Rezaie of Dr. Pimentel's group:  Digestive Disease Week 2023 Research Update by Dr. Ali Rezaie (June 2023)    3:42  Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder occurring in up to 20% of the US population.  It is a functional digestive disorder marked by the following symptoms: gas and bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating diarrhea and constipation.  IBS is considered a functional disorder because if you do a scope or do a CAT scan, you won't see any structural problems in the intestines.  By contrast, if you have Crohn's or ulcerative colitis and you do a scope or a scan, you'll likely see damage to the lining of the intestines, possibly bleeding, and erosions.  Because it's a functional disorder, IBS was often considered to be a stress-induced disorder.  Dr. Pimentel has now proven that approximately 60% of cases of IBS are caused by Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth or SIBO.  5:35  The large intestine, aka, the colon, is a large and very elastic tube and it contains the trillions of bacteria, archea, and fungi that compose our microbiome. When these bacteria in the colon ferment and produce gas, this is not a problem. But the small intestine is a smaller tube and doesn't stretch as much and doesn't contain anywhere as much bacteria as the large intestine.  The small intestine is where most nutrients are absorbed from our food, so there need to be a smaller amount of bacteria lining its mucosa or this would interfere with this.  If you consume fermentable fiber and there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, this can lead to gas and bloating, which can cause pain and a change in bowel habits.  Hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen gas are usually associated with diarrhea, while methane gas is usually associated with constipation.    Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.  Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111. Dr. Weitz is also available for video or phone consultations.     Podcast Transcript Dr. Weitz:            Hey, this is Dr. Ben Weitz, host of the Rational Wellness Podcast. I talk to the leading health and nutrition experts and researchers in the field to bring you the latest in cutting edge health information. Subscribe to the Rational Wellness Podcast for weekly updates and to learn more check out my website drweitz.com. Thanks for joining me, and let's jump into the podcast.                                 Hello, Rational Wellness podcasters. Today I'm going to do a solo cast and I wanted to make some comments about some recent podcasts we've had about SIBO and IBS. We had an interview with Drs.

This has been such a popular topic and is in such high demand we had to do a rebroadcast of this, we hope you enjoy! Welcome to Part 2 If you've experienced tummy upsets, pain, bloating, wind, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea and have tried everything to fix it with no success? Than this episode is for you! In this episode Angela reveals the common causative factor in over 86% of IBS cases.. SIBO - also know as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, where the small intestine becomes overrun with bacteria (good and bad) which can cause all the classic IBS digestive symptoms as well as systemic conditions such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, brain fog and much more. Angela explains how SIBO occurs, key signs to know if you have SIBO, how to test for it and how to treat it naturally so that you can resolve all these symptoms and truely return to the complete health you were designed for.  Show notes and resources: - In depth look at SIBO (Causes, Treatments, Diet Download + more) - www.sibotest.com - Angela's preferred lab for SIBO testing in Australia - www.siboinfo.com - Lots of great SIBO information here on Dr. Allison Siebecker's website - www.anewibssolution.com - Dr. Mark Pimentel's (Director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) website and information on his book "A New IBS Solution"   3 Take Away Keys   If you suffer from IBS, have recently or previously had a gut infection or had chronic antibiotic use it is best to get tested for SIBO If SIBO is positive - need to restrict fermentable foods (Prebiotics): starches, fibers, grains, sugars, fruit and dairy for a period of time (in consult with your practitioner) Look into natural treatment: Herbal Antimicrobials, Biofilm Disruptors, Prokinetics, Probiotics, Nutrient Replenishing   -   *UPDATE* Angela is now accepting new clients, book an appointment by heading to busbynaturopathics.com.au and use the book now button.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode the best compliment you can give is a referral, so please share this with your friends and remember to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and write us a review!   This show is about you, the listener, so get involved and send us your feedback, questions and topic suggestions at busbynaturopathics.com/podcast -  email us at podcast@busbynaturopathics.com   Join us in the health journey by following us on: Facebook | Instagram | Youtube   Please note: The information given in this podcast is for informational purposes only it is not intended as personal medical advise or treatment. We recommend that you seek advise from a licensed health care professional for your own personal circumstances before applying any new treatments discussed in this podcast.

Today's episode is sponsored by my friends at Paleovalley.   Make sure to support this podcast and head over to Paleovalley.com/NwJ and use code NWJ to get 15% off your first order._____I'm excited to sit down with Dr. Allison Siebecker. We talk about SIBO, the elemental diet and much more. Make sure to listen to the full interview to learn more.Dr. Allison Siebecker, ND, MSOM, LAc, has worked in the nutritional field since 1988 and is a 2005 graduate of The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), where she earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her Masters in Oriental Medicine.  She was the co-founder and former medical director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM Clinic, is the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Borborygmus award recipient, and has specialized in the treatment of SIBO since 2010.Dr. Siebecker is passionate about education- she is Instructor of Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM, IBS Board of Advisor & Faculty for the GI Health Foundation, Co-Founder & Curriculum Coordinator of the 2014-2016 SIBO Symposiums and teaches continuing education classes for physicians.We discuss the following:All about Dr. Allison SiebeckerWhat is SIBO?Differences and causes of SIBOTraveler's diarrhea and antibioticsMold and SIBOSymptoms of SIBO and foods to avoidElimination diet for SIBOHow to treat SIBOElemental dietRecommended prokineticsElemental diet powderUlcerative colitis and mold illnessRisks of overtaking antibioticsWhere to find Dr. Allison Siebecker_____RESOURCESWebsite: https://www.siboinfo.com/ SIBO Courses: https://www.siboinfo.com/learning-more.html SIBO Articles: https://www.siboinfo.com/studies.html Elemental Diet Success Plan: https://learn.mindfulfamilymedicine.com/ ____CHECK OUT MY BOOK, Carnivore CureSIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER_____ ADDITIONAL RESOURCESNutrition with Judy ArticlesNutrition with Judy ResourcesCutting Against the Grain Podcast_____ FIND ME

This has been such a popular topic and is in such high demand we had to do a rebroadcast of this, we hope you enjoy! If you've experienced tummy upsets, pain, bloating, wind, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea and have tried everything to fix it with no success? Than this episode is for you! In this episode Angela reveals the common causative factor in over 86% of IBS cases.. SIBO - also know as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, where the small intestine becomes overrun with bacteria (good and bad) which can cause all the classic IBS digestive symptoms as well as systemic conditions such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, brain fog and much more.   Angela explains how SIBO occurs, key signs to know if you have SIBO, how to test for it and how to treat it naturally so that you can resolve all these symptoms and truely return to the complete health you were designed for.  Show notes and resources: - www.siboinfo.com - Lots of great SIBO information here on Dr. Allison Siebecker's website - www.anewibssolution.com - Dr. Mark Pimentel's (Director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) website and information on his book "A New IBS Solution"  Listen to Part 2 next time for 3 not to be missed Take Away Keys!   -   *UPDATE* Angela is now accepting new clients, book an appointment by heading to busbynaturopathics.com.au and use the book now button.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode the best compliment you can give is a referral, so please share this with your friends and remember to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and write us a review!   This show is about you, the listener, so get involved and send us your feedback, questions and topic suggestions at busbynaturopathics.com/podcast -  email us at podcast@busbynaturopathics.com   Join us in the health journey by following us on: Facebook | Instagram | Youtube   Please note: The information given in this podcast is for informational purposes only it is not intended as personal medical advise or treatment. We recommend that you seek advise from a licensed health care professional for your own personal circumstances before applying any new treatments discussed in this podcast.

I have an elite guest speaker here who will discuss challenging cases and nuances of SIBO and IMO. You might know her from SIBOSOS, IBS research, or various gastroenterology summits. Dr. Allison Siebecker is the 2021 lifetime achievement award recipient from the Gastro ANP, co-Founder and former Medical Director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM, clinician, researcher, patient advocate and educator. Faculty positions include NUNM, where she teaches Advanced Gastroenterology, and the GI Health Foundation's IBS Board. She co-founded multiple SIBO and gastroenterology conferences and is the author of the free educational website: siboinfo.com Dr. Siebecker's integrative SIBO protocols have helped thousands of SIBO patients internationally. My free educational website: www.siboinfo.com SIBO Pro Course: https://drallisonsiebecker.simplero.com/products/92632-SIBO-Pro-Course-Self-Study?ref=15748-Allison-Siebecker SIBO Recovery Roadmap Course for patients: https://join.sibosos.com/products/97983-SIBO-Recovery-Roadmap-Course?ref=16377-Allison-Siebecker Next Steps for Treating Tough SIBO: https://join.sibosos.com/products/116696-Next-Steps-For-Treating-Tough-SIBO?ref=20722-Allison-Siebecker --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gutfarmacist/support

We have just arrived in France after a 10 hour journey in 34 degree heat! Wow, was that intense! We're now getting into our work routine but because we've been journeying, I have to squeeze my clients into one day, so can't record a new episode this week. Instead, I'm reshaping an old episode which is literally providing you with my step-by-step protocol for endometriosis management and healing. I've developed this approach after spending seven years working with the endo community and on my own healing journey, and studying with leading specialists such as Dr Jessica Drummond and Dr Allison Siebecker. I hope by sharing some of my core steps, it'll help you navigate your own healing journey and give you a foundation on which to build your own plan. It's the 100th episode! To celebrate I'm sharing the foundation steps I take with my clients to create their personalised holistic healing plan for endometriosis. In this episode I share some of my main areas of focus when creating an endo healing plan: Nutrition for endometriosis - ant-inflammatory eating, foods for hormones and blood sugar Gut healing - removing trigger foods, getting to the root problem and gut recovery Restoration - optimising sleep, managing stress and recovering from HPA axis dysfunction Detoxification pathways - hydrate, heal gut, remove toxins Structural support - visceral manipulation, pelvic floor physiotherapy, good surgery Cycle syncing - tracking with Fertility Awareness Method, eating for the different phases and syncing your life and movement Supplements - when to use supplements shown to target endometriosis, period pain and inflammation Remember, everyone is different and your healing has to tailored to you - your life, your body and your needs. Take from this what feels right for you in this moment and don't worry about the rest! Show Notes Episode on managing stress to lower pain signals Episode on managing blood sugar with Megan Hallet Episode on blood sugar Understanding the Endo Belly ep.1 Understanding the Endo Belly ep.2  Episode with Dr Jessica Drummond Episode with Molly  Episode with Nicole Jardim  Episode on hydration Episode with Dr Siebecker discussing visceral manipulation Episode with Dr Andrew Cook about the best surgery for endometriosis Episode with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack Episode with Jenni Hulburt about syncing your exercise with your cycle Episode with Shannon Leparksi Episode with Maisie Hill Article on BeYou about natural pain relievers Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works

 So, before we get started today, I wanted to let you know that I'm currently off on annual leave, one of my goals this year was to take more time off – well, to basically time off, rather than working through until Christmas!  And so, the episode you're hearing today is a replay of a past episode. As it's IBS Awareness Month, and because so many of us with endo have IBS, I wanted to share with you my most foundational, actionable and informative episodes on endo belly, IBS and SIBO – so every week you'll get two episodes on this theme, to help raise awareness and to provide you with some actions. Now because these episodes are old, I may not refer to some of the resources I provide on the endo belly, so I wanted to remind you of the services I provide. So, to start with, I have plenty of other episodes on the endo belly, I have a course called The Endo Belly Course which is specifically for anyone with endo who really struggles with IBS, endo belly or SIBO (here's the waitlist; I work with 1 to 1 clients; especially those with endo belly or SIBO, and I have lots and lots of articles on Endometriosis News and Endometriosis Net about these topics. And of course, I also   have my Instagram account, which is chock full of SIBO and endo belly info, for those of you wanting to learn more. Lastly, if you feel you need a little extra support, I am currently running a free Endo Belly Challenge. The challenge ends on April 18th, but if you sign up before May 2nd, you'll still be able to access all of the challenge, and catch up – and for anyone who takes part, you'll be invited to a private, free Q&A call with me at the start of May, where you'll get to ask me all your endo belly questions. Okay, so without further ado, let's get to the episode: The SIBO queen, Dr. Allison Siebecker, is back with part two on our deep dive into all things SIBO, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. In this episode, we're talking about how to test for SIBO and how to interpret your results, how to treat SIBO and how to lessen your chances of relapse with prevention methods. It's a great episode and one that I cannot recommend enough for starting out on this SIBO/endo belly journey. Here's a breakdown of everything we discuss in this interview: How to test for SIBO and which type of test is best - the lactulose breath test or glucose? Why a three hour test is always recommended over a two hour test. How to interpret your results and what your gas levels mean for your treatment options and how to look for hydrogen sulfide clues. Why you have to test to know how to treat. The treatment options for hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulfide. The types of antibiotics used for SIBO. The types of antimicrobial herbs used for SIBO. What the elemental diet is and when it should be used for SIBO. Why prevention is a crucial stage of SIBO recovery. How and when to use diet for SIBO. The role of prokinetcis in SIBO. How to do meal spacing to prevent a relapse after treatment. Why patience and persistence is all part of the process of treating SIBO. If you've been struggling with the endo belly, constant IBS issues, bloating, nausea and so many of the other stomach issues that seem to come hand in hand with endometriosis, this episode is absolutely the one to listen to. Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to The Endo Belly Course wait list here.  On March 28th I am running my second Endo Belly Challenge! In this 4-week challenge, you will learn the first steps to identifying the root causes of your endo belly and the initial tools to heal your swelling, gut issues and abdominal discomfort. Every Monday, you'll receive a new email with a little bit of endo belly education and an action to implement that week! This challenge is perfect for anyone who experiences abdominal swelling/bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea/loose stools, acid reflux, indigestion or stomach cramps with their endometriosis - and it's entirely free. You can sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. Ora provides audio editing, management and other services to make podcasting simple and sustainable for their clients. Health coaches, nutritionists, mediums, personal trainers, tarot readers, teachers, or just those striving for a better world, Ora can help you start and maintain your podcast. Get in touch today. This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order.

 So, before we get started today, I wanted to let you know that I'm currently off on annual leave, one of my goals this year was to take more time off – well, to basically time off, rather than working through until Christmas!  And so, the episode you're hearing today is a replay of a past episode. As it's IBS Awareness Month, and because so many of us with endo have IBS, I wanted to share with you my most foundational, actionable and informative episodes on endo belly, IBS and SIBO – so every week you'll get two episodes on this theme, to help raise awareness and to provide you with some actions. Now because these episodes are old, I may not refer to some of the resources I provide on the endo belly, so I wanted to remind you of the services I provide. So, to start with, I have plenty of other episodes on the endo belly, I have a course called The Endo Belly Course which is specifically for anyone with endo who really struggles with IBS, endo belly or SIBO (here's the waitlist; I work with 1 to 1 clients; especially those with endo belly or SIBO, and I have lots and lots of articles on Endometriosis News and Endometriosis Net about these topics. And of course, I also   have my Instagram account, which is chock full of SIBO and endo belly info, for those of you wanting to learn more. Lastly, if you feel you need a little extra support, I am currently running a free Endo Belly Challenge. The challenge ends on April 18th, but if you sign up before May 2nd, you'll still be able to access all of the challenge, and catch up – and for anyone who takes part, you'll be invited to a private, free Q&A call with me at the start of May, where you'll get to ask me all your endo belly questions. Okay, so without further ado, let's get to the episode: Is this the highlight of my podcast career so far? Absolutely. Today I'm joined by my tutor, the wonderful Dr. Allison Siebecker discussing small intestine bacterial overgrowth, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. A naturopathic doctor and SIBO patient herself, Dr. Allison Siebecker is one of the world's leading SIBO experts and provides truly the best SIBO resource on the internet. Dr. Siebecker has worked with thousands of patients and has dedicated her career to treating some of the most difficult SIBO cases, whilst educating both health care practitioners and the general public about this commonly under diagnosed condition with her courses, website and upcoming book. In this episode, we discuss: Her own experience of developing chronic SIBO and how she manages it now. Why a chronic case of SIBO doesn't mean you can't live a full and happy life. The signs and symptoms of SIBO to look out for. The associated conditions including interstitial cystitis and endometriosis. The root causes of SIBO - specifically endometriosis adhesions and what we can do about them. If you've been struggling with the endo belly, constant IBS issues, bloating, nausea and so many of the other stomach issues that seem to come hand in hand with endometriosis, this episode is absolutely the one to listen to. Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to The Endo Belly Course wait list here.  On March 28th I am running my second Endo Belly Challenge! In this 4-week challenge, you will learn the first steps to identifying the root causes of your endo belly and the initial tools to heal your swelling, gut issues and abdominal discomfort. Every Monday, you'll receive a new email with a little bit of endo belly education and an action to implement that week! This challenge is perfect for anyone who experiences abdominal swelling/bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea/loose stools, acid reflux, indigestion or stomach cramps with their endometriosis - and it's entirely free. You can sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. Ora provides audio editing, management and other services to make podcasting simple and sustainable for their clients. Health coaches, nutritionists, mediums, personal trainers, tarot readers, teachers, or just those striving for a better world, Ora can help you start and maintain your podcast. Get in touch today. This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order.

 So, before we get started today, I wanted to let you know that I'm currently off on annual leave, one of my goals this year was to take more time off – well, to basically time off, rather than working through until Christmas!  And so, the episode you're hearing today is a replay of a past episode. As it's IBS Awareness Month, and because so many of us with endo have IBS, I wanted to share with you my most foundational, actionable and informative episodes on endo belly, IBS and SIBO – so every week you'll get two episodes on this theme, to help raise awareness and to provide you with some actions. Now because these episodes are old, I may not refer to some of the resources I provide on the endo belly, so I wanted to remind you of the services I provide. So, to start with, I have plenty of other episodes on the endo belly, I have a course called The Endo Belly Course which is specifically for anyone with endo who really struggles with IBS, endo belly or SIBO (here's the waitlist; I work with 1 to 1 clients; especially those with endo belly or SIBO, and I have lots and lots of articles on Endometriosis News and Endometriosis Net about these topics. And of course, I also   have my Instagram account, which is chock full of SIBO and endo belly info, for those of you wanting to learn more. Lastly, if you feel you need a little extra support, I am currently running a free Endo Belly Challenge. The challenge ends on April 18th, but if you sign up before May 2nd, you'll still be able to access all of the challenge, and catch up – and for anyone who takes part, you'll be invited to a private, free Q&A call with me at the start of May, where you'll get to ask me all your endo belly questions. Okay, so without further ado, let's get to the episode: It's finally here! The long awaited episode on how to test for SIBO. Many of you have been contacting me to ask how to get tested or whether you can test at home, so here's my episode discussing all the ins and outs. Here's a breakdown of some of the key points in the episode: Hydrogen and methane type SIBO can be detected through a SIBO breath test. You can order at-home kits. In my experience, most GPs won't/can't order SIBO breath tests and aren't familiar with it, though GI doctors may be able to and SIBO specialist doctors certainly can. A SIBO breath test involves drinking a solution of glucose or lactulose and breathing into a test tube for 2-3 hours. The substrate will feed the bacteria, which will create fermentation, and the gas is then collected in the test tube and measured in the lab in parts per million. Tests can be either 2 hours with 8 test tubes or 3 hours with 10 test tubes. 2 hours runs the risk of missing SIBO in a person with slow gut motility, so for that reason, I prefer to go with a 3 hour test. Some specialists prefer testing with glucose, others lactulose. I like to use lactulose as glucose is absorbed in the first 1-3 feet of the small intestine and the small intestine is on average 22 ft long! So if the SIBO is further down, a glucose test can miss it entirely. A prep diet and overnight fast is required before taking the test. This is a low to no carb diet of meat, fish, eggs, black tea or coffee. There are some allowances for vegans, vegetarians or diabetics. If a patient ate too many carbs, or did the prep test incorrectly it would skew the test results and the test would need to be redone. The North American breath testing consensus states that a positive for hydrogen would be a rise of 20 ppm or more (parts per million) from the baseline (the breath before drinking the solution) in the first 90 minutes. A positive for methane would be 10ppm or more in the whole 180 minutes, including the baseline. Dr Allison Siebecker, who I trained with, has a slightly different diagnostic range after years and years of working with SIBO clients and consulting with other SIBO specialists. A positive hydrogen for her would be 20ppm in the first 120 minutes, with no rise needed as long as the baseline isn't the highest number. Methane is 10 within 180 but if constipation was present, the methane would be positive if the reading was 3-9ppm. Though hydrogen sulfide SIBO cannot be detected with this test, some H2S patients have a flat line pattern that indicates the presence of H2S. This would be a result of 6ppm or less for hydrogen and 3ppm or less for methane. An elevated baseline (so not 0) is normal for methane. In the USA, lactulose requires a prescription so you would need to find a doctor who could help you order it. For a deeper dive and my breakdown on how to take the test itself, have a listen to the show! I really hope this episode helps those of you who are suspecting that SIBO may be the culprit behind your endobelly. Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to The Endo Belly Course wait list here.  On March 28th I am running my second Endo Belly Challenge! In this 4-week challenge, you will learn the first steps to identifying the root causes of your endo belly and the initial tools to heal your swelling, gut issues and abdominal discomfort. Every Monday, you'll receive a new email with a little bit of endo belly education and an action to implement that week! This challenge is perfect for anyone who experiences abdominal swelling/bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea/loose stools, acid reflux, indigestion or stomach cramps with their endometriosis - and it's entirely free. You can sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. Ora provides audio editing, management and other services to make podcasting simple and sustainable for their clients. Health coaches, nutritionists, mediums, personal trainers, tarot readers, teachers, or just those striving for a better world, Ora can help you start and maintain your podcast. Get in touch today. This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order.

 So, before we get started today, I wanted to let you know that I'm currently off on annual leave, one of my goals this year was to take more time off – well, to basically time off, rather than working through until Christmas!  And so, the episode you're hearing today is a replay of a past episode. As it's IBS Awareness Month, and because so many of us with endo have IBS, I wanted to share with you my most foundational, actionable and informative episodes on endo belly, IBS and SIBO – so every week you'll get two episodes on this theme, to help raise awareness and to provide you with some actions. Now because these episodes are old, I may not refer to some of the resources I provide on the endo belly, so I wanted to remind you of the services I provide. So, to start with, I have plenty of other episodes on the endo belly, I have a course called The Endo Belly Course which is specifically for anyone with endo who really struggles with IBS, endo belly or SIBO (here's the waitlist; I work with 1 to 1 clients; especially those with endo belly or SIBO, and I have lots and lots of articles on Endometriosis News and Endometriosis Net about these topics. And of course, I also   have my Instagram account, which is chock full of SIBO and endo belly info, for those of you wanting to learn more. Lastly, if you feel you need a little extra support, I am currently running a free Endo Belly Challenge. The challenge ends on April 18th, but if you sign up before May 2nd, you'll still be able to access all of the challenge, and catch up – and for anyone who takes part, you'll be invited to a private, free Q&A call with me at the start of May, where you'll get to ask me all your endo belly questions. Okay, so without further ado, let's get to the episode: The endometriosis belly, the endometriosis tummy, the endo bloat, the endo belly, the endo pooch - whatever you call it, you know what I'm talking about. That weird phenomena where your belly suddenly decides to make you look six months pregnant, not only is it uncomfortable, sometimes painful (especially if you have adhesions), it can also affect us emotionally - whether it's about our self-esteem or because it plays on our fears around fertility. But what is endometriosis bloating? What causes it, and what can we do about it? In this series of episodes, I'm going to be diving into all the above and more, and really exploring the role that gut health has in endometriosis.Today I'm talking about SIBO - Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. SIBO is a very common gut health condition, in fact, research has shown that 60-70% of IBS cases are actually caused by SIBO. To add to that, endometriosis is a risk factor for developing SIBO, so for those of us with endo and even with IBS too, this is a condition we want to be aware of. SIBO is an accumulation of of bacteria and archaea in in the small intestine. SIBO can cause damage to the small intestine and can cause malapsorption, nutrient deficiencies and intolerances. The symptoms of SIBO are bloating, fullness, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, gas, burping, GERD or acid reflux. SIBO can also cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, headaches, rashes, swelling and nasal congestion. There are three types of SIBO: hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulfide type SIBO. Hydrogen sulfide type SIBO can also cause additional symptoms such as bladder pain, bladder frequency and urgency, generally feeling unwell, worsening food intolerances, histamine sensitivity, sulfur smelling gas, body pain, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet and worsening symptoms after Epsom salt baths and sulfur containing foods. Hydrogen type SIBO tends to cause diarrhea. Hydrogen sulfide tends to cause diarrhea but can cause constipation. Methane tends to cause constipation. Both hydrogen and methane together can cause constipation or diarrhea, or a mix of both (so sometimes you're constipated, sometimes you have diarrhea). Methane and hydrogen sulfide together can cause either or both. All three types together can cause either or both. Key signs of SIBO are symptoms, low B12, low ferritin, vitamins A/D/E/K deficiencies, low omega 3 levels, sometimes low albumin; leaky gut symptoms, and conditions such as interstitial cystitis, psoriasis, restless leg syndrome, rosacea, and rheumatoid arthritis. Key causes to look out (there are many, but most relevant to our community) are endometriosis, abdominal surgery (inc. laparoscopy), chronic stress leading to slow gut motility, low stomach acid and low digestive enzymes, food poisoning and hypothyroidism. If any of the above sounds like you, listen to this episode and be sure to tune into my follow up episode where I talk about SIBO testing and treatment. A huge thank you to my tutor Dr Allison Siebecker for her SIBO Pro course, which has provided me with the information and training to be able to share this with you today. Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to The Endo Belly Course wait list here.  On March 28th I am running my second Endo Belly Challenge! In this 4-week challenge, you will learn the first steps to identifying the root causes of your endo belly and the initial tools to heal your swelling, gut issues and abdominal discomfort. Every Monday, you'll receive a new email with a little bit of endo belly education and an action to implement that week! This challenge is perfect for anyone who experiences abdominal swelling/bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea/loose stools, acid reflux, indigestion or stomach cramps with their endometriosis - and it's entirely free. You can sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. Ora provides audio editing, management and other services to make podcasting simple and sustainable for their clients. Health coaches, nutritionists, mediums, personal trainers, tarot readers, teachers, or just those striving for a better world, Ora can help you start and maintain your podcast. Get in touch today. This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order.

It's IBS Awareness Month and because IBS is so common within the endo community, I'm going to continue with this theme of IBS and endo belly, which I've been focusing on over the past few weeks. Now, one of the key causes behind IBS is SIBO. In fact, current research estimates that the majority of IBS cases are really SIBO cases, and as you've probably heard about 100 times by now, research estimates that up to 80% of endo patients may have SIBO. This is based on a small amount of research and so that number may change in the future, but I would say that this number is accurate, at least based on the clients I see. Before you start thinking about SIBO testing and treatment, I first want to say that I don't always think jumping straight into SIBO treatment is wise. SIBO tends to be tricky to treat and a long process, so I require my clients to be in a reasonably stable place with their endo and mental resilience before we begin SIBO treatment. Now of course, treating SIBO also helps with the endo symptoms, so in some cases, we do start with the SIBO first, but as much as I can, I like to get endo to a place where it's not ruling my client's lives and they're not feeling ill on a daily basis. So, just keep that in mind. Now, if you know you have SIBO or you suspect you do, it's important to understand what your journey may look like and the truth is, whether you have endo or not, two thirds of people who clear their SIBO, will relapse. Which means they will fall into the ‘chronic' category. This doesn't mean they can't live well or clear the SIBO again. What it means is that there's a root cause that's hidden and maybe trickier to treat, which is causing that person to relapse. After this relapse, they may be able to find the root cause, treat it and then treat the SIBO again, and move into the not-chronic category and never develop SIBO again. For others, their root cause may be less treatable, they may never be able to fully heal the root cause, but they may be able to dramatically improve it. This could then give them longer time frames between relapses of SIBO, or mean that they have less SIBO, and could generally overall improve their quality of life with SIBO. And on that note, if you have chronic SIBO, that doesn't mean you'll always have SIBO all the time, the time between relapses tends to be two months to one year. If that time frame is less, you're known as a rapid relapser, which is what I am (yay for me) – and that means there's a pretty big root cause to be addressed, which I'll get to later. But whether you relapse straight away or in two years, you can live well with SIBO. You can manage symptoms, live a full life, and improve digestion and nutrient absorption. I mean look at Dr. Allison Siebecker. She is a chronic case, and she lives a full and healthy life, and eats a pretty normal diet too! It's about understanding your condition and knowing your personal tools for management.  But today, I want to talk about some of the main reasons why people with endometriosis may relapse with their SIBO, so that if it happens to you, you know what to do – or so you can prepare ahead of time and get these issues checked out. Number one is pretty obvious and that's adhesions from surgery or from endo itself. Structural issues are one of the two most common causes of SIBO. There are two direct causes of SIBO; so, a structural problem or a functional issue with the migrating motor complex, and there are many risk factors like diseases or problems that then lead to these direct causes. So, it's not that these diseases or risk factors cause the SIBO, but they cause a problem which leads to the SIBO – and with endometriosis or surgery for endo, this can lead to alterations in the structure of the intestine, because adhesions can distort them.   These adhesions can cause kinks, loops, pockets of intestines that bacteria get trapped in and obstructions, which all lead to the same result: bacteria get stuck in the small intestine. Now remember, SIBO stands for small intestine bacterial overgrowth. A condition where bacteria accumulate in the small intestine, when they should be living in the large intestine, and this community of bacteria create gases that cause IBS symptoms like bloating and damage the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients and full body problems like chronic inflammation. Given that 50-100% of people who have abdominal surgery will get adhesions, it's quite likely that most of you listening will have them. Now, that doesn't mean that they're distorting your intestines, but it's worth checking because when they are, you could get this bacterial build up that I'm talking about. When I work with SIBO clients, I try to do this earlier on. Normally, you might actually just wait and see whether you relapse before you spend money on investigating the root cause, unless it's an obvious one. At least, this is what Dr. Siebecker advises and that works well for her, and she's one of the leading experts. You also have the prevention of relapse phase, which is 3-six months, post-treatment and that itself addresses some of the root causes and is really an essential step to the overall SIBO protocol, otherwise you pretty much are guaranteed to relapse without it. But, for us endo peeps, because we're so prone to adhesions, I just assume from the get-go that this may be a problem, and we get these assessed early on, either during treatment or during the prevention of relapse. People who have body work in the prevention of relapse phase, like abdominal massage, tend to recover better and have a prolonged remission time, so I always advise this as standard during the prevention of relapse phase, and I recommend Arvigo, visceral manipulation or Clear Passage, all of which can support with adhesions. So, whoever you see, will be able to feel for adhesions and then work on them directly. Now the extent to which these massages can clear these adhesions increases in the order I listed them, so Arvigo can do some mild work on adhesions, but Clear Passage is like the cream of the crop.  However, there are also other methods for clearing adhesions, including Frequency Specific Microcurrent and neural therapy, and I've linked to these in the show notes, but I'll probably do a whole episode on these at a later date too. For affordability, I would first recommend you just get assessed by a visceral manipulation therapist who can feel for any adhesions or tight areas, and then you can decide on your course of treatment. Next up is our most common cause of the diarrhoea or mixed type SIBO, and that's a history of food poisoning or gastroenteritis, and when I say mixed type I mean your SIBO causes you to fluctuate between diarrhoea and constipation. With these sicknesses, the body creates antibodies to attack the toxins released by the infections, but the issue is that the toxins look a lot like a protein that is a part of the interstitial cells of Cajal. The interstitial cells of Cajal are nerve cells which are responsible for the migrating motor complex, and just as a reminder, the migrating motor complex, or MMC for short, is a wave like motion that occurs in the small intestine, and clears out bacteria and old food debris, moving them into the small intestine. It's not the movement that pushes your food into the large intestine, but it's the movement that cleans the small intestine after the food has gone through. So, the body creates these antibodies to attack the toxins, but accidentally attacks the MMC nerve cells because they look the same, resulting in a damaged MMC. In cases like this, relapse is quite common because the body now has these antibodies. You can test for these antibodies with something called the IBS Smart test, which is not available in all countries, but is growing in availability. It generally is a private test and is not often something you can get on the NHS, and I've linked to a few places you can get this test.  Now in some cases, if the food poisoning or gastroenteritis occurred a long time ago, like in my case I had gastroenteritis when I was just a baby, then you probably won't come up as positive for the antibodies, but the damage will still have been done. Unfortunately, many people with this root cause are often chronic, and need to stay on MMC support long-term, so that's those pharmaceutical drugs or natural supplements which stimulate the MMC overnight, however, just clearing the SIBO itself can help the MMC to repair and improve, and there are other things you can do to lower the antibodies and repair the MMC including following autoimmune healing protocols like the AIP diet, healing leaky gut and using nerve healers like lion's mane. These options won't necessarily completely eliminate the antibodies or heal the MMC, but they can certainly improve things and may even do so to such an extent that with the right support and management, you can stay in remission. It's not always the case, but it could be possible.  Alright, next up is a trio of issues that are sort of one and the same, and all affect the migrating motor complex, and I see these three issues often in my endo-SIBO clients and they are vagus nerve problems, trauma, and chronic stress.  The vagus nerve is a large nerve that travels from your brain all the way down to the base of your spine. It controls multiple functions and is responsible for your ‘rest and digest' response and plays a leading role in digestion and stimulates the migrating motor complex . Now, the rest and digest response is the part of the nervous system that activates when we're asleep or resting and is responsible for digestion and repair in the body. When this system isn't on, we can't digest food or heal – and stress turns it off, so you can see here how stress comes into play.  The vagus nerve can be damaged from trauma to the spine and head. It actually doesn't have to be a severe injury, even just a bang on the head when playing as a child or falling on your spine can cause some damage to the nerve. But as I've just alluded to, the vagus nerve can also be affected or impaired by trauma or chronic stress – and for many of us with endo, just living with the condition can cause trauma and chronic stress, and statistically, many people with chronic pain conditions have a history of childhood and adolescent trauma, and this is normally the case with many of the clients I see. Now, trauma doesn't have to be something huge and dramatic, there are multiple things that can be considered a trauma during these ages, and I've linked to some info in the show notes so you can have a look and do further reading if you wish to. If the vagus nerve function is impaired, we'll struggle to move into rest and digest and will often find that digestion is affected. But we may also have immune issues and many sensitivities, as vagus nerve impairment can affect immunity and cause a hyper reactive stress response, where our nervous system begins to see everything as a threat. In these people, I tend to see they generally feel sicker, have more sensitives and more immune problems, and it may feel like nothing is working for them.  One way to check how your vagus nerve is doing is to monitor your heart rate variability. Your heart rate variability is the variation of time between each heartbeat. There are numerous gadgets on the market that monitor your HRV, so shop around. But essentially, if you have low heart rate variability, so there isn't much variation of time between heart beats, this is an indication that your vagus nerve isn't doing so well, and if you have high heart rate variability, so the amount of time between each heartbeat varies, then this indicates a healthy vagus nerve.  There are simple ways to support your vagus nerve and more extensive ways, and I take my clients and students through both, but some very simple ways to begin supporting your vagus nerve includes deep breathing, yoga, singing and body work like massage. These are just some of the things that can help and are really more so the initial, simple changes, but diving into vagus nerve support is a whole episode in itself! In fact, I have whole lessons dedicated to it in my courses, but if you're curious as to whether this is affecting your SIBO recovering, your first step could be to check your HRV. Next on our list is another triad and this is the triad of mast cell activation syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural tachycardia. So, let's do some quick definitions of these – MCAS is a condition where mast cells, which contain immune cells like histamines and other inflammatory immune cells, are hypersensitive, and release histamines and other inflammatory immune cells more frequently and in larger amounts than needed. This causes problems like histamine intolerance, but also creates other inflammatory issues, and generally a person with MCAS will have a myriad of symptoms that seem random and unconnected, and often feel very unwell most of the time.  Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a collection of syndromes that all affect connective tissue in the body, with the most common one being the hyper mobile form of EDS, which I see in a number of my clients, and is somewhat connected to endometriosis, painful periods, and heavy periods – and I have a whole podcast episode on that for those of you would like to know more. Then finally, we have postural tachycardia, which is a condition that affects blood flow, heart rate and blood pressure when someone goes from sitting to standing, though the affects and symptoms of this condition don't just happen when someone stands up - and can occur after exercise, or from a hot bath, hot weather, and other circumstances. Now research is showing that POTs and MCAS are co-conditions of EDS, and so it's important to look for all of these conditions when one of them is present.  And the keys reasons why these can cause a SIBO relapse, is because EDS can cause someone to have what's known as ‘droopy bowels', where basically, the intestines are floppy and collapsing, which means the MMC can't functioning properly and move bacteria out, and the bacteria gets trapped inside. In fact, research has found that 48% of IBS patients have EDS! EDS can also cause slowed motility and affect the valve between your small and large intestine, allowing for bacteria to flow back up into the small intestine from the large – and these are just some of the ways that EDS can affect the gut and lead to SIBO. Additionally, histamine can affect gut functioning, so excessive levels can impair recovery too, and then with POTS, because it's a form of dysautonomia, which means it's a dysfunction of our autonomic nervous system, the system that controls involuntary responses in our body like heartbeat and digestion, this can also suppress motility.  Finally, let's look at hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition where we make too little thyroid hormones, and people with endometriosis have an increased chance of developing the type of hypothyroidism that is caused by autoimmunity, known as hashimoto's thyroiditis, in fact, we are six times more likely to develop the disease (though there are ways to prevent that, which is a whole other episode, but know that everything we discuss here on this podcast generally helps!). Hypothyroidism slows gut motility and the MMC, which can of course lead to SIBO, but if you're able to manage your hypothyroidism well with the right levels of medication and lifestyle support, this impact could hopefully be lowered. If you have hypothyroidism already, I've linked to a few webinars on the link between SIBO and hypothyroidism, so you can do further research.  If you're not sure what's going on with your thyroid, but you struggle with fatigue, weight gain or struggle losing weight, you have constipation, dry skin, brittle hair, and hair loss, this could be a sign of hypothyroidism. Ideally, you should get a full thyroid panel, which is not often done by doctors, but I have listed some private tests in the show notes, alongside the functional medicine reference ranges for optimal levels. Okay, so that's it. Those are some of the most common causes for SIBO relapses in people with endo. Now, there are many risk factors for relapsing with SIBO, so these aren't the only ones, and I have linked to some further reading and resources in the show notes, but these are some of the most common ones I see with my endo and SIBO clients. I hope that this gives you some info on what symptoms to look out for, what to check for and some starting steps on how to manage some of these issues. Please share this episode or get in touch if you found it useful! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to The Endo Belly Course wait list here.  On March 28th I am running my second Endo Belly Challenge! In this 4-week challenge, you will learn the first steps to identifying the root causes of your endo belly and the initial tools to heal your swelling, gut issues and abdominal discomfort. Every Monday, you'll receive a new email with a little bit of endo belly education and an action to implement that week! This challenge is perfect for anyone who experiences abdominal swelling/bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea/loose stools, acid reflux, indigestion or stomach cramps with their endometriosis - and it's entirely free. You can sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. Ora provides audio editing, management and other services to make podcasting simple and sustainable for their clients. Health coaches, nutritionists, mediums, personal trainers, tarot readers, teachers, or just those striving for a better world, Ora can help you start and maintain your podcast. Get in touch today. This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order. Show Notes IBS/endo/SIBO/causes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12591062/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12397741/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/437407/ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/600349 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23614961/ Adhesions https://www.siboinfo.com/prevention-of-relapse.html https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/endo-belly-after-endometriosis-surgery?rq=adhesions https://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php https://clearpassage.com https://www.merciertherapy.com (You currently need to email them directly for a referral) https://www.arvigotherapy.com/team-members https://naant.org https://frequencyspecific.com/frequency-specific-microcurrent-practitioners/ Food poisoning https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25970536/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31152332/ https://www.siboinfo.com/testing1.html - IBS Smart test links Stress/vagus nerve/trauma https://endometriosis.net/living/trauma-chronic-illness https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22450306/ https://www.caringmedical.com/can-repair-vagus-nerves/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355787 https://selfhacked.com/blog/32-ways-to-stimulate-your-vagus-nerve-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-it/ https://www.jessicamaguire.com/the-vagus-nerve-masterclass https://www.heartmath.com/science/ https://ouraring.com/blog/what-is-heart-rate-variability/ https://www.heartmath.com/tech/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22450306/ https://www.caringmedical.com/can-repair-vagus-nerves/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355787 EDS/MCAS/POTS https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/endometriosis-and-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-is-there-a-connection https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx https://www.siboinfo.com/associated-diseases.html https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29687534/ https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/pdf/2018-annual-conference/N-Blagowidow-2018Baltimore-OB-GYN-and-EDS-HSD-S.pdf https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/ https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx https://ehlers-danlos.com/wp-content/uploads/hEDS-Dx-Criteria-checklist-1.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31267471/ https://drbeckycampbell.com/mast-cell-activation-syndrome-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-and-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-what-is-the-connection/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6004-dysautonomia https://join.sibosos.com/page/94124 Hypothyroidism https://join.sibosos.com/page/94127?ref=13663 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6601386/

Today we're talking about the endo belly, but more specifically, constipation. Firstly, let's quickly look at what the endo belly is. The ‘endo belly' is not actually a medical term, but instead is a name the community has coined in reference to the severe bloating we often experience. So, there isn't technically a set definition, but it is generally thought to be severe bloating/swelling that tends to be attributed to endometriosis and is sometimes accompanied by pain. Some experts, articles and endo patients also include gut problems within this term too, but not always. My definition, from my training and from seeing so many clients with these symptoms is that the endo belly is exaggerated/severe bloating, often accompanied by gut symptoms, pain or discomfort - but it is not always caused by endometriosis directly (there are normally contributing factors behind the endo belly). Many people with endo suffer with this bloating or distension plus IBS issues like constipation, and often these can be caused by issues like gut dysbiosis (which is common with endo), small intestine bacterial overgrowth (which according to research could be affecting 80% of us with endo), adhesions from surgery and bowel endometriosis, to name just a few of the contributing factors. So, constipation can result from one or all of these issues, and the bloating itself could also come from one or all of these causes (and the many others not listed here), but the constipation itself could also be worsening your bloating. When you're constipated, you're going to get a build-up of waste, gas and bacteria in your intestines, and the bacteria will also have longer to ferment the food you've eaten, resulting in more gas being produced than usual.  So, what can we do about it? Ideally and in the long-term, we want to address the root cause of your constipation, because at home remedies are unlikely to solve the root cause alone, however, whilst you're on that journey, at home remedies can make a real difference. Full credit to my tutors Dr. Allison Siebecker and Dr. Nirala Jacobi for these great tools.    Drink hot water in the morning Yep, it's that simple. Drinking hot or warm water, like a herbal tea, and making a chewing movement as you drink it, can actually trigger motility (which basically means movement) in the large intestine. It works best if you drink it slowly, though experiment with what works for you.  I wouldn't necessarily wait for constipation to happen to try this but bring it into your daily routine, so you start to build a habit of a morning bowel movement.   Try flax or chia seeds Both flax and chia seeds help to create a bowel movement, but which one you use really depends on your personal reactions to the seeds. Chia is low FODMAP at serving sizes up to 24 grams, so as a result, chia is often safe for people with IBS and even, in many cases, people with SIBO. Chia seeds provide a large amount of fibre, and whilst many people with IBS and SIBO can't tolerate a lot of fibre, chia seeds are often well tolerated so it's a great way to top up your fibre content without a flare – and we all know how important fibre is! You may have noticed that chia seeds absorb a lot of water, and so as a result, they can soften a stool by adding a gel-like consistency to food in your intestinal tract and by adding bulk, which can help form a stool and move it along. Now, be guided by your personal reaction because with SIBO, adding fibre often makes things worse and because everyone is unique, even though chia is generally thought to be safe for SIBO, some people still react – which means their constipation could get worse. So, start slowly with a small amount, like a tablespoon and increase to two if you find you don't have any adverse reactions – just don't exceed 24 g to be safe, although 24g of chia in one sitting is a huge amount, so I doubt you will! Always add a liquid to your chia first, to create the gel-like consistency. You could make a chia pudding with almond milk, add them to oats or add them to a smoothie. Now, with flax, I tend to see that's less well tolerated with people who have SIBO due to the fibre content but see how you respond. To be on the safe side, a low FODMAP serving of flax is 15 grams, or one tablespoon, so start there, though you may personally be able to tolerate more. The serving size found to be effective for constipation in research is 20g.   Some of you may be wondering if flax is safe for endo. Flax contains plant compounds known as phytoestrogens, which mimic oestrogen in the body. Lots of studies show flaxseeds as being beneficial for people who have low levels of oestrogen as it raises them (just like soy) and yet because like soy, phytoestrogens are weaker than our own oestrogen, it should in theory help to lower oestrogen dominance and certainly has shown that with many people. But it seems to depend on the individual response as I've personally experienced worsening endometriosis symptoms with flax and I know my tutors Dr Jessica Drummond and Nicole Jardim have observed similar reactions too. One factor to consider is that the issue isn't the phytoestrogens in the flax but potentially the state of the flax. Flax is very vulnerable to going rancid and becoming inflammatory. It's better to store whole flaxseeds in an airtight container in the fridge, for shorter periods of time and then grind flax seeds fresh (if required to be ground), rather than storing them in a cupboard, in a bag, already ground. So, experiment and see how you feel! You can add flax to oats and smoothies, or you could stir it into yoghurt or a chia pudding.   Eat more fat Adequate levels of fat can aid with constipation, as fat triggers large intestine motility.  Now, you do have to be careful because too much fat can sometimes cause gastro issues in people with IBS, but generally with my clients and students, we focus on two golf ball sized servings of fat with each meal, to support blood sugar levels, and that amount is often well tolerated. If you're not sure, try a lesser serving size and also try fats that are lower in FODMAPs to avoid aggravating your symptoms.  Now, just to be clear, I am in no way telling you to start a low FDOMAP diet, that has to be prescribed by a doctor or dietician and should only be done with a diagnosis of IBS, but to avoid flaring your symptoms with these strategies, you could try low FODMAP options for these. Some good fats include eggs, coconut oil, olive oil and low FODMAP nut butters. A great combination could be to combine one of these fats with your chia or flax at breakfast, after you've drunk some warm water, for maximum effect.   Try the ‘I Love You' massage The I Love You Massage is an easy abdominal massage that you can do on yourself at home, and is designed specifically for IBS problems like bloating, gas, constipation, etc. I've linked to a free video tutorial in the show notes. In my experience, it's best performed at night before bed, as it also helps to stimulate your migrating motor complex, which is a wave like motion in your small intestine, that cleans up the small intestine between meals and most of all, overnight. Whilst the MMC won't directly help with constipation, it will help with SIBO and bloating occurring in the small intestine, and so this massage is targeting two issues at once – constipation through stimulating the large intestine and bloating/SIBO that's occurring in the small intestine. So that's it! I hope one or a few of these at-home remedies help with your constipation. I would love to hear how you get on, so please do reach out on Instagram to let me know! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. My new Nutrition for Endo Masterclasses are out now and are on special offer with code: INTERNATIONALWOMENSDAY. Get each masterclass for £11.99 with £5 from each sale going to Period Poverty UK (masterclasses previously) - just enter the code at checkout. Offer ends Tuesday 15th March at midnight. Find out more here. On March 28th I am running my second Endo Belly Challenge! In this 4-week challenge, you will learn the first steps to identifying the root causes of your endo belly and the initial tools to heal your swelling, gut issues and abdominal discomfort. Every Monday, you'll receive a new email with a little bit of endo belly education and an action to implement that week! This challenge is perfect for anyone who experiences abdominal swelling/bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea/loose stools, acid reflux, indigestion or stomach cramps with their endometriosis - and it's entirely free. You can sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is produced by Ora Podcasts. Ora provides audio editing, management and other services to make podcasting simple and sustainable for their clients. Health coaches, nutritionists, mediums, personal trainers, tarot readers, teachers, or just those striving for a better world, Ora can help you start and maintain your podcast. Get in touch today. This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order.   Show Notes Water https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf Chia https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13197-015-1967-0 https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1750-3841.12444 Flax https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5944250/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8077314/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15702593/ https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.nutr.17.1.353?journalCode=nutr Fat https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1051227614001411 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3460325/ I Love You Massage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTOkKVlBHzk&t=2s

Do you suffer with the endo belly? Is it accompanied by bloating, diarrhea, constipation or abdominal cramping? Whilst I'm all about getting to the root cause and find out WHY you're suffering with the endo belly (not to mention, healing the root cause) I also understand the need for short-term symptom relief whilst we're on that journey. Today's podcast episode offers just that. I am sharing the most effective supplement options that help to relieve endo belly flares in the moment. These are the tools and strategies we use in our SIBO training with Dr. Siebecker, but are safe if you don't have SIBO but do suffer with IBS symptoms. You will find all the dose references in the show notes, but remember - as a health coach I cannot prescribe you a treatment protocol, this is education only and the aim is for you to take this information away to discuss your options with your doctor. Full credit to my tutor Dr. Allison Siebecker for teaching and providing us with these strategy relief tools!   Activated Charcoal So first up we're starting with activated charcoal, which is great for:  Diarrhea Abdominal pain (not pelvic pain)  Gas Acid reflux It works by absorbing gases, which reduces pressure in the gut that can lead to cramping and of course, reduces bloating. It's also absorbs fluid, so reduces diarrhea too.  The doses are: Up to 1000mg, every 1-3 hours for diarrhea. Up to 1000mg, every 2-6 hours for bloating/gas/abdominal pain.  Up to 1000mg 30 mins before a meal and one hour after for endo belly ‘trigger' foods. Now what I mean by this, is if you have to eat something that you know is probably going to make you bloat or gassy, or swell you up, but you're a bit stuck for choices, say you're at a family thing or wedding, or you're on holiday, then you could use charcoal. I don't advise you just use it for every meal so you can eat whatever you want, because you'll end up very constipated because it absorbs fluid, but I have found it very helpful on holiday and at weddings. Up to 500mg every 2-3 hours for acid reflux. So, some things to consider when taking charcoal: Do not consume more than 4000mg per day.  It can cause constipation, so reduce the dose if constipation occurs or use with magnesium citrate (which you'll learn about shortly) or stool softeners, and I've listed some natural stool softeners in the handout. If you do use magnesium citrate to avoid any constipation, take it an hour after the charcoal or before bed. Your bowel movements may look dark after charcoal - don't worry, it just stains everything!  Absorbs everything, so take it 30 minutes before meals/supplements/meds and/or one hour after. Some research has showed that in it can cause vomiting if accidentally inhaled, so if you struggle with small airways or swallowing, be cautious with this. I also personally prefer using capsules, as I have tried using the powder stirred in water and have accidentally inhaled it myself one or two times!   Ginger Next up is my absolute favourite, and that's ginger.  Ginger is effective for: Nausea/vomiting Gas Bloating Fullness/food won't go down Abdominal pain  Ginger is a prokinetic, which means it stimulates the MMC and gut motility, so it moves gas down and out of the small intestine. This therefore helps with gas, bloating, pressure, and abdominal pain, and it helps food to go down as well if you're feeling like you're not digesting your food properly. And I've mentioned, it's a great tool for nausea and vomiting.  The doses are: 1000mg an 1-2 hours after meals or at bedtime for nausea/bloating/gas/vomiting/ab. pain.  1000mg 30 mins before meals to aid with appetite if nauseas.   So, some things to consider when taking ginger are: Do not consume more than 2000 mg per day.  It can cause something called ginger burn, which feels like heat or acid reflux is the oesophagus or stomach. If that occurs, take less, stand up and move around so it starts to go down (as ginger burn often happens when lying down or reclining in many of my clients) and sip on lots of water. In people with interstitial cystitis, as it's a spice, it might cause some irritation, but this tends to vary from person to person. Finally, fresh ginger root is usually not as effective as dried ginger root powder, so we're going for a 1000 mg in the form of capsules.   Peppermint Peppermint can be used for: Abdominal pain Bloating General IBS symptoms (there's LOTS of research on peppermint for IBS) Indigestion Pain with bowel movements (which I know many of you suffer with)  Peppermint relaxes the smooth muscle of the intestines, so helps significantly with cramping and abdominal pain, and helps to ease the transition of gas. It's also been shown to be 67% effective for reducing severe IBS symptoms, pretty impressive stuff! So, the doses are: Use peppermint tea/or tincture (follow label dose) for pain or sensations higher up in the abdomen (this is because peppermint generally works locally, so if you feel symptoms around the stomach area, the peppermint tea or tincture will be able to affect that area because it's not sealed up in a pill, whereas the pills are coated and are designed to not be released until they exit the stomach). Label dose of triple coated tablets for mid to lower abdominal symptoms, as needed or daily. Research has shown that pain and symptoms improve significantly with long-term use with peppermint oil. Can also apply peppermint essential oil to abdomen. Follow label instructions as some oils require diluting in a base oil. A quick tip here, is you can use Be You patches, which I share on my podcast, over the abdomen, to ease spasms. You can keep those on for 12 hours and you can wear them daily. So, some things to consider when taking peppermint are: It can cause acid reflux in some people because it relaxes the muscles, it can open up the sphincter connecting the stomach and the oesophagus, so stomach acid can travel up. If this happens to you, try a pill that's triple coated and designed to bypass the stomach. For some people, peppermint can also cause nausea.   Magnesium Magnesium citrate or oxide can be used for:  Constipation These types of magnesium draw water into the colon, helping to create a bowel movement. The dose is:  Up to 2000 mg at bedtime (two hours after food), daily or as needed until you have a bowel movement. However, 1000 mg is normally effective for many, but see what works for you. So, some things to consider when taking magnesium citrate or oxide are: You need to start slowly, beginning at 500 mg and building up until you find the dose that works for you. Generally, increasing your dose slightly each night should be a good pace, but keep in mind it can take a few nights to get to work, so don't be too hasty.   Too much will cause abdominal cramping, bloating and diarrhea. If that occurs, reduce the dose back down until you get to a dose that creates a healthy bowel movement without watery stools or discomfort. Food will reduce the effects, so keep in mind you need to take it two hours away from food. And finally, you have to use either magnesium oxide or citrate, other forms of magnesium are not laxatives and will be absorbed in the body, rather than making their way down into the colon.   Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum PHGG be used for: All IBS symptoms (multiple studies/reviews confirm this) Constipation Improving stool consistency Diarrhea Bloating/gas Increasing beneficial bacteria PHGG is a type of soluble, low FODMAP fibre, which is generally safe and well tolerated by even SIBO patients! It's a longer term symptom management tool, whereas the others bring relief same day, this tends to need about a month to build up to the benefits. It helps to bulk up stools, making it effective for both constipation and diarrhea. So, the dose is: 5-6 g daily, ideally dissolved in hot water on an empty stomach, for at least one month and likely ongoing for maintenance. Some people do put it with tea, coffee, smoothies or even porridge, but many of the labels suggest on an empty stomach.  Increase to full dose across one to two weeks, especially if SIBO positive, so start out lower, with say one gram, and then increase by a gram or half a gram a day.   So, some things to consider when taking partially hydrolysed guar gum are: Ironically, in some people, likely people who have SIBO or extensive gut issues, it might cause bloating. So, give yourself a month or so on it and see how you respond. If it's noticeably bad, reduce back down to a level you can tolerate or discontinue. Generally, it is thought to be SIBO safe, but we're all different and SIBO is so individual, that we can't guarantee it'll be well tolerated by everyone. And alongside that, it may cause some GI distress, so basically an irritation of your IBS symptoms and if you have SIBO and don't respond well to it, it could worsen those. However, as I've mentioned, on the whole, it's well tolerated.   Most Important Takeaway: So, that wraps up this module, and I wanted to also let you know, there are multiple other options to help with symptoms, including more supplements and some at home remedies. I've linked to a handout in this slide by my tutor Dr. Allison Siebecker, which provides all of them. You don't need to use them all, but I would recommend you have a read of it, so you know your options, and I also recommend trying some of the simple home remedies before buying expensive supplements!  But before we do any of that, remember, getting our foundations in place can make a huge difference to gut health - so start off with the first line therapies, before you start spot treating with lots of different supplements. Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to the wait list for my course, Live and Thrive with Endo here. My new Nutrition for Endo Masterclasses are out now and are on special offer for Black Friday. Get one masterclass for £29.99 (full price £40) or both for £50. Find out more here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner. From now until April 15, newsletter subscribers get 20% off the course price. Visit www.thepodfarm.com to enroll or find out more This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Semaine. Try their supplement for period pain and daily supplement for hormonal balance and PMS prevention with code ENDOLIFE to get 20% off your first order. Show Notes Charcoal https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3717809/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3521259/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7015846/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3717809/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7949514/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12516788 https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf   Ginger https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10442508/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16865831/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24390893/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17545109/ https://www.europeanreview.org/article/10145 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3958926/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18403946/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25912592/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23612703/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30423929/ https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf   Peppermint https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11207510/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24100754/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26319955/ https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf   Magnesium https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf   PHGG https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25843197/ http://ecite.utas.edu.au/121479 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16413751 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25519526/ https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf

#230 Dr. Allison Siebecker is a professor of Advanced Gastroenterology, an international lecturer, researcher, award-winning author, and the 2021 lifetime achievement Borborygmus award recipient from the Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Dr. Siebecker has specialized in SIBO since 2010, is a SIBO patient herself, and is a pioneer of integrative SIBO treatments and education, including her free educational website siboinfo.com In this episode we cover New Hydrogen Sulphide Research - including testing, symptom picture, treatment etc Hydrogen Sulphide research Allison's thoughts on the title Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth versus methane SIBO The link between mould and tough cases of SIBO We discuss biofilm disruptors - are we using the correct ones? and so much more   Show notes  Join me for the Next Steps for Treating Tough SIBO Masterclass Summit  The SIBO Recovery Roadmap for patients The SIBO Pro Course for practitioners H2S SIBO Registry (please submit your H2S cases here for research) Biofilm Phase-2 Enhanced Free Webinar by Dr. Anderson  

Okay today I want to now talk about something a little more unusual, and that's Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its possible connection to endometriosis.  Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of 13 conditions which all affect connective tissue (collagen) in the body. Most are rare, but one type called hypermobility EDS is common.  Because the intestines are made from soft tissue, EDS affects digestion and often causes IBS symptoms. It is a major risk factor for developing SIBO, because it slows down motility. If you have EDS and SIBO, you will be chronic - but you can still live well! And we'll get to that in the bonus lesson with Dr Allison Siebecker.  And just to hammer this point home about the connection between EDS and IBS, one study of 228 IBS patients found 48% also had EDS. Now the reason why I want to bring EDS to your attention is because I am seeing it more and more in my clients with both endometriosis and SIBO. Despite these statistics, to my knowledge, most experts do not consider EDS and endometriosis to be significantly connected. At present, it is thought that most of the period pain and menstrual problems of those with EDS is not caused by endometriosis, but EDS itself.  However, I have spoken to multiple health care practitioners who do see a connection and see the two conditions together in patients, and because EDS can cause gut problems and SIBO, I think it's worth raising here.   So, here's an overview of what we know so far…  Current estimation is 6-23% of patients with EDS also have endometriosis. More research is being done into the connection at present. 32-77% of those with EDS have vulvodynia and or pain with sex. 33-75% have heavy menstrual bleeding.  73-93% have painful periods. And here are some of the main symptoms of EDS, though there are many and they are often far reaching. You do` not have to have them all to have EDS: ·Joint pain/full body pain Hypermobility (can be very subtle) Stretchy skin Soft, velvety skin Bruise easily Dislocations of joints Chronic fatigue Dental crowding  And I wanted to include some signs or clues of EDS as well… Unusual symptoms that seem random, so people with EDS often feel like they have lots of symptoms and never really feel well. Family has hypermobility - again, this can be very subtle. They might have no idea. Tight muscles and stiffness - because your joints are unstable, the muscles overcompensate and are often stiff and tight to try and create some stability in the body. Allergies - and this is because MCAS is now being identified as a co-condition of EDS. MCAS is when the mast cells which release histamine are overly sensitive and easily triggered, resulting in a higher amount of histamine being released on a daily basis. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome still isn't widely acknowledged by conventional medicine, but many functional and naturopathic doctors are leading the way with this. MCAS is now showing up in the research as being a likely co-condition of EDS, as part of a trio with another condition call PoTS, which stands for Postural Tachycardia syndrome. Low blood pressure and/or dizziness - because EDS often comes with something called dysautonomia Racing heart or palpitations - due to a type of dysautonomia which I mentioned earlier, called PoTs IBS - because of how EDS affects the gut So, following on from that, I just wanted to provide a bit more education around dysautonomia in case you have the signs.  Dysautonomia is a group of conditions that affect the autonomic nervous system, which control involuntary functions of the body.  Postural Tachycardia syndrome or PoTs is one of these conditions and is part of a trio of EDS-MCAS-PoTs I mentioned earlier, and it affects blood flow and blood pressure in the body, so that too little blood is getting to the heart and the heart rate increases when going from sitting/lying down to standing. Some of the symptoms of dysautonomia are…  Blood sugar dysregulation Low blood pressure/fainting Chest pain/breathing issues/palpitations/racing heart Gut problems and bladder problems Dizziness/balance difficulties/vertigo Struggle to regulate temperature  I'll take you through some ways to get tested in the next lesson. Now I know this might sound scary, but if you do get a diagnosis, you can manage these symptoms long-term, and your quality of life will dramatically improve! And just because I found this personally quite helpful, because there's a lot of symptoms floating around with this, EDS specialist Dr Alena Guggenehim sees loose joints, joint pain and dysautonomia as the main signs/symptoms of hEDS. Diagnosis for EDS is best done through a rheumatologist, but reportedly this is more frequently being performed by GPs these days. If you can't get a referral on the NHS (if you're based in the UK), then I think the best route would be to buy health insurance and get referred to an EDS specialist. I think that would be safest, because not all GPs are fully versed in diagnosing EDS. For hypermobility EDS, diagnosis is based on a physical test called Beighton score, which looks at the range of mobility in your joints, as well as issues like teeth overcrowding. Family and patient history should also be taken into account, and signs of co-conditions, like allergies and dizziness. It's worth noting here that you can still have hEDS if you don't score highly on the Beighton score. There is a link to it in the slides, but it does have some confusing terminology and is not to be used as a tool for diagnosis without a doctor. Genetic testing will also be carried out to rule out the rarer forms of EDS. PoTs is tested for by testing heart rate and blood pressure when going from sitting to standing and lying down (on a tilted table) to upright. You'll need to speak to your GP to get a referral. If you test positive for EDS and you have signs of dysautonmia, even if it's just fatigue, it's worth looking into this.  Other tests may be run to look for other types of dysautonomia   Listen and subscribe on your favourite player or listen directly/download MP3 here or just listen below! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to the wait list for my course, Live and Thrive with Endo here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner. From now until April 15, newsletter subscribers get 20% off the course price. Visit www.thepodfarm.com to enroll or find out more This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk Show Notes Stats references https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx https://www.siboinfo.com/associated-diseases.html https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29687534/ https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/pdf/2018-annual-conference/N-Blagowidow-2018Baltimore-OB-GYN-and-EDS-HSD-S.pdf Symptoms https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/ https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx https://ehlers-danlos.com/wp-content/uploads/hEDS-Dx-Criteria-checklist-1.pdf https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx Dysautonomia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31267471/ https://drbeckycampbell.com/mast-cell-activation-syndrome-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-and-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-what-is-the-connection/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6004-dysautonomia https://join.sibosos.com/page/94124 Testing references https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/ https://ehlers-danlos.com/wp-content/uploads/hEDS-Dx-Criteria-checklist-1.pdf https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/ehlers-danlos-syndromes-toolkit.aspx https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/

This week's episode is a snippet from my upcoming course, The Endo Belly Course. I realised when creating this lesson, that this information is info everyone should know, not just my students! So today's episode is all about what's a ‘normal' and healthy gut vs. what is the endo belly? So first up, I wanted to actually talk about what the endo belly is. The ‘endo belly' is not actually a medical term, but instead is a name the community has coined in reference to the severe bloating we often experience. So, there isn't technically a set definition, but it is generally thought to be severe bloating/swelling that tends to be attributed to endometriosis and is sometimes accompanied by pain. Some experts, articles and endo patients also include gut problems within this term too, but not always. My definition, from my training and from seeing so many clients with these symptoms is that the endo belly is exaggerated/severe bloating, often accompanied by gut symptoms, pain or discomfort - but it is not always caused by endometriosis directly. So here are some of the common symptoms I see in my clients and that I tend to think of as fitting under the term ‘the endo belly': Flares up with stress/food/pain/cycle - but not always, this might just be a daily thing for you. Normally comes with IBS issues like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, gas. These might not be flares, but more so just your daily bowel habits and gut issues. So, for example, you may tend to always lean towards constipation or loose stools, or you may have a lot of gas on a daily basis. It's often debilitating -  so it may disturb social life, diet, work, or confidence. You might worry about eating out because you're scared of a flare up, you might have to eat a restricted diet to control symptoms, you might have to sometimes take sick days, or you just struggle at work with your symptoms. It's not as simple as just feeling a bit bloated after lunch. Normally a dramatic increase in abdominal size - endo patients often report looking pregnant, requiring different sized clothing, having swelling that's so bad they're in pain.   And finally, I just want to note - some sources discuss the endo belly swelling being lower down in the abdomen and that IBS issues are higher up, but I think the problem with this is that it's not true for everyone and it might mean you dismiss any other possible causes because you think “Oh it's low down, it's just my endo”. I've seen lots of people with SIBO and endo, whose bloating is from their diaphragm all the way down or starts from their belly button and goes down to their pubic bone, so I really wouldn't pay a huge amount of attention to where the bloating is, unless of course you're just getting a tiny bit of bloat or a bump on say one side near your ovaries, which might indicate a cyst, for example. So, something I really think is important to discuss is what is normal vs. what is endo belly, because I don't want us to be trying to reach for an unattainable vision of a healthy gut. So here are some signs of the endo belly/something more is going on with your gut… Bloating and gut problems get worse and worse as day goes on. You get more uncomfortable, maybe your pain increases and by your last meal your stomach has swollen to triple its normal size. Symptoms can only be controlled through restriction - a ‘normal' diet can't be achieved, and you find yourself skipping meals or having to restrict to avoid flare ups. Often can no longer fit into clothes or need to change to be comfortable when your belly swells up because it's become so distended. In short, the bloating is severe and significant. May be accompanied by other health problems and nutrient deficiencies like achy joints, fatigue, low B12 or low iron. These are signs of inflammation and malabsorption of nutrients. You might get constipated before period. From a functional medicine point of view, which is what my training is based on, you should have at least one daily bowel movement, and this is actually really important for hormonal health, because old oestrogen is excreted through waste and that needs to occur daily. However, in contrast, dieticians and conventional doctors tend to take a different stance and say whatever is normal for you, is normal or at least three times a week. In terms of my training with Dr Allison Siebecker, Dr Jessica Drummond, etc. we would consider that as constipation, basically anything that is not once a day, is leaning towards a form of constipation. It might be considered normal, but we wouldn't class it as optimal for health. Diarrhea on period which causes abdominal discomfort, eating problems (maybe you have to avoid food or eat a restricted diet), affects daily life (you might not be able to have a normal workday because you're stuck in the toilet), sicks days, etc. Often affects daily life/confidence because you've been asked so many times whether you're pregnant, you get comments or you just feel fed up with not being able to wear the clothes you'd like. Additionally, your gut symptoms are affecting your daily life, so for example, I had a client who would get several bouts of loose stools every morning, to the point where she would sometimes be late for dropping her child off to nursery. Another client wouldn't be able to finish meals without needing to dash to the toilet. Wake up bloated already or with gut problems/sleep is disturbed due to discomfort. So, I had one client who had a distended belly all the time, and it was so bad she actually got to the point where it was too painful to sit or stand up, she had to lay down all the time. Another client wouldn't be able to sleep because by the evening, her belly was so bloated she couldn't get comfortable, and she'd be in agony from all the gas inside her.   So, in contrast, I wanted to talk about what is normal for a healthy gut, and some of this might surprise you -  Feel satisfied after eating, not overly full or like food isn't going down. Of course, if it's Christmas or Ramadan you might be feasting on more food than you normally would, so of course sometimes you're going to feel full to bursting, but generally, you should feel like you're able to digest your food and like it's going down. It's not just sitting there for hours afterwards. May be a bit bloated or gassy after meals (esp. high fibre. or large meals), but the bloating should subside a few hours later and it's not accompanied by GI distress. This is because our good gut bugs actually eat our food and ferment it, as part of the digestion process. We actually need this to happen to get all of our nutrients. But a result of this process is the creation of gas from the bacteria, and so naturally we will get a bit of expansion after a meal and of course, we're putting food into our stomach, you wouldn't expect to fill an empty bag with food shopping and for it not to expand or look bigger. So, there will be some extension of your abdomen after meals, but it shouldn't be painful, be accompanied by GI distress, be severe or worsen as the day goes on. It should naturally go down and not affect your life or comfort. Additionally, so you know, according to the NHS, a normal amount of passing gas is about 5 to 15 times a day. You should wake up with a relatively flatter stomach in contrast to after meals. This is because your digestion has been working overnight. Now note I don't say your stomach should be flat in the morning, it will be flatter in contrast to after meals, because you haven't eaten in something like 10 or 12 hours. And to follow on from that, a normal healthy gut doesn't mean your stomach is flat all the time. Your stomach shouldn't be flat all the time, it should naturally expand a bit with food! Bloating tends to increase towards period and in luteal phase, but it shouldn't be severe/painful/debilitating. This is because progesterone and oestrogen affect water retention, and so bloating and swelling can increase towards your period when progesterone is at its highest. Now if your hormones are imbalanced, this will be worse, so supporting your hormones (which this course will help with) should minimise the effects, but they won't eradicate them entirely. Additionally, those inflammatory chemicals, prostaglandins, naturally begin building in the uterus from ovulation to your period, and as we know, inflammation creates swelling, so there may be some level of normal swelling during this time, but again, it shouldn't be severe. If it is, this may be an indicator that your inflammation levels are too high, which is likely to be the case anyway, given that the endometriosis lesions release prostaglandins. Lastly, progesterone relaxes muscles, including the muscles of the intestines, so as a result, digestion slows down, meaning things become a bit sluggish and we get a bit more of a build-up of gas and waste, leading to a bit of bloating - again, it shouldn't be severe. Bowels might feel a bit sluggish towards period but shouldn't have full-blown constipation or if you do have any, it should at least short lived, so a day or so, for example. Or maybe your stools are a little harder or more cracked than normal. In contrast, it's normal to have bowel movements that are looser during your period. This is because those prostaglandin E2 causes the muscles to contract, and as your uterus is right next to your colon, this can create contractions in the colon, resulting in a bowel movement and looser stools. If your inflammation levels are high, you may get full blown diarrhea, and that's when we'll want to reduce those levels. Ideally, a normal scenario is maybe more bowel movements which are a bit looser on your period, but they shouldn't be causing you pain or affecting your day-to-day life during this time. Bloating after meals doesn't require a new dress size! Image from Integrative Women's Health Institute To show you what a healthy stool looks like, here is the Bristol Stool Chart. This is a diagnostic tool used to determine the health of stools, especially in IBS populations. In terms of functional medicine training, at IWHI we aim for a 4, so your stools should be snake like, smooth, easy to pass with a banana-like consistency. You should be having one to three bowel movements a day, one is the minimum because for optimal health and hormonal health, we want to removing waste on a daily basis, including old oestrogen, to prevent hormonal imbalances.  Now, dieticians and conventional medicine will likely say to aim for somewhere between a 3-5. In terms of my training, we see 3 as beginning to lean towards constipation and 5 beginning to lean towards diarrhea. This is something that we focus on heavily with SIBO, a lot of people think that they don't have constipation, or they don't have diarrhea - but these bowel movements actually exist on a spectrum. Stools that are like pellets, hard and round, or difficult to pass, is a form of constipation. In my training, anything before 4 is a form of constipation and above 4 is a form of diarrhea or loose stools. They don't show pudding like stools here, but I would consider that as form of diarrhea. However, opinions will vary as I have mentioned, so be guided by what feels best for you. The caveat here is that if you are vegan and eat a lot of plants (not processed vegan food), you may have softer stools, nearer to a 5, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. The other thing I would say is don't chase perfection, which I've been guilty of. When my IBS was the most managed it's ever been (at the time of recording it's not, because I've had a SIBO relapse), my stools were about a 5 but I was very caught up on getting them to a 4! So, if your endo belly dramatically improves, if you get an all clear for gut conditions, etc. but sometimes your stools are a little either side of type 4, this is probably not something to worry about. It might just be that you ate a little more or a little less fibre that week, or maybe that's just your normal. If you're concerned about it, certainly see a gut health practitioner, but I just wouldn't obsess about it that's the only issue left and there are no other signs that something is up with your gut.  Just to finish off this section, I want to hammer this home. A super flat stomach does not equal a happy gut - in fact, it sort of suggests that the gut microbiome is under fed or non-existent, because for them to thrive, they need to eat food and as a result, that creates gas. So, we're not aiming for washboard abs all the time, we're aiming for gut health that doesn't affect your daily life, cause you pain or physical/mental/emotional distress. Listen and subscribe on your favourite player or listen directly/download MP3 here or just listen below! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. Sign up to the wait list for my course, Live and Thrive with Endo here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner. From now until April 15, newsletter subscribers get 20% off the course price. Visit www.thepodfarm.com to enroll or find out more This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk Show Notes https://www.siboinfo.com/symptoms.html https://www.endofound.org/endo-belly https://drseckin.com/endo-belly/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/symptoms/ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/remedies-for-bloating-and-wind/ https://nutritionstripped.com/is-bloating-normal/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flatulence/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2849969/?fbclid=IwAR3kn0CVHyH4aZsIJ0hPq8__O7k4WfM_rk7EWKSLWj4RmQlVZsnCbnEu4Yg#R7 https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/89/2/joe_89_2_011.xm https://nicolejardim.com/howyourperiodaffectsdigestivetract/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16992446/  

My guest this week is Dr. Melanie Keller, who struggled with digestive issues for years before learning that it was caused by SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Dr. Melanie Keller earned her doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon. Her education included an extended internship and post-graduate training with Steven Sandberg-Lewis as well as post-graduate training with Allison Siebecker. She went on to become a founding physician in the development of the SIBO Center and SIBO Symposium at National University of Natural Medicine. Once in Southern California, she spent time with leading SIBO physician, Dr. Mark Pimentel, MD, and his team at Cedars-Sinai's GI Motility Program and the Pimentel Laboratory. While in naturopathic school, Dr. Melanie discovered the cause of her longtime digestive problems was actually SIBO, or rather, an excess of methogens. She eventually treated it successfully, but it took multiple tries. Now, she shares this knowledge with her patients, for whom she develops highly individualized treatments. In this episode, Melanie primarily shares how she was able to treat SIBO without antibiotics. In my conversation with Melanie you'll hear… How she diagnosed herself About the different types of SIBO Why methane SIBO isn't actually small intestinal bacterial overgrowth How too-low or too-high stomach acid contributes to SIBO or methanogens The type of testing required to assess stomach acid levels The steps she took to treat SIBO How addressing her stomach acid levels made all the difference for her The role of diet and why long-term restrictive diets are not recommended How she prevents SIBO relapses Episode web page: www.rebuildingmyhealth.com/sibo-without-antibiotics   Learn more about Melanie at https://www.sibosolution.com/ or https://www.intuitiveedgedoctor.com/. Find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dr.melanie_nd/.   Listen to Rebuilding My Health Radio wherever you find your favorite podcasts… Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Alexa, Spotify, and much more! If you enjoyed this episode, we truly appreciate your subscribing/following, rating and reviewing it. It helps tremendously with others finding our podcast. Get a copy of our free guide, 4 Ways to Ease, Reverse or Even Eliminate Chronic and Complex Illnesses: https://rebuildingmyhealth.lpages.co/landing-page-for-4-ways-to-ease-reverse-or-eliminate-chronic-illness/ Follow Rebuilding My Health: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rebuildingmyhealth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rebuildingmyhealth/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/rebuildingmyhealth ------------ Podcast Edited and Mixed by Sonorous Lab Studio  

Today's episode is all about probiotics which are suitable for SIBO and endo related IBS. Now of course, this is a huge topic and there are so many different probiotics out there, which can often just get confusing and overwhelming, so with this podcast my intention is for it to be succinct and easy to digest, with a smaller array of probiotics to start exploring on your initial steps to gut healing.  Unfortunately, I think over the years probiotics have been a little misunderstood, and of course, we're still learning so much about the gut microbiome (which is the good gut bugs found in our large intestine) that this area of research is still developing.  But regardless, what often happens is that we're led to believe that we should just take a broad-spectrum probiotic, meaning it has lots of different strains in it – and that we should take this if we have gut health issues, and that will sort the problem out. Unfortunately, that's really not always the case and for our community, I would exercise caution when choosing probiotics.  We know that many people with endo have IBS related symptoms, and we now know that the majority of IBS is actually caused by SIBO – which stands for small intestine bacterial overgrowth, a condition where normal gut bacteria grow in the small intestine, rather than the large intestine. The small intestine is designed for the majority of our nutrient absorption, it wasn't intended to house lots of bacteria, so this overgrowth damages the small intestine and our ability to absorb nutrients, but this bacteria also ferments our food, making gases that are harmful for us and cause symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. And we also now have recent research showing that up to 80% of endo patients have SIBO, so quite possibly, your IBS symptoms are largely down to SIBO. If you'd like to understand why SIBO occurs so frequently in the endo population, I've linked to some of my podcasts and articles on the subject in the show notes. Unfortunately, when you have SIBO, taking probiotics can often make the situation worse, especially if you also have histamine intolerance, which I've talked about multiple times on the show already, and I've linked to a couple of episodes about this in the show notes, if you'd like to learn more. But if you think about it, if we're adding bacteria to a small intestine full of bacteria already, we're just going to be adding more fuel to the fire.  So, when it comes to trying probiotics for SIBO, we have to proceed with caution. Some people with SIBO just can't tolerate probiotics at all at first, so their symptoms tend to get worse, but often, they've tried a couple of probiotics with lots of strains, and that could be the problem.  Instead, when it comes to SIBO clients or clients with very sensitive stomachs, we start with specific strains, so a probiotic with literally only one type of bacteria, and then we can build up over time. That way, if a person reacts badly to that probiotic, we know straight away that that particular strain is not well tolerated at this stage in time.  So today, what I wanted to do was to offer you three probiotic options, which have been researched for specific IBS symptoms that are often reported by endo patients, and are in most cases, safe for SIBO and are also safe for histamine intolerance, which is very common with endo. If you do have SIBO, I want to state it's best to proceed with extra caution, as everyone's tolerance is different and without knowing exactly what types of bacteria are overgrowing in your small intestine specifically, we can't guarantee that we won't be adding to the load.  As always, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another, so it's very important that you tailor to your needs and approach this with an open mind – if these guys don't work for you, it doesn't mean all the other strains won't either. I've only listed three to keep this simple, but there are a couple of others that are safe for SIBO and histamine, not many, but a few, so do some extra research if you find these aren't the right ones for you.  I also want to be clear that probiotics aren't a quick fix. If there's an imbalance in the microbiome, SIBO, a parasite, an infection, an allergy, or intolerance, we need to address those because otherwise we're just sort of pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom, so whilst probiotics are part of the healing picture, they're supportive and won't necessarily fix or treat the root cause if it's as extensive as a parasite or SIBO.  And finally, please let your GP know when starting with any new supplement regime.  1.      Number one is lactobacillus plantarum 299v. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v is great for bloating and general IBS symptoms, so loose stools, pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, etc.  In one large study of 214 patients, 78.1% who took l.plantarum 299v rated their symptom improvement as good or excellent, in comparison with just 8.1% of those who took a placebo. The study showed that l.plantarum was particularly effective for bloating and abdominal pain.  Additionally, two meta-analyses (which are large reviews of all the studies) have proved the effectiveness of lactobacillus strains on IBS symptoms, including diarrhea and loose stools, but generally, they've been shown in multiple studies to be effective for all IBS symptoms. If you're concerned about the reaction of l.plantarum 299v on SIBO, l.plantarum was also included in a multi-strain probiotic used to treat SIBO, which was found to be more effective than one of the commonly used SIBO antibiotics, metronidazole.  In my training with world leading SIBO doctors, Dr Allison Siebecker and Dr. Jacobi, they both recommend l.plantarum 299v for symptomatic relief, but of course, naturally say to proceed with caution as they can't guarantee a patient won't react.  I also just want to be clear here that if you want to try and treat SIBO with probiotics alone, it's not yet an industry standard, more research needs to be done and you would need to work with a practitioner who could provide you with the exact strains and take you through the treatment. But as it stands right now, antimicrobials, the elemental diet and antibiotics are the gold standard of SIBO treatment and I don't know many practitioners who are attempting to use probiotics alone for SIBO. So if you'd like to try l.plantarum 299v, start low and increase gradually over time – don't rush to full dose, maybe stagger it over a few weeks. In my training with Dr Nirala Jacobi, she recommends taking l.plantarum 299v at a dose of one capsule, twice a day for SIBO related IBS symptoms. I've linked to a few brands in the show notes, and of course, if you don't have SIBO, you can just follow the label dose. Now, some probiotics actually increase histamines in the gut, but l.plantarum 299v should be safe as it's been found to be histamine neutral, so it doesn't raise histamines and actually, some strains of l.plantarum actually reduce histamines. I couldn't find any research on l.plantarum 299v reducing histamine specifically, but it lowers inflammation, supports gut health as we've discussed and at the very least, doesn't add to the histamine load.  2. Number 2 is saccromyces boullardi. This is actually a yeast, rather than a bacteria, but it's not a “bad” yeast – it's not going to cause candida to overgrow. In fact, it actually helps to reduce candida and keep it at healthy levels.  But it's also wonderful for aiding with leaky gut healing, and as you guys probably know by now, leaky gut is super common with SIBO, is a strong risk factor for developing autoimmune diseases, causes chronic inflammation and is normally a root cause of histamine intolerance. I've linked to a couple of episodes on leaky gut in the show notes.  In my training with Dr Siebecker, she also recommends saccromyces boullardi for abdominal pain and diarhhea, and it's been found in multiple studies to be effective for various types of diarhhea. It also improves immune function, by increasing the production of one of our essential antibodies, called immunoglobulin A . IgA lines the intestines and other surfaces in the body like the nostrils, and is often low in patients with SIBO, and when it's low, we're more vulnerable to bad bacteria, parasites, viruses, etc. because IgA is normally one of our first line of defence against these baddies.  It also binds lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are toxins released from pathogenic (bad) bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and often, the bacteria found in SIBO. LPS has been found in the pelvic cavity of people with endo and has been shown to contribute to the growth of endometriosis. IgA binds LPS and helps to eliminate it from the body, so there's less of it to leak through out gut, and into our blood stream and pelvic cavity. I talk about this in a couple of episodes on leaky gut, so will share in the show notes.  Because s.boulardii can improve the immune system and heal leaky gut, it can also have a very positive effect on reducing intestinal and full body inflammation, making it helpful for endo, which we know is an inflammatory disease. The dose actually varies depending on the brand, so either follow the brand instructions or if you have SIBO, you can follow some of the brand and dose recommendations in the show notes, which are from my training with Dr Nirala Jacobi. Again, as always, try with caution and slowly build up to see how you respond, especially if you have SIBO. 3. Number three is lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This is recommended in my SIBO practitioners course with Dr Allison Siebecker for diarhhea and has been shown to be helpful for various types of diarrhea, from acute watery diarhhea to travellers' diarhhea, and diarhhea from antibiotic use.  But it's also used in SIBO treatment by Dr Jacobi because it's been shown in studies to aid with constipation, abdominal discomfort, and leaky gut healing and in general, has been shown in research to be effective for IBS. I will quickly say though, that from my understanding, it appears that the research for constipation is a little inconsistent and needs further investigation and the leaky gut evidence is mainly based on animal studies at present.  Whilst more research needs to be done on this area specifically, it's also been found to be helpful with histamine tolerance, as it lowers histamines receptors and allergy receptors in cells, so in the simplest of terms, allergens and histamines can't lock onto cells to cause a reaction, and this calms down inflammation.   Generally, the dose from my training with Dr Nirala Jacobi for SIBO is 1 capsule twice a day. If you don't have SIBO, you can just follow the label dose. So that's it! Please be sure to try one probiotic at a time, and really, give it at least a month or so before adding in another.   I hope this episode was useful to you, and if you'd like to learn more about gut health with endo and you're interested in accessing some support from me on your journey, you can now sign up to the waiting list for my online course, Live and Thrive with Endo. If you're looking for free resources on gut health, I would start with the articles and episodes I've linked in the show notes.   I would love to hear if you try any of these and how you respond. Please feel free to let me know on Instagram! Listen and subscribe on your favourite player or listen directly/download MP3 here or just listen below! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. My course, Live and Thrive with Endo is opening for enrolment again soon. Join the waiting list now to access early bird pricing and special bonuses. Sign up here. This episode is sponsored by my free guide ‘A Natural Pain Relief Tool Kit for Endometriosis'. This four page guide includes evidence based and effective remedies which you can use at home to reduce your pain with endo. Download your copy here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner. From now until April 15, newsletter subscribers get 20% off the course price. Visit www.thepodfarm.com to enroll or find out more This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk Show Notes SIBO The SIBO, Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis Connection wth Dr. Allison Siebecker How To Treat SIBO with Dr Allison Siebecker Understanding The Endometriosis Belly, Part 3: SIBO Symptoms How Do You Know When to Test for SIBO? How to Test for SIBO at Home   Histamine intolerance Histamine Intolerance 101 Dr. Becky Campbell https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/strategies-for-lowering-histamine-reducing-allergies-endometriosis https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/association-between-endometriosis-allergies Endometriosis, SIBO, Interstitial Cystitis and Allergies: The Histamine Connection  L.Plantarum 299v research https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/80/10/1682/199965/Degradation-of-Histamine-by-Lactobacillus?redirectedFrom=fulltext https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21381407/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3316997/ https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/uk/professionals/latest-research/general-health/which-probiotic-for-histamine-intolerance https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3419998/ https://journals.lww.com/jcge/Abstract/2017/04000/Probiotics_for_Preventing_and_Treating_Small.4.aspx https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v14/i17/2650.htm    L.Plantarum 299v brands Jarrow Ideal Bowel Support 299V, at one caps twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) Metagenics Ultra Flora Intensive Care, at one caps twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) CAUTION: If looking for your own brands to buy, avoid probiotics containing probiotics, as these may worsen SIBO symptoms. For a list of ingredients to be mindful of when choosing probiotics, see Dr Allison Siebecker's handout here.   Leaky Gut https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/endometriosis-leaky-gut https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/-the-endometriosis-belly https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/understanding-the-endometriosis-belly-part-2 https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/root-causes-of-bloating-endometriosis   LPS https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/endometriosis-leaky-gut https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519769/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2327198/ https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/pdf/S1931-3128(16)30161-5.pdf   S.Boulardi research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6375115/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26316791/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/immunoglobulin-a-deficiency https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/professionals/latest-research/gut-health/probiotics-best-for-candida https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18584523/ https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/article/11/8/999/3044359 https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v14/i17/2650.htm   S.Boulardi brands and doses Klaire Labs Saccharomyces boulardi, at two caps taken twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) Invivo Bio.Me S. boulardii, at two caps daily Bioceuticals SB Floractiv, at two caps taken twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) CAUTION: If looking for your own brands to buy, avoid probiotics containing probiotics, as these may worsen SIBO symptoms. For a list of ingredients to be mindful of when choosing probiotics, see Dr Allison Siebecker's handout here.   L.rhamnosus GG research https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18813028/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21390145/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30040527/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239510/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946635/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15756221/ https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v14/i17/2650.htm   L.rhamnosus GG brands and doses Nutrigold L. Rhamnosus GG, label dose (caution: contains brown rice flour) Metagenics, Ultra Flora LGG® 60, at one cap twice a day (Dr. Jacobi) CAUTION: If looking for your own brands to buy, avoid probiotics containing probiotics, as these may worsen SIBO symptoms. For a list of ingredients to be mindful of when choosing probiotics, see Dr Allison Siebecker's handout here.

Anne Lemons is a certified functional medicine nutrition and lifestyle practitioner near Boston, MA. As a Physical Therapist for over 35 years, she has always been fascinated and intrigued with the physiology and mechanics of the human body. For this reason, she was drawn to the scientific approach of the Kalish Method for Functional Medicine and completed the standard and advanced training including the interpretation and use of the Organic Acids Test. Anne is also certified as a Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner through the Andrea Nakayama Functional Nutrition Alliance program. Due to the increasing number of cases in her practice with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth SIBO, she has done additional advanced training in this area with Dr. Allison Siebecker, an expert and world leader in the education of SIBO. She is passionate about educating and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to help prevent chronic disease and be advocates of their own health. Heal Your Gut For Better Sleep   What made Anne enter the world of health and bring a special focus to gut health, SIBO and microbial terrain?   What is leaky gut?   What are the three layers of your gut?   What kinds of symptoms can leaky gut cause and how does this affect sleep?    What are the five causes of leaky gut?   What is SIBO, how is it a cause of leaky gut and how can we confirm if we have SIBO?   What are the three ways towards resolution of SIBO?    How can protocols be included in a way that we move towards a healthy gut and eventually better sleep?   Can some specific diet and lifestyle approaches predispose someone towards gut permeability?     What are some lifestyle tips to keep our gut from getting leaky or help it to heal? How would these interventions be supportive to improving our sleep? For more on Anne Lemons you can follow her: Website: https://www.annelemonswellness.com    Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Anne-Lemons-Wellness-113982776814689/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annelemonswellness/  Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-lemons-888780175/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRUoNUi82npHDI5fA0BiIhA   Related Episodes:   031 - Disordered Eating, Blood Sugar Imbalance, Adrenal Fatigue & Sleep 027 - Insulin Resistance & Sleep with Dr Benjamin Bikman 026 - Dangers Of Sleep Medication with Dr Nishi Bhopal, MD  007 - Hygiene Hypothesis, Microbiome, Dirt Cure & Sleep with Maya Shetreat -For more on Deepa:   Deepa is a Yoga therapist for over two decades and a Functional Nutritionist for five. She brings together her experience in therapeutic & transformational yoga and deep learning in nutrition based on the principles of functional medicine to her practice Phytothrive. The focus has been on merging together the deep science of the functional world with the deep symbolism of ancient wisdom. She has a masterful understanding of the human anatomy with cohesive understanding of physiology to offer what can be classified as true bio-individual mind, body & spirit nutrition. Having a son with a rare adrenal condition gave her a deep insight into the working of the adrenals and the stress response, as it relates to all health and sleep.  Her articles have been shared by Dr Mark Hyman, MD, a 13 times NY Times Bestselling Author twice. She also gave the opening speech on Health Hacks at Amazon Web Services & YourStory HeathTech 2019 to heads of healthcare start-ups in India. Deepa has twenty years of experience in wellness, where she has focus on sleep nutrition, women's health, detoxification, skin health and adrenal function. She is in the YourStory100 Digital Influencers Of 2020.   Weekly Newsletter:

So last week I took you guys through the ways in which inflammation, gut health and hormone levels can increase bloating in the lead up to your period. This week I want to give you some tools to actually alleviate that bloating, now you know why it's happening. I'm going to give you two types of tools, one set to deal with in the moment of bloating and another set for which are long-term strategies to help you to address the root cause.  So, let's start with the tools you can use in the moment. Many of these tools I'm about to share are based on my training with world leading SIBO doctor, Dr Allison Siebecker. I'm using her doses, which are safe and effective and if you'd like a reference for these doses, they are actually available on her website, under handouts, in a handout called Symptomatic Relief Guide. So these doses are available publicly, you don't need a prescription for them, but always consult your doctor before starting new supplements.    1.  Number one is using a prokinetic. A prokinetic is either a pharmaceutical drug or natural supplement which improves gut motility in the small intestine, so it increases transit time in the small intestine and also stimulates the migrating motor complex in the small intestine, which is the wave like motion that clears bacteria from food out of the small intestine and into the large intestine. When the migrating motor complex is slowed, this is when we are at risk of developing SIBO and one study actually found that 100% of participants with endometriosis had gut motility dysfunction. A prokinetic doesn't stimulate a bowel movement by the way, so it's not a laxative. It doesn't get to work on your large intestine, but on your small intestine, so it's essentially aiding you to digest and move your food into the large intestine, and to clear gas and bacteria out of the small intestine too.  To stimulate the migrating motor complex, we can use a prokinetic at night, but for bloating, you can take it during the day, and this will support healthy transit time of gas accumulating in the small intestine. This can be really helpful in the second half of our cycle, when progesterone is naturally causing things to slow down!   So the two natural supplements you could try are ginger and STW5, which is also known as iberogast. For ginger, there are many different prokinetic formulas and I've put some of the best ones in the show notes, and you would just take the label dose, twice a day, one to two hours after meals or as needed, just be sure not to exceed the recommended dose on the label or to exceed 2000mg of ginger per day.  STW5 is a tincture, and you would take 20 drops with meals as or as and when needed.  I do just want to caution here that some of the ginger formulations can cause ginger burn, which is like a hot burning sensation in the diaphragm area, so if you have acid reflux this may not be the best option for you. You can normally get rid of the feeling through drinking water, but some formulations are less ‘ginger burn' causing and I've highlighted which ones in the show notes. Ginger, being a spice, can also irritate bladder symptoms if you have interstitial cystitis, so this is something to consider and normally, I find the formulas which cause less ginger burn, cause less bladder problems. Secondly, because STW5 also contains alcohol, I find this to also irritate the bladder in people with interstitial cystitis, so just be cautious with these two and experiment until you find a formula that works for you. Finally, if you experience pain with prokinetics, it's normally due to motility actually starting to get to work, which can cause muscle contractions at first, but if the pain is severe or persistent, it may be that you have an obstruction or adhesions disrupting the motility flow and working against it. If that's the case, stop using and see a visceral manipulation therapist who can access your gut for adhesions and obstructions.   2.  Peppermint oil Next up is peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is actually a smooth muscle relaxant and is great for abdominal pain, if you get pain with your bloating and generally, it's really wonderful for pretty much all IBS symptoms. Recent research has shown its effectiveness in multiple symptoms of IBS, so this is a great option if you have IBS issues frequently with endo and in the lead up to your period.   So, you could of course try the tea, and some people do find that to be effective, but generally, peppermint oil tends to be stronger. If you wanted to go for tea, I would make sure it's strong for it to work! For capsules, you want enteric coated peppermint oil, which are capsules that have a coating on them which protects them from stomach acid, so that the peppermint is released lower down in the intestines where we want it. You would just follow the label dose and take as needed, though you could take them every day during the second half of your cycle as the effects are stronger when taken consistently.  However, if you have acid reflux, peppermint may not be the best option for you as it can sometimes cause acid reflux. Another possible side effect is nausea. You could test yourself on one dose and see how you respond of course and take it from there, but if you're prone to acid reflux or nausea, you might want to consider some of the others. If you do want to give peppermint a go, pills are less likely to cause acid reflux or nausea as opposed to peppermint tea or say, a tincture.  Lastly, peppermint oil can slightly slow down motility, so if you are noticing sluggish motility already due to progesterone in the second half of your cycle, either use one of the other options or if you really want to take peppermint oil, also take a prokinetic.  Oddly, if you have interstitial cystitis, it appears peppermint oil may help or it may actually irritate. There's some research going on at the moment, specifically on peppermint oil for the treatment of interstitial cystitis, and some practitioners advise using the tea, etc. whereas I've heard others warn against it. Personally, applying topical peppermint oil helps with my interstitial cystitis pain, and this would be because it's a smooth muscle relaxant, so it's calming down any contractions and cramping, but if I drink the tea, I find it causes a burning feeling inside my bladder, so I think you'll have to see how you respond personally, but I'm very curious to find out the outcome of this study!   3.  Number three is activated charcoal. Activated charcoal absorbs gas, so is really helpful for any bloating which is being causing by gut issues during the second half of our cycle.  You can take activated charcoal in supplement or powder form, you would just mix the powder into water, as and when needed, but you do need to ensure that you're taking it at least 30 minutes before a meal and an hour after a meal, because it doesn't just absorb gas, it absorbs nutrients too! This would be the same for supplements. You don't want to be spending money on lovely supplements for the charcoal to be absorbing it all! You can take up to 1000mg per dose or just follow the label dose, and you can do so four times a day, spacing the doses out by at least two hours, just don't exceed more than 4 grams of charcoal a day. Lastly, charcoal can sometimes cause constipation, so of course, we don't want to worsen that if you already struggling with sluggish bowels in the second half of your cycle. If you are, then you can take magnesium in addition, which I'll share in the next point.    4.  Magnesium Whilst magnesium won't directly help with your bloating, it is great for constipation, so if this is one of the root causes of your bloating in the second half of your cycle, magnesium is a good tool to aid with this.  Magnesium is also a nutrient that most of us are deficient in and gets used up with chronic stress and during menstruation, and when we're low in magnesium it can worsen PMS, pain, and fatigue so this is a great supplement for endometriosis.  The best options for constipation would be citrate or oxide, and I personally prefer oxide for anyone with interstitial cystitis, as the magnesium citrate can be irritating to the bladder for some.  You can take between 500mg to 1000mg in the evening, at bedtime, and it's best to start at a lower dose, like 500mg, to see how you react to it, as if you take too much you may get diarrhea. The aim is to have a bowel movement come the morning, so that's the sign you want to know it's working and normally, it takes about 2-3 days to get to work, so be patient. If you don't have a bowel movement in this time, move up to a higher dose. Often, 1000mg is the dose most people find works for them, however, as I said, you can go higher, you just can't exceed 2000mg and you need to ensure you're increasing your dose slowly.  Finally, make sure you take your dose two hours after food because otherwise this can interfere with the effects.  Hopefully, by supporting your gut to keep to a healthy flow during the second half of your cycle, you'll experience lessened bloating as waste and gas isn't hanging around for so long.    5.   Number five is abdominal massage and for the purposes of bloating you could use either the I Love You massage or Arvigo Therapy, both of these you can do at home by yourself. Additionally, these massages are great for constipation and sluggish motility, so if you're noticing those to be an issue in the second half of your cycle, I would recommend trying one of these. They also put your body into the rest and digest state, so if you're working on trying to calm your nervous system down so your pain decreases over time (which I've been talking about a lot recently over on Instagram), then these are a great addition to your routine. You don't need to do both, one or the other is fine, however, if you want the added benefit of adhesion release and better periods and less endo pain, Arvigo Massage is the way to go. The I Love You massage is a simple massage where you literally trace the letters ‘I', ‘L' and ‘U' over your intestines repeatedly. There are free YouTube videos on how to do this and I've linked to one in the show notes.  With Arvigo Therapy, you first need to be taught how to do it on yourself by a practitioner. The sessions are usually pretty affordable and can be taught in about 30-45 minutes, after which you don't need to pay for anyone more sessions, you can just start performing the massage on yourself. I've linked to a wonderful practitioner in the show notes and to the practitioner directory.  You can do these massages daily, and I personally recommend using them in the evenings before bed, which is when the migrating motor complex really gets to work and as these help to stimulate it, they'll give your motility a nice boost overnight. Of course, if you're feeling bloated in the moment and want some instant relief, if you feel like it's not painful to do, you could perform these massages when needed. Both of them take just 10-15 minutes at the most, so they're quick to do.     6.  Number six is a slightly different one and that's lymphatic drainage. We're not addressing the bloating directly but more the water retention and fluid build-up in the body, which could in turn help to reduce the bloating, depending on whether your bloating is coming from water retention or from fermentation in the gut.  So the lymph system is a collection of vessels that run like a map across the body, under the skin and around organs. They are connected to lymph nodes which can be found in places like your armpits and groin, they're the small shaped bumps you feel when you're unwell. The lymph vessels contain fluid that collects waste products, toxins, bacteria, viruses, etc. from around the body. These products are then delivered to the lymph nodes, which attack any pathogens (baddies), and this is usually when the swelling occurs if you have a really active infection - that's why you'll get raised bumps under your arms when you have a virus for example. Once the most harmful pathogens have been killed off, these toxins, waste products and dead bacteria are sent to the liver and kidneys through the blood stream, where they'll eventually be filtered out of the body. What's important to note here is that the lymph system cannot transport waste on its own - the fluid begins flowing with assistance from movement, such as massage or exercise and if we don't assist it, it can stagnate, like a stream that's become blocked.  Helping to get the lymph system moving will help to shift any build-up of excess fluid and water retention, and it can help to get rid of the excess LPS which may be circulating in our blood stream before menstruation and would certainly be adding to our inflammation levels.  There are multiple ways to get lymph fluid moving, but two lovely self-care methods you could try are dry brushing before your shower and then using a sort of lymphatic drainage paddle after your shower on your skin.  So before your shower, you would use a dry body brush and starting at your ankles, brush upwards in short bursts, going over them same area three to five times before moving to the next section of your leg. The brush strokes should be fairly firm, and short, so say from your ankle to mid-calf and then from mid-calf to your knee. You would work your way up your legs, bum, torso, all moving up towards your heart, and then you would go to your arms, starting at your wrists, and working your way up to your shoulders. The process should take about 5-7 minutes.  Then you can jump in the shower, and you can totally stop here if you like. A body brush is about £10, so it's a nice and affordable option.  If you want to add another layer, you can get a lymphatic drainage body tool, which looks a bit like a paddle and is made of wood. I think it originates from the gua sha technique. You would essentially follow the exact same pattern you took with the body brush, but this time more lightly, it can be very gentle, and you would apply oil first, so you don't pull your skin. I tend to use coconut oil and my paddle was £18 from Amazon. I've linked to it so you know the kind of thing you're looking for. Now of course, this process is most effective when done every day but honestly, I struggle to fit it in, so you could try a couple of times a week or whatever works for you!   7.     Number seven is taking an anti-inflammatory supplement. Now as we discussed last week, I don't think the swelling and bloating is purely down to inflammation alone, but it certainly plays a role as inflammation is building as progesterone lowers and prostaglandins are slowly being released in the uterus to prepare for menstruation from ovulation, providing you're not pregnant. So as we have higher levels of prostaglandins already, having endo, it'll most certainly be helpful to lower these.  Now to be clear, these are not root cause fixes, I'll move onto those in a moment, these are to help you to start feeling better in the short-term, but I just want to remind you that anti-inflammatory supplementation is not enough to get chronic inflammation down, we need to get to the root causes, but they can certainly help!  So in terms of anti-inflammatories, you could use supplements like magnesium, ginger, curcumin or fish oil and all of these have their own unique benefits, so my recommendation is to go back and listen to my episodes on supplements, so episodes 130 and 131. Then you can pick one or two that are best suited to you, and when taken consistently, should really help with your period pain too!   So that's the symptomatic relief part of the podcast, but now let's move onto addressing these root causes. Now what I'm giving you is the simple first steps, not the whole protocol for each of these because that would just be a lot!    1.   Number one is to start balancing your hormones, and one of the key ways we can do this is through ensuring we have balanced blood sugar levels, as having dysregulated blood sugar can cause elevated oestrogen levels and low progesterone. So this is really the key place I start with when balancing hormones with my clients.  And the process is pretty simple, though it takes some getting used to and practice, and it's simply ensuring you have protein, fibre, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates with each meal. This is because if we just have a plate full of refined carbohydrates like white rice or white pasta, we're going to get a surge of glucose in the blood (which is what carbs break down into in the gut) and that will elevate our blood sugar levels and that then creates a cascade of negative effects on our inflammation levels, hormones, and energy production. The same goes for a plate full of brown rice and starchy veg or just rice and veg – yes, these foods are healthy, but they're also rich in carbohydrates with nothing to minimise the effects on our blood sugar.  First off, we need to choose complex carbohydrates in contrast to refined. Refined carbs break down quickly and easily in the gut, flooding the system with glucose very quickly. These are processed foods such as bread, pasta, fries, crisps, cakes and pizza. In contrast, complex carbohydrates break down over a period of time, providing the body with sustained glucose release, and these include vegetables, starchy root veggies like sweet potato and parsnips, fruits, beans and whole grains. Now whole grains really depend on the individual, for some people they break down slowly, for others, they break down quickly and cause a blood sugar surge, so it's really about how you feel on them as an personally. And we always want to pair these complex carbohydrates with protein and fat, because they help to slow down the release of glucose to the blood. Fibre also does the same, but providing you have enough vegetables, you should be getting fibre from there, as well as from foods like beans and whole grains.  In terms of ratio, to balance your blood sugar the ideal ratio is having 50% of your plate covered with low starchy veggies like broccoli and asparagus for example. 25% of your plate should be a protein source, and the final 25% is split between fat and complex carbohydrates. So we're looking at about two tablespoons or two golf ball sizes portions of fat and a serving of more starchy complex carbohydrates like sweet potato, root veggies or quinoa.  Now depending on your activity levels, you may need more or less starchy carbs – this is very individual, so you need to adjust your serving to what feels best for you. If you're still hungry after a meal, or finding yourself having blood sugar crashes, try increasing the protein or fat intake first, but if your carb content is very low, increase your carbs, whether that's from low starchy veggies or in fact you find you just need a bit of extra starch from sweet potato, for example. In the show notes, I have linked to a great diagram demonstrating what this could look like. But just to give you an idea, you might have half a plate full of a salad of rocket and spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, and asparagus, with a piece of salmon, then say half a small avocado and a serving of quinoa, adjusting the grain serving to the size you personally need.  So, this is where I would begin with balancing your hormones. If this feels triggering for you because it's food related, addressing your gut health will also support your hormones, as well managing your stress levels with stress relief tactics and supporting your detoxification processes. All of my episodes on oestrogen dominance and hormone imbalances cover various areas to address when healing your hormones, so you can have a listen to those if you'd like a different option, or if you get to grips with blood sugar and want to move onto the next step.  And you could practice this over the course of a month and see what happens with your bloating. I do recommend that this is kept up going forward, not just for bloating but for keeping endo at bay, for healthy hormones, sustained energy, lowered inflammation and to prevent the onset of chronic diseases, which blood sugar dysregulation has been linked to.  If you want to learn more about blood sugar, I cover it in multiple episodes, and I've linked to them in the show notes, or you can read my book or take my course, when it comes out again in a few weeks. And of course, if you want a step-by-step protocol for balancing your hormones, my course includes that and you can get on the waiting list now, so you'll be the first to hear when it launches. Again, the link is in my show notes.   2.  Number two is to start repairing the gut. Now this is a more complex one and tends to take time, and of course if there's a condition like SIBO, that will eventually need treating. But we can start with some small steps, that really, we use with everyone to see whether they respond to these changes, and these are the basic foundations of good gut health.   You can listen to my episode Understanding the Endo Belly Part 1 for full protocol of what we call ‘first line therapies', which like I said are these foundational pieces, and you can implement them over the course of a few months, but to get you started, you can try one or two of these options here.  The first would be to eat 30 different plant foods a week. Your good microbiome needs an array of different plant foods, fibres, and nutrients in order to survive and thrive, and to actually ensure the health of your intestines. In fact, your good gut bacteria take certain plant fibres and turn them into key food for our intestinal cells, which helps to keep the gut wall strong. So eating an array of different plant foods will not only help to start creating a healthy microbiome, it'll also help the process along of repairing leaky gut.  Now I know for those with IBS, when they think about eating more plant foods it can be scary, because the fibre can often aggravate symptoms, but this is different. This is literally about eating any type of plant food – so olive oil counts, coconut oil counts, spices count, fresh herbs count, seeds count and nuts and veggies and fruits, and wholegrains and beans! Yes there's a lot of options and they all count. And it's actually pretty easy to get in 30 different foods when you consider this wide array of ingredients you have to work with. You know between the elemental diets I've been on the low histamine bi phasic diet, and honestly, I don't think there's a diet more restrictive than this and especially in terms of fibre and carbohydrate content, it's much more restrictive than the low FODMAP diet, and I was still able to reach 30 different plant foods. So basically, work with the foods you're allowed to eat if you're on a specialist diet, and if you're stuck, work with a nutritionist or check out gut health blogs for recipe recommendations. Secondly, if you can, I would also begin reducing your intake of sugar. Now I don't mean fruit. I mean added sugar, like maple syrup, honey, caster sugar, coconut sugar, corn syrup, rice syrup, added fructose, that kind of thing. Sugar actually feeds an unhealthy microbiome and inflames the gut, and changes the composition of the gut microbiome, leading to leaky gut. And of course, we want to heal the gut lining and create a nice balance of healthy bacteria in the gut.  I know this is a big step for a lot of people, so it may just be that you start slowly. Maybe you start reducing the sugar you add to your coffee by a quarter of a teaspoon for the first week, and then move to half and so on. Or maybe you start snacking on dark chocolate with a lower sugar content than a standard milk chocolate bar in the afternoon. Whatever it is, choose a method that's manageable and sustainable for you.  And again, I would implement this over a month, to observe the changes. You could start with adding the plant foods the first month, and then start lowering sugar the next, or you could do it all in one go, and you could combine these methods with the blood sugar balancing or you could implement them month by month separately. It's really up to you. Now again, these are just two of the strategies and there is generally more to be done with healing the gut, but you might notice that these bring you significant relief. If they don't, then don't panic, this is just the beginning and normally I don't expect to see complete resolution with my clients at this stage. So what I recommend is that you have a listen to my Understanding The Endo Belly episode, which I've linked in the show notes, and you can continue to layer some extra first line therapies on top of these methods,.  If neither of these options that I've shared appeal to you because they're food specific, then that episode will provide you with some other options, like chewing properly, mindful eating and stress management. Or if you want to dive deeper, my course walks you through a step-by-step gut healing protocol, so again, you can get on the waiting list for that if you'd like to.   3.  Okay, so number three is all about lowering inflammation. And normally, in functional medicine, we would begin with food, as this is one of the quickest ways to lower inflammation.  Now there is a specific protocol for lowering inflammation with nutrition, which I would normally implement over a month with a client, but again, I am just giving you the foundations first to get started. If you want to dive deeper, you can listen to my episode with Dr Jessica Drummond, which I've linked in the show notes, I have countless articles on anti-inflammatory nutrition, and I've linked to one or two of those in the show notes as well, or you can read my book or sign up to the course for an exact step by step guide. So to start, one of the most powerful things we can do nutritionally to lower inflammation is to eat an abundance of colourful fruit and vegetables a day.  Specifically, we're aiming for eight servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit. Now I understand that for those of you with IBS, this might be hard on your stomach at first and it may take some time to build up to this amount of fibre, so start slowly. However, a SIBO diet or low FODMAP diet shouldn't prevent you from getting in this amount of fruit and veg a day, you may not be able to get in a whole serving, which is 80g, because of the portion size limitations with the low FODMAP diet, but if you aim for variety, you should be able to get in eight different veggies. For example, 1 small red pepper, one medium carrot, one cup of cabbage, four sprouts, one cup of broccoli, 2 cups of spinach, 1 cup of spaghetti squash and half a cup of beetroot are all FODMAP friendly. That's eight right there! And you've got some green, yellow, red, purple and orange in terms of colour, and that's really key to lowering inflammation because the more different colours you have, the more variety of antioxidants you have, and it's these wonderful plant nutrients that lower inflammation. So you're aiming for lots of different colours but with a nice emphasis on dark leafy greens, and working your way up to eight servings of veg and two servings of fruit. Again, do this slowly if you have stomach troubles on a regular basis and if you have gut health issues like SIBO or another condition, you may need to heal that first before you can tolerate that many servings of veg. But just get up to what you can tolerate and what makes you feel good. And in the beginning, if your stomach is sensitive, start with well-cooked and pureed or mashed fruits and veggies. So for example, have a smoothie for breakfast, and a roasted veg salad for lunch, and a soup for dinner, for example. Basically, we're trying to take some of the digestion work out of it for your stomach, so it can predominately focus on extracting those lovely nutrients. So ideally, we're working on adding more colour and more fruit and veg to start with, and practice that over the space of a month again, and see how your bloating and swelling does, and see how your PMS and period responds too. Now in the beginning, as your body adjusts to this added fibre, you may find yourself more bloated, and that's why it's important to build up slowly and to focus on well-cooked or broken-down foods, so your body gets used to it. For example, don't go from two servings of veg a day to eight! Start with an extra serving for a few days or a week, and then move up to another serving. And of course, have those bloating relief remedies to hand as well to help you through and listen to your body. If you need to adjust or reduce the amount of veg you're consuming, do so but don't just assume you can't eat veg, it may be about the serving size, how it's cooked or the type of veg, so experiment! Now if this feels triggering because it's food related, another way to lower inflammation is by getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is one the key causes of inflammation, so instead of working on your food, you could start here. Now of course, if you have insomnia, sleep can be a difficult area to master and again, this is about taking it step by step and in stages, and there's really a whole sleep hygiene protocol we could go through, depending on the type of insomnia you're struggling with. But let's start with the basic step of giving yourself a nine-hour window to sleep. There is no argument, we all need at least seven and a half to eight hours sleep a night, without that, there are significant changes in our health, and it can make manging endo much more difficult because it can worsen pain, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances.  Now as someone who struggles with sleep, I want to say to you not to let this panic you, and really just to allow yourself to work on your sleep, with kindness, not beating yourself up if you're not at eight hours yet.  Giving yourself a nine-hour window allows your body time to fall into a deep sleep and actually get eight hours of solid sleep, rather than seven hours or even less. And this nine-hour window shouldn't include reading or scrolling or watching TV, this is literally lights out, eyes closed time and ideally, this nine-hour window should take place across the same period of time every night, so for example, from 10.30pm to 7.30am.  The reason we do this is because your body has an internal clock, and this clock lets it know when to release our waking hormone, cortisol, to wake us up, and when to release our sleep hormone, melatonin, to help us get to sleep. When we have erratic hours or inconsistent sleep patterns, the body doesn't know when to produce these hormones, so we can find ourselves wide awake at 1am and super groggy at 9am. The body relies on rhythm to create its essential processes, and so it needs us to follow regular rhythms in order to function.  Now of course, there will be some nights when you just can't sleep, or it's a friend's birthday, or your child is up sick all night, and that's just life! So don't beat yourself up about it, but on the whole, try to get this regular nine-hour window in. I understand if you have a baby, this is probably not possible, so come back to this when you have your nights back but otherwise, see if you can begin working on this slowly but gradually.  It will probably take some time to adjust, it'll probably take moving around your schedule, and discipline and practice, but eventually your body should find its routine and start feeling sleepy around this time. The hardest bit for many, is us actually having the will power to put this in place and I can tell you, as someone who has a habit of working late, it is a daily practice, one I don't always do so well at, but one I am always coming back to.  If your sleep issues are really extensive, then it to me sounds like your HPA axis is probably off. I'm going to do a podcast on this soon, but I also have a whole module on this and sleep hygiene in my course, so if you want more guidance and a roadmap for addressing this, you can of course join the waiting list. So that's our three strategies for beginning to address these root causes, and if we're taking the first suggestions rather than the alternatives I've provided, it'll look like:  ·       Eating protein, fat, fibre and complex carbs at every meal ·       Eating 30 different types of plant foods a week ·       Reducing sugar ·       Eating 8 portions of colourful veggies and two portions of colourful fruits a day (or building up to that). So that's four steps, and you could work on one step a week, so by the end of the month you're at all four, or you could work on one step per month, and observe where you are in four months. Choose to do it however you feel is best. And remember, that these are foundational steps, they may not totally resolve your PMS bloating, but they're a step in the right direction and you can choose to keep going forward with some of the other strategies I've mentioned for continued improvement. And just so you don't drive yourself crazy, I want to remind you that it is natural for us to be a little more bloated and perhaps a tiny little puffier before our periods, but these symptoms shouldn't be extensive and shouldn't be affecting our daily lives. So, if you can get down to a place where these symptoms feel minimal and manageable, don't drive yourself crazy trying to get a perfectly flat stomach the day before your period, as it might not be totally possible. I really hope this episode has helped you and been informative! If you find it useful, please share it with others who might benefit and please do let me know and reach out on Instagram.  I'd love to hear how you get on! Remember to consult your doctor when making changes to your diet or supplement regime.  Listen and subscribe on your favourite player or listen directly/download MP3 here or just listen below! Let's get social! Come say hello on Instagram or sign up to my newsletter. This episode is sponsored by my free guide ‘A Natural Pain Relief Tool Kit for Endometriosis'. This four page guide includes evidence based and effective remedies which you can use at home to reduce your pain with endo. Download your copy here. My course, Live and Thrive with Endo is opening for enrolment again soon. Join the waiting list now to access early bird pricing and special bonuses. Sign up here. My cookbook This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast is out now! Get 28 anti-inflammatory, hormone friendly recipes for living and thriving with endometriosis. Order your copy here. If you feel like you need more support with managing endometriosis, you can join Your EndoLife Coaching Programme. A 1-to-1 three month health and life coaching programme to help you thrive with endometriosis. To find out more about the programme and to discuss whether it could be right for you, email me at hello@thisendolife.com or visit my website. This episode is sponsored by The Pod Farm. Learn all about how to start your own podcast with the complete course from The Pod Farm. Aimed at beginners, this course takes a simple and straightforward approach to planning, equipment buying, setting up, recording, editing and hosting your own podcast. With hours of audio and video materials, and downloadable guides and useful links, this multimedia approach aims to have something for every kind of learner. From now until April 15, newsletter subscribers get 20% off the course price. Visit www.thepodfarm.com to enroll or find out more This episode is sponsored by BeYou. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches and CBD range. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk Show Notes  Dr Siebecker's dosages https://www.siboinfo.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484269/sibo_symptomatic_relief_suggestions_jan_2020.pdf Prokinetics Vita Aid Prokine Pure Encapsulations Motil Pro (in my experience, I found this caused a lot of ginger burn) Integrative Therapeutics ​Motility Activator​  (better for IC/ginger burn) Enzyme Science  ​GI Motility Complex (better for IC/ginger burn) Priority One ​SIBO-MMC Invivo Clinical ​Bio.Me.Kinetic​ (I find this to be better for IC/ginger burn) Gut motility https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9660426/ Peppermint oil https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30654773/ I Love You Massage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTOkKVlBHzk Arvigo Therapy https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/arvigo-massage-for-endometriosis https://www.arvigotherapy.com/team-members Lymphatic drainage tool https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07V7GJW1W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Supplements https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/2021/4/17/supplements-shown-to-target-endometriosis https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/supplements-for-period-pain-menstrual-symptoms Blood sugar https://ameliafreer.com/2020/01/10/build-healthy-plate-from-scratch/ https://endometriosis.net/living/diet-sugar https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/reduce-fatigue-endometriosis-symptoms-and-oestrogen-dominance Course waiting list https://mailchi.mp/thisendolife.com/wait-list First Line Therapies https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/-the-endometriosis-belly Sugar and gut health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7284805/ Anti-inflammatory nutrition https://endometriosis.net/living/diet-antioxidants https://endometriosisnews.com/2020/07/23/primary-pillars-healing/ https://endometriosisnews.com/2020/08/13/nutritional-changes-endo/ https://endometriosisnews.com/2020/09/03/easy-meals-anti-inflammatory-diet/ https://endometriosisnews.com/2019/11/21/snack-healthy-suggestions/ https://www.thisendolife.com/this-endolife-podcast-episodes/outsmart-endometriosis-dr-jessica-drummond Sleep https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181009135845.htm https://endometriosisnews.com/2020/09/17/5-ways-sleep-deprivaton-affects-endometriosis/

In the first episode of Season 2 of The SIBO SOS® Podcast with Shivan Sarna, Shivan is joined by leading IBS researcher Dr. Mark Pimentel, MD. Dr. Pimentel is head of the Pimentel Research Lab and MAST Program at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, and the man leading the charge on better understanding, diagnosing, and curing SIBO and IBS. In this interview, Dr. Pimentel shares new insights on the three different gases associated with SIBO: hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide - plus updates on the brand-new three gas breath test. You'll leave this interview feeling informed and hopeful for the future!Sign up to watch the full video interview here:https://sibosos.com/pimentel-updateJoin Dr. Allison Siebecker and Shivan Sarna in the SIBO Recovery Roadmap Coursehttps://sibosos.com/sibo-recovery-roadmap/25% off the ibs-smart™ test - Use code sibosos2021 at check out https://sibosos.com/ibs-smart-testTrio-smart™ test https://sibosos.com/trio-test

On this weeks episode of the Beats with Kelly Kennedy, Kelly sits down with Shivan Sarna to discuss all things having to do with SIBO. If you think you may have SIBO, IBS, or any other chronic disease Shivan is here to remind us all that there are solutions and ways you can be treated. In this conversation Shivan shares with us what she has found along her personal investigation and hopes that this discussion will help guide or initiate your journey as well. Shivan Sarna is the author of Healing SIBO, TV host, entrepreneur, podcaster, and health advocate. She is the creator of SIBO SOS®, the Digestion SOS™documentary series, the Gut & Microbiome Rescue Summit, and the Lymphatic Rescue Summit. After a lifetime of struggling with health issues, Shivan made it her mission to demystify her own health struggles - and to share that information with others who were struggling. Her special skill is finding and connecting with the leading expert doctors and connecting those experts with the people who need their help. Her personal mantra is SOS: Save Our Selves, and that's what she has helped thousands of people do! Show Notes || 0:00 | Introduction 03:17 | What is SIBO? 06:09 | If you have SIBO no worries! There is hope 08:10 | How SIBO effects weight gain and nutrient absorption & it's connection to the lymphatic system 10:27 | How does allopathic medicine typically treat SIBO? 12:21 | The SIBO breath test is a game changer 14:33 | You now know you have SIBO. What do you do? 17:30 | How does diet impact SIBO  19:02 | What is the deal with Fermented food and sibo? 20:07 | The importance of persistence  22:30 | How Shivan writing a book turned into her making summits, and the summits to come 26:00 | Underlying mechanism of causing SIBO: migrating motor complex (mmc) 30:40 | What is a pro-kinetic? And why is it useful for SIBO 33:09 | Like many of us Shivan went to a myriad of practitioners looking for an answer 34:32 | How and why opioids are an underlying cause for SIBO 39:45 | What you should do if you have SIBO or if you are having SIBO like symptoms 41:21 | The human body is an ecosystem 42:48 | Why did Shivan begin to look at health differently? Resources Discussed || Healing Sibo By: Shivan Sarna SiboSOS.com Dr. Allison Siebecker & SIBOinfo.com Parawellness.org Register for the Lymphatic Rescue Summit We hope you enjoyed this episode as much as we did! Make sure to check out Shivan's website Sibosos.com, it contains a plethora of resources and is also where you can find her book, Healing Sibo. Shivan is also hosting the Lymphatic Rescue Summit, which premieres April 19th -25th. This podcast is also available on apple, spotify, google, youtube, and of course our home NOTMEDSglobal.com Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to never miss a BEAT!

Dr. Allison Siebecker has been educating us for about a decade now about all things SIBO, and has now put together a new sort of SIBO summit. We also start off this podcast episode with just some of the big SIBO research and treatement updates in 2020.   Click here to join Next Steps for Treating Tough SIBO - Masterclass Summit + Research Updates  

I speak with the brilliant Dr. Siebecker on SIBO, motility, prokinetics and hydrogen sulfide. If you want to understand the most common cause of SIBO, the role that prokinetics can play within your program, or what the future holds for our understanding of hydrogen sulfide, then this episode is for you!

Impaired motility is a major underlying cause of SIBO. Two thirds of SIBO cases relapse. In today's two-part episode, we discuss how Prokinetics have emerged to become a critical tool to lengthen the remission period. ABOUT DR ALLISON SIEBECKER Allison Siebecker, ND, MSOM, LAc, has worked in the nutritional field since 1988 and is a 2005 graduate of The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), where she earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her Masters in Oriental Medicine.  She was the co-founder and former medical director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM Clinic and has specialized in the treatment of SIBO since 2010. Dr. Siebecker is passionate about education- she is Instructor of Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM, Board of Advisor for the GI Health Foundation, Co-Founder & Curriculum Coordinator of the 2014-2016 SIBO Symposiums, teaches continuing education classes for physicians, and is the author of the free educational website siboinfo.com. In 2005, 2013 and 2015 she received the Best in Naturopathy award from the Townsend Letter, for her articles: “Traditional Bone Broth in Modern Health and Disease”, “Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth: Often Overlooked Cause of IBS” and “SIBO: Dysbiosis Has A New Name”.  Dr. Siebecker is currently writing a book synthesizing the SIBO data into one source.

Impaired motility is a major underlying cause of SIBO. Two thirds of SIBO cases relapse. In today's two-part episode, we discuss how Prokinetics have emerged to become a critical tool to lengthen the remission period. ABOUT DR ALLISON SIEBECKER Allison Siebecker, ND, MSOM, LAc, has worked in the nutritional field since 1988 and is a 2005 graduate of The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), where she earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her Masters in Oriental Medicine.  She was the co-founder and former medical director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM Clinic and has specialized in the treatment of SIBO since 2010. Dr. Siebecker is passionate about education- she is Instructor of Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM, Board of Advisor for the GI Health Foundation, Co-Founder & Curriculum Coordinator of the 2014-2016 SIBO Symposiums, teaches continuing education classes for physicians, and is the author of the free educational website siboinfo.com. In 2005, 2013 and 2015 she received the Best in Naturopathy award from the Townsend Letter, for her articles: “Traditional Bone Broth in Modern Health and Disease”, “Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth: Often Overlooked Cause of IBS” and “SIBO: Dysbiosis Has A New Name”.  Dr. Siebecker is currently writing a book synthesizing the SIBO data into one source.

SIBO, an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, is something often overlooked by medical practitioners, but it's a condition that is getting the spotlight more and more often these days. Today, I'm talking with my personal SIBO specialist and world-renowned doctor, Dr. Allison Siebecker, about how she started offering SIBO treatment, as well as more insight into what SIBO actually is.

Apple Users How to leave us a review on your iPhone or Ipad Open Apple's Podcast app. Go to the Search tab. Enter ‘The SIBO Doctor Podcast'. Tap ‘Search' on your keypad. Tap the SIBO Doctor icon when it comes up. Tap the Reviews tab. Scroll down to ‘Ratings & Reviews' Tap the stars to leave a rating Tap ‘Write a Review' to leave a review' Hit send   Android Users How to leave us a review on your device Open stitcher Go to the Search tab. Enter ‘The SIBO Doctor Podcast'. Hit search Tap the SIBO Doctor icon when it comes up. Scroll down to ‘Be the first to review this show'. Tap the stars to leave a rating Enter your review Hit ‘Post Review'   In today's episode, Dr Jacobi is in conversation with Dr Megan Taylor about Digestive Disorders in Children. Dr Taylor practices primary care in naturopathic gastroenterology for adults and children with digestive complaints, allergies, and autoimmune disease.  She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, graduating with honours. Dr Taylor completed two years of postgraduate residency training in primary care and naturopathic gastroenterology under the mentorship of Dr Steven Sandberg-Lewis and Dr Allison Siebecker.  She is also the Vice President of the GastroANP.  

I wanted to share with you today an interview that was performed between Shivan Sarna, Dr. Allison Siebecker, and myself regarding the article I wrote a few weeks ago entitled “Is Sibo a Real Condition?” This was my response to a number criticisms of SIBO as a condition and whether or not there is efficacy regarding SIBO testing, SIBO treatment and whether or not SIBO is a real condition or is something that is somewhat fictitious. The nuts and bolts are in the article that I wrote but they wanted to interview me on the article, ask some questions, have a dialogue and I figured you might benefit from and enjoy listening in or watching the video. https://drruscio.com/is-sibo-real-with-shivan-sarna-and-dr-allison-siebecker/ My new book is finally available: Healthy Gut, Healthy You. Click here to learn more: https://drruscio.com/getgutbook/ Looking for more? Check out our resource page that includes how to become a patient, how to pick up a copy of my new book, how to sign up for my clinical training newsletter, and more. https://drruscio.com/resources

In this episode, Dr Nirala Jacobi is in conversation with Heidi Turner about the SIBO Histamine Bi-Phasic Diet and SIBO treatment. Heidi is a medical nutrition therapist at the Seattle Arthritis Clinic at Northwest Hospital UW Medicine in Seattle, Washington.  She counsels those with autoimmune, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases in an effort to decrease their pain through dietary change. She specialises in food intolerances, SIBO, mast cell activation syndrome, histamine intolerance and natural food chemical sensitivities. Topics discussed include: The release of the SIBO Histamine Bi-Phasic Diet (available for free to practitioners) in July 2018. Histamine intolerance and what Heidi sees in her practice. Why has the Biphasic Diet for Histamine Intolerance been created? The SIBO Inflammation relationship to compromised diamine oxidase (DAO) and the impact on patient histamine levels. Symptoms of high histamine. The issue with low FODMAP diets in relationship to histamine. Histamine-containing foods versus histamine liberating foods. Foods high in histamine. How histamine levels increase in food. Which histamine liberating foods are the most problematic? How to reintroduce histamine foods and histamine liberators into the diet. Patient reactivity to treatment and how to tailor. Therapeutic diet timeline. Where does the Biphasic Histamine Diet fit into SIBO treatment? Decreasing high histamine load rather than eliminating all high histamine foods all the time. Heidi's experience in using the Biphasic Diet for Histamine Intolerance.   Resources Heidi Turner - available for in person and digital appointments. Food Logic In person clinical consultations available at The Seattle Arthritis Clinic Upcoming LIVE webinar to be co-presented by Dr Nirala Jacobi and Heidi Turner on the Biphasic Diet for Histamine Intolerance as a therapeutic tool: How to implement the diet properly How to move out of the diet Webinar session times with LIVE Q & A afterwards Live session - Thursday, July 12th, 2018 in America Live session - Friday, July 13th, 2018 in Australia Digital copy post-event available on com Dr Nirala Jacobi's 2018 Biphasic Diet Join The SIBO Doctor Practitioner forum on Facebook to connect with other practitioners and to be part of the conversation. The SIBO Specific Diet from Dr Allison Siebecker  

SIBO breath testing can be an incredibly valuable tool for those suffering with gas, bloating, abdominal pain, loose stools, and/or constipation.  However, there is debate on what the best test is and how to interpret the test results.  Today Dr. Allison Siebecker and I discuss the new North American Consensus statement regarding SIBO breath testing. We also discuss an upcoming SIBO summit Dr. Siebecker is organizing.

Here we are following on from Episode 2 - SIBO Queen Insights Part 1.  Dr Nirala Jacobi continues the conversation with Dr Allison Siebecker about their clinical experiences, research, and SIBO insights.   Topics include: How to approach treatment with patients who are severely food restricted and have SIBO. Challenges experienced as a practitioner working with chronically ill patients. The importance of taking a methodical approach to SIBO treatment. Other functional tests recommended alongside SIBO testing and treatment, such as: Stool testing Blood testing Hormonal testing (sex hormones, adrenals, thyroid) Yeast overgrowth in SIBO and how to approach this in treatment. How hormonal imbalances in the body can affect motility of the small intestine and the testing necessary to get the full SIBO picture. UBiome PCR testing on the microbiome to ascertain species diversity in the GIT. Comparing modern civilisation microbiota diversity to that of tribal groups and how to use diet to start to diversify species in an environment inclining towards decimation. The way to use testing in methodical SIBO treatment. What SIBO tests to use, lactulose, glucose, or fructose, or all of them? What is on the horizon for hydrogen sulfide dominant SIBO testing? Practitioner pearls and protocols. Partially hydrolysed guar gum and practitioner feedback using this in SIBO treatment. Dietary tips for symptom relief, and treatment of SIBO. Prebiotics recommended by Dr Jason Hawrelak.   Resources www.siboinfo.com - Dr Allison Siebecker's website SIBO Summit 2016 - Recordings available of expert speakers   Thanks for listening, and catch you next time! The SIBO Doctor podcast crew   ABOUT DR ALLISON SIEBECKER Allison Siebecker, ND, MSOM, LAc, has worked in the nutritional field since 1988 and is a 2005 graduate of The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), where she earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her Masters in Oriental Medicine.  She was the co-founder and former medical director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM Clinic and has specialized in the treatment of SIBO since 2010.  Dr. Siebecker is passionate about education- she is Instructor of Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM, Board of Advisor for the GI Health Foundation, Co-Founder & Curriculum Coordinator of the 2014-2016 SIBO Symposiums, teaches continuing education classes for physicians, and is the author of the free educational website siboinfo.com.  In 2005, 2013 and 2015 she received the Best in Naturopathy award from the Townsend Letter, for her articles: “Traditional Bone Broth in Modern Health and Disease”, "Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth: Often Overlooked Cause of IBS" and “SIBO: Dysbiosis Has A New Name”. Dr. Siebecker is currently writing a book synthesizing the SIBO data into one source.

In this episode Dr Nirala Jacobi invites Dr Allison Siebecker on the show. Dr Siebecker is a highly respected Naturopathic Physician and internationally recognized SIBO expert.  Listen in to this episode for a plethora of clinical pearls. This is a comprehensive discussion about SIBO, and as such listeners are invited to watch the Free 90 minute Advances in the Treatment and Management of SIBO Webinar before diving into this episode. Topics discussed include: What brought Dr Siebecker to Naturopathic Medicine and SIBO specialisation. How the MD and ND worlds are amalgamating, sharing information, and maximising collaborative SIBO research, treatment, and ultimately patient outcomes. Methane dominant SIBO treatment. Diets appropriate to SIBO management. The IBS check - a blood test that is available in the United States, that tests for SIBO caused by post-infectious gastroenteritis. Prokinetics and when to use them. Historical conventional antibiotic use in SIBO treatment as compared to now. SIBO retesting and re-treatment recommendations. Stress and its effect on the enteric nervous system and secretory IgA. Diet, lifestyle, herb, and nutrient based treatment options for SIBO. Atrantil - how Dr Siebecker has found using this herbal blend clinically for methane dominant SIBO gas reduction and healing leaky gut. Texts talked about include: Functional Gastroenterology - Dr Steven Sandberg Lewis Breaking the Vicious Circle - Elaine Gottschall Resources www.siboinfo.com - Dr Allison Siebecker's website SIBO Summit 2016 - Recordings available of expert speakers Thanks for listening, and catch you next time! The SIBO Doctor podcast crew   ABOUT DR ALLISON SIEBECKER Allison Siebecker, ND, MSOM, LAc, has worked in the nutritional field since 1988 and is a 2005 graduate of The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM), where she earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and her Masters in Oriental Medicine.  She was the co-founder and former medical director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NUNM Clinic and has specialized in the treatment of SIBO since 2010.  Dr. Siebecker is passionate about education- she is Instructor of Advanced Gastroenterology at NUNM, Board of Advisor for the GI Health Foundation, Co-Founder & Curriculum Coordinator of the 2014-2016 SIBO Symposiums, teaches continuing education classes for physicians, and is the author of the free educational website siboinfo.com.  In 2005, 2013 and 2015 she received the Best in Naturopathy award from the Townsend Letter, for her articles: “Traditional Bone Broth in Modern Health and Disease”, "Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth: Often Overlooked Cause of IBS" and “SIBO: Dysbiosis Has A New Name”. Dr. Siebecker is currently writing a book synthesizing the SIBO data into one source.

Today we talk with Dr. Allison Siebecker on all things SIBO. We discuss biofilms, small intestinal fungal overgrowth, worms and more.

Thought you knew everything there was to know about SIBO? As always, Dr. Ruscio continues to dig into the newest research. One of our most popular guests, Dr. Allison Siebecker, returns this week with another great discussion on SIBO.

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ruscio interviews Dr. Allison Siebecker on Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Dr. Siebecker is the Medical Director of the SIBO Center for Digestive Health at NCNM Clinic in Portland, OR, where she specializes in the treatment of SIBO.