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About SIBO Protocol


Dr. Siebecker has been specializing in SIBO since 2010. She received a lifetime achievement award for her work in SIBO and outstanding contributions to the field, from the GastroANP in 2021. 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. Dr. Siebecker is passionate about education – she has lectured about SIBO internationally since 2011, created several post-graduate SIBO courses, and was the co-founder of multiple SIBO and GI conferences and summits. Her integrative SIBO protocols have helped thousands world-wide. Dr. Siebecker’s free educational website is siboinfo.com. 

Allison Siebecker


SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when normal gastrointestinal tract bacteria abnormally overgrow in the small intestine (or large intestine), causing symptoms such as abdominal bloating, pain/discomfort, and constipation, diarrhea or a mixture of both.[1] It's typically caused by a slowing of small intestine motility or alteration of normal intestine anatomy from various diseases, injury/surgery, or medications.


The Problem ​ 

The overgrown bacteria interfere with the normal digestion and absorption of food, and damage the lining of the small intestine (the brush border).They consume some of the food we eat, causing malabsorption, which over time, can lead to deficiencies in nutrients such as iron and B12, which can cause anemia or chronic low ferritin.  Food unable to be absorbed due to brush border damage is consumed by the bacteria, allowing them to proliferate (overgrow) causing a vicious cycle.[1]After eating, they produce gas (via fermentation) within the small (or large) intestine, which causes many symptoms, especially abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea or both (the symptoms of IBS).  They decrease proper fat absorption by deconjugating bile, which can lead to fatty stools (steatorrhea) and deficiencies of fat soluble vitamins A, D and K.  The increased number of bacteria, causes increased endotoxin in the small intestine (bacterial cell wall/LPS) which the immune system can react to causing fatigue, body pain, anxiety, depression, and can burden the liver.  The damage to the brush border can create Leaky Gut Syndrome, allowing larger food particles to enter into the body, which the immune system can react to. This can cause food allergies/sensitivities with non-digestive symptoms: headache, nasal mucus, skin rashes, joint pain, etc...Finally, the bacteria excrete acids which may, in high amounts, lead to neurological and cognitive symptoms, such as brain fog.

Typically, SIBO patients have 3-6 symptoms, including at least 1 or 2 of the primary symptoms.

Keynote SIBO SymptomsBloating

  • Symptoms occur after eating
  • Carbohydrate food sensitivities

Primary SIBO Symptoms

  • Bloating
  • Abdominal Pain/Discomfort
  • Constipation, Diarrhea, or both

Other SIBO Symptoms

  • Belching, Flatulence
  • Heartburn (Acid Reflux/GERD)
  • Nausea or Indigestion
  • Food sits in stomach and won't go down
  • Anxiety
  • Depression (less common than anxiety)
  • Brain Fog
  • Fatigue

How To Treat SIBO: Step-by-Step 

SIBO is suspected based on digestive symptoms, signs and history.

1st and 2nd Line Treatments

Typically before SIBO is diagnosed by testing, digestive supplements and dietary changes are tried to see if they can help.

SIBO Testing

If above treatments fail, test for SIBO to find out if it's the problem.

SIBO Treatment

Once SIBO is diagnosed, choose an antibacterial treatment based on gas type (hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide or mixed gases):

  • Pharmaceutical Antibiotics
  • Herbal Antibiotics
  • Elemental Diet​​

SIBO Diet

A SIBO diet can be used at any point to help symptoms and later, to help prevent relapse.

Free Handout Download: step-by-step guide how to treat SIBO / IMO / ISO successfully.

SIBO Podcasts

Hosted by Rebecca Coomes from The Healthy Gut, she interviews leading SIBO and gut health practitioners from around the world to bring you the latest research, treatment protocols and more. Downloaded over 550,000 times, The Healthy Gut Podcast is trusted by people from all around the world who want to be more informed about their health, so they can feel empowered and knowledgeable to do something about it.

https://thehealthygut.com/podcast/pelvic-tightness-pelvic-pain-and-sibo/

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Testing via Colab Services

Our test selection includes:

Our Test
GB801 IBS Smart (SIBO Antibody Testing)
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GB802 Triosmart Breath Test Glucose ( Assessing hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphide) View The Test
GB803 Triosmart Breath Test Lactulose ( Assessing hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphide) View The Test
AE20 (Breath Test) Lactulose
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AE821 SIBO Breath Test (Glucose)
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