I have been working with people struggling with digestive illnesses for over 25 years. I have experienced my own healing journey and shared what works in my books and on Listen To Your Gut.
Today I want to talk about it Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a disease that is becoming increasingly common, especially among young women.
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In this blog I share insights from my last podcast Natasha TrenevFounder of Natren Probiotics and a true pioneer in gut health. Natasha has over 60 years of experience in this field.
Together we saw what works and what doesn't Treatment of SIBO.
It's not just about bacteria in the small intestine. It's about them digestive tract as a whole – how it works, what causes disruptions and how we can bring it back into balance with help natural treatments.
Watch the full episode of my conversation with Natasha Trenev below. You can watch the video:
Or listen to the podcast:
Listen to your gut feeling
Holistic treatment of SIBO: natural remedies, nutrition and probiotics
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Topics covered in this episode:
- What SIBO Really Is (Beyond Bacterial Overgrowth)
- Problems with conventional antibiotic treatment
- Why many probiotics don't work for SIBO
- The role of elementary nutrition and healing foods
- Dietary changes that calm the digestive tract
- How Wild Oregano Oil and Herbal Supplements Support Healing
- The connection between thyroid, motility and SIBO recurrences
- Gut-brain connection, stress and emotional healing tools
What SIBO really is
When most people hear SIBO, all they think about is bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. But SIBO is more complex.
- It can imitate Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)with overlapping symptoms such as Abdominal pain, flatulence and indigestion.
- It often appears next to it low stomach acidarm Intestinal motilityAnd hormonal imbalances like an underactive thyroid.
- Many patients just chase after the problem of “bad bacteria”. Antibiotic therapy or restrictive diets without looking at the bigger picture.
In reality it is Root cause SIBO includes motility problems, immune deficiency, food intolerances and stress. This is why so many people relapse after standard treatment.
The problems of standard treatment
Doctors often prescribe Antibiotic treatment like Rifaximin for SIBO. Yes, antibiotics can relieve symptoms. But here's what I saw:
- They don't restore that Gut microbiome.
- They can cause Antibiotic resistance.
- You allow Candida yeast and fungal organisms grow.
- Relief is usually temporary – symptoms return within weeks or months.
In fact, Natasha and I agree: relying solely on antibiotics is like putting a Band-Aid on a deep wound. It doesn't address that Diet changes, lifestyle changes or the need to replenish good bacteria.
Why probiotics are important
In the Treatment of SIBOOne of the most powerful steps is to restore balance good bacteria in the intestines. But not all probiotics are created equal.
I have tested products all over the world. From Germany to Japan I looked for alternatives. But only Natren probiotics always meet the strict criteria required to survive stomach acid, reach the small intestine and stay alive until their expiration date.
Without effective probiotics, you risk wasting time and money. Every step in healing is important.
Diet as a remedy
Healing the digestive tract requires easily digestible food. Many SIBO patients turn to the low FODMAP diet, or even that specific carbohydrate diet. These can contribute to the reduction Digestive symptomsthey are not long-term solutions.
From my own experience and hundreds of thousands of my readers, I recommend:
- Boiled vegetables: Zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, peeled cucumber.
- Cooked fruits: apples, pears, peaches, papaya.
- Simple carbohydrates: Organic white rice or Japanese Haiga rice.
- Bone broth: rich in gelatin; Healing for the intestinal mucosa.
- Healthy fats: Butter, ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or grass-fed lard or tallow.
Avoid raw foods during the healing period. Raw fruits and vegetables carry bacteria and are more difficult to digest Intestinal motility is impaired.
This approach may feel limiting at first. But remember, it is a short-term elimination diet Designed to calm your system while you repair it Gut microbiome.
I have also written a detailed blog about how to use an Elemental Diet to treat SIBO and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Herbal antimicrobials
When it comes to tidying up harmful bacteria, herbal antimicrobials can be just as effective as medicines – with fewer side effects.
- Wild oregano oil has strong antimicrobial properties. It kills bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses and even certain parasites.
- Other herbal remedies These include olive leaf, garlic, neem and grapefruit seed extract.
- In contrast to antibiotics, these herbs have a gentler effect and provide long-term support Gut health. But you still need to take probiotics to replace the bacteria that are killing you; This prevents secondary or opportunistic infection.
In clinical trials herbal dietary supplements showed just as good an effect as rifaximin in SIBO patients. For many, this is encouraging news.
The role of intestinal motility
A healthy one migratory motor complex (MMC) keeps food moving through the digestive tract. When mobility decreases, food stagnates and bacteria multiply.
The most common causes of slow motility include:
- Low thyroid function
- Chronic stress
- Low stomach acid
- Hormonal imbalances
Supporting healthy motor skills means:
Without normalizing motility, SIBO often recurs even after strict diets or herbal therapies.
Elimination of nutrient deficiencies
Due to malabsorption, many SIBO patients suffer Nutrient deficiencies.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency is common and leads to fatigue, mood swings and neurological problems.
- Vitamin D And fatty acids also play a key role general health and immunity.
- If your body doesn't absorb nutrients, your cells can't renew themselves properly.
Correcting these deficiencies through the use of a therapeutic nutrient blend such as MultiAbsorb Daily Essential along with essential minerals such as Bone Matrix is part of restoring long-term balance.
Emotional health and the gut-brain connection
The gut is often referred to as the “second brain.” Many with SIBO also report it Anxiety, depression and stress.
This is because the gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin. When the microbiome is disrupted, your mood can worsen.
That's why I created free tools for you, such as:
Stress management techniques are not optional. They are central to healing. Without stress management, the digestive system cannot fully recover.
Laboratory tests: helpful or misleading?
During tests like this SIBO breath test or Stool test While they may be useful, they are not the ultimate measure of healing.
In one study, 70% of patients reported significant relief of symptoms even though their breathing tests remained abnormal.
That's why I encourage you: Don't let a lab result override your body's signals. Listen to your symptoms. Trust how your body feels.
My recommended healing protocol for SIBO
Based on decades of experience, here is a summary protocol for natural SIBO treatment:
- Diet change: Start with cooked, comforting foods and possibly the elementary nutrition under supervision.
- Herbal antimicrobials: wild oregano oil and others antimicrobial herbs reduce overgrowth.
- Probiotics: introduce good bacteria daily to restore the Gut microbiome.
- Digestive enzymes: Support low stomach acid and improve absorption.
- Nutrient supplement: Correct deficiencies such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
- Lifestyle changes: Manage stress, avoid alcohol, reduce toxin exposure.
- Long-term support: Continue with probiotics, mind-body therapy, and a balanced diet to prevent recurrence.
Final thoughts
After decades of work in naturopathy, one truth stands out: The body can heal itself when given the right tools.
SIBO is not a life sentence. By addressing the Root causenourishing digestive tractwith a good one Mind-body therapyand restoring balance Herbal treatments, probiotics and dietary changesyou can move from chronic symptoms to lasting health.
If you want more guidance, watch or listen to the full podcast episode with Natasha above.
And remember: listen to your gut feeling. It always knows the way.
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Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert in natural healing for digestive diseases. She healed herself from widespread Crohn's disease and has been medication and surgery free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, giving people hope and vision on how to heal their colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using all-natural methods. Her books on natural healing of digestive diseases have been sold in over 80 countries worldwide. Jini is married and has three children, nine sheep, 11 horses, a cat and three dogs.
