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Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth Diet

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBBOS), also known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), is the presence and overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, which is usually free from bacteria. This causes a whole host of problems from malnutrition to diarrhea. While this condition can and does respond to antibiotic therapy, the first line of treatment is often a change in diet. While this diet may seem radical, it has been proven to be effective and has none of the risks or side effects of antibiotic therapy.

  1. Mode of Action

    • SBBOS can arise from a variety of causes, some pathological, some anatomical. But the hallmark of the disease---bacterial overgrowth---is also the main pathology. In fact, the main diagnostic tool is a test to see just how much bacteria grows from an intestinal sample. Therefore, reduction or elimination of the bacteria in the small intestine goes a long way to relieving the problem.

    Bacterial Inhibition

    • In short, the small bowel bacterial overgrowth diet starves the bacteria while maintaining the health of the patient. The bacteria in question thrive on sugars and will preferentially use the sugars for their metabolism. Remove those sugars from the diet, replace them with another energy source that the patient can use and you seriously impact bacterial overgrowth.

    Dietary Breakdown

    • There are essentially three categories of nutrition: protein, carbohydrate and fat. Protein is used primarily for growth and repair of muscles, tissues and organs. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred energy source, with fats making up a secondary energy source. In the small bowel bacterial overgrowth diet, fats take the place of carbohydrates as the main source of energy. It would be impossible, if not detrimental, to eliminate all carbohydrates in any diet, so this diet calls for a 60/40 mix of fats and carbohydrates respectively, along with an appropriate amount of protein. Determining the exact amount of protein needed, together with appropriate caloric levels, and how long the diet should last would be difficult if not impossible for an individual without dietary training. If this diet is prescribed for you, be sure you have access to a registered dietitian.

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