Just thought I’d share this here. I’ve been using social medias mainly to share my work lately but thought I would revive the newsletter with some useful information. Today I tackle the digestive upsets of dysbiosis and SIBO, read below for a short introduction.
Dysbiosis is a broad term that signifies an imbalance or disruption in the gut microbiota, which is the diverse community of microorganisms living in our digestive system. It refers to an imbalance in bacterial composition, changes in gut metabolic activities or changes in bacterial distribution within the gut. Dysbiosis can occur in various parts of the digestive system, including the small and large intestines. Dysbiosis can point to the loss or gain of microbes that either promote health or disease (good vs bad bacteria), or a loss of microbial diversity. H.Pylori is a common cause of dysbiosis in the stomach.
In normal, healthy symbiosis microbes interact directly with the human host, in a complex state of “biosis”, a combining form of life (ecosystem) which benefits or causes no harm. In that state microbiota interacts with one another directly and via metabolites.
Imbalance of the interaction can lead to biofilm formation and degradation of functions.
Low digestive enzymes, diet, stress, antibiotics, medication, infection, alcohol, changes in circadian rhythms can all cause dysbiosis. Association to obesity, hypersensitivity/allergy and auto-immune diseases has also been observed. In turn this may cause increased intestinal permeability, and an inflammatory response.
Key features of Dysbiosis apart from its location in the digestive tract include none-specific symptoms that can vary widely. They may include bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements, and general discomfort.
Dysbiosis doesn’t have a standardized diagnostic test. Diagnosis often relies on the analysis of a person’s overall gut health and microbiota composition.
SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is a condition characterized by the excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine, which is not where most of our gut bacteria should reside. These bacteria may include both the normal inhabitants of the colon and unusual species.
Common symptoms of SIBO include abdominal bloating, diarrhoea, and malabsorption of nutrients, which can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. These can be accompanied by loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, unintentional weight loss and malnutrition.
SIBO is typically diagnosed through breath tests that measure the gases produced by the overgrown bacteria.
Several factors can contribute to SIBO, such as impaired gut motility (the ability of the gut to move and clear bacteria), anatomical abnormalities, and underlying medical conditions like Crohn’s disease/Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The primary difference between the two conditions lies in the location of the issue within the digestive tract but causes are also indicative and different therefore treatment differs to manage these specifically.
Treatment goals, in brief:
Herbal medicine can efficiently help redress the bad bacteria to good bacteria balance. A management plan would consider controlling bad bacteria with dietary changes and a safe fasting protocol. A herbal medicine prescription can address symptomatic discomfort such as bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements as well as address both the balance of the gut flora directly and the root cause(s) i.e. stress or diet or other as mentioned above.
Specific herbs can support elimination, digestion and liver functions before re-introduce good bacteria and providing prebiotics at a later stage. They can also help replace what is needed for digestive function (enzymes etc) and repair the gut lining.
A short list of examples of herbs that may be part of a patient’s prescription based on their specific complaints are:
Garlic which is antibacterial, has capacity to modify bowel flora positively, supports beneficial microbiome via allin/allicin and contains the probiotic inulin useful in re-inoculation.
Berberis is antimicrobial, positively modifies bowel flora, is a cholagogue, and choleretic, interferes with adherence of bacteria to mucous membranes and stops bacteria replication, is even recommended in dysentery caused by resistant (bad) bacteria.
Fennel is a carminative, spasmolytic, antimicrobial, useful in symptoms management.
Gentian is supportive for digestive weakness and bloating, is a strong bitter and carminative.
Echinacea is a potent prophylactic for bacterial infection.
Dandelion root contains inulin probiotic, supports microbiome diversity, is a mild laxative, choleretic, cholagogue, bitter tonic, anti-inflammatory.
Many more herbs can be combined for a specific formulation based on medical history, and herbal actions on the digestive system, physiology or root causes.
Contact me to book a consultation and discuss requirements.
Evidence-based + Holistic 
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