Excess Gas?

Have you been bloated and gassy lately? No matter what you eat your stomach swells like a balloon a few hours later?

Pay attention: you might suffer from condition called SIBO – small intestine bacterial overgrowth.

Bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine (SIBO), is a digestive disorder that causes chronic bowel problems and intolerance to carbohydrates. Its main symptoms include excess gas, abdominal bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation, and abdominal pain.

Both the small intestines and colon naturally house bacteria, creating a balanced digestive system. The types and amount of bacteria that reside in the small intestine and colon are very different. The colon contains roughly 100,000 times more bacteria than the small intestines. SIBO occurs when there is an overgrowth of colon bacteria in the small intestine.

Since the main purpose of the small intestine is to digest and absorb food, any disruption in its role affects the absorption and utilization of nutrients into the body. Thus, if SIBO is left untreated for too long – various nutritional deficiencies may occur.  It can manifest as anemia, various vitamin deficiencies (vitamin D and B), weakening of the bones due to calcium malabsorbtion, etc.