5 Supplements for Managing SIBO

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO is a condition where one experiences a variety of digestive problems due to excessive bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO patients can exhibit varying degrees of symptoms, with some experiencing mild manifestations while others may suffer from chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and malabsorption.

Currently, SIBO is treated through the use of antibiotics. If you want something more “natural,” there are herbal treatments you can try. As additional support, you can opt to take SIBO supplements to manage your symptoms. 

How Can Supplements Help Manage SIBO?

Supplements can help manage SIBO symptoms because they support digestion and absorption of nutrients. By aiding digestion, you can lower inflammation and encourage a faster healing process. While supplements may not cure SIBO, they can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to manage symptoms and improve overall gut health.

What Are the Supplements That Can Help Manage SIBO?

There is no one-size-fits-all SIBO supplement you can take to treat your condition. Some of these supplements can boost your body’s digestive process and help prevent a relapse when you’re well on your way to full recovery. Other supplements help ease flare ups. Although these supplements vary, they are all intended to keep your SIBO symptoms at bay.

Supplements for Managing SIBO

• Probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria that can help restore balance in the gut microbiome. Specific probiotic strains like Lactobacillus and L. acidophilus have been shown to reduce SIBO symptoms and enhance intestinal motility. You might also want to try saccharomyces boulardii as it is known to reduce gas and help with diarrhea. But overall, experts agree that spore-based probiotics are the most effective strain for SIBO patients. Spore-based probiotics are sturdy, able to survive your stomach acids and don’t populate your gut like other strains.

• Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes can naturally be found in your saliva, liver, and intestinal walls. There are three primary digestive enzymes, namely: protease, lipase, and amylase. They can help break down food more effectively, reducing the amount of undigested food that reaches the small intestine that could potentially trigger SIBO. Supplementing with digestive enzymes can improve digestion and reduce gas and bloating. You can also find these enzymes in food like honey, bananas, pineapples, mangos, and avocados.

• Berberine

Berberine, which is found naturally in several popular medicinal plants, can improve intestinal inflammation by modifying the bacteria found in the small intestine. You can find this in philodendron, coptis chinensis, goldenseal, oregon grape root, and barberry. To be more specific, berberine kills and inhibits the growth of intestinal microbes, helping improve gut health. Another benefit of ingesting berberine is that it activates the AMPK enzyme which regulates your metabolism. Studies show that berberine also aids heart health by boosting healthy cholesterol levels.

• Magnesium

SIBO usually results in calcium, magnesium, or zinc deficiency, to name a few. So, it makes sense to take supplements for it to promote positive gut health. Magnesium, besides being an essential mineral, has a mild laxative effect. It also helps with constipation by drawing water into the gut. Taking it before bedtime on an empty stomach is recommended for optimal results. Moreover, as magnesium also acts as a muscle relaxant and is generally calming for the body, it can improve the quality of your sleep.

• Zinc Carnosine

Zinc carnosine can help improve gut health by reducing inflammation, improving gut barrier function, and modulating the gut microbiota. Research reveals that it also has a positive effect on stomach mucus, easing IBD and IBS symptoms. This supplement works by strengthening the intestinal lining and improving the function of tight junctions between cells, which can help prevent the migration of bacteria from the intestines into the bloodstream. The typical dosage for this supplement is 75 mg per day.

Staying Healthy to Manage SIBO

SIBO symptoms manifest differently from person to person, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution to manage them. Because of this, many turn to SIBO supplements to help curb their symptoms. Research shows that supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, berberine, magnesium, and zinc carnosine are effective in managing SIBO’s digestive symptoms.

If you want to help further along your healing journey, you should try the supplements enumerated here and see the difference for yourself. It is important to note that supplements should be used under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner and as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and potentially antibiotic or other medications.