How Do You Treat SIBO?
If you often feel bloated after meals, struggle with gas, or experience unpredictable bowel habits, you’re not alone. These discomforts are more common than you’d think—and for many, the underlying issue is something called SIBO.
In this article, we’ll answer the key question—how do you treat SIBO naturally?—and walk you through what SIBO is, what causes it, and the best ways to reclaim your gut health without feeling overwhelmed. Let’s start at the beginning.
What Is SIBO?
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It occurs when bacteria that usually live in the large intestine start to grow and thrive in the small intestine—where they don’t belong.
These bacteria ferment the carbohydrates you eat, releasing gases like hydrogen and methane. This process causes the classic SIBO symptoms:
- Bloating (especially after meals)
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Excessive gas
- Diarrhea, constipation, or both
- Food intolerances (particularly to carbs or fiber)
- Fatigue and brain fog
Unlike a standard gut imbalance, SIBO is specific to the small intestine, and because this is where nutrient absorption takes place, the effects can be wide-ranging and systemic.
What Causes SIBO?
SIBO is not just about “bad bacteria.” It’s about bacteria in the wrong place—and often, a dysfunction in gut motility or immunity is to blame. Some common triggers include:
- Impaired motility (such as from IBS, hypothyroidism, or nerve damage)
- Chronic stress, which reduces stomach acid and slows digestion
- Proton pump inhibitors and acid-blocking medications
- Past food poisoning or gastroenteritis
- Antibiotic overuse, which disturbs the gut ecosystem
- Adhesions or scar tissue from abdominal surgeries
It’s also very common for people with Candida overgrowth to experience SIBO at the same time.
How Do You Know If You Have SIBO?
The gold standard test is a SIBO breath test, which measures hydrogen and methane levels after drinking a sugar solution. But even without a formal test, many people can spot SIBO by their symptom patterns.
If you feel worse after eating onions, garlic, beans, apples, or high-FODMAP foods, or if you wake up with a flat belly but get bloated by evening—you may be dealing with SIBO.
How Do You Treat SIBO Naturally?
Treating SIBO requires a comprehensive, multi-phase approach. You can’t just kill the bacteria—you also need to restore digestive function, rebalance your microbiome, and keep it from coming back.
Let’s look at the six key steps:
1. Change Your Diet to Starve the Bacteria
One of the fastest ways to feel better is to adjust your diet. Because SIBO bacteria thrive on fermentable carbohydrates, removing these can significantly reduce bloating and gas.
Popular SIBO Diet Options:
- Low FODMAP diet – limits fermentable sugars that feed bacteria
- Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) – removes complex carbs that are hard to digest
- Elemental diet – a short-term, liquid protocol using pre-digested nutrients
Transitioning to a gut-healing diet doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The Yeastrix Reset Meal Plan is a gentle, 7-day roadmap designed to ease your gut into a lower-FODMAP, anti-inflammatory way of eating. It’s perfect for those dealing with SIBO, bloating, or food sensitivities, and it takes the guesswork out of what to eat while your gut is healing.
2. Use Herbal Antimicrobials to Reduce Bacterial Overgrowth
Instead of jumping straight to pharmaceutical antibiotics, many people opt for natural antimicrobial herbs—and research shows they can be just as effective.
Top Natural Antimicrobials for SIBO:
- Oregano oil – broad-spectrum antimicrobial
- Berberine – targets both hydrogen- and methane-dominant SIBO
- Neem and garlic extract – effective against a wide range of gut pathogens
Studies show that herbal protocols can be just as effective as rifaximin, a commonly prescribed SIBO antibiotic, with fewer side effects.
3. Support Digestion With Enzymes
When your gut isn’t digesting food properly, fermentation happens—and SIBO gets worse. That’s where digestive enzymes come in. They help break down proteins, carbs, and fats before bacteria get to them.
We recommend Yeastrix Active Enzymes, formulated by Eric Bakker, ND. It includes a blend of 13 digestive and systemic enzymes plus Bacillus coagulans—supporting both nutrient absorption and microbial balance.
👉 Explore Yeastrix Active Enzymes
4. Should You Take Probiotics With SIBO?
This is a hot topic. While some probiotics can worsen symptoms in active SIBO, others—especially spore-based or targeted strains—can support recovery.
Look for strains like:
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Bacillus coagulans
- Lactococcus lactis
The Yeastrix Daily Probiotic includes 17 strains carefully chosen to support balance without aggravating SIBO.
👉 Discover Yeastrix Daily Probiotic
5. Address Gut Motility and the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC)
Between meals, your digestive system should naturally sweep bacteria down into the large intestine. This process, known as the migrating motor complex, is often impaired in SIBO.
To support healthy motility:
- Don’t snack too often (space meals 4–5 hours apart)
- Use natural prokinetics like ginger, 5-HTP, or motility blends
- Manage stress and sleep—vagus nerve support matters!
6. Get to the Root Cause to Prevent Recurrence
SIBO has a high relapse rate if the root cause isn’t addressed. After antimicrobial treatment, focus on:
- Maintaining a clean, supportive diet
- Supporting liver detox pathways
- Treating underlying conditions like thyroid disorders or chronic stress
- Rebuilding your microbiome slowly and gently
With the right steps, you can restore long-term gut balance.
Can SIBO Come Back?
Yes, unfortunately. But it doesn’t have to. Recurrence usually happens when motility is impaired, or the gut ecosystem isn’t properly restored.
That’s why we recommend a phased protocol:
- Reduce symptoms and inflammation
- Treat overgrowth
- Rebuild digestion and flora
- Prevent relapse
Healing takes time—but it is absolutely possible.
Final Thoughts: You Can Treat SIBO Naturally
SIBO can feel like a confusing maze of symptoms and conflicting advice. But when you take a structured, natural approach—supporting digestion, restoring gut rhythm, and treating the root causes—you can overcome it.
If you suspect SIBO, start with diet and enzymes, and speak to a qualified practitioner for a tailored plan.
Explore Yeastrix SIBO Support:
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking medication. The recommendations here reflect a naturopathic approach and are not meant to replace conventional care when it is required. Individual results may vary.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
