Bloated after meals? Low Energy? Read this.

Good morning!

Sometimes, your body reacts in ways that don’t make sense: you eat a perfectly balanced meal, yet your stomach feels off, or energy dips strike without warning. One sneaky culprit behind these sudden shifts? Something happening in your gut.

That brings us to something you might’ve seen floating around in health articles or TikToks, SIBO. And no, it’s not short for “Sleep Is Basically Optional” (though some days that feels true). It stands for small intestine bacterial overgrowth, a mouthful that basically means bacteria are hanging out where they shouldn’t be. When that happens, digestion gets sluggish, energy dips, and even healthy meals can leave you feeling weighed down. The good news is, once you understand it, you can start to get ahead of it.

Key Takeaways:

• What SIBO Is: Small intestine bacterial overgrowth happens when bacteria migrate to the wrong part of the gut, where they ferment food and interfere with digestion.

• How It Affects You: SIBO can lead to bloating, discomfort, nutrient deficiencies, and low energy, even if you’re eating well.

• Why It Matters: Understanding SIBO helps explain why symptoms like fatigue and gut heaviness appear, and makes it easier to take practical steps toward relief and balance.

CORE

Understanding SIBO

The microbiome, the trillions of bacteria that live in our gut, is sometimes called our body’s “second brain.” These bacteria are essential for digestion, immunity, and overall health, but more is not always better. When bacteria from the large intestine overgrow and migrate into the small intestine, problems arise. For those interested, we also wrote an edition on the gut microbiome, give it a read here.

The small intestine is usually relatively low in bacteria, which allows it to absorb nutrients efficiently. When bacteria overpopulate this area, they start consuming nutrients meant for us, producing gas and causing inflammation. This imbalance can lead to bloating, abdominal pain, and nutrient deficiencies.

CORE

Why Does SIBO Happen?

Several factors contribute to SIBO, and understanding them is key to prevention and support.

Low Stomach Acid: The stomach normally has a highly acidic environment, with a pH around 1.5 to 2. This acidity is strong enough to break down iron and kill harmful bacteria entering through food. Medications like omeprazole that help reduce heartburn and certain antacids can reduce stomach acidity, allowing bacteria to survive and migrate into the small intestine.

Impaired Gut Motility: The small intestine has the important job of moving food and bacteria along efficiently. Surgeries, anesthetics, obstructions such as hernias or adhesions, and certain medications can slow intestinal movement. When food and bacteria linger longer than they should, bacteria have the opportunity to overgrow.

Constipation: This affects about 16% of adults regularly and can be caused by factors such as stress, dehydration, certain medications, poor sleep, low fiber intake, and inactivity. When the large intestine is backed up, bacteria can move retrograde into the small intestine. Slower movement in the small intestine allows bacteria to thrive where they are not supposed to, disrupting digestion.

Read our Constipation Edition to learn more.

PRODUCT MENTION

PRODUCT MENTION

OmniBlue Original is a natural liquid multimineral made from concentrated ocean water. Unlike chemical laxatives, it is safe and gentle, helping to draw water into the digestive tract back into hardened stool resuming the healthy and smooth movement through the small and large intestines.

By supporting regularity, it helps reduce bacterial overgrowth risk while also providing over 70 trace minerals essential for overall health and nutrient absorption.

CORE

Common Symptoms of SIBO

SIBO can affect everyone differently, but common signs include:

• Bloating and abdominal discomfort: The bacteria ferment sugars and other carbohydrates in your small intestine, producing gas that causes bloating, cramping, and abdominal pressure.

• Excess gas and belching: As bacteria break down food, they release hydrogen, methane, and other gases, which can lead to frequent burping or flatulence.

• Diarrhea or constipation: Bacterial overgrowth can disrupt normal water absorption and motility in the intestines, causing diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bowel habits.

• Unexplained weight loss or difficulty gaining weight: Bacteria in the small intestine consume nutrients before your body can absorb them, literally competing with you for calories and minerals.

• Fatigue or low energy: When bacteria take nutrients your body needs, you may experience low energy, sluggishness, and difficulty recovering from physical activity.

• Nutrient deficiencies: Overgrowth can reduce absorption of essential vitamins and minerals, impacting overall health, immune function, and hormone balance. Bacteria in the small intestine consume nutrients your body needs, leaving you competing for energy and minerals. Over time, this can affect metabolism, energy levels, and overall well-being.

Next Steps

Addressing SIBO starts with targeting the underlying causes:

• Supporting Healthy Stomach Acid Levels. Simple daily habits can go a long way in keeping digestion strong. Avoid overeating, since large meals can dilute stomach acidity. Manage stress, as “fight or flight” mode slows down digestion. Take time to chew food thoroughly to support proper breakdown and absorption. And if you’re on medications that may affect stomach acidity, check with your doctor to make sure your digestive health stays on track.

• Encouraging proper intestinal motility through hydration, movement, and nutrition.

• Managing constipation and bowel regularity with natural minerals or lifestyle support.

• Adjusting your diet using strategies like the FODMAP approach, which we’ll cover in detail in next week’s newsletter.

Small, consistent steps can make a big difference in gut balance, energy, and comfort.

ENDNOTE

Final Thoughts

SIBO may be more common than you realize, and it can silently affect digestion, energy, and nutrient absorption. By understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and taking gentle, natural steps to support your gut, like using OmniBlue Original, you can regain balance, improve nutrient absorption, and feel lighter and more energized every day.

Until next week!

Adrian Macdonald | Chief Dietitian | The 8% Newsletter