SIBO Revisited: What's changed, What matters and What not to do

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve Googled “bloating after everything I eat” more than once. Maybe you’ve tried cutting foods, sipping herbal teas, or diving into the depths of gut health forums at midnight. And maybe you’ve heard of SIBO — Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth — and started wondering if that might be part of your story.

As a Women’s Health and Gut Health Naturopath, I’ve been supporting clients with SIBO and complex digestive issues for over 12 years. SIBO is far more common than many people realise — and when left untreated or poorly managed, it can leave you feeling drained, discouraged, and disconnected from your body. In some cases, symptoms can even become worse over time without the right support.

But here’s the thing: there’s so much information (and misinformation) out there that it’s easy to feel lost before you even get started. So this month, I want to revisit SIBO with you — share some key updates, bust a few myths, and offer real, practical guidance to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. 

What is SIBO? (And what it’s not)

SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It’s when bacteria that are normally found in the large intestine (or even mouth!) start colonising the small intestine — where they don’t belong. And when you feed those bacteria (with certain fibres, starches, and sugars), they ferment the food and release gases like hydrogen, methane, or hydrogen sulfide.

Common SIBO symptoms include:

• Bloating (often worse after meals)

• Reflux or nausea

• Abdominal pain (tummy pain)

• Constipation, diarrhoea or both (yes, both can be SIBO!)

• Brain fog and fatigue

• Food sensitivities

• Skin issues like acne, eczema, and Rosacea

• Worsening symptoms around your hormonal cycle (yes, there’s a connection!)

SIBO isn’t just “bad bacteria” — it’s a misplaced overgrowth, often driven by deeper root causes like sluggish digestion, stress, hormonal shifts, or structural issues like adhesions or poor gut motility. Food poisoning is one of the main contributing factors.

What’s Changed in the Way We Treat SIBO?

Over the years, I’ve watched the SIBO landscape evolve — and thankfully, we’re moving away from extreme, one-size-fits-all approaches.

💡 Here’s what we now know works better:

• Phased treatment plans — not just kill, but calm, reset, and repair.

• Targeted herbal or pharmaceutical anti-microbials based on proper testing. Please note that I do not prescribe pharmaceutical anti-microbials, I prescribe herbal medicine and supplements that are specific to you and your results.

• Motility support is critical, especially for methane or mixed-type SIBO.

• Vagal tone and nervous system health play a big role in recurrence and healing.

• Diet matters, but restrictive diets long-term can do more harm than good.

And importantly — perimenopause and hormone shifts can influence gut motility, gallbladder function, and inflammation, making SIBO more likely and harder to shift if not addressed holistically.

What Not to Do (Seriously, Stop Dr Googling!)

Let’s clear up a few things that I see regularly in clinic — things that can unintentionally delay your healing or even make symptoms worse.

🚫 Don’t self-diagnose and start treating without testing — you may not even have SIBO, or you might have the wrong sub-type.

🚫 Don’t take random herbal anti-microbials from a blog list, from influencers or from friends or family. These can be helpful when guided properly, but if used incorrectly they can cause really severe die-off reactions, further or even do more damage to your gut lining. Some anti-microbials can lead to whipping out the good bacteria in your gut if taken for too long.

🚫 Don’t stay on a super-restrictive diet for too long. Diets like the SIBO Biphasic or Low FODMAP are helpful in short phases, but your microbiome needs diversity and nourishment to thrive long-term.

🚫 Don’t panic when symptoms fluctuate. Flare-ups happen, and they don’t mean you’ve failed or that your body is broken. It’s all part of the healing process — especially when hormones, stress, and lifestyle are also in the mix.

So, What Should You Do?

Here’s where you can begin — and where true, sustainable healing happens:

✅ Get properly assessed. Functional breath testing can help identify SIBO and the subtype (hydrogen, methane, or both) so we can treat it accurately.

✅ Work with a practitioner who looks at the big picture. I always assess digestive function, nervous system state, hormones, history, and emotional health before mapping a treatment plan. Usually there is more than one root cause - SIBO is tricky and there is usually more happening behind the scenes.

✅ Take a phased approach. This includes testing, treatment, nervous system and vagal support, dietary adjustments, emotional work, and gentle detoxification.

✅ Trust your body. Healing takes time, but your body is always working toward balance — especially when supported with the right tools.

Ready to Feel Clear, Calm & Confident About SIBO?

If you’re nodding along and thinking, “That sounds like me." Then I’ve got something special for you.

🎓 Join me for my upcoming FREE masterclass: “What is SIBO? Let’s Break It Down”
You’ll learn:

• What SIBO really is (and how to know if you have it)

• The 3 most common mistakes people make

• Why stress, hormones, and digestion all matter

• How to take your first step toward healing

It’s designed to give you clarity, confidence, and a calm starting point — no overwhelm, no Googling required.

🪷 Stay tuned after the masterclass, as I’ll also be sharing details of my deeper 3-part SIBO Mini-Course, with optional 1:1 support and testing add-ons.

Let’s Move From Confused to Clear

If you’re done with second-guessing your symptoms, piecing together conflicting advice, or feeling like nothing works — let’s change that.

Because when you understand your gut, you can start trusting your body again.

✨ Click here to register for the free SIBO Masterclass.

Your healing journey starts with the right knowledge, a grounded plan, and someone in your corner.

If you are ready to get started now - please book your Initial Consultation - available in person and online.

Book your Consultation

Yours in health and wellness,

Katrina xxx