Is it SIBO or SIFO? Gut Health 101
With all the buzz around gut talk, you have probably heard about why GI health is so important.
Your gut flora can either establish a healthy baseline for the rest of your body, or it can serve as a detrimental piece of the puzzle to your symptoms. There are many manifestations of gut health imbalances, but luckily there are alternative wellness approaches to consider when addressing this critical system in your body.
For those of you tuning into the GI health chatter, you have probably heard these acronyms thrown around, so what is the difference between SIFO and SIBO?
Let’s start with SIFO...
SIFO stands for small intestinal fungal overgrowth and is often accompanied by unpleasant gastric symptoms. The most common type of SIFO is Candidiasis or Candida for short.
SIFO Signs to look for:
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Belching
- White coating on the tongue
- Exhaustion
- Low libido
- Bad breath
- Vaginal discomfort and/or burning
- Intense sugar or carbohydrate cravings
- Fatigue
- Poor memory or concentration
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
SIFO Dangers on GI health:
- Psoriasis
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ulcerative colitis
You may be wondering:
“How can I protect myself against SIFO?”
- Avoid antibiotics
- Reduce sugar intake
- Avoid acid-reducing drugs such as PPIs and H2 blockers
- Care for your mental health (gut-brain connection)
- Sleep for at least 8 hours per night
- Refrain from steroid medications
Now let’s spend some time discussing SIBO
SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and occurs specifically when bacterial species of the colon are overgrown into the small intestinal tract. The most common forms of bacteria overgrowth found in SIBO include Streptococcus species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Lactobacilli.
SIBO signs to look for:
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Steatorrhea (fat malabsorption)
- Arthralgia
- Food intolerances such as gluten, casein, lactose, fructose, and others
SIBO dangers on GI health:
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Rosacea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Leaky Gut
- Macrocytic anemia
- Microcytic anemia
- Polyneuropathy
- Tetany
- Metabolic bone disease
- D-lactic acidosis
I am sure you are asking yourself:
“How can I protect myself against SIBO?”
- Refrain from antibiotics
- Stay away from sugar
- Refrain from oral contraceptives
- Reduce alcohol consumption
Now, you’re probably thinking:
“Is there a simple way for me to assess the integrity of my GI health? How can I find out if I suffer from one, both or none of these GI issues?”
Because symptoms alone are not always enough to assess the difference between SIFO and SIBO, there are alternative wellness solutions to help you to better evaluate your gut health.
Luckily, with advanced technology, getting to the bottom of your GI health issues does not have to be a difficult process.
The GI-MAP is the world’s first stool test that allows for a complete analysis of GI health, assessing GI bacteria, fungi, and a wide variety of other markers in the gut.
Furthermore, the Gut Zoomer is a microchip technology that provides a complete analysis of the bacteria, both beneficial and harmful, in your GI tract.
As an alternative wellness warrior, you might be wondering:
“How can I naturally take care of my gut health if I do have SIFO or SIBO?”
Both SIFO and SIBO can be treated naturally through diet paired with targeted, high-quality supplements. For a more extensive look at products and diet plans that improve gut health in these areas, check out these Gut Health Protocols designed to improve your health naturally!
Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding questions of what test or supplement regimen is right for you! krystal@awsnutrition.com.
