A few causes of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
Number 1: Large intestinal dysbiosis – an imbalance in the gut flora of the colon (also called the large intestine), can create the dysmotility in the upper intestine also known as the small intestine. Whether it is from a yeast overgrowth, a lack of beneficial bacteria or the presence of harmful bacteria or parasites, gut dysbiosis is one of the leading causes of dysmotility, the underlying mechanism for how people develop SIBO.
Number 2: Mold Biotoxins – when some people are exposed to mold their bodies are incapable of ridding themselves of the toxins left behind by the spores they may inhale or ingest from being in a moldy environment. When these toxins are left behind they create low-grade inflammation, which can have many systemic effects. One such effect is a slowing of the migrating motor complex, or MMC, the mechanism, which controls peristalsis, or movement of food and microbes down the digestive tract. When this mechanism is disrupted, it allows for an overgrowth of bacteria (and fungus) to persist in the small intestine. Any source of inflammation can disrupt the MMC, but I find many resistant cases of SIBO, caused by the presence of mold biotoxins. To successfully eradicate SIBO, focusing on getting rid of the biotoxins is a key strategy to achieve full resolution.
Functional Medicine SF, offers comprehensive stool testing through Doctors Data and Biohealth labs that can diagnose large intestinal dysbiosis. We also offer breath testing to diagnose SIBO through Commonwealth Labs, as well as organic acids testing through both Genova and Great Plains labs. Organic acids testing can often pick up the presence of yeast overgrowth not found by stool testing, which is looking for it in the colon. This can indicate the presence of small intestinal fungal overgrowth, or SIFO. Lastly, Functional Medicine SF offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for mold biotoxin illness, which causes a condition called chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS).
