Our gut terrain

Dysbiosis is the disruption of the normal balance of gut microbiota and serves as an underlying pathological factor in many diseases. Its major pathogenic mechanisms include damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier, activation of inflammatory pathways, disturbances in immune regulation, and metabolic dysfunction. These processes also affect broader systems—such as the gut–brain axis and gut–liver axis—amplifying their impact on overall health (PMID: 40255918)

AKA when our gut is a mess, we see issues with

• liver

• immune system

• gallbladder

• digestive enzyme secretion

• skin symptoms

• histamine intolerance

• neurologic symptoms

• joint pain

• brain

…. and more.

Many conditions in the body are a result of a terrain issue, particularly the gut terrain since it’s the center of quite literally everything.

Weakened terrain equals susceptibility to all kinds of things: SIBO, SIFO, mold illness and viral loads to name a few.

Overgrowths in the small intestine

SIBO, or small intestinal bacteria overgrowth, contrary to what many people say, is not an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. It’s actually an overgrowth of commensal bacteria, in a location they should not be: the small intestine.

SIFO, or small intestinal fungal overgrowth, we may be referring to different things. Candida naturally lives within us in normal amounts, but it may also overgrow within the small intestine leading to symptoms. We may also be dealing with mold colonization, and since mold is a fungus, we also see that fungal overgrowth occurring too.

Symptoms of both SIBO and SIFO are very similar:

• bloating

• belching

• abdominal pain

• diarrhea

• constipation

• food intolerances

• GERD

• nausea

• anxiety

• brain fog

• fatigue

• feeling overall toxic

1. Terrain issue: both of these are leading to leaky gut, weakened immune system and susceptibility to pathogens

2. Nutrient deficiencies: as a result, we see nutrient deficiencies occur because these overgrowths are leading

3. Sensitivities and toxic load: as a result, we see more toxic load increase in the body and increased sensitivities to the environment (seeing histamine intolerance here)

Nutrient deficiencies from both

Many people do not realize the impact nutrient deficiencies have on overall health: from fueling toxic load, creating oxidative stress and creating worse histamine symptoms.

TESTING

Test, don’t guess!

To identify which you may be dealing with, it’s important to check:

• TrioSmart breath test (the only breath test for SIBO that measure all 3 types) note: you cannot diagnose SIBO off a stool test

• Organic Acids Test: looks at fungal markers and overall gut dysbiosis

• Conventional labs looking at iron panel, omegas, nutrients

• Micronutrient panel

Treatment

Strategies

For SIBO: after results of breath test, treatment will need to be directed towards the gases present on the test (hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide). The treatment approaches are different!

When SIBO continues to relapse or does not improve, it means the underlying cause of it was not addresses.

In cases of methane overgrowth, this is the hardest to treat! It’s often because underlying causes was not addressed, which can be due to: mold, parasite, immune dysregulation, high pesticide count in body, or lyme disease.

For SIFO: same concept, but use of anti fungals are needed here for eradication. If the underlying issue is mold illness, use of anti fungals will not be enough. Mold toxicity protocol will need implementation with use of proper binders, leaving mold environment, sinus supports, biofilm etc

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Until next time,

Happiness and health

Dr. Steph