I have been working with people struggling with digestive diseases for over 25 years. I have been through my own healing journey and shared what works in my books and on Listen To Your Gut.
Today I want to talk about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that is becoming increasingly common, especially in young women.
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In this blog I share insights from my recent podcast with Natasha Trenevfounder of Natren probiotics and a true pioneer in the field of intestinal health. Natasha has over 60 years of experience in this field.
Together we have seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to treatment of SIBO.
This isn’t just about bacteria in the small intestine. It’s about the digestive tract as a whole – how it functions, what causes disruption and how we can bring it back into balance natural treatments.
Watch the full episode of my conversation with Natasha Trenev below. You can watch the video:
Or listen to the podcast:
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Topics covered in this episode:
- What SIBO Really Is (Besides Bacterial Overgrowth)
- Problems with conventional antibiotic treatment
- Why many probiotics don’t work for SIBO
- The role of the elemental diet and healing foods
- Dietary changes that soothe the digestive tract
- How wild oregano oil and herbal supplements support healing
- The link between thyroid, motility and SIBO recurrence
- Tools for gut-brain connection, stress and emotional healing
What SIBO really is
When most people hear SIBO, all they think about is SIBO bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. But SIBO is more complex.
- It can mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)with overlapping symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating and digestive problems.
- It often appears next to low stomach acidarm intestinal motilityAnd hormonal imbalances such as low thyroid.
- Many patients only chase the problem of “bad bacteria” by using antibiotic therapy or restrictive diets, without looking at the bigger picture.
In reality the cause of SIBO involves motility problems, immune dysfunction, food sensitivities and stress. This is why so many people relapse after standard treatment.
The problems with standard treatment
Doctors often prescribe treatment with antibiotics such as rifaximin for SIBO. Yes, antibiotics can reduce symptoms. But this is what I saw:
- They restore the gut microbiome.
- They can cause resistance to antibiotics.
- They allow candida yeast and fungal organisms can overgrow.
- The relief is usually temporary; symptoms return within weeks or months.
Natasha and I both agree: relying solely on antibiotics is like putting a band-aid on a deep wound. It doesn’t address dietary changes, lifestyle changes or the need to replenish good bacteria.
Why probiotics are important
In the treatment of SIBOone of the most powerful steps is restoring balance good bacteria in the intestine. But not all probiotics are created equal.
I have tested products all over the world. From Germany to Japan I looked for alternatives. But alone Natren probiotics consistently meet the strict criteria necessary to survive stomach acid, reach the small intestine, and stay alive until expiration.
Without powerful probioticsyou risk wasting time and money. When you heal, every step is important.
Diet as a healing tool
Healing of the digestive tract needs food that is easy to digest. Many SIBO patients turn to the low FODMAP diet, or even the specific carbohydrate diet. Although these can help reduce digestive symptomsthey are not long-term solutions.
From my own experience and hundreds of thousands of my readers, I recommend the following:
- Cooked vegetables: zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, peeled cucumber.
- Cooked fruit: apples, pears, peaches, papaya.
- Simple carbohydrates: organic white rice or Japanese Haiga rice.
- Bone broth: rich in gelatin; healing for the intestinal wall.
- Healthy fats: butter, ghee, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or pasture-raised lard or tallow.
Avoid raw foods during the healing phase. Raw products carry bacteria and are more difficult to digest intestinal motility has been affected.
This approach may feel limiting at first. But remember: it is one short-term elimination diet designed to calm your system while you repair it gut microbiome.
I have also written a detailed blog on how to use an elemental diet to treat SIBO and IBS
Herbal antimicrobials
When it comes to cleaning up harmful bacteria, herbal antimicrobials can be as effective as pharmaceutical products, with fewer side effects.
- Wild oregano oil has strong antimicrobial properties. It kills bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses and even certain parasites.
- Other herbal medicines include olive leaf, garlic, neem and grapefruit seed extract.
- Unlike antibiotics, these herbs work more gently and provide long-term support gut health. But you still need to take probiotics to replace the bacteria you kill; this prevents secondary or opportunistic infections.
In clinical trials, herbal supplements performed as well as rifaximin in SIBO patients. This is encouraging news for many.
The role of intestinal motility
A healthy one migrating motor complex (MMC) causes food to move through the digestive tract. When motility slows, food stagnates and bacteria multiply.
Common causes of slow motility include:
- Low thyroid function
- Chronic stress
- Low stomach acid
- Hormone imbalances
Supporting healthy motility means:
Without normalizing motility, SIBO often returns, even after strict diets or herbal therapy.
Tackling nutrient deficiencies
Due to malabsorption, many SIBO patients suffer from nutrient deficiencies.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is common, leading to fatigue, mood swings and neurological problems.
- Vitamin D And fatty acids also play a key role overall health and immunity.
- If your body doesn’t absorb nutrients, your cells can’t rebuild properly.
Correcting these deficiencies, using a therapeutic nutrient blend such as MultiAbsorb Daily Essentialalong with crucial minerals such as Bone matrixis part of the long-term restoration of equilibrium.
Emotional health and the gut-brain connection
The intestines are often referred to as the ‘second brain’. Many with SIBO also present anxiety, depression and stress.
That’s because the intestines produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin. When the microbiome is disrupted, your mood can spiral.
That’s why I created free tools for you, such as:
Stress management techniques are not optional. They are critical to healing. Without addressing stress, the digestive system cannot fully recover.
Laboratory tests: useful or misleading?
While tests like the SIBO breath test or stool test may be useful, they are not the ultimate measure of healing.
In one study, 70% of patients reported significant relief from symptoms, even though their breath tests remained abnormal.
That’s why I encourage you: don’t let a lab result override your body’s signals. Listen to your symptoms. Trust how your body feels.
My recommended healing protocol for SIBO
Based on decades of experience, here’s a summary protocol natural SIBO treatment:
- Diet reset: start with cooked, softening foods and possibly the elemental diet under supervision.
- Herbal antimicrobials: wild oregano oil and others antimicrobial herbs to reduce overgrowth.
- Probiotics: to suggest good bacteria every day gut microbiome.
- Digestive enzymes: supports low stomach acid levels and improves absorption.
- Dietary supplements: correct deficiencies such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
- Lifestyle changes: manage stress, avoid alcohol, reduce exposure to toxins.
- Long-term support: Continue probiotics, mind/body therapy and a balanced diet to prevent recurrence.
Final thoughts
After decades of working in natural healing, one truth stands out: the body can heal itself if given the right tools.
SIBO is not a life sentence. By addressing the causefeeding digestive tractusing a good mind/body therapyand restoring balance with herbal treatments, probiotics and dietary changescan help you move from chronic symptoms to lasting health.
If you want more guidance, watch or listen to the full podcast episode with Natasha above.
And remember: listen to your gut. It always knows the way.
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Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert in the field of natural healing of digestive diseases. She cured herself of widespread Crohn’s disease and has been drug and surgery free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcast, TV and radio programs in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, giving people hope and vision on how to heal their colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), using all-natural methods. Her books on natural healing of digestive diseases have been sold in more than 80 countries worldwide. Jini is married and has 3 children, 9 sheep, 11 horses, 1 cat and 3 dogs.
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