Low Carb Diet For SIBO
When dealing with SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth managing your diet is essential. There are several different diets out there designed to help with the treatment of the condition and the low carbohydrates diet is one of them.
Carbohydrates are good for our body but they can become harmful to the body when dealing with conditions such as SIBO. This is because the beneficial bacteria in our gut feed on the carbs, as well as sugar. When dealing with an overgrowth of bacteria consuming a high amount of carbs means you’re simply feeding the overgrowth with healthy portions of carbs. As mentioned previously, carbohydrates are beneficial, they are necessary in order for our body to function properly. Here are what a healthy amount of carbs actually does for the body.
Benefits of Carbohydrates
There are whole carbs and refined carbs. Whole carbs contain fiber and refined carbs have been processed stripping them of their natural fiber. It’s best to avoid refined carbohydrates because there is nothing special they have to offer. There might be other vitamins and minerals in the foods but not carbohydrates.
Where To Find Whole Carbohydrates
- Vegetables
- Whole Fruits
- Potatoes
- Legumes
- Whole Grains
When people with SIBO consume a low-carb diet what is actually happening is the bacteria are being starved from their primary source of food. Limiting the carb intake can result in killing off some of the excess bacteria and allowing time for the gut to heal.
A low carbohydrates diet or any diet for that matter can not cure small intestinal bacterial overgrowth but it can ease SIBO symptoms, as well as, providing the proper healing time the gut needs in order to begin repairing itself. In order to actually cure SIBO it is important to use natural SIBO treatment which consists of SIBO antibiotics, SIBO supplements, and diet management. Your diet changes are only a portion of what it takes to heal your gut. Our brains may give the signals to the rest of the body in order for it to function and things like that but our gut houses over half of our immune response system that we need to heal and stay healthy. A healthy gut is a happy gut and a happy gut means a healthier you!