#Small intestine bacterial overgrowth series#

These waves occur in cycles, playing a housekeeping role, clearing the small intestine of remnants of food and bacteria left behind during peristalsis and segmentation contraction. Regulation of the MMC is complex, requiring the release of many hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as the activity of the enteric and autonomic nervous systems.2 This contraction moves through the stomach and small intestine, towards the ileocaecal valve.

During periods of fasting, a migrating motor complex (MMC) occurs approximately every 90-120 minutes to sweep residual debris through the GI tract.1 The migrating motor complex (MMC) is a pattern of gut contraction that creates movement through the gut when it is empty.

Segmentation contraction is a type of intestinal motility which occurs in the small and large intestine, predominantly in the former.

#Small intestine bacterial overgrowth series#

It is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that propels foodstuffs through the oesophagus and intestines Peristalsis begins in the oesophagus when a bolus of food is swallowed.Three patterns of motility are seen – known as peristalsis, segmentation contraction and the migrating motor complex (MMC)

It decreases the potential for SIBO by ensuring that food particles and bacteria are moved through the digestive tract, rather than accumulating in the small intestine. Poor motility – normal gastrointestinal motility involves a complex, tightly coordinated series of events designed to move material through. If stomach acid is low then excess bacteria can colonise the small intestine. Low stomach acid – hydrochloric acid in the stomach plays many roles, one of which is to sterilise food that has been consumed. The causes of SIBO seem to be multi-faceted but have been mainly attributed to: vitamins A, D, E and K) as well as diarrhoea caused by excess fat in the stool They are also able to de-conjugate bile acids from fat (bile is essential for emulsifying fat to allow it to be absorbed) this can lead to poor fat absorption and therefore deficiency of essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins (i.e.

Consume food which has not been absorbed due to epithelial lining damage this continues the overgrowth (a vicious cycle).

This can cause food intolerances/sensitivities Undigested food particles, can enter the body and trigger immune activation.

Cause damage to the small intestine leading to malabsorption and potentially the onset of ‘leaky gut’, a trigger for systemic disease.

Remove B12 from intrinsic factor, which is required for B12 absorption, and therefore SIBO is associated with B12 deficiency.Excess gas can also cause belching and flatulence The gas causes abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea or both (also symptoms of IBS). Ferment dietary sugars and carbohydrates which leads to a build-up of gas.SIBO occurs when bacteria colonise the small intestine and then overgrow (this overgrowth is referred to as a dysbiosis). In a healthy individual, the small intestine, whilst not necessarily completely sterile, should have a very low count of bacteria.

These bacteria normally live in the large intestine but have abnormally overgrown in a location not meant for so many bacteria. SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This article will review what SIBO is, its causes, how it is identified and dietary and supplemental interventions to address the underlying cause. It is more prevalent than previously believed, and occurs in many people suffering from IBS and certain other conditions.1 Recently, researchers have acknowledged another digestive disorder: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO. Diagnoses of leaky gut syndrome, Crohn’s, coeliac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) continue to grow. Millions of people suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and distress each year.