Written by Lisa Edmondson – BHsNursing, Masters in Health Coaching, Post Grad Dip Public Health, Post Grad Dip Education
Digestive symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, excess gas, diarrhoea, or a constant feeling of fullness are often brushed off as “just a sensitive gut.” But for many people, these symptoms point to something more specific: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, commonly known as SIBO.
At Global Health, we see digestive health as the foundation of whole-body wellbeing. Your gut doesn’t work in isolation — it influences immunity, energy, hormones, mood, and even how your body responds to food. Understanding why symptoms are happening is the first step toward lasting relief.
What Is SIBO?
SIBO occurs when bacteria that normally live in the large intestine migrate and overgrow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong. The small intestine is designed for nutrient absorption, not fermentation. When bacteria set up camp there, they ferment carbohydrates too early in digestion, producing excess gas and inflammation.
Common symptoms of SIBO include:
- Bloating and abdominal fullness
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea (often watery)
- Excess wind
- Fatty or floating stools
- Unexplained weight loss
Because these symptoms overlap with IBS and other gut conditions, SIBO is often missed or misdiagnosed.
Why Gut Bacteria Matter More Than You Think
It may surprise you to learn that around half the cells in your body are bacterial. Collectively, these microorganisms form your gut microbiome — a unique ecosystem that plays a role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune regulation, inflammation, and even food cravings.
Some bacteria support health; others can drive symptoms when they grow out of balance. Stress, antibiotics, sugar intake, infections, medications, and diet all influence this balance. When the microbiome is disrupted, digestive symptoms are often one of the first signs.
This is why a “one-size-fits-all” gut plan rarely works.
SIBO and Nutrient Deficiencies
When bacteria interfere with digestion and absorption, the body may struggle to take in essential vitamins and minerals. Over time, untreated SIBO can contribute to:
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nerve symptoms such as tingling or numbness
- Bone loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Poor immune resilience
Supporting gut health isn’t just about reducing symptoms — it’s about protecting long-term health.
The Role of Diet in Managing SIBO
Dietary changes are a cornerstone of SIBO management. Certain carbohydrates are more easily fermented by bacteria, particularly:
- Lactose
- Fructose
- FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols)
When these foods are fermented in the small intestine, they produce gas — leading to bloating, discomfort, and pain.
Many people are surprised to learn that some very healthy foods can worsen SIBO symptoms, while others are better tolerated. This is where personalised guidance becomes essential.
The Low FODMAP Approach
The Low FODMAP diet, developed by researchers at Monash University, is the most researched dietary approach for SIBO and IBS-type symptoms. It typically involves three phases:
- Restriction – temporarily reducing high-FODMAP foods
- Reintroduction – systematically testing foods to identify triggers
- Personalisation – creating a sustainable, symptom-friendly diet
The goal is not long-term restriction, but clarity and balance.
Foods That Are Often Better Tolerated with SIBO
While tolerance is individual, many people do better with:
- Vegetables like carrots, zucchini, green beans, pumpkin, lettuce, cucumber, and sweet potato
- Rice, gluten-free or spelt bread, and gluten-free pasta
- Fruits such as bananas, berries, citrus, kiwi, grapes, and pineapple
- Protein sources including eggs, fish, poultry, nuts, and seeds
Insoluble fibre is often better tolerated than soluble fibre, as SIBO bacteria don’t ferment it as readily.
Why Personalisation Matters: The Epigenetics Connection
At Global Health, we go beyond symptom lists and generic diet plans.
Our Epigenetics Hair Analysis provides insight into how your body is responding to:
- Nutrient demands
- Digestive stress
- Inflammatory patterns
- Microbial imbalance
Rather than guessing which foods or supplements may help, epigenetic analysis allows us to tailor gut health support to your unique biochemical needs. This is particularly valuable for people with SIBO, where food tolerance can vary dramatically from person to person.
By understanding how your genes are being expressed in response to lifestyle, diet, and stress, we can create more precise, sustainable gut health strategies.
A Whole-Body Approach to Gut Health
SIBO management often includes a combination of:
- Targeted dietary changes
- Support for gut motility and digestion
- Microbiome-balancing strategies
- Addressing underlying contributors such as stress or inflammation
When needed, this may be done alongside medical care, ensuring a safe and integrated approach.
Supporting Your Gut, Supporting Your Health
Digestive symptoms are not something you just have to “live with.” They are messages from your body — and when we listen closely, they can guide us toward meaningful change.
At Global Health, we’re passionate about helping people understand their gut, personalise their nutrition, and restore balance from the inside out. If you’re struggling with ongoing digestive symptoms, exploring your gut health through an epigenetic lens may be a powerful next step.