In my practice, I’ve noticed that clients with both h. pylori (bacterial infection of the stomach) and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), experience a huge improvement in digestive symptoms after treating h. pylori only.
I observed this many times but never looked for a scientific explanation for this backed up studies. Until now. When I looked, I found 3 studies that substantiate my clinical experience.
The reason is as expected and what I’ve told you before.
Low stomach acid can lead to bacterial or fungal overgrowth in the small intestine. When you don’t digest your food fully, it doesn’t absorb into the small intestinal walls to feed you, instead becoming a feast for microbes.
I wrote a book about h. pylori and a book about SIBO. The books are full of recipes and remedies for both conditions and go in depth about how to support both conditions naturally, without the use of antibiotics that can potentially weaken the biome and make things worse, thus increasing inflammation.
Low stomach acid
While many things cause low stomach acid, like stress or lack of minerals, H. pylori is a leading cause of low stomach acid. When it’s eradicated and stomach acid rebounds, in some cases the small intestine is able to correct the SIBO with natural bile flow from the liver. Bile acts like an antibacterial detergent for the small intestine, clearing out overgrowth. And the immune system finishes the job.
For this to happen, you have to have healthy bile flow, which not everyone does. Liver support is the answer to that problem.
Below are three scientific studies that validate what I observed with clients.
Study 1 highlights available evidence on the relationship between H. pylori infection and SIBO, as well as their association with other pathologies.
Study 2 looks at the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection and its eradication on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Study 3 concludes that a Helicobacter pylori infection was associated with higher prevalence of SIBO and IMO, both of which led to more pronounced abdominal symptoms. H. pylori eradication also achieved therapeutic effects on SIBO and IMO (intestinal methane overgrowth) accompanied by relief of abdominal symptoms.
The problem with H. pylori testing
Many people with H. pylori, don’t realize they have it because the test they did at their doctors office was always negative. When my clients took the GI Map, they were surprised to find themselves positive for H. pylori.
While the GI Map is the best test for H. pylori, it is also not perfect at catching an infection that hides itself under biofilm and sheds unevenly in the stool.
There are however clues on the GI Map that H. pylori is there, even when it doesn’t show up. I have written about the specific markers in my guide and in past blog posts.
The missing link for SIBO may be eradicating h. pylori
If you have a case of SIBO that does not go away, despite treatment. Turning your attention towards stomach acid and testing for H. pylori may be promising.
With SIBO it is always important to get to the root of what is driving it.
You can treat and eradicate SIBO, but if the root cause is low stomach acid, it will likely return and symptoms will not go away.
Bottom line for SIBO
If you have SIBO, test for H. pylori or find the root cause of low stomach acid. Your body may be lacking the minerals to make enough or you may be living in fight of flight.
Stress flares H. pylori and thus SIBO.
Disrupted motility (also a nervous system issue) is the other primary root cause of SIBO. It is important to support motility with prokinetic agents (herbal or prescription) and leave 3 to 4 hours between eating (meals or snacking).
Motility refers to the migrating motor complex (MMC) in the small intestine. It has nothing to do with bowel movements and can’t be supported by magnesium or laxatives.
Focusing on stomach acid (h. pylori) and nervous system regulation may be all you need to clear a mild or moderate case of SIBO. And then your body can take over from there.
Add in some liver support if you want to cover all your bases.
This of course, is easier said than done. There are more root causes for SIBO (have a comprehensive list in my SIBO guide) Other common root causes of SIBO are antibiotics, intestinal adhesions or a slow thyroid. I think trauma is also a big one.
My upcoming course, the Self Healing Body, features all the testing, nervous system work and root cause sleuthing that will make it much easier to heal the gut without endless supplements.
I know how traumatic it is to lose your health and quality of life and feel helpless. You are not. Knowledge is power. Support can keep you moving forward when you want to give up. Through your own efforts, science-based research and good support you can and will get to the other side of what ails you.
The worst part about SIBO and H. pylori is the anxiety the both cause (for different reasons). As the first study mentioned, and I have written about. The symptoms for H.pylori and SIBO often overlap. And they have a symbiotic relationship.
For example, the gases produced by the SIBO bacteria can feed and fuel H. pylori bacteria.
Next steps
Now that you are empowered with this knowledge what are the next steps you can take?
You can take the GI Map to test for H. pylori. If that is negative you can take a hair tissues mineral analysis test to for low stomach acid. I offer both tests in my practice.
You can also support stomach acid and bile flow. I have written many blog posts on how to do that. And there’s more info in my guides.
Support bile flow by eating green and bitter foods, taking Tudca or doing castor oil packs or coffee enemas.
And if you already know that you have both, remember that the order in which you address SIBO and H. pylori matter. H. pylori should always be addressed first (not at the same time or after your SIBO protocol).
If you have any questions get in touch through the sidebar on my website.
Hope this helps you understand your body better and how H. pylori is connected to SIBO.