When I was first diagnosed with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), I finally had a name for what my body had been trying to tell me for months — but that was only the beginning of a very personal and transformative healing journey.
SIBO happens when bacteria that should normally live in the large intestine start growing and multiplying in the small intestine, where they don’t belong.
This overgrowth interferes with digestion and absorption, leading to bloating, pain, gas, nutrient deficiencies, and often a sense that your body is working against you.
For me, it wasn’t just bloating.
It was nights without sleep, when I could feel my bowels constantly moving, intense sweating, and a deep feeling that my whole system was exhausted.
I didn’t feel like myself — I was tired, restless, and often couldn’t even be around people. My gut — and my nervous system — were completely out of balance.
How It All Started
After months of discomfort and confusion, I went through a gastroscopy and a SIBO breath test with famous gastroenterologist, which confirmed Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
I was prescribed Rifaximin, a commonly used antibiotic for SIBO.
Initially, I experienced some relief — but soon, the symptoms returned, even stronger than before.
Antibiotics can sometimes provide short-term improvement, but they also destroy the beneficial microflora that protect digestion and immunity.
My gut was already depleted, and after the antibiotic course, my immune system had no energy left to fight. My digestion slowed, fatigue worsened, and my overall vitality dropped.
That’s when I knew I needed to look deeper — to understand WHY my body had developed SIBO in the first place.
Understanding the Root Cause
At that stage, I was already studying at the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM), but I didn’t yet have the depth of knowledge or experience to treat myself.
So, I began working with a highly experienced Nutritional Therapist (CNM diploma) who guided me through a more holistic and functional approach to healing.
To understand what was really happening inside my body, I ran a GI-MAP stool test with Nordic Labs.
The results showed both SIBO and E. coli overgrowth, confirming ongoing imbalance, inflammation, and poor digestive function.
This was a turning point.
I realised that SIBO wasn’t just about “too much bacteria.”
It was a reflection that my entire digestive ecosystem — motility, liver detoxification, immune function, and nervous system — needed support and rebalancing.
With the help of my nutritional therapist, I followed a structured, evidence-based protocol that focused on rebuilding, not suppressing.
Botanical Antimicrobials
- Biocare Microclear and NutriCandex SIBO — herbal blends with oregano, thyme, and caprylic acid.
- Oregano oil and Black cumin seed oil — powerful natural antimicrobials with research-backed activity against bacterial and fungal overgrowth, including E. coli.
Microbiome Rebalance & Support
- Rotating Biocare Acidophilus, Replete, Garden of Life Women’s, and Biokult probiotics to restore diversity and strengthen the gut barrier.
- Megapre — a prebiotic that nourishes beneficial bacteria and helps maintain long-term microbiome balance after antimicrobials or antibiotics.
Digestive & Nutrient Support
- Digestive enzymes and Biorevive Mucin to enhance absorption and repair the intestinal lining.
- Omega-3s, Biocare Female Multiple, vitamin D, and vitamin C to correct deficiencies and support immune recovery.
Immune & Liver Detox Support
- Manuka honey (500 MGO) and Elderberry extract — a powerful immune-balancing combination that supports the body’s natural defences while helping reduce inflammation and microbial load.
- Broccolox and Invivo Endoclear — to promote liver detoxification, bile flow, and the elimination of bacterial toxins, essential for maintaining digestive and systemic balance.
Lifestyle & Nervous System Work
- A restorative sleep routine, mindful eating, gentle movement, and emotional balance — because the gut heals best when the body feels safe.
- Vagus nerve activation, breathwork, and mindfulness to calm the gut-brain axis and regulate motility.
Nutrition Foundations for Gut Healing
During my healing journey, diet played a key role in calming inflammation, supporting digestion, and restoring balance. I focused on:
- Whole, plant-based foods — plenty of colourful vegetables, fruits, whole grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and brown rice, plus legumes and lentils to feed beneficial bacteria.
- Quality protein with each meal — such as eggs, fish, pulses, or plant-based proteins, a palm-sized portion per meal.
- Hydration — warm water with lemon or fresh celery juice to support digestion and detox pathways, 2 L of water per day.
- Natural antimicrobials — turmeric with black pepper before meals, and herbs like oregano or thyme in cooking.
- Mineral balance — Brazil nuts (selenium), pumpkin seeds (zinc), and seaweed flakes for iodine to nourish thyroid and metabolic health.
- Rainbow —five portions of vegetables and two of fruit daily for antioxidants and fibre diversity.
- Avoiding inflammatory triggers — red meat, processed sugar, and cow’s dairy to ease digestive load and inflammation.
- Fermented foods — sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi several times per week to naturally boost beneficial bacteria.
This gentle, nutrient-dense way of eating helped stabilised my energy, supported detoxification, and rebuilt my microbiome from the inside out.
Results & Reflection
Healing didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen — slowly, layer by layer.
My sleep improved, the uncomfortable internal “movement” stopped, and the constant bloating subsided.
I regained my energy, my calm, and my confidence.
SIBO taught me that healing isn’t about fighting bacteria — it’s about rebuilding the environment that allows your body to thrive.
My Takeaway Message
Antibiotics can have their place, but when used alone on an already depleted system, they often exhaust the microbiome and immune function even more.
True healing is about restoration, not eradication — supporting digestion, nourishing the microbiome, and creating the right environment for the body to recover naturally.
Healing means restoring balance, not killing everything inside you.