The goal oftreating SIBOis to restore an average balance ofgut bacteria.

It covers what to eat and avoid on a SIBO diet.

How the Elemental Diet Works for SIBO

Theelemental dietis aliquid dietor a powder mixed with water.

man drinking thick shake

Daniel Ingold / Cultura / Getty Images

It is often used for people who have trouble digesting food because they have compromised digestive systems.

Each formulation contains nutrients that are in an easy-to-digest form.

Typical formulations for the elemental diet include:

Different commercial variations of the elemental diet can bepurchased online.

The powdered mixes contain only essential nutritional ingredients, providing 150 to 300 calories or more.

Your healthcare provider can tell you how much you better get adequate nutrition.

No artificial flavors or colors are added to elemental diet mixes (which are only combined with water).

The beverage has a bland taste that many people find unpalatable.

Some experts suggest adding ice to give the drink texture, which can make it easier to drink.

For some people, this approach might be used for long-term maintenance.

During the elimination phase, avoid foods that arehigh in FODMAPs.

During this time, you may notice a decrease in your symptoms.

The next phase, the reintroduction process, is very important.

The time needed for this phase varies widely, depending on your symptoms.

The FODMAP diet is not intended for long-term use.

Many high-FODMAP foods are an important part of a nutritious, balanced diet.

Many also containprebiotics, which can help keep a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.

you’ve got the option to consume food according to a schedule that works best for you.

You may also bedeficient in ironor vitamin B12.

If you cant replenish your stores with food, you may need to take supplements.

Your treatment needs to be tailored to your symptoms and needs.

What Does Research Say About SIBO Diets?

The elemental and low-FODMAP diets are comfy approaches to SIBO.

The goal of these diets is to restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

University of Virginia Health System.Diet for those with symptomatic small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

Jabed Foyez Ahmed, Pritpal Padam, Ruban A.Aetiology, diagnosis and management of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

2019;10(10):e00078.

2004;49(1):73-77. doi:10.1023/b:ddas.0000011605.43979.e1

Functional Nutrition Library.Elemental diet sample.

Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio.Low FODMAP diet.

2017;11(2):196-208. doi:10.5009/gnl16126

IBS Diets.FODMAP food list.

2018;31(2):239-255. doi:10.1111/jhn.12530

Penn Medicine.SIBO.

Chang MS, Green PHR.A review of rifaximin and bacterial overgrowth in poorly responsive celiac disease.Therap Adv Gastroenterol.

2017;23(48):8591-8596. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i48.8591

International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Malabsorption.

2020;12(6):e8860.

2007;3(2):112122.

Sachdev AH, Pimentel M.Gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth: Pathogenesis and clinical significance.Ther Adv Chronic Dis.

2013;4(5):223231. doi:10.1177/2040622313496126MLA

Vanner S.The small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Irritable bowel syndrome hypothesis: implications for treatment.Gut.

2008;57(9), 13151321. doi:10.1136/gut.2007.133629