Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)

I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. After 25 years of suffering I am finally feeling well. The Mayo put me through a round of 3 different antibiotics to kill the bacteria. I was told to begin taking Align Probiotic daily. Probiotics are very important in keeping the bad bacteria from taking over. I include probiotic rich foods in my diet daily in addition to the Align, such as Kefir, yogurt, Kombucha, supplemented juice blends. I no longer really need anti-nausea medicine, but I used to take Promethazine, which I found to work better than Zofran. I also found that a simple Gas-X chewable would often help with belching and bloating. SIBO creates an excessive amount of gas. I hope this helps, and that your wife feels better soon!

There's seems to be interest in the Special Carb Diet, but the Fructose Intolerance Diet is a bit different, based on what i read at the links given. So let me share what I know about the Fructose Intolerance Diet.

First, everyone on this string deserves a round of applause for their bravery, persistence, and fortitude. What you're dealing with is not easy and you deserve a medal or something!

My understanding of a fructose-avoidant diet is that you can't eat foods that have more fructose than glucose in them. If it's a 50/50 split, you can tolerate them. But when there's more fructose, you lose. In a bit I'll list a few no-no foods for fructose intolerants, but first a pro tip I found on a blog written by a fructose-free family. It may not be for everyone, but here goes: If you have to eat a food with a majority of fructose OR you don't know the exact fructose makeup of the food, you can eat Smarties or SweetTarts before you ingest that questionable food. These two candies are made of pure dextrose, which minimizes the impact of the fructose (essentially dilutes it). So we have used that strategy with success. BUT IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THAT MONOSACCHARIDE, don't try it. I am not a doctor.

Here are fructose-intensive foods to avoid: APPLES, PEARS, GRAPES, WATERMELON, mangoes, raisins, and all stone fruits, such as PEACHES, CHERRIES, NECTARINES, PLUMS, etc. Stone fruits contain sugar alcohols called propyls, and they cause intestinal distress for fructose-adverse people. Sugar alcohols include: maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol...all the -tol ending compounds. Again, check with your doctor. We also avoid saccharin, sucralose, and any other artificial sweetener.

Avoid fruit juices and blends as they usually contain apple, pear or grape juice or worse, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, which is poison, in my opinion.

Also avoid monosaccharide foods such as beans and legumes. They can cause misery.

Friendly fruits include: all berries (yay!), kiwi, citrus fruits, bananas. That's about it.

Most veggies are safe, but there are a few exceptions. Here's a good webpage on what's safe:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/foods-allowed-fructoserestricted-diet-1553.html
Last, sweeteners: NO HONEY, NO AGAVE NECTAR/SYRUP, but white sugar and maple syrup are ok.

When we were there a few years ago, the Mayo Clinic didn't have very great info on what was allowed, but it was somewhat helpful. I hope they have gotten better info for patients in the meantime. It's not a bad idea to seek out a nutritional counselor if such a thing exists where you live.

I hope that helps IF you find that fructose is the source of misery. If you have other sugar category issues, this could all be worthless info. This only helps if you are fructose intolerant. It's a pretty easy adjustment, but you need to read food labels for the rest of your days. And carry Smarties candies around just in case. : )

I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. After 25 years of suffering I am finally feeling well. The Mayo put me through a round of 3 different antibiotics to kill the bacteria. I was told to begin taking Align Probiotic daily. Probiotics are very important in keeping the bad bacteria from taking over. I include probiotic rich foods in my diet daily in addition to the Align, such as Kefir, yogurt, Kombucha, supplemented juice blends. I no longer really need anti-nausea medicine, but I used to take Promethazine, which I found to work better than Zofran. I also found that a simple Gas-X chewable would often help with belching and bloating. SIBO creates an excessive amount of gas. I hope this helps, and that your wife feels better soon!

I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. After 25 years of suffering I am finally feeling well. The Mayo put me through a round of 3 different antibiotics to kill the bacteria. I was told to begin taking Align Probiotic daily. Probiotics are very important in keeping the bad bacteria from taking over. I include probiotic rich foods in my diet daily in addition to the Align, such as Kefir, yogurt, Kombucha, supplemented juice blends. I no longer really need anti-nausea medicine, but I used to take Promethazine, which I found to work better than Zofran. I also found that a simple Gas-X chewable would often help with belching and bloating. SIBO creates an excessive amount of gas. I hope this helps, and that your wife feels better soon!

OMGosh, I have the same exact issues! My Gastro. is not very knowledgeable about SIBO and I am even surprised he knew to do a breath test. I live in Oklahoma where there is very little concern for health issues, so getting help is impossible!! He keeps treating me with X drug, like you (very expensive, I have no insurance), once it's gone, the issues starts again! It's like a viscous cycle and meantime my life sucks, low on energy lay around alot and afraid to eat for fear of an episode of stomach bloating. SOMEONE has got to get a hold on this and help us ALL!!