Ep 066: SIBO Symptoms and Solutions

Struggling with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or "food baby" bloat after meals has become so common it's considered "normal."  In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, sits down with Dr. Arland Hill, DC, MPH, DACBN—Director of Clinical Education at Biotics Research and a 25-year leader in functional medicine—to demystify SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). You'll learn what SIBO is, why it keeps relapsing, and how a root-cause, functional approach can calm symptoms and restore, not just gut health, but overall vitality, for the long haul.

They cover the classic SIBO symptoms (bloating, abdominal pain, gas, constipation/diarrhea), how gut inflammation fuels brain inflammation (the gut–brain axis), and why quick fixes—like "nuking" the microbiome or leaning on a low-FODMAP diet—often miss the mark. Dr. Hill explains the body's three antimicrobial digestive secretions—stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, and bile—plus motility and stress regulation, and how a phased strategy (reduce overgrowth → rebuild defenses → replete what SIBO depleted) can break the relapse cycle. They also discuss targeted probiotics (including Saccharomyces boulardii), when botanicals or antibiotics like rifaximin enter the picture, and why "just eating real, nutrient-dense food" and how you eat (meal spacing, slow, mindful chewing) can be as powerful as what you eat.

Whether you've tried "everything" or you're just starting to connect the dots, this conversation gives you a practical roadmap to move beyond masking symptoms and start building foundations.

What you'll learn

• SIBO 101: definition, symptoms, and why it's so common

• The gut–brain connection: how stress and inflammation impact motility & mood

• Why long-term low-FODMAP isn't a SIBO solution

• The role of acid, enzymes, and bile in controlling overgrowth

• Relapse prevention: phased protocols, motility support, and targeted probiotics

• Real-food nutrition, meal timing, and simple lifestyle upgrades that help

Additional Resources:

Ep 11: Digestive Hell (Learn DIGESTION from the NTA's founder, Gray Graham)

Bristol Stool Chart

 

NOTE: While we generally avoid direct affiliation/sales/commissions of products mentioned on the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, we've decided to make these SIBO kits available for purchase. In the spirit of full transparency, there will be a commission paid out to Jamie/The NTA if these items are purchased from Jamie's e-Store.

 

To purchase, you must go HERE and create an account using this code: DFILC213

 

These are the SIBO Kits Dr. Hill mentioned:

 

SIBO Kit Phase 1 (30-Day Program)

SIBO Kit Phase 2 (90-Day Program)

Saccharomyces boulardii

Common Sense Disclaimer: As always, consult your trusted medical practitioner.

 

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