Why Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Rarely Occurs On Its Own

May 14, 2021

George Papanicolaou, a family medicine physician and functional medicine expert, discusses the complexities of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). He explains how SIBO often coexists with various health issues and the critical role of gut bacteria in overall wellness. The conversation highlights diagnostic techniques, including breath tests, and underscores the gut-brain connection. Papanicolaou advocates for a holistic treatment approach, blending lifestyle and dietary changes for better gut health and improved mental well-being.

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INSIGHT

SIBO Symptoms and Impact

SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, occurs when bacteria grow in the small intestine, causing discomfort.
Symptoms include bloating, distension, incomplete bowel movements, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and brain fog.

INSIGHT

SIBO and the Food Baby Analogy

SIBO is like fermenting food in the wrong place (Maine instead of Florida).
This causes gas, discomfort, and impacts nutrition, inflammation, leading to a gut-brain connection and affecting mental health.

INSIGHT

SIBO and the Microbiome

SIBO rarely occurs alone due to its connection to the gut microbiome.
A disrupted microbiome affects food processing, absorption, and immune responses, leading to leaky gut and food sensitivities.

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Why Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Rarely Occurs On Its Own | This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens

More than 500 different species of microbes live in our gut and our gut bacteria regulate many of our bodily functions, from creating vitamins to controlling our immune system, metabolism, brain function, and more. Simply put, they are critical to our long-term health. Imbalances in the gut ecosystem often trigger or exacerbate small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), along with many other issues.

In this mini-episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with Dr. George Papanicolaou to explain what SIBO is, how they diagnose and treat it in their patients, and why it is almost always paired with a number of other health issues. Dr. Hyman also shares his personal experience battling SIBO along with mercury poisoning.

George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine Practitioner. Upon graduation from his residency he joined the Indian Health Service. He worked on the Navajo reservation for 4 years at the Chinle Comprehensive Medical Facility where he served as the Outpatient Department Coordinator. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He practiced with a philosophy centered on personal relationships and treating the whole person, not just not the disease. He called that philosophy, “Whole Life Wellness”. Over time as the healthcare system made it harder for patients to receive this kind of personal care Dr. Papanicolaou decided a change was needed. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health—a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou to join The UltraWellness Center in 2017.

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. Athletic Greens is offering Doctor’s Farmacy listeners a full year supply of their Vitamin D3/K2 Liquid Formula free with your first purchase, plus 5 free travel packs. Just go to athleticgreens.com/hyman to take advantage of this great offer.

Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Dr. George Papanicolaou, “The Power Of Food To Heal Everything From Autoimmune Disease To Traumatic Brain Injury” here: https://DrMarkHyman.lnk.to/DrGeorgePapanicolaou