The bottom line. So, the bottom line is that there are strong cases for both why SIBO can cause weight gain, and why it may make you lose weight. As always, if you are struggling with your weight after a diagnosis with SIBO, it's best to consult your doctor first, before making changes to your diet.
The recovery of intestinal cells after SIBO therapy can help absorb nutrients, thus contributing to weight gain. Therefore, rifaximin therapy may help normalize intestinal motility and improve the absorption capacity of carbohydrates, thus contributing to gain weight.
Beyond malnutrition, the gut microbiome disruption that occurs with SIBO can lead to a slower metabolism, hormonal imbalances, and weight loss resistance.
Researchers analysed the blood plasma and stool samples of 600 obese and non-obese people, and found 19 different metabolites linked to four types of gut bacteria that could lead to weight gain, including glutamate, linked to obesity, and BCAAs (branched chain amino acids), associated with higher insulin secretion and ...
Clinical Manifestations
Symptoms of SIBO are nonspecific and include bloating, abdominal distension, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness. The frequency and severity of symptoms likely reflect both the degree of bacterial overgrowth along with the extent of mucosal inflammation.
Bloating is a common symptom in SIBO. Apart from bloating, other common symptoms of SIBO include abdominal pain, nutrient insufficiency (e.g. B12 or iron), aching joints, excessive gas, belching, diarrhoea or constipation.
Common symptoms of SIBO, including gas and bloating, abdominal pain and distension are uncomfortable enough. But left unmanaged, SIBO can cause more serious complications with long-term consequences. Malabsorption of fats, proteins and carbohydrates can lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.
Though most digestive health conditions cause weight loss, a few can lead to weight gain or bloating.
This Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio is associated with an increase in low-grade inflammation and greater extraction of energy from food, which can lead to elevated blood sugar and fat levels that damage the blood vessels and cause inflammation. Both of these markers are associated with overweight and obesity.
Many people who have SIBO don't realize their symptoms are caused by bacterial overgrowth. Left untreated, SIBO can lead to serious complications including nutrient deficiencies, dehydration and malnutrition.
To treat SIBO, you need to get your gut bacteria back in balance. That should ease your symptoms and help your body absorb more nutrients from your food. The treatment might depend on the results of your breath test. If your sample had a lot of hydrogen in it, the main treatment is the antibiotic rifaximin (Xifaxan).
Over time SIBO can lead to chronic inflammation & immune conditions and could be putting you at risk for other ailments, including poor absorption of food and nutrients.
First, remove the foods that feed the bacteria in your small intestine — namely sugar, alcohol, and carbohydrates. In addition to the usual suspects, such as bread, cookies, cake, and cocktails, you'll want to eliminate complex carbohydrates including whole grains and legumes.
When patients suffer from excessive belching, they can belch acid from the stomach into the gullet, causing symptoms that mimic reflux-like heartburn. Flatulence/wind – again some wind is normal, after all everybody farts! Patients with SIBO are often very windy and the wind can be very smelly.
Fat: With SIBO, the bile acids responsible for the breakdown and absorption of fat are deficient. Fat malabsorption produces visible signs, including oily, smelly, and floating stools.
There are many reasons why people gain belly fat, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress. Improving nutrition, increasing activity, and making other lifestyle changes can help people lose belly fat. Belly fat refers to fat around the abdomen.
Gut bacteria and weight loss
People who had more bacteria that belonged to a group called Prevotella compared with those that belonged to the Bacteroides group lost weight and body fat more easily than people who had equal amounts of these bacteria.
During a SIBO flare-up, a wide range of gut health symptoms can increase or appear. This can involve an increase in symptoms such as bloating, an increase in gas and abdominal pain. It's also common for bowel patterns to alter.
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and help you stay energized. A low red blood cell count resulting from a B12 deficiency can cause feelings of weakness and fatigue. SIBO leads to other nutrient deficiencies as well, and can even prevent the absorption of amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates.