What Is SIBO? And Why Functional Medicine Might Be the Missing Link in Your Gut Health Journey

Samantha McMannis
Jun 30
2 min read

Have you been struggling with bloating, irregular digestion, or mysterious food sensitivities, even when you’re eating “healthy”? You might be dealing with something called SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, which is a condition that often flies under the radar in conventional care but plays a major role in gut health.

What Exactly Is SIBO?

SIBO occurs when too many bacteria grow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong in large numbers. This process occurs over time - it doesn't happen over night. These bacteria ferment the food you eat, especially carbohydrates, producing gas, inflammation, and a host of unpleasant symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

Bloating (especially after meals)
Gas and belching
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both
Nutrient deficiencies and fatigue
Food intolerances, particularly to FODMAPs or fiber-rich foods

“But I Eat So Healthy…” — How Diet Can Accidentally Worsen SIBO

Here’s the tricky part: many people with SIBO are actively trying to eat a nourishing, whole-foods-based diet. Unfortunately, some of the very foods promoted as “healthy” - like garlic, onions, beans, whole grains, and fermented foods - can feed the overgrowth in the small intestine. That’s why people often feel worse on plant-heavy or fiber-rich diets without understanding why.

Additionally, popular gut trends like probiotics, kombucha, or bone broth may be too stimulating for a gut in bacterial overgrowth mode. What works for one person may completely derail another with SIBO, highlighting the need for a personalized approach.

How Functional Medicine Can Help

At Downeast Wellness, we take a functional medicine approach - meaning we look at the why, not just the what. Instead of just treating symptoms, we focus on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of SIBO.

Our approach may include:

Comprehensive health history and symptom mapping
Guidance on dietary approaches, such as low-FODMAP or Elemental Diet phases
Supportive protocols using targeted herbs and nutrients
Strategies for gut lining support and microbial balance
Lifestyle coaching to improve motility, digestion, and nervous system regulation
Gut-healing protocols after the overgrowth is addressed

We also recognize the gut-brain connection, which is how stress, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can impact gut function. Understanding and addressing these layers is often the key to long-term healing.

You're Not Alone, and You're Not “Crazy”

SIBO can be frustrating, especially if you’ve been dismissed or told your symptoms are in your head. We’re here to say: they’re real, and they’re valid. And there are answers.

Just as SIBO often develops gradually, it can take time to resolve. But the good news is that many people begin noticing improvements within a few weeks of addressing it. The sooner you begin, the sooner your body can start the healing process.

If you suspect SIBO, or feel overwhelmed trying to manage your gut symptoms alone, reach out today. Our team can help guide you through the confusion, give you clarity, make the right referrals, and build a plan that supports your body’s natural healing process - starting with the gut.