SIBO Root Causes: Why It Keeps Coming Back (and How to Fix It for Good)

If you’ve been struggling with chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or gut discomfort, you might have heard of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). But what exactly is SIBO, why does it happen, and—most importantly—how do you get rid of it for good without extreme diets like carnivore?

Let’s break it down.

What Is SIBO?

SIBO happens when too many bacteria grow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong. Your gut naturally has bacteria, but most of them should be in the large intestine—not the small intestine. When these bacteria overgrow in the wrong place, they ferment carbohydrates from your food, producing gas (hydrogen, methane, or hydrogen sulfide).

This leads to:
✅ Severe bloating (often getting worse throughout the day)
✅ Constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both
✅ Food intolerances (especially to carbs, fiber, and sugar)
✅ Burping, acid reflux, or nausea
✅ Fatigue and brain fog

Many people with SIBO feel like they’ve tried everything—elimination diets, probiotics, digestive enzymes—but nothing seems to fully fix it. That’s because SIBO is often a symptom of a deeper issue, not the root cause itself.

What Causes SIBO? The Real Root Issues

SIBO doesn’t just happen randomly. It’s usually caused by underlying gut dysfunctions that allow bacteria to overgrow. Here are the most common root causes:

1. Low Stomach Acid

Your stomach acid is like the first line of defense against bacteria. If it’s too low, bacteria from food or the mouth aren’t killed off, allowing them to travel to the small intestine and overgrow.

➡️ Common signs of low stomach acid: burping, acid reflux, feeling full after small meals, undigested food in stool.

2. Slow Gut Motility (a.k.a. Sluggish Digestion)

Your small intestine should naturally "sweep" bacteria down into the large intestine with a movement called the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC). If your gut motility is too slow, bacteria sit in the small intestine too long and multiply.

➡️ Common causes of slow motility: stress, hypothyroidism, past gut infections, food poisoning, or nervous system dysregulation.

3. Gut Infections or Past Food Poisoning

Have you ever had food poisoning or a bad stomach bug? The toxins from these infections can damage the nerves that control digestion, leading to chronic motility issues and an increased risk of SIBO.

➡️ If you've had food poisoning in the past and still struggle with bloating, this could be a major clue!

4. Bile Flow & Liver Dysfunction

Your liver produces bile, which helps digest fats and prevent bacterial overgrowth. If bile flow is sluggish, bacteria have an easier time overgrowing in the small intestine.

➡️ Common signs of poor bile flow: nausea after fatty meals, floating stools, bloating after eating, hormone imbalances.

5. Stress & Nervous System Imbalances

Your gut and brain are directly connected. Chronic stress, past trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can slow digestion, weaken gut function, and allow bacteria to overgrow.

➡️ If you've been under long-term stress, your gut might be paying the price.

How to Heal SIBO

Many people try extreme diets like carnivore or low-FODMAP to "starve" bacteria. While this can provide short-term relief, it doesn’t fix the root cause. Here’s what actually works:

✅ Support stomach acid with apple cider vinegar, digestive bitters, or HCl supplements (under guidance).
✅ Improve gut motility with ginger, magnesium, and a prokinetic supplement if needed.
✅ Balance bile flow with bitter foods, taurine, and supporting liver health.
✅ Address underlying stress and nervous system health (this is huge for long-term gut healing!).
✅ Work on gut detoxification—if bacteria are dying off, you need to clear out toxins effectively.

Healing SIBO isn’t just about cutting out foods. It’s about getting your gut to function properly again so bacteria don’t overgrow in the first place.

You Don’t Have to Live With Bloating Forever

If you’re dealing with SIBO and don’t want to spend your life on restrictive diets, there’s hope. The key is understanding why your body developed SIBO in the first place and addressing those root causes.

🌿 Ready for real support and a step-by-step plan to heal your gut? Apply to work with me inside The Bloat Free Method, my 3-month group coaching program where I help women uncover the root causes of their gut issues and finally feel normal again. Apply here!