Have you heard about SIBO before? What exactly is it and what can we do to heal it? Let’s dive into all things SIBO in this episode with Dr. Jason Piken and understand more about the gut-brain connection and its impact on hormonal health. You can find all the info and links about this episode at https://holisticwellness.ca/episode48 Topics Discussed in this Episode: What SIBO is and how people get it The symptoms that show up with SIBO How to test for SIBO What your diet should look like if you have SIBO What leaky gut is and how it impairs digestion and leads to inflammation Understanding the gut-brain axis Some healing strategies for acid reflux How to improve gut health overall Key Takeaways: There are hundreds of trillions of microbes that live in and on our body, and the vast majority of them should live in our gut, especially the large intestine. If there is a breakdown in the barrier system that separates the large intestine from the small intestine, microbes from the large intestine crawl up into the small intestine and live along the intestinal walls. If nothing is stopping them from migrating even further, they keep migrating up, and this is what we call SIBO, small intestine bacterial overgrowth. The symptom that you see the most when you have SIBO is bloating. The standard start of care for SIBO diet-wise is a low FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polysaccharides) Only 9% of your entire nervous system is capable of sensing pain, so it’s possible that you have SIBO but not feel the symptoms. But also some people with SIBO develop visceral hypersensitivity. The most common cause of SIBO outside of an infection in your gut is the use of antacids.   Action Steps: Consider getting tested for SIBO. If you have SIBO, work with a functional practitioner. And even if you’re not working on SIBO, when you get the right diet, it makes a world of difference. Prevent acid reflux by making sure your B12 levels are good; making sure your zinc status is good; and having L-glutamine, aloe, and licorice. Experiment with an elimination-reintroduction diet and understand how certain foods have been affecting you.   Jason said: “The problem with testing is testing is great but testing has false-negatives… And if you’re not with a doctor that understands how to interpret a SIBO test, they can actually see a false-positive.” “Everybody, no matter what your health status is, should play with, experiment with an elimination-reintroduction diet… If you feel wonderful eating that way for a number of weeks, fantastic, you’ve learned something.”   Thanks for listening! Important Announcements: If you have any questions, connect with me over on Instagram, @holisticwellnessfoodie. And it would mean so much if you would leave us a rating or a review over on iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher, or whichever platform you’re listening to us on. Take a screenshot of your review and email it over to us, and get our FREE 3-Day Hormone Balancing Meal Plan.   Links to things we talk about in the show: Better!: 11 Simple Habits to Improve Your Life by Jason Piken Learn more about the 7-Week Fast Track to Healing Leaky Gut Program here Get the FREE SIBO eBook Recommended Products: *Designs for Health PurePaleo Protein Metagenics Candibactin-AR Atrantil   Where you can find Dr. Jason Piken: Jason's Website Jason's Instagram (@drjasonpiken)Jason's Facebook   Where you can find me: Samantha’s Facebook Samantha’s Instagram Samantha’s Website Samantha’s Twitter Holistic Wellness Private Community on Facebook   How you can work with me: 6 Week Healthy Hormones for Women Intensive - Use the coupon code PODCAST at checkout to save 60%. Healing & Dealing with Hashi’s   Sponsor Link: *Holisticwellness Shop  - Save 15% off ALL supplements on shop.holisticwellness.ca with coupon code - SAVE15