It’s no secret that antibiotics are one of the most common treatments for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), but a recent study reported better control of bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine (SIBO) with repeated monthly 10-day courses of antibiotics than a single 10-day course of an antibiotic.
“This is exactly what I have discovered in my approach to controlling SIBO. The study mentioned rifaximin’s (Xifaxan, U.S.) effectiveness against SIBO but did not use it because it was unavailable in France, where the patients were treated. I believe the primary reason for frequent relapsing is slow intestinal forward motility, most often due to autonomic nervous system damage. I have found that some patients have such slow motility that they will relapse within 1-2 weeks after finishing the previous round and require continuous rifaximin.” – Dr. Patrick Nemechek, founder of The Nemechek Protocol.
The Nemechek Protocol reduces chronic inflammation using vagus nerve stimulation, fish oil, olive oil, and frequent rounds of rifaximin as needed, allowing the autonomic nervous system to repair itself. Within a few months, motility often improves the frequency of bacterial overgrowth relapses, and the need for rifaximin declines.
What is SIBO?
SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, refers to a condition in which there is an abnormally high number of bacteria in the small intestine. This bacterial overgrowth can cause a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, including cramping, bloating, gas, and other gastrointestinal issues. The exact causes of SIBO are not entirely clear, though some factors that are believed to contribute include bacterial infection, poor diet, low stomach acidity, and certain health conditions like Crohn’s disease or diabetes. Treatments like antibiotics and dietary changes can help manage the condition and reduce its associated symptoms. In the long run, recovering from SIBO often involves making lifestyle changes that can help to prevent it from recurring in the future.
