For over 25 years, I have worked with people struggling with digestive diseases. I’ve lived through my own healing journey and shared what works in my books and on Listen To Your Gut.

Today, I want to talk about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that is becoming more common, especially in young women.

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In this blog, I’ll share insights from my recent podcast with Natasha Trenev, founder of Natren probiotics and a true pioneer in gut health. Natasha has over 60 years of experience in this field.

Together, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to treatment of SIBO.

This isn’t just about bacteria in the small intestine. It’s about the digestive tract as a whole—how it functions, what causes disruption, and how we can bring it back into balance using natural treatments.

Watch the full episode of my conversation with Natasha Trenev below. You can watch the video:

Or listen to the podcast:

When most people hear SIBO, they think only of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. But SIBO is more complex.

In reality, the root cause of SIBO involves motility issues, immune dysfunction, food sensitivities, and stress. This is why so many people relapse after standard treatment.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotic treatment like rifaximin for SIBO. Yes, antibiotics can reduce symptoms. But here’s what I’ve seen:

In fact, Natasha and I both agree: relying on antibiotics alone is like putting a band-aid on a deep wound. It does not address dietary changes, lifestyle changes, or the need to replenish good bacteria.

In the treatment of SIBO, one of the most powerful steps is to restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut. But not all probiotics are created equal.

I’ve tested products around the world. From Germany to Japan, I looked for alternatives. But only Natren probiotics consistently meet the strict criteria needed to survive stomach acid, reach the small intestine, and stay alive through the expiration date.

Without potent probiotics, you risk wasting time and money. When you’re healing, every step matters.

Healing the digestive tract requires food that is easy to digest. Many SIBO patients turn to the low-FODMAP diet, or even the specific carbohydrate diet. While these can help reduce digestive symptoms, they are not long-term solutions.

From my own experience, and hundreds of thousands of my readers, I recommend:

Avoid raw foods during the healing phase. Raw produce carries bacteria and is harder to digest when gut motility is impaired.

This approach may feel restrictive at first. But remember, it’s a short-term elimination diet designed to calm your system while you repair the gut microbiome.

I have also written a detailed blog about how to use an Elemental Diet to treat SIBO & IBS

When it comes to clearing harmful bacteria, herbal antimicrobials can be as effective as pharmaceuticals—with fewer side effects.

In clinical trials, herbal supplements performed just as well as rifaximin in SIBO patients. For many, this is encouraging news.

A healthy migrating motor complex (MMC) keeps food moving through the digestive tract. When motility slows, food stagnates and bacteria multiply.

Common causes of slow motility include:

Supporting healthy motility means:

Without normalizing motility, SIBO often comes back even after strict diets or herbal therapy.

Because of malabsorption, many SIBO patients suffer from nutrient deficiencies.

Correcting these deficiencies, using a therapeutic nutrient blend like MultiAbsorb Daily Essential, along with crucial minerals like Bone Matrix, is part of restoring long-term balance.

The gut is often called the “second brain.” Many with SIBO also report anxiety, depression, and stress.

That’s because the gut produces neurotransmitters like serotonin. When the microbiome is disrupted, your mood can spiral.

This is why I created free tools for you, like:

Stress management techniques are not optional. They are central to healing. Without addressing stress, the digestive system cannot recover fully.

While tests like the SIBO breath test or stool test can be useful, they are not the ultimate measure of healing.

In one study, 70% of patients reported major symptom relief, even though their breath tests remained abnormal.

That’s why I encourage you: don’t let a lab result override your body’s signals. Listen to your symptoms. Trust how your body feels.

Based on decades of experience, here’s a summary protocol for natural SIBO treatment:

After decades of working in natural healing, one truth stands out: the body can heal itself when given the right tools.

SIBO is not a life sentence. By addressing the root cause, nourishing the digestive tract, using a good mind/body therapy, and restoring balance with herbal treatments, probiotics, and dietary changes, you can move from chronic symptoms to lasting health.

If you’d like more guidance, watch or listen to the full podcast episode with Natasha above.

And remember: listen to your gut. It always knows the way.

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