"I’ve been struggling for years with bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. My doctor told me it was IBS. My colonoscopy was normal. But every time I asked what I could do, I was brushed off. I felt like I just had to live with it."

This story is all too common. Many people are told they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)—but IBS is often more of a symptom than a true diagnosis  It describes the discomfort, but it doesn’t explain why it’s happening.

That’s where the gut microbiome comes in. The gut microbiome is made up of all the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that colonize your digestive tract. When this delicate ecosystem is in balance, digestion runs smoothly, energy is steady, and inflammation stays low. But when things get out of balance—whether from antibiotics, menopause, stress, NSAIDs, antacids, poor diet, or other lifestyle factors—problems can surface.

One of the biggest underlying issues we see in our practice is SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).  In SIBO, bacteria that should be thriving in the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, where they ferment food too early. The result? Gas, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea—or a frustrating mix of both.

Unfortunately, many patients are told to just “manage their symptoms.” But there are better ways. By looking deeper into the root cause—and restoring balance to the microbiome—we can often bring lasting relief.

Targeted testing: We use specific labs to identify SIBO and track progress over time. Because SIBO often causes inflammation, we sometimes check a marker called CRP (C-Reactive Protein). Improvements in CRP can help confirm that therapy is working.

Personalized nutrition: Food choices can either fuel bacterial overgrowth or help restore balance. We guide patients through strategies that take the burden off the gut.

Probiotics and supplements  Not all probiotics are helpful for SIBO, but some strains can make a real difference. Our **Probiotic 2**, which contains *Bacillus coagulans*, has been especially effective in helping patients rebalance their microbiome. In some cases, we pair this with Transform GI an immunoglobulin supplement that targets disruptive bacteria and calms the gut lining.

Medical and herbal therapies When needed, we use evidence-based treatments to reduce bacterial overgrowth and support healing.

Lifestyle adjustments: Stress management, sleep quality, and daily movement all impact gut health, and they’re part of the bigger picture.

Even after successful treatment, SIBO recurs in over 90% of cases. That means it’s not a one and done situation. Just like keeping up with a house or a car, ongoing attention is key. Monitoring symptoms and restarting therapies early—before things spiral—can make a huge difference.

Think of the bacteria in your gut like tenants in an apartment building. If they’re happy and cooperative, the whole building runs smoothly. But if the balance shifts, the unhappy tenants can cause chaos—and you, the host, feel it. Keeping the microbiome in balance isn’t just about digestion; it has wide-ranging effects on health.

Research shows that SIBO and gut imbalance are linked not just to digestive symptoms, but also to conditions like: