Hi Sharon – in Theory yes. Fermenting the food will make it easier to digest and many will find they can tolerate foods better that way. Of couse, there are those that do not tolerate fermented foods too, so you just have to test out a small amount ans let your body decide:)

HI Stephanie – SIBO is found in the small intestine so yes that is possible and a combination of the SCD and FODMAP diets can be effective. We’d recommend starting here: https://healthygut.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Thanks for sharing with us Jaclyn! We’re so glad you have found the path to healing 🙂

More info on SIBO: https://healthygut.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sibo-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/

Lewis – digestive enzymes can help A LOT with fat digestion in the early stages: https://healthygut.com/who-needs-digestive-enzymes-and-how-to-take-them/

That’s helpful i’ll make sure to include intro then and look into getting the book – just pumping myself up at the moment before I take the plunge! right now I cant tolerate fat above 5g per meal, so its going to be a struggle in the early stages and a bit of a catch 22 situation if I have to limit veg too! but hopefully my fat malabsorbtion will improve quickly.

-lewis

Hi Lewis – thanks! We recommend everyone start with the Intro diet and introduce foods one at a time – you can skip over introducing high FODMAP foods. Our book explains how to do the diet: http://scdlifestylebook.com/

Thanks for this post by the way, you guys are so so helpful.

-Lewis

Can you tell me how your SIBO was treated? I am in the same boat as you were, I was given the 2 hour test, and all my doctors say if I had SIBO the test would have picked it up. My current doctor is giving me some herbals that he thinks will clear up any infections I have. I am soooo tired of not being well and no medical professionals that know enough to help me! Did you use Rifaxamin? And did it heal you completely with one round? I can’t even eat kale or zucchini. I am living on 4 different meats, fat, and bok choy, and have been for the last 4 months. Thanks for your help.

Hi Mary, The SCD diet has helped many people in your same shoes regain their health.

The best place to start is with our Free quick start guide here: https://healthygut.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

From here, we highly recommend following the directions in the eBook for best results: http://scdlifestylebook.com/

Hi misspudding,
I am 24 years old but have been struggling my whole life with constipation. I was tested once for Crohns but that was a few years ago. I figured it wasn’t possible since constipation usually isn’t a symptom of Crohns. Ive tried Miralax and that did not help at all. Did you find SCD diet better than fodmap? I am thinking maybe I should be retested for crohns?

There is a simple SCD low FODMAP eating plan lined out – it’s at Dr. Allison Siebecker’s website – http://www.siboinfo.com She’s awesome; the information on her website is invaluable. And, I think it’s working for me. Slowly, but surely, I’m making progress on my SIBO. I am nowhere near fully healed, but making progress and I’m going to take my small victories where I can and not drive myself insane with questioning and worry.

Hi Stacey, thank you for reaching out! My best suggestion is to reach out to one of our practitioners here, who would be more than happy to get to teh bottom of this for you: https://healthygut.com/practitioners/

Hi Lea,

I had the same concern when I used the tough case meal plan. However, I blindly trusted it (eating the large quantity of pears) and ended up feeling awful. I have SIBO and do not handle any FODMAPs. I also seem to have fructose malabsorption because I cannot eat any fruit (except maybe 10 raspberries) without having a reaction. I have found that and Autoimmune Paleo approach combined with SCD and Low FODMAP to be the most helpful for my symptoms. It is incredibly restrictive, but made my digestive system feel better. You might also want to check out my blog: sibowithhope.wordpress.com

Hi Lea, thank you for reaching out to us! If you suspect SIBO, go ahead and customize the diet to your specific needs. Here are a few tips on how to incorporate a low FODMAP diet into your plan: https://healthygut.com/fodmap-diet-a-fad-diet-or-helpful-for-everyone/#more-4866

Also, here is a great article on SIBO that you may want to look at: https://healthygut.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sibo-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/ and here:

Do you recommend proceeding with the meal plan as as currently laid out? Can gut health improve on this meal plan even if you have FODMAP intolerance, or will I be spinning my wheels even longer? If the latter, are there recommended substitutes for the high FODMAP items on the Tough Case plan?

Thank you!

I have to say, after over a month on SCD, we’re finally introducing some higher FODMAP fruits and garlic, and my son is tolerating them a-okay. It’s so nice after having to be really restrictive with fruits for so long. It blows my mind that it’s “not a long term diet”. I really wish I had known that from the beginning.

As one who is just beginning to explore all of this, I am curious how you are doing a year later, Liz. Care to share your progress?

Thank you.

Anyway, back on it again and will reintroduce things very slowly this time. My theory is that although I was feeling better I must not have had enough good flora built up and my system became overwhelmed fairly quick.

BTW, great site and good info…thanks!

Hi Churyl, I’d highly recommend you get a DNA/PCR stool test, which will find most all bacteria and parasites and it’s very accurate. Here’s the company link:

http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/gastrointestinal-function/gi-effects-microbial-ecology

In good health,

Jordan

I have been on the GAPS diet for two years and seen great improvement, but I have some lingering symptoms: bloating after eating dairy, fruits, or vegetables; eczema on my leg and head; extreme fatigue after eating dairy or sweets. (Gluten, too, but I don’t ever eat that).

My bristol chart is #4 and my blood, urine, and hormone tests came back spectacularly good, so I must be absorbing my food. Yet I can’t shake these last few symptoms.

The Metametrix DNA/PCR stool test does not test for SIBO, but another test they have does. Get the basic Organic Acids profile done and that’s where you’ll get a good idea of SIBO.

In good health,

Jordan

I thought the SCD/GAPS diets took care of yeast overgrowth? I have yeast and am planning to go on SCD/GAPS. Am I mistaken?

Does this Metametrix test test for SIBO as well or is that a seperate test?

Hi Steph, I totally understand. In the beginning I never thought I’d eat more than 4 foods again ha-ha.

The best gut test out there is a DNA/PCR stool test from Metametrix: http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/gastrointestinal-function/gi-effects-microbial-ecology

Ask your Doctor to get it and if they won’t, you can order it from http://directlabs.com/ for $268.

In good health,

Jordan

@Liz – wow I’m so impressed with you’re relentless drive and desire to get healthy. You need to be commended for that! Sounds like you got the food thing down very well. Make sure you rule out other things like parasties and low stomach acid. And keep us updated on your progress!

@Vibeke – You’re doing great! Make sure you get tested to rule out parasites, SIBO or Yeast overgrowth because while you’re doing amazing on the food front many of these underlying causes won’t be impacted.