Normal gut flora carries out many beneficial functions for the body that are related to cell growth, intestinal movements and immunity. It is the area where the body deals with allergens and passes information about them to the immune system. The small bowel is also where the good bacteria reside. After food is broken down, nutrients are absorbed through the blood vessels of the small intestines. The small bowel digests and breaks down proteins, fats and carbohydrates with the help of digestive enzymes from the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. 8 Historical depiction of the digestive system The ileum is the final part of the small intestines and is where Vitamin B12, bile salts and other nutrients are absorbed. This is where nutrients are absorbed from food. The jejunum is next and lies between the duodenum and the ileum. The duodenum is the first and shortest part of the small intestines, where food is prepared before being absorbed. The small bowel is composed of three sections: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. In celiac disease, this is what is damaged by the protein in gluten. The small bowel, also known as the small intestine, is a part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and large intestines, where most of the food is absorbed. To understand how SIBO affects our digestive tract, let us first review the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract.
5 The small bowel (or small intestine) and SIBO On the other hand, if SIBO is caused by bacteria that produce methane, it can cause constipation. If SIBO is caused by bacteria that produce hydrogen, it can cause unabsorbed carbohydrates to ferment first before being digested, and can lead to diarrhea. SIBO comes in three types: SIBO brought about by methane-producing bacteria, hydrogen-producing bacteria, a combination of methane-producing and hydrogen producing bacteria. If there is overgrowth of Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella, toxins may be present that will damage the intestinal lining, which can then interfere with food absorption and can mimic symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. If there are more bacteria that metabolize carbohydrates and transform them to short-chain fatty acids, gas and bloating may be felt without diarrhea. 2 The type of bacteria also plays a huge role in the development of SIBO signs and symptoms.įor instance, if there are more bacteria that digest bile salts to insoluble compounds, there may be fat malabsorption or bile diarrhea. Normally, there are 103 organisms per milliliter found in the small intestine, and many are Gram-positive organisms. The medical definition of SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria exceeding 105 to 106 organisms per milliliter. What they don’t realize is that they may be suffering from SIBO, an overgrowth of intestinal microorganisms that are not only caused by anatomic abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract, but also lifestyle factors, which are, thankfully, reversible and easily modified. Many people develop these conditions and think they have contracted simple infections or indigestion. These two conditions can further lead to unexplained weight loss, malnutrition and even osteoporosis. Too much bacteria in the intestines can lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can, in turn, lead to long-term diarrhea and malabsorption. 1īut just like anything else, too much of something can be a negative. They also protect the gut from harmful microorganisms and other diseases. These bacteria are located in the intestines, and not only help in digestion, but also help to produce vitamins such as Vitamin B and Vitamin K. This gut microbiota contains trillions of bacteria that can weigh up to two kilograms. The digestive tract accomplishes these functions with the help of good bacteria called gut flora or the microbiome. It is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder, it digests food and absorbs nutrients that will be used by the body for growth and repair of cells and tissues. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, is an emerging condition which affects the digestive system, one of the most important systems in body.