Join me as a guest on The SIBO Survivor Show, as I discuss with Josh Sabourin the various ways to use an elemental or semi-elemental diet with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)!
What is an elemental diet? An elemental diet is made of the essential nutrients – protein (predigested; di-peptide bond or free form aminos), carbohydrates (monosaccharide or maltodextrin only), and fat (ie. cold-pressed flax oil). If you have Crohn’s or Colitis, most people using an elemental diet are generally doing so to give their bowels a rest. Usually this is due to active ulceration, bleeding, hemorrhaging, etc., because if the bowel is given rest it will heal faster. Those with SIBO & IBS, however, use an elemental diet for different reasons
Elemental diets are more useful for SIBO & IBS as a food clearance mechanism. Many things can irritate the gut, some of which we are completely unaware of, and the process of dealing with food elimination and food allergen testing is both labor intensive and time consuming. People can use an elemental diet for a short period of time (example 2-3 weeks) to clear out whatever is irritating the gut, while still providing the body with top-quality nutrients. This builds muscle, helps to maintain weight, and can assist in weight-loss during that period (adjust calorie intake accordingly). It also assists with the bacterial clear-out, because if you are not eating carbs, grains, beans, etc. there are no undigested carbs going into the colon or different parts of the small intestine for the bacteria to eat – thus shifting the gut flora. Of course, if you can add a natural antimicrobial and high dose probiotic supplementation at the same time, you can get the best results from your time on the diet!
Watch the video below to learn more, as I talk about which supplements to take, which foods are allowed, and how to HELP the diet get rid of bacterial overgrowth, Candida, etc. and balance your gut flora. I also recommend reading my blog post regarding Dr. Alison Siebecker and her findings, further exploring how elemental diets are highly successful with SIBO patients.
Any questions or experiences to share? Just post them below in the Comments section…
Greetings, I have been HIGHLY enjoying Absorb Plus for diverticulitis flares and stricture issues. I believe your WOO protocol has kept me out of the hospital on many occasions with fever from a blockage due to strictures. I have even used your DMSO treatment with success. NOW, I am diagnosed with SIBO (which I have probably had forever). The latest protocol seems to be to super dose on antibiotics and antimicrobals along with a Biofilm disruptor. It has been discovered that the bacteria are forming a biofilm around themselves that is resistant to antibiotics. The biofilm disruptor breaks up this film. I am advised to do a full round of WOO, then Neem, then Burberine, then based on symptoms, launch into an elemental diet. There is controversy over when to introduce the probiotic so that it is not waisted while also treating with natural antibiotics. MY question is, does Absorb Plus qualify as a viable elemental diet in regards to SIBO. Is there anything in the Absorb Plus that would feed bacteria? Thank you for all that you do.
Maria
Hello Maria,
First of all, it’s great to hear that you experienced positive results in your testing of Absorb Plus and Jini’s stricture protocol.
The principle carbohydrate in Absorb Plus is maltodextrin (derived from tapioca) in order to most effectively transmit the nutrients to your body and to add healthy calories and some articles have been published reporting on the harmful effects of maltodextrin on people with IBD. The articles say that maltodextrin increases bacteria’s ability to form biofilms and adhere to intestinal epithelial cells. Jini wrote a blog post to discuss this topic here: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/maltodextrin-and-crohns-gut-biofilm/
Kind Regards
Cris B
Customer Care
Greetings, re: probiotic supplementation and SIBO, I’m a little confused. During SIBO treatment, if the elemental diet is designed to “starve out” the bad bacteria, what will the Natren Probiotics have to feed on?
Thank you,
Maria
Hi Maria,
Thanks for contacting us here. Probiotics colonize the gut by ‘sticking’ to the intestinal wall and not necessarily need something to feed on. However, it must be taken in a powerful bioavailable form (able to be absorbed and used by the body); the bacteria must be capable of colonizing (multiplying in and sticking to) the gastrointestinal tract, and they must be taken in high enough amounts to have a therapeutic effect. Clinical trials show you need to consume a miminum of 7-10 billion cfu per day (of EACH species). Click link below to learn more about Probioics:
http://listentoyourgut.com/healing-resources/46/what-you-need-to-know-about-probiotics-ebook.html
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
You are an amazing woman, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am using your products and methods and they have helped me so much. Keep up the great work! Also, your book is fantastic!
Hi Leonard,
Thank you for the feedback – Jini is delighted to hear that the protocols seem to be working well for you. Thanks so much for sharing and we’re looking forward to hearing more about your progress!
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
Hello,
I would like to do the wild oregano oil protocol but instead of oregano I want to use Olive leaf extract. What is the required dosage of olive leaf extract in capsule form ?
Thank you!
Hello Inna,
Copied and pasted from Jini’s symptom page for Candida Yeast Infection “If you don’t like wild oregano oil, you can replace it with 2 capsules of olive leaf extract. Many people also find it very effective to alternate wild oregano oil with olive leaf extract and they maintain that this is more powerful since it doesn’t allow the microorganism to adapt to any one substance. Listen to your gut and do what you feel would be best for you.”
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
Hey there, so elemental diets are more for IBS? I do like the idea of focusing on just the blocks of food to influence a diet, but would it be okay for other types of stomach distress? Like, I was reading this https://www.ez.insure/2019/07/gastroparesis-symptoms-and-treatment/ about gastroparesis? Do you think it would help that too?
Hi Evan,
Thanks for your question. In this case I would start out by reading the “Heal Your Symptoms” page for gas and bloating: http://www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/22/gas-and-bloating.html
Here probiotics are strongly suggested, as many people suffering from gas, bloating, and indigestion need supplementation of digestive enzymes. Gastroparesis means the food that reaches your stomach doesn’t move into the intestine as quickly as it should, and excess gas in the gut is usually due to food not being digested or absorbed properly. As the food rots and ferments, it gives off a lot of gas. Often, the undigested food passes into the colon, where it feeds the unhealthy bacteria and other pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms, producing even more gas and bloating.
In this case an elemental diet could be beneficial, as it is pre-digested and as a result will produce little to no fecal matter. That being said, your body KNOWS exactly what it needs, so Jini encourages you to get in dialogue with your body. She actually has a lot of posts on exactly this topic: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/category/musings/
I hope this information is useful to you.
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi there 😊 I believe i’ve had a reaction to absorb plus vegan shakes! Since taking my first shake i’ve had tightness in chest and neck/throat, and a hot like flushed head,face and neck. It hurts to breathe. I’m concerned. Is this a normal reaction? Can i continue usage? What can i do? Please and thank you
Fliss
Hi Fliss,
I recommend you read Jini’s blog post, “Test Elemental Shakes for Tolerance or Allergy.” Here is the link: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/test-elemental-shakes-for-tolerance-or-allergy/
Here is the range of reactions you might experience if you are allergic to a substance:
Nasal congestion, or a runny nose, or sneezing
Hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)
Redness of the skin, particularly around the mouth or eyes, or a persistent dry, itchy rash
Itchy mouth or ear canal
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Slight, dry cough
Severe reactions include lips, tongue or throat swelling, shortness of breath or wheezing, trouble swallowing, turning blue, feeling faint or weak or confused or passing out, chest pain, weak pulse, or anaphylactic shock.
The only symptom in common with a ‘normal’ response to an elemental shake is the Diarrhea – the natural result of eating nothing but liquid food. Jini strongly suggests not to persist in ingesting something your body is allergic or intolerant to, and risk triggering a flare-up of your gut issues.
That being said, pulled directly from this post per Jini, “when you are thinking of going on an elemental diet, it is very important to test a sample, or a few servings of the elemental shake first – to ensure your body likes the ingredients. You may even want to consume just 1-2 shakes per day for a week first – to allow your body to slowly adjust to this new food source, and at the same time to check for tolerance levels. The elemental shake I (Jini) formulated, Absorb Plus, has 43 different ingredients, but the ingredients most likely to be the culprits in an allergy or intolerance are the protein and the maltodextrin components. I’ve used cassava root (tapioca) maltodextrin in Absorb Plus and the protein source is either whey isolate (casein-free and lactose-free since those are the top allergen for those with a dairy allergy or intolerance), or, sprouted brown rice protein (typically well tolerated).”
In this case, you may want to give another version of Absorb Plus (non-vegan/not brown rice protein) a try to see how your body responds. You can find unsweetened, original, and simply here: https://shoppe.listentoyourgut.com/absorb-plus-elemental/
If perhaps you are allergic to the tapioca maltodextrin in Absorb Plus, in that case, you can use this guide to formulate your own elemental shake according to which ingredients you can tolerate: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/create-your-own-elemental-bowel-rest-shake/
You can also use a free-form amino acid elemental shake (but please be aware it will be very difficult for to maintain or gain weight without a di-peptide bond protein source) that does not contain maltodextrin. Or, use these whole-food shakes instead, if you can: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/use-common-foods-to-heal-inflammatory-bowel-disease/
I hope this information helps! Best of luck to you on your healing journey.
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Which Natren probiotic is recommended?
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend first reading Jinis eBook, What You Need to Know About Probiotics: http://listentoyourgut.com/healing-resources/46/what-you-need-to-know-about-probiotics-ebook.html
Jini has also written a blog post about the best dosing and species of probiotics, where she also gives some clarity about the different types of Natren products: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/best-probiotic-species-and-dosing-for-ibs/
In good health,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi, I have been diagnosed with Achalasia stage II. Every Health profession tells me I need to have the lower esophagus sphincter stretched or cut in order for food to pass. I do not want to go this route. I have been seeing an acupuncture for a few weeks with some relief. I am on a semi liquid diet but have terrible cravings for sweets. Will your product help? Please advise.
Hi Timmie. Absolutely.
When you have difficulty swallowing, the stress of not knowing what to eat, or being afraid to eat can also cause psychological stress that is likely to make you feel worse and trigger your throat even more. The easy way to get a complete, highly nutritious healing shake is to use Absorb Plus with 1 tablespoon of Udo’s oil or flax oil added.
I would recommend reading our home remedy page for achalasia. Within this page, there are links to several blog posts with recipes and ideas for liquid foods that are easily tolerated, but also super high in nutrients – and may even improve your overall health. Here is the link: https://listentoyourgut.com/achalasia-dysphagia/
I hope this helps!
Hi,
I have a question about oregano oil or some other antimicrobial supplements on elemental diet. I add oregano oil and neem leaf to the shakes but yesterday I have watched Dr Sickeber’s movies where she advice not to take any supplements that kills the bacteria because as they are clever creatures they will hibernate and the elemental diet will not be effective. Please advice what shall I do?
Hi there – I am not aware of that, however I do recommend that if you are using WOO on an elemental diet, to take the WOO in the morning on and empty stomach and be sure to supplement with probiotics AT LEAST 2 hours after, though preferably in the late afternoon/evening. Wild Oregano Oil (WOO) will kill both bad and beneficial bacteria, which is why you want to supplement with probiotics (we recommend Natren) at least 2 hours away from each other.
This may help you as well: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/confusing-supplement-schedule/
Hello,
Thank you so much for these articles! i have just discovered you yesterday through sibo survivor’s website and I am trying to do a semi-elemental diet based on dr. allison seibecker’s website. I see that you reccommend using probiotics for SIBO along with diet and oregano oil.
my question is this, I have sibo hydrogen /methane combined and gastroparesis due to hypothroid disease. I am under treatment but the hypothyroid but gastroparesis isn’t changing. I am scared to take probiotics because they will just stay in the small intestine and create more sibo. Given the situation do you think that probiotics are still a good idea, or better to wait until the gastroparesis and the migrating motor complex are finally back in order.
Thanks so much! Melannie
Hi Melannie – you’re very welcome! as I answered you on my other post: if it were me, I would take Magnesium Citrate (up to 1,000 mg per day) and Vitamin C in ascorbic acid form (up to 10,000 mg per day) to encourage bowel motility. Both these are allowed on an elemental diet.
Once you have the motility issue sorted, you can then proceed as you wish with probiotic supplementation – test it and see how your body responds.
Hello
i have methane sibo.
Can i make elemental diet in home ?
Like.
Beef bone broth
Chiken bone broth
Fish Bone broth
Vegitables broth
Fruits juice.
All these item liquid.
That can starve sibo ?
Hi Sohail. Most people with SIBO will go on an elemental diet for 14 days. If this is too expensive, or not an option for you, you can also achieve results by following Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol and high dose oral Natren probiotics, along with a low carb, low residue diet. Details are here: https://listentoyourgut.com/jinis-healing-guide-natural-treatments-for-gut-infection-ebook/
And here is a list of Jini’s homemade broth recipes: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/jinis-bone-veggie-broth-recipes/
Hope that helps!
Sorry to ask the same question twice on the other page. I get lost in all the pages and also my brain does not function properly. But thank you so much anyway! So then maybe during the elemental diet i should only do the oregano until motility is back online?
A doc has suggested using a prescription motility drug. Can probiotics be used with that, or just wait until motility is fully corrected?
Also how do we know the mmc is back working?
If it were me, I would use EITHER the natural motility substances (vit C + Magnesium citrate) OR the prescription drug, not both.
You can start Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol the day you start the elemental diet. Probiotics instructions are included in the Protocol.
Thanks so much! I will definitly look that up 🙂
Melannie
Is it possible to do the elemental diet for SIBO for a shorter amount of time than 2 weeks? Would 7 days work?
And what could I add like olive oil, or anything else that can help increase the calories count without having to drink too many shakes.
Thank you.
Hi Jorge, I have heard from a number of people who’ve used it successfully for a week – you’ll just have to try and see what your body says. You can always extend if you need to.
We recommend adding flax oil, Udo’s oil, MCT oil as these are most easily tolerated and anti-inflammatory. But yes, extra virgin organic olive oil or any other cold-pressed healthy oil would work fine – almond and avocado also work well.
I encourage you to listen to this talk and do the guided meditation before you start the diet though as it will be very helpful:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/forest-chat-microorganism-consciousness-fungi-bacteria-virus/
I heard in one of your YouTube videos that all the elemental diet powders out there have some ingredients which are different. Can you please suggest which one is best to use for SIBO according to you? Thank you !
Hi Chandani! Some people will go on an elemental diet for 14 days (we’ve heard Absorb Plus Unsweetened is usually better for SIBO from our readers), and we are currently working on a low-carb version of Absorb Plus called Absorb Plus Amino.
However, Jini usually suggests that everyone with SIBO would have better results from following her Wild Oregano Oil Protocol and high dose oral Natren probiotics, along with a low carb, low residue diet. If Jini had SIBO, that’s what she’d do! Details are here: https://listentoyourgut.com/jinis-healing-guide-natural-treatments-for-gut-infection-ebook/
Here are some low residue food ideas: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/jinis-low-residue-diet/
And here are some of Jini’s homemade broth recipes, which are also healing for the gut: https://listentoyourgut.com/broth/
Finally, here is all the info we have on the blog pertaining to SIBO: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/?s=SIBO
I hope this helps!
Hello, I currently have a jpouch as my colon was removed due to severe ulcerative colitis. I now have moderate inflammation in my jpouch which is called pouchitis. Can you please advise what I can do to get rid of this pouchitis which is causing constant brain fog since 2017!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out! We’ve had readers write in with success using Absorb Plus, especially those who have used psyllium seed powder at the same time to slow down the transit and bulk up the liquid. Here are some more details on that: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/ive-had-my-colon-removed-and-i-have-an-ileostomy-will-absorb-plus-still-work-for-me/
And here is a great blog post we have from a reader who has a J-pouch with some tips and tricks for irritation, etc.: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/colectomy-and-j-pouch-tips/
Regarding the brain fog, I highly recommend reading this article on the brain gut connection and what you can do for the emotions associated with symptoms (as sometimes bacteria even affect emotions!) – which could also affect brain fog: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/gut-brain-connection-fear-in-mice-controlled-by-gut-microbes/
You can also reach out to one of Jini’s suggested practitioners to see what solutions that can offer to you as well: https://shoppe.listentoyourgut.com/private-health-consults/
I hope this info helps!
– Linsy
I have methane SIBO that just has not significantly responded to multiple rounds of antibiotics and herbal antimicrobials over the past year. I’m now ready to try the elemental diet. My nutritionist said it’s fine to use any AbsorbPlus product, but I’m unsure about the sweeteners – won’t that cause trouble with SIBO? What about mixing half and half, sweetened and unsweetened?
Hi Sarah! We’ve heard Absorb Plus Unsweetened is usually better for SIBO from our readers, and we are currently working on a low-carb version of Absorb Plus called Absorb Plus Amino 🙂
However, Jini usually suggests that everyone with SIBO would have better results from following her Wild Oregano Oil Protocol and high dose oral Natren probiotics, along with a low carb, low residue diet.
If Jini had SIBO, that’s what she’d do! Details are here: https://listentoyourgut.com/jinis-healing-guide-natural-treatments-for-gut-infection-ebook/
Here are some low residue food ideas: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/jinis-low-residue-diet/
And here are some of Jini’s homemade broth recipes, which are also healing for the gut: https://listentoyourgut.com/broth/
Finally, here is all the info we have on the blog pertaining to SIBO: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/?s=SIBO
I hope this helps!
Thank you for your response. Yes, antimicrobials and diet are definitely a good place to start. For me, after multiple rounds of both antibiotics and herbal antimicrobials (including oregano, which I do not tolerate well) over the past year, and being on a low-residue diet for longer than is advised, I have just not been able to clear the SIBO. So an elemental diet is now the “last resort” option, as my doctor says.
My Dr. suggested a different product, which is fully elemental, since this is what she is familiar with and what has been studied (the study mentioned on your website, which showed that an elemental diet is 80-85% effective for SIBO, was conducted using a fully elemental product, not a semi-elemental product, such as AbsorbPlus).
Having successfully used AbsorbPlus for patients with other issues (such as Crohn’s), my nutritionist suggested that I consider AbsorbPlus as an alternative to the fully-elemental. It is attractive to me because of the flavor varieties, the possibility of not losing weight, and the helpful instructional videos and pointers. What I haven’t seen anywhere yet though, is anyone reporting that they have successfully used AbsorbPlus to clear SIBO.
From your comment, “We’ve heard Absorb Plus Unsweetened is usually better for SIBO from our readers” – I just want to clarify, does this mean that you have indeed had readers say that they were able to clear SIBO using unsweetened Absorb Plus?
Thanks so much!
Hi Sarah. Sure, no problem! Here is a post that Jini wrote on clinical trials done by a physician with those with SIBO – and the elemental diet and their success rates: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/elemental-diets-are-highly-successful-with-sibo/
I think you will find it very interesting! Also, make sure to read these as alternative treatments for SIBO, this one is on the Natren Probiotics: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/using-natren-probiotics-with-sibo/
Also, the mind/body connection is very important for SIBO:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/sibo-the-migrating-motor-complex-eureka/
I hope this helps!
Thank you Linsy,
Yes, the article link you gave is the one I was referring to – which references the clinical study which used fully elemental products – not a semi-elemental one, such as Absorb Plus. It’s good to know that there’s a good chance a semi-elemental product might also work for SIBO, but I think it’s important to make the distinction that the study referenced did not use Absorb Plus or another semi-elemental product.
And yes, as you say, there are many other alternative treatments and factors related to SIBO, including the ones to you give links to.
But back to my original question – it sounds like there are not yet specific reports of Absorb Plus being used to clear SIBO. And if that’s the case, I think it’s important to be honest with readers about that. I am planning to try it anyhow (the unsweetened version), since I’m low on options and it sounds like a good product in general…if it works for me than maybe I can be among the first to report its efficacy for SIBO!
Thanks,
Sarah
Hi Sarah!
Thank you for your response.
A few posts came to mind when I read your reply that I think would be helpful:
Elemental Diet with SIBO and success
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/elemental-diets-are-highly-successful-with-sibo/
How to treat SIBO with the elemental diet
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/how-to-use-an-elemental-diet-to-treat-sibo-ibs/
You can also achieve results by following Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol and high dose oral Natren probiotics, along with a low carb, low residue diet.
Details are here: https://listentoyourgut.com/jinis-healing-guide-natural-treatments-for-gut-infection-ebook/
I have been reading that Absorb Plus is a semi-elemental diet, not full elemental diet. Does this mean using the Unsweetened flavors for 2 weeks is not as effective for eradicating SIBO as other brands that are pure?
Currently on day 7 of 14 and really hope this can be used fully for elemental 2 week diet for SIBO effectively…
Hi Tiffany, thanks for reaching out. We have had many readers write in with success using the unsweetened Absorb Plus flavors to eradicate SIBO, so don’t worry! However, if you find you do not experience any improved symptoms you may also want to look into the new Absorb Plus Amino line as well. Here is a blog post Jini wrote on which elemental shake formula is best for SIBO, Crohn’s, Colitis: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/which-elemental-shake-formula-is-best-for-sibo-crohns-colitis/