It’s pretty common, so you might have heard of SIBO already, but do you know what it is? Well I’m here to give you a brief summery about it and its important connection with B12 deficiency:
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is defined as being an increased number of and/or abnormal type of bacteria in the small bowel
(Bures et al, 2010).
There are 2 types:
1. Gram positive (bugs that have made their way down from oral cavity/respiratory tract)
2. Colonic coliform bacteria, which makes its way up from the colon.
One of the problems with SIBO is that the overgrowth of microbes in the small intestine eat the B12, so you don’t have a chance to absorb it yourself (Degnan et al, 2014).
Symptoms of B12 deficiency, according to the NHS website include:
· a pale yellow tinge to your skin
· a sore and red tongue (glossitis)
· mouth ulcers
· pins and needles (paraesthesia)
· changes in the way that you walk and move around
· disturbed vision
· irritability
· depression
· changes in the way you think, feel and behave
· a decline in your mental abilities, such as memory, understanding and judgement (dementia)
(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/symptoms/
NB. With subjects taking PPI’s (ie. omeprazole, asprin, lansoprazole etc) there is a 7 fold increase in occurrence of SIBO.
Does this sound familiar? With SIBO it is essential to get to the bottom of what could be going on, as it can lead to anaemia and other complications.
While the discount’s still on, discover the freedom of a happy gut and gather some bespoke recipes perfectly suited to you, your lifestyle and taste!
Do get in touch via izzy@wellbeannutrition.co.uk; I’m so happy to discuss your options.
