Most probiotics can activate SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and make it worse. However, they are also beneficial as they help to heal the gut, relieve symptoms of constipation and diarrhoea, and improve your overall gut health.
We recommend avoiding general broad-spectrum (multi-strain) probiotics until you are almost completely recovered.
Instead, try the following probiotics as they are generally well tolerated and worth taking to speed recovery and prevent relapses:
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v is the go-to bacterial strain to help relieve symptoms of constipation and reduce abdominal pain.
Bacillus coagulans
Bacillus coagulans produce lactic acid in the gut which help beneficial bacteria to grow. They also help to reduce symptoms of gas, bloating and abdominal pain. This type of probiotic is SIBO-safe as it is not part of the same genus as the bacteria involved in SIBO, so doesn't add to the overgrowth. Spore-based probiotics are also therapeutic in small doses as more of the bacteria survive the digestive tract than normal probiotics.
Both of these L plantarum 299v and B coagulans are found in Flordis Therabiotic IBS Relief, available in our store. You can also use Wonderfoods PHGG Plus which contains B coagulins combined with PHGG, an important fibre, suitable for SIBO sufferers.
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus reuteri is another probiotic that is well tolerated by SIBO sufferers and is clinically proven to reduce symptoms of constipation, heal the gut and build a healthy microbiome. L reuteri is found in BioGaia Protectis, available in our store.
