We already know about many of the carnivore diet benefits, including weight loss, a sharper mind, decreased inflammation, and better blood sugar regulation. But this incredible diet has more to offer, potentially even addressing an array of diseases and conditions.
SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is an uncomfortable condition that constantly poses challenges and is affecting more and more people. But can you really use the carnivore diet for SIBO?
Today, we’re going to discuss the relationship between the carnivore diet and SIBO. We’ll talk about the science behind this link, weigh up the carnivore diet pros and cons, explain how a carnivore diet for SIBO can help, and show you how to start a carnivore diet to remedy your SIBO symptoms.
What is SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)?
Before we discuss the carnivore diet and SIBO, let’s take a look at the ailment itself. SIBO refers to a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in the population of bacteria within the small intestine.
Typically, the small intestine hosts a limited number of bacteria, but in SIBO, there is an overgrowth that can disrupt normal digestive processes and lead to various health issues.
Common Causes and Triggers
SIBO has a number of causes and triggers, including impaired mobility. Conditions such as intestinal adhesions, muscular disorders, or surgeries that affect the movement of the small intestine can result in stagnant areas where bacteria accumulate.
Structural anomalies or changes in the anatomy of the small intestine due to surgeries, strictures, or abnormalities can also facilitate bacterial overgrowth. And, conditions like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or IBS can disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, leading to SIBO.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
One of the main symptoms of SIBO is abdominal discomfort. This can manifest as bloating, gas, cramps, and general abdominal pain after eating. Some people also experience alterations in bowel habits, swinging between diarrhea and constipation.
SIBO can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, resulting in deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like B12, A, D, and iron. This malnutrition due to nutrient malabsorption can lead to fatigue, weakness, and overall reduced energy levels.
Diagnosing SIBO often involves a breath test to detect the presence of certain gases produced by the bacteria. Your doctor may also consider your specific symptoms and medical history, and perform other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
What is the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is revolutionizing the way we think about our nutritional needs. It’s centered around the consumption of animal-based foods while excluding plant-based products, taking us back to a primal way of eating and focusing on foods our body is historically used to.
While it may sound similar to paleo, there are distinct carnivore vs paleo differences, and keto vs carnivore differences also. But is the carnivore diet healthy? Let’s take a look at the carnivore diet food list and the health effects associated with this diet.
Fundamentals and Food Choices
At its core, the carnivore diet focuses on animal-derived foods. Beef, poultry, pork, and game meats form the primary components of this diet, with fish, other seafood, and eggs also playing a role.
Some people include low-sugar dairy products like hard cheeses, while others avoid cheese on carnivore diet and other dairy altogether. The belief is that by eliminating plant-based foods, you can remove potential irritants or allergens, leading to better digestive health and improved overall well-being.
Nutritional Benefits and Criticisms
First of all, people love the carnivore diet because its simplicity in food choices makes meal planning easier. More importantly, the diet brings a number of health benefits. Carnivore diet weight loss is common, thanks to the removal of high-calorie carnivore diet carbs.
Many people also see improved digestive health, better mental clarity, higher energy levels, and tighter blood sugar regulation, making the carnivore diet for diabetes a popular option.
Also, the link between the carnivore diet and inflammation can’t be ignored. By eliminating potentially inflammatory plant-based foods, you can lower your risk of certain cancers, protect your cardiovascular health, and enjoy a better overall quality of life.
Just like any diet, there are criticisms of the carnivore diet as well. Carnivore diet side effects tend to be mild and short-lived, but some people experience digestive discomfort, sugar cravings, nausea, headaches, and irritability as they’re adjusting to their new diet. Staying hydrated is the best way to combat many of these short-term effects.
In the longer term, the exclusion of plant-based foods raises concerns about inadequate fiber and potential vitamin deficiencies, but you can get around this by opting for a modified carnivore diet (such as a carnivore and fruit diet) or investing in carnivore diet supplements.
Can a SIBO Carnivore Diet Help?
So, what about using the carnivore diet for SIBO? Can a SIBO carnivore diet reduce your symptoms and improve your gut health? Here’s what you need to know about the carnivore diet and SIBO.
The Connection Between Carnivore Diet and Gut Health
Many people who switch to the carnivore diet experience improved gut health. While there may be initial side effects and discomfort during the transitional phase, once your body adjusts the carnivore diet, it’s smooth sailing. But what does the carnivore diet actually do for gut health?
The carnivore diet removes almost all of the toxins from processed foods, like excess sugars, inflammatory seed oils, and lab-created artificial ingredients including preservatives, food dyes, MSG, other fillers, and more.
It also eliminates plant-based foods that contain pro-inflammatory components, as well as plant fiber that can be extremely difficult to digest. The carnivore diet can also reduce gut distress by eliminating potential triggers found in plant-based foods, providing relief for those with SIBO symptoms.
Reducing Fermentable Carbohydrates
In SIBO, the overgrown bacteria in the small intestine rely on one primary food source: fermentable carbohydrates. By removing fermentable carbohydrates from your diet, you can essentially starve these bacteria, causing them to die off and restoring a natural balance in your gut.
The carnivore diet involves eliminating plant-based foods, which are often our main sources of fermentable carbohydrates. By eliminating bananas and tropical fruits, processed sweets and desserts, and starchy foods like potatoes, wheat flour, and pasta, you can finally crush your SIBO symptoms.
So, Should You Implement a SIBO Carnivore Diet?
So, is a SIBO carnivore diet right for you? Before making any drastic changes to what you eat, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor or nutritionist who can interpret your symptoms, your current diet, and help you decide the right path forward.
If they believe you could benefit from a carnivore diet for SIBO, you can start making some changes and track the carnivore diet before and after progress for yourself. Hopefully, by starving the overgrown bacteria in your gut, you’ll soon find much-needed relief and get your life back!
How to Start the Carnivore Diet for SIBO
So, you’re ready to start a carnivore diet for SIBO, but you’re not quite sure to begin. That’s why we’re here! These carnivore diet tips will get you started on the right foot, ensuring you transition to your new eating plan safely, and make changes you can stick with for long-term success.
Starting Guidelines and Gradual Transition
The carnivore diet is all about cutting out non-animal derived foods, but it’s hard to make such a drastic change to your diet all at once. If you’re using the carnivore diet for SIBO, start by cutting out the foods that are causing the most damage: fermentable carbohydrates.
Remove all fruits, starchy vegetables, and packaged or baked sweet foods like cakes, donuts, cookies, and breakfast cereals. Try to also remove other sources of carbohydrates, like bread, grains, and pasta.
Instead, focus on eating lean meats like beef, chicken, fish, and turkey, as well as butter. You can also include eggs, and certain, low-sugar dairy products like hard cheeses while you’re getting started.
Don’t worry if you slip up or aren’t perfect - the transition phase is all about creating new habits and making progress however you can. Focus on celebrating your wins, like discovering new carnivore diet recipes or tricks for doing the carnivore diet on a budget.
Monitoring Symptoms and Adjusting the Diet
It’s normal to experience some side effects as you transition to the carnivore diet, including stomach cramps, headaches, irritability, and more. Staying hydrated is a great way to handle most of these symptoms as your body adjusts to its new nutrient profile.
If you find you’re hungry all the time, make sure you understand how much to eat on carnivore diet, as you may not be hitting your goals. Include quality carnivore diet snacks to keep you satiated throughout the day, like our chicken chips or pork chips!
Balancing Nutrition on a Carnivore Diet
Despite the focus on animal-based foods, try to make sure you’re striking a good nutritional balance. Incorporate a variety of meats and fish to ensure a diverse nutrient intake, and rotate them often so you don’t get bored. If you tolerate dairy, select high-quality, full-fat options.
Some people add supplements to compensate for potential deficiencies, especially in vitamins like vitamin C and minerals such as magnesium. If you’re using the carnivore diet for SIBO, you might also like to introduce probiotics to help encourage the growth of good bacteria in your gut.
Keeping Healthy Snacks on Hand to Manage Cravings
Especially when first transitioning to the carnivore diet, it’s common to experience cravings for foods you can no longer have. One of the best ways to deal with these cravings is to keep some of the best no carb snacks nearby, like our premium, delicious, healthy meat snacks!
At Carnivore Snax, we make it easy for you to stick to your diet without sacrificing any of the flavor. Our carnivore chips contain just two ingredients: premium meat and salt. These meat chips are lightweight, delicious, and can be taken just about anywhere for nutrition on the go.
Our ribeye chips, steak chips, and other snacks are made from grass-fed, regeneratively raised meats that help to minimize our environmental impact while providing you with the best quality possible. Plus, they’re made right here in the US!
More Tips on Managing SIBO Beyond Diet
While the SIBO carnivore diet can have a big impact on managing your symptoms, there are some other tips and tricks that can also make a difference. Here’s what else you can do to fight SIBO and find some much-needed relief.
Lifestyle Changes and Stress Management
Stress can influence gut health and exacerbate SIBO symptoms. Try stress-reducing practices like meditation, yoga, exercise, and lots of sleep to positively impact gut function. Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance and finding relaxation techniques that work for you can also provide relief.
Probiotics and Supplements: Do They Help?
Certain probiotic strains can help to restore a balanced gut microbiome, which is essential for fighting SIBO. Look for strains like Lactobacillus. Reuteri, L. Gasseri, and Bacillus Coagulans, which are important for gut health, and introduce these after a week of your SIBO carnivore diet.
Supplements such as digestive enzymes or nutrients like vitamin B12, which might be poorly absorbed due to SIBO, might also be beneficial - talk to your doctor before adding these to your routine.
Regular Medical Consultations and Testing
Frequent medical consultations and monitoring are vital in managing SIBO effectively. Schedule regular follow-ups to assess the progress of your treatment plan and make adjustments if necessary.
Testing, such as breath tests to detect bacterial overgrowth or blood tests to monitor nutrient levels, helps track the effectiveness of your SIBO carnivore diet. Make sure you work closely with your doctor or nutritionist to find the best way to manage SIBO for you.
Closing Thoughts on Carnivore Diet for SIBO
The SIBO carnivore diet is a valuable tool for fighting SIBO, especially when combined with other strategies for managing your symptoms. By eliminating fermentable carbohydrates and starving overgrown bacteria, the carnivore diet can help you finally crush SIBO for good.
In this guide, we’ve explained the basics of the carnivore diet and SIBO. Remember, start slowly, monitor your symptoms, stay hydrated, and keep your Carnivore Snax within reach!
Before it’s dried, our premium lamb chips, beef chips, and brisket chips contain a pound of meat in each bag, giving you the perfect portable nutrient boost whenever you need it. Plus, they’re melt-in-your-mouth delicious and come in a huge range of flavors for every palate.
Kick SIBO to the curb naturally with the carnivore diet. Stock up on Carnivore Snax today!
