*Note I am note a professional blogger by any means but I have invested my heart and soul into living a holistic life. I feel a pull from light, source, universe, God to share my stories of health, heartache and inspiration with all of you. Of course these are my own personal stories so take what you need. I pray they help you, inspire you and guide you and provide the resources you need.
What is the Elemental diet? Why did I choose to use it for SIBO?
The Elemental is a liquid diet formulated with free amino acids, partially hydrolyzed carbs, and medium chain triglycerides. What does that mean? It's everything your body needs to survive for a short amount of time. It comes in a powder form and is taken with water. In the 1940's the elemental was created as a medical food for gastric tube feeding, or intravenously. It was soon discovered the elemental diet was successful in helping people with Chrons, IBS, and SIBO. The elemental is absorbed in the small intestine allowing the large intestine to take a "break" Basically, the elemental allows your digestive system to focus on healing itself instead of digesting foods all the time.
I began the Elemental diet after I was diagnosed with Hashimotos, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid. I was quickly put on thyroid medication, which led me to a major panic attack and depression. I went to a functional doctor to get to the root cause of Hashimotos. After a series of tests it was determined I had SIBO. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. My FD gave me a series of options to try and kill off this bacteria.
The first option was 6-8 weeks of herbal antibiotics, the second option was the Elemental diet for 2 weeks, and third was a prescription for Xifaxan also known as Rifaximin.
With the herbal antibiotics I needed to stay in a strict Bi-Phasic diet, basically protein and very limited vegetables.
The Rifaximin has a long list of side effects including dizziness, rapid breathing, trouble sleeping, bloody nose chest pain, ulcers, weakness, hives, and red swollen skin. Plus the chance of yeast over growth as with any antibiotic.
The elemental to me was the best option. I was already struggling with eating the bi-phasic diet and felt I would be more tempted to cheat if I did the herbal option. Plus I didn't want to wait 6-8 weeks to feel better. I also did not want to put an antibiotic with a list of side effects into my body. That may have very well been what got me into this mess with chemotherapy and years of antibiotics.
Of course everyone has their own preference on what will work for them. I highly recommend finding a Functional Doctor who will work with you.