Healing SIBO: Fix the Real Cause of IBS, Bloating, and Weight Issues in 21 Days

by Shivan Sarna

A guide to recognizing and overcoming SIBO, with a 21-day plan to stop feeling bloated, start losing weight, and fix your gut.

Even as millions of Americans suspect they're suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder, they may spend years in pain before they figure out just what's going on with their gut. And while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is commonly diagnosed, SIBO, a disorder with basically all the same symptoms, is not.

So, what is SIBO? The acronym stands for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, a disorder in which bacteria that usually grow in other parts of the gut start to proliferate and take up residence in the small intestine. This causes a whole confluence of symptoms, ranging from bloating and cramps, to uncontrollable weight gain or weight loss, to even malnutrition when the bacteria eat up vital nutrients from our food. Even though several studies have shown that as many as 84 percent of patients with IBS also tested positive for SIBO, it remains understudied and underdiagnosed.

After decades of dealing with debilitating symptoms with no relief, Shivan Sarna's life changed when she was diagnosed with SIBO. As she eliminated her symptoms one by one through lifestyle changes and help from her physicians, she started to synthesize her personal experiences with Western and naturopathic medicine and dedicate herself to advocating for those suffering from SIBO, or those who think they could be.

Now, in this groundbreaking book, Sarna shares her step-by-step plan to treat and even cure SIBO, with information on what to eat and what to avoid, how to build a routine to manage your symptoms, and how to work with your doctor to find supplements and medications that promote healing. Sarna also includes her 21-day SIBO Specific Diet, which includes more than 40 recipes to put you on the path to recovery. Whether you're SIBO-diagnosed or SIBO-suspicious, this empowering guide will change the way you approach and think about your gut and overall health.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

At some point, seemingly-healthy twenty-something me starting being sick, all of the time. Just all of the tummy issues, we don't really need to get into it. My grandmother had something similar and I went to doctors and I had tests done. Eating anything and meal planning became a chore because I was in a terrible cycle of being sick so I wouldn't want to eat, and then getting so hungry that I was sick from that. Additionally, my anxiety symptoms have been worse and.... life just isn't fun when you can't enjoy eating and when everything you eat seems to make you sick.
I found this book and...wow. It sounds like my problem. Every detail. So I've sticky-noted, I am reading other books, I am making lists, I am doctor shopping and I am ready and nervous to set out on a journey to hopefully feel like a human again and be able to enjoy food.
I'm only sharing this because, well it's possible 80% of people with IBS are actually suffering from SIBO, but are just treating IBS symptoms...most are also women. I wouldn't want anyone to feel the way I have the past few years, so hopefully I can point someone that has similar symptoms in the direction of an answer and relief, too.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

For people like me who have been living with IBS for most of their lives and have resigned themselves to the thought that it's always going to be a series of frustrating symptoms that seem to have no cause... well it appears to have a cause now: Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. This book gives a really well-researched explanation of SIBO for laypeople in easy to understand language.

[Bryan Pickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

well I’ve got a myriad of confirmed problems, but I’m immensely grateful for Shivan’s depth of research that will help me alleviate some of them. Concise and to the point with a catalog of solutions, and true empathy in the process of healing from SIBO. I’m interested to see how this book gets updated in the future as new approaches and supplements are developed and implemented.

[Angela Plumeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read and makes some excellent points about identifying root causes and diseases that share similar symptoms. Provides some quality information and recommendations including diet and medication options. I like the helpful encouraging tone of the book and look forward to trying many of the suggestions.

[Kristel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone dealing with gut health and hit health issues this is a practical and be approachable read that is helpful and full of personal experience + medical ideas to pursue.

[Devlin Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it somewhat mediocre compared to The Microbiome Connection, which I thought offered a stronger foundation of scientific research and medical expertise. Much of her content in the book felt repetitive if you’ve already read other SIBO resources. The recipes and lifestyle tips were ok.
I think the book is good if you are newer to the topic her personal experiences add a nice touch that some of the clinical books lack. Overall it was good but not groundbreaking.

[Kelsey Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-help proves all-important after numerous unhelpful doctors visits for a wide range of issues, likely including digestion. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a disorder in which bacteria ferment in the small intestine rather than traveling quickly to the large intestine, often leading to misdiagnoses including IBS and nutrient deficiencies. Symptoms may include the more obvious stomach pain, bloat, and weight fluctuations to the less obvious brain fog. At a time when the mind-gut connection is becoming scientifically proven, “Healing SIBO: Fix the Real Cause of IBS, Bloating, and Weight” uses cutting edge and developing technical medical knowledge from the author’s viewpoint as a SIBO patient herself and serves as a reminder that fixing your gut simultaneously improves and promotes fixing your mindset.

Shivan Sarna’s book advocates for going to the doctor to get tested and not expecting a course of highly-specific antibiotics to solve all of your stomach troubles. The diet is based around a ranking system, with “green” foods being those that have lowest fermentability and therefore are likely well tolerated to “red” foods which have high fermentability and are likely to lead to bloat and other discomfort. Thankfully, this is not an exact replica of the low FODMAP diet, but instead weaves multiple similar plans together all the way down to the portions (which of course you will need to test for yourself!)

Suffering through stomach problems but haven’t taken the test or not quite ready to dive into 21 days? This book recommends keeping a food-mood journal to start tracking the foods that simply do or don’t agree with you

Will 21 days solve all of your problems? The author doesn’t claim this. Instead, these 21 days are all about first going to the doctor for a test and then learning as much as possible about your body, your trigger foods, and foods that will continue to support you after antibiotics are completed.

[T.K. Ambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tool for anyone suffering from SIBO. Shivan is very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. I now believe I have been suffering from SIBO since I was in high school. This book helps lay out a proper plan and simplifies the eating process. Thank you for your passion! I cannot wait to feel better and live my life again.

[Robin]

Comprehensive and up-to-date information about the condition and the latest tests with food lists. It's fairly technical but a good resource for those who have been diagnosed with SIBO or think it may be the reason for stomach issues. More recipes would have been appreciated but there are other books with FODMAP recipes.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in this category! Shivan walks the reader through the symptoms and patterns of SIBO and how to get to the bottom of solving them with or without an MD so at least the reader can make progress and feel better. I know it helped me from the first chapter.

[Laura Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has made a very complex health issue approachable. She uses everyday lanuage and real situations to connect with the reader and make the issue of SIBO much more accessable and managable. An easy book to read and so much reliable information.

[juliette]

really appreciated this. lots of useful information for those who suffer with SIBO or know someone who does. even if not, still very fascinating.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doctor who diagnosed my husband with SIBO recommended this book to have on hand as a reference even though much of this information can probably be found on-line. Lots of recipes but the author is a vegetarian and they are not very helpful for us at the moment since my husband is on a 90-day keto / low carb diet. His doctor just wants him to be FODMAP aware for now.

Feeling a little frustrated after Chapter 7, "Retesting, Relapsing, Re-treating" in which she says that relapsing is common and to think of SIBO as a symptom of something else that we're still going to have to get to the root of. We've been trying to do that for the last 5+ years of my husband's chronic pain.

We were aware that this could take multiple rounds of testing + treatment (not cheap) but reading that again is discouraging. Anyone looking for a"FIX...in 21 Days" should be aware that title is just a bit misleading.

[Ashley Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

As a SIBO sufferer I found this book to be a good resource for anyone who is starting on their journey through a SIBO diagnoses. I found the authors story to SIBO was similar to mine so it made me feel less alone while working through this condition.

I think this a wonderful resource for vegetarians as all the recipes included are plant based. (which I find nice since the suggested diet for SIBO is usually heavily reliant on meat)

This is the perfect book to read if you have newly been diagnosed OR think you may have SIBO. It has easy to understand information around diet, lifestyle changes and medications.

[Jacqie Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I have SIBO, and I've been reading anything I can get my hands on, in order to figure out how to heal. This was a great resource and I feel like taught me so much more than other books I've read. I love the way it was written - it wasn't too hard to read or understand, or written in a super "doctory" way. I can't wait to lend it to my sister who also has SIBO, and to try out some of the ideas for how to heal.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarna’s information and pro-tips have been helpful, as I was recently diagnosed with IMO/ methane SIBO. Much of her information comes from personal experience as well as support from her neuropathic doctor of gastroenterology, Allison Seibecker. Some of the recipes do not correspond with the Monash University low FODMAP diet, and I would like actual detail on how PPI use can cause SIBO/IMO. Regardless, I recommend this to anybody who needs to live with and treat SIBO/IMO.

[Lisa Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have or suspect you have SIBO, this is an excellent resource. At times, there is a bit too much narrative -rather than why things happen or help. Overall, a good source and offers many suggestion to try on your own or to consult with your health care provider if you are searching for relief.

[Ela Passarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for anyone who suspects SIBO. Shivan shares incredibly important and correct information about everything from testing to treatment to diet that comes straight from SIBO experts and her own experiences.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and useful recipies even for people withoiut SIBO who just want to be mindful about eating well.
very interesting to learn abput intestine motility and the need for mini fasts between meals,
no snacking!!

[Adrian Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have SIBO, this book truly helps you understand the context and provides guidance to solve it and avoid relapse. (Also explains how to know if you do have, with a breath test). The author really puts in her best effort to help people heal from or solve SIBO

[Lisha Doucet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand. Very good ideas to take to my GI appt to do further checks. Diagnosed with IBS a few years ago just based on the symptoms. No tests done. Went to a nutritionist and got most of the recommendations in this book.

[Brandy Mcginnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't a gimmick. It goes into the science behind SIBO and other GI issues, as well as therapies. If you suffer from SIBO, its a must read. I recommend buying your own paper copy so you can highlight and reference pages.

[David smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information. Mediocre writing as so many of self help books are. But useful

[Lindsey Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited to try the recipes. A good book to read to know what questions to ask your doctor.

[Jennifer Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this had a ton of really great information.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Shauna Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

detailed, well researched, organized & easy to read for a layperson

[Michelle Person · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some helpful info for understanding and treating SIBO!