Struggling With IBS or SIBO? You’re Not Alone — and You’re Not Broken

Bloating, nausea, heartburn, loose stools, or constipation should not be a part of your daily life.

Bloating, nausea, heartburn, loose stools, constipation, or ongoing digestive discomfort are some of the most common reasons people seek help — and yet many leave without answers.

If you’ve been told you have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or possible SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), you may have also been told:

• “Just avoid trigger foods”

• “Manage your stress”

• “Take this medication”

For many people, these approaches only mask symptoms — they don’t address why digestion stopped working properly in the first place.

At Thrive Functional Health, we believe digestive symptoms are signals — not inconveniences to suppress.

Why IBS and SIBO Often Go Unresolved

The unfortunate reality is that many people with IBS or SIBO are offered symptom management instead of solutions. Medications may temporarily reduce discomfort, but they rarely address underlying causes such as:

• Poor digestion and absorption

• Gut dysbiosis

• Low stomach acid

• Enzyme or bile insufficiency

• Inflammation or leaky gut

This is why symptoms often return — or cycle endlessly.

Digestion Is a North-to-South Process (And This Changes Everything)

Digestion doesn’t start in the gut — it starts in the mouth.

A healthy digestive system depends on multiple steps working together:

• Thorough chewing

• Adequate stomach acid

• Digestive enzymes

• Healthy bile flow

• Balanced gut bacteria

• Intestinal lining integrity and absorption

When one or more of these steps break down, symptoms like bloating, reflux, IBS-type symptoms, or SIBO can develop.

Functional medicine asks a different question: Where did digestion break down — and why?

Common IBS & SIBO Symptoms We See

Many of our patients struggle with:

• Chronic bloating or gas

• Nausea or early fullness

• Heartburn or reflux

• Loose stools or diarrhea

• Constipation

• Alternating bowel habits

• A cycle of digestive distress that “never feels normal.”

If this sounds familiar, your body is asking for deeper support.

3 Functional Medicine Strategies to Support Gut Healing

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Gut Health

Processed foods, refined sugars, and inflammatory oils can worsen gut dysbiosis and SIBO symptoms.

A gut-supportive, anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes:

• Clean, high-quality protein

• Cooked vegetables (often easier to digest)

• Low-sugar fruits

• Whole, nutrient-dense foods

Sample 3-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan

Day 1

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and avocado

• Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with olive oil and lemon

• Dinner: Baked salmon, roasted zucchini, sweet potato

Day 2

• Breakfast: Protein smoothie with berries and almond milk

• Lunch: Turkey lettuce wraps with cucumber and hummus

• Dinner: Grass-fed beef, sautéed carrots, cauliflower rice

Day 3

• Breakfast: Egg muffins with vegetables

• Lunch: Leftover salmon over mixed greens

• Dinner: Chicken soup with cooked vegetables and herbs

Food tolerance is individual — personalization matters.

Slow Down: Digestion Starts in Your Mouth

One of the simplest — and most overlooked — gut health strategies is chewing thoroughly.

When meals are rushed:

• Food isn’t properly broken down

• Stomach acid and enzymes can’t keep up

• Fermentation, bloating, and reflux increase

Gut-friendly habits:

• Sit down for meals (especially your largest meal)

• Chew each bite well

• Avoid multitasking while eating

• Eat in a calm, relaxed state

Test, Don’t Guess: Find the Root Cause

If you’ve tried dietary changes and still struggle, the right testing can be life-changing.

Functional testing can identify whether symptoms are driven by:

• SIBO

• Gut dysbiosis

• Malabsorption

• Food sensitivities

• Leaky gut

• Inflammation or enzyme insufficiency

When we understand the root cause, we can create targeted, personalized solutions — not generic protocols.

Why Our Functional Medicine Approach Is Different

At Thrive Functional Health, we:

• Assess digestion from north to south

• Use advanced functional testing

• Address root causes instead of symptoms

• Create personalized gut-healing plans

• Support long-term digestive health

Digestive distress may be common — but it is not normal.

Ready to Heal Your Gut at the Root?

If you’re tired of managing IBS or SIBO symptoms and want real answers, we’re here to help.

Schedule a Free Health Consultation. Together, we’ll uncover what’s driving your gut symptoms and build a plan that supports true healing.

Schedule Your Health Consultation

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be made through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.