8 Tips For Improving MMC function

Amy Hollenkamp3 Comments

I recently wrote an article about what activities inhibit MMC function and I wanted to build on that article by covering what activities will improve MMC function. Migrating motor complex deficiency is seen in 70% of patients who have SIBO. This deficiency in MMC activity creates an environment in the small intestines that is ripe for an overgrowth. High relapse rates in many SIBO patients can be a result of failing to address MMC deficiency. No amount of herbs or…

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The SIBO-hormone connection: how gut imbalance wreaks havoc on your hormonal health

Amy Hollenkamp3 Comments

When I was in the thick of my SIBO journey, my hormones were cray cray. My thyroid hormones were in the tank, my cortisol levels were through the roof and my period had been absent for over a year! This pattern of low thyroid hormones, high cortisol levels and low sex hormones is so common in my SIBO clients. The connection between hormonal health and gut health is indisputable. This leads to the question, does hormone dysfunction cause SIBO or…

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Why you shouldn’t ignore weight loss during SIBO treatment?

Amy Hollenkamp17 Comments

During my SIBO journey, managing my weight was a monumental task. I had a very rapid and scary weight loss of about 25 pounds in a 4-month period. And I was at a healthy weight before the loss so I looked and felt quite emaciated when I reached my lowest weight. What was even scarier than my severe weight loss was how others perceived my weight loss. There were 3 main reactions that were all detrimental to my healing journey.…

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Is your SIBO diet too restrictive? Or not restrictive enough?

Amy Hollenkamp15 Comments

There was nothing that made me want to pull my own hair out more than trying to decide on what diet to follow during SIBO treatment. It seemed like many of the popular SIBO diets contradicted each other. I latched on to the popular notion that the more I could starve the bacteria the faster I would beat the SIBO. So, I religiously followed a low carb SCD/FODMAP combo for 4 months. It seemed like my whole life revolved around avoiding…

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The Many Root Causes of SIBO (an info-graphic)

Amy Hollenkamp14 Comments

If you have read my blog in the past, you know that I am constantly trying to persuade fellow SIBO sufferers to search for the root cause of their SIBO! Obviously that can be easier said than done, but true healing can not take place without treating your root cause(s). I have been playing around with how to present the various root causes of SIBO and I decided to push my creativity to its limits and make an infographic. Below…

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