SIFO is small intestinal fungal overgrowth, one small study found that 26% of people with unexplained GI symptoms had an overgrowth of fungus in the small intestines.
Fungus is a normal part of the gut flora; however, due to stress, imbalanced gut bacteria, high blood sugar levels, and impaired immunity can lead to fungal overgrowth. The most commonly found fungus is Candida albicans, and when this over grows it produces something called a biofilm, a large group of fungal buds surrounded by a thick covering that makes it resistant to treatment.
When the fungus stays in the GI tract, it causes gas, bloating, and diarrhea, whereas when there is a leaky gut, the fungus can spread to other parts of the body and cause fatigue, brain fog, excess sugar carvings, irritability, vaginal yeast infections, eczema, and itchy ears.
SIFO SYMPTOMS:
The most common SIFO symptoms observed in these patients were
- Belching,
- Bloating,
- Indigestion,
- Constipation.
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea,
- Diarrhoea,
- Gas.
SIFO FOODS TO AVOID
- Avoid sugar, your fungus feeds on sugar, so it will be wise to eliminate sugar completely from your diet. Avoid refined sugar, sugar syrups and sugary beverages.
- Avoid carbohydrates, especially simple carbohydrates as carbohydrates are broken into sugar molecules in our GI tract which will promote fungal growth.
- Avoid fruits with high sugar content.
- Avoid Food which contains yeast such as breads, cakes, wine.
- Avoid fermented food such as kefir, kombucha, alcohol, cheese, vinegar.
- Avoid taking antacids as lack of stomach acid may actually be contributing to the development of SIFO.
SIFO TREATMENT:
- Antifungal treatment: Antifungals prescribed by your GP will restrict fungal overgrowth.
- Antifungal herbs such as oregano, garlic will slow down fungal overgrowth
- Practice stress management like yoga, Accu-puncture, Meditation and journaling.
- Include probiotics in diet to support microbial diversity.
Struggling with SIFO? Contact now to receive personalized dietary strategies from Karishmma Chawla and take control of your digestive health naturally.
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