Sexy Sibo is brought to you with love by Diana Allen, MS, CNS. That's me in my country kitchen, over there on the left.
I, Diana, am a clinical nutritionist with a Master of Science in Human Nutrition. In my private practice, I see a lot of people with digestive issues. But my very first client was myself.
I've been dealing with digestion since I first started experimenting with diet and became a vegetarian, way back in the 70's. Formal diagnosis: IBS-C. (That's Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation, for those who are new to all this.)
The 1970's were a long time ago! You can imagine that in all the years since then I've tried a lot of different dietary systems and approaches, found some that worked better than others, let go of those that didn't.
All this is true.
My biggest crush was on raw foods. We met in high school, broke up after a few years and got back together around 2005.
Me and raw foods went steady for more than half a decade. I became a raw food expert and gourmet raw food chef. I started a blog called Eat to Evolve! that's packed with yummy recipes. I wrote books on detoxification, chia seeds and kombucha.
I had a green and vibrant time being raw, but through it all my C remained. So I started eating more cooked grains, more cooked beans and even processed vegetarian foods, like spicy soy sausage. It was fun eating those foods, but they didn't help. Not only was I still constipated, I was increasingly bloated and in pain.
During the spring of 2013, I realized I might have this thing called SIBO. I read up on it, asked around, did a bit of soul searching and changed my diet. The great thing was this: When I added some animal foods back into my diet and removed the fermentable carbs, my symptoms subsided! But a workshop with China Study author T. Colin Campbell inspired me so deeply that I returned to my vegetarian roots the following fall. I even got certified in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University.
A year later, I once again found myself bloated as hell.
Fast forward to present. In early 2015 I revisited the
research, consulted a gastroenterologist and had a lactulose breath test. The test confirmed the diagnosis.
High baseline methane levels and a distal small intestine bacterial
overgrowth. SIBO.
Working together with a skilled naturopath, I started treating myself with natural medicine and a diet low in sugars, grains and fermentable carbohydrates. And I started Sexy Sibo as an outlet and a forum to share the adventure. Because hey—what's not sexy about burping, bloating, poop and farts? Not a whole lot! Are you with me?
[NOTE: If you've made it this far, I just want to pause here and appreciate you for stopping by! Thank you for reading this blog and for committing yourself to your healing. Suffering sucks. If there's anything I can do to help you find the answers you need to help you cultivate a calm belly, that's what I'm here for.]
[NOTE: If you've made it this far, I just want to pause here and appreciate you for stopping by! Thank you for reading this blog and for committing yourself to your healing. Suffering sucks. If there's anything I can do to help you find the answers you need to help you cultivate a calm belly, that's what I'm here for.]
The journey is continuing. My goal is complete recovery—for myself and for you, too. I don't know where I'll end up, but damn if I'm not going to have the best possible time getting there!
Yours in health and the spirit of adventure,
Diana xo
Yours in health and the spirit of adventure,
Diana xo
Diana. Thank you for starting this blog. I have glanced over the site and will slowly absorb everything here as time permits. I have been diagnosed with GERD. I have a small hiatal hernia and my LES is relaxed/loose. I have read a few books including the Fast Tract Diet and Protein Power Life Style. I have glanced over Dr Campbell's GAPS. I have no formal diet plan other than high protein low carbs. When I first started the diet, it helped my symptoms tremendously. Now in my fourth month on this diet, I have been slowly introducing coffee, cocoa powder, heavy cream, more sugars, more carbs. Some of my symptoms are returning. This blog came timely, as I am now working to adjust my lifestyle so I can heal. Thank you for this blog. I look forward to reading it over the next few days. ~Lyling
ReplyDeleteLyling, Thank you for sharing your story and for visiting SexySibo! I hope my posts will be useful for you and wish you great success in your healing. Sounds like you are on the right track already. If symptoms are returning with a wider dietary program, that's valuable information. Pull back to safe baseline (animal protein, pure fats, low-FODMAP green veggies) and it should only take a few days for symptoms to abate. Coffee with heavy cream will probably be ok to keep in as long as you remove the sugars and carbs. :) Diana
ReplyDeleteHi Diana,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to tell you that I have been so delighted by your wonderful, informative, funny and helpful blog. I am finally at the point of knowing what to do next (after digging through so much information, dealing with scary symptoms, visiting unhelpful Drs) that the SIBO feels more like project I can handle, rather than a problem I am stuck with. Your blog is so well organized and to the point. I can't wait to see if the treatment will help with years of fatigue (not bed ridden but always sluggish and foggy). Thank you so much for putting yourself out there on this confusing subject!!! Best wishes for you and your readers' health!!! Kate
Kate, Thanks so much for your sweet comment! It means a lot to me to hear that what I am offering here is helpful for people. I hope you have excellent results with your treatment of choice after doing all your research. Best wishes in health, Diana
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been a godsend to me Diana. Thank you for all your easy to digest ( no pun intended) information. I have been following your IBO Keto recommends for 4 days and am finally feeling considerably less bloated.
ReplyDeleteI am leaving in in 5 days for a long-planned, 2 week vacation to the southwest ( Mountain Biking mainly). I am wondering if you can think I have any chance of losing this sluggish feeling by then? I am usually an active energetic person, but not since I stopped taking PPI'a and ended up with SIBO.
PS - I used to live in Amherst too (while attending UMASS in the late 70's)
Hi Barb, Just saw this. Thanks so much for your comment. I'm so glad the Keto diet is helping you—terrific!
DeleteIt sounds like you have reflux, quite common with SIBO. There's a great book by Dr. Norm Robillard I recommend called Fast Tract Digestion: GERD (there's also an IBS version - both offer the same program, but w/different background info) - Anyway, that book does a great job of explaining and outlining principles, as well as a very sustainable diet for the long term. Check it out!
All the best to you, Diana
I have also had leaky gut/ibs-c since my teens. I also did my first SIBO-c test in 2015 and went on to obsess over it and finally try to educate myself with the NTP program. I just wanted to say that your blog is great. Lots of helpful info here for people. I am with you on the frustration and trying everything. I was on a can't take another supplement phase for a few months but I am trying to get back to strict strict diet and healing supplements. I am right here with ya, I can relate.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn, Thanks for visiting Sexy Sibo and for your kind words. Solidarity, sister! Since I started this blog, lots has changed in the SIBO world. For one, there is just a ton more information and awareness out there. It means a lot to know that what I have to share, from my own experience, is helping others. You are so welcome. :) Diana
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