Ever had that moment where your favorite pair of jeans suddenly feels two sizes too small?
Or that feeling of carrying a balloon in your stomach right before a big event?
That’s bloating and I know that doesn’t feel good. I experienced it too when I was dealing with SIBO and its symptoms (don’t even get me started if I happen to have had some garlic).
It’s not just about looking a bit puffy; it can be genuinely uncomfortable, sometimes even painful. From gas to a sluggish digestive system, there are many causes, but relief can be hard to find.
You might have turned to a product like GasX or Tums and found perhaps temporary relief, but for many, this is a daily issue – seemingly no matter what you eat!
What is bloating and why does it happen?
Bloating (distension) is a common digestive issue that can cause discomfort and inconvenience, affecting a wide range of individuals across different lifestyles. As common as it is, between 20 and 30% of the population regularly suffers from gas and bloating, with a higher prevalence among individuals affected by conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth & Intestinal Methanogenic Overgrowth), and Intestinal Sulfide Overproduction (ISO).
Is this your story too?
You might be familiar with a feeling of fullness, tightness, or swelling in your stomach. Bloating can stem from various causes, including diet, lifestyle choices, and certain medical conditions.
So why does bloating happen?
One of the biggest myths is that bloating isn’t just about what you eat. Sure, that extra serving of beans doesn’t help, but stress, how fast you eat (believe it or not, also how many times you chew!), and even hormonal changes play a part. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m not okay with this.”
Bloating involves the accumulation of gas or increased pressure in the digestive system, leading to discomfort, sometimes pain, and a visibly swollen abdomen (the medical term is distension). When you have organisms that overgrow as part of the SIBO / IMO / ISO constellation those organisms produce gas. That gas leads to bloating. If you want to reduce your bloating, treat your SIBO / IMO / ISO.
Let’s talk about symptom management. One thing I’ve found to help is a binder you may have heard of before: activated charcoal.
Your best new bloating friend – Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a fine, black powder made from various substances: typically coconut shells, peat, or wood, that are oxidized under extreme heat. The result is a substance with a lot of holes or spaces for water to pass through. Charcoal like this is capable of adsorbing toxins and gases, making it useful in both emergency toxin removal and digestive health.
Activated charcoal has a large surface area due to its porous structure, allowing it to attract and trap gas molecules effectively.
When you swallow activated charcoal, it moves through your digestive system, where it binds to these gas molecules, reducing their presence in your gut and alleviating your symptoms of bloating.
Picture it like a sponge that soaks up the extra gas and toxins that make you feel bloated in the first place
But here’s the thing.
While popping a charcoal capsule might sound like a magic fix, it’s not a “one size fits all.”
Activated charcoal has the ability to absorb nutrient molecules, too – so it’s not selective. Taking activated charcoal with meals might reduce nutrient absorption. It can also interfere with your medications (meaning, it might absorb those too!). So many are sure to consult your doctor and take it away from medications.
While activated charcoal is a game-changer for many, it’s not for everyone. It can cause constipation so for my personal use, I take some magnesium with it. Specific health conditions or medications might not play well with it. It’s like that friend who’s fun to hang out with but not someone you want to invite for every occasion. So take charcoal away from other food and medicines.
Before incorporating activated charcoal into your regimen, discussing potential nutrient and medication interactions with a healthcare provider is important to make sure it’s a safe option for you. You need tailored advice that considers your health history, current medications, and overall wellness goals, and we can help with that!
Your next steps!
#1 If you are interested in getting activated charcoal with a discount as well as 20,000 other supplements from vitamin A to Zinc. Here is the link for your double digit discount at Fullscript!
#2 You can now enroll in our SIBO Small Group Coaching with Dr. Allison Siebecker and me, where we look at your situation and educate you on your next strategies. This coaching program combined with SIBO Recovery Roadmap® Course will highly value your individualized journey so we can effectively incorporate activated charcoal to aid your bloating issues.
This program consists of 4 live small-group coaching sessions that are designed to answer your questions and guide you to your next steps – plus ongoing anytime access to the SIBO Recovery Roadmap® Course.
You can pre-submit your questions and breath test results if you have them. (If you don’t have a breath test or don’t know what to test … don’t worry we will share resources with you.)
The SIBO Recovery Roadmap® Course has handouts, searchable transcripts, and videos to rely on whenever you need it, with unlimited access, so you can refer back to the material on demand.
Want to learn more about the experience from our participants? Here’s what they are saying:
“I participated in the 4-sessions of SIBO Coaching with Dr. Allison Siebecker hosted by Shivan Sarna and am so grateful for their expertise not only with regards to SIBO but general digestive challenges. They have a wealth of knowledge from years and years of experience and have created a safe place for individuals to share their health problems. I have learned so much from Allison and Shivan as well as the participants who bravely share their journey. Allison and Shivan empower participants to better understand their own health allowing for more effective advocacy with their primary health practitioners.” ~ Kim K
“I personally have been on this chronic health journey dealing with SIBO for 2 years. Doing treatments, not really getting better, actually getting worse… After dealing with this illness for so long this has rebooted me. I am re-energized. I am excited that I can do this. Sorry for getting a little emotional but it’s been such a transformation from going it alone. I’m so glad I signed up.” ~Catrina H
“I was looking for something more personalized. The sessions helped me because I’m actually watching you work with other people. And through that, I’m learning through their questions, things that I forgot to ask, or maybe symptoms that I don’t have now, but I might have down the road… It has already shortened my journey by streamlining the information as we work together in a small group.” ~Robin C
“I learned so many valuable pieces of information that I didn’t even think to ask. The sessions are actually so much fun. We get to speak to Shivan and Dr. Siebecker live. Informative and so easy to communicate with them both… This course has been crucial to how much my condition and health has improved.” ~Debbie L
“The SIBO Recovery Roadmap® Course is THE best, most comprehensive course/program of information on SIBO anywhere! I am forever grateful to Shivan and Dr. Siebecker for their knowledge and expertise in providing this information and continual updates as they occur. The coaching, especially the opportunity to submit my breath test results prior to the live session, are priceless! It’s the gift that keeps on giving!” ~ Fonda
I am grateful beyond words for what I have learned from the both of you! I wish my doctor was aware of this tool. You should see all the notes I have taken! You really are making a difference, especially in my SIBO adventure – and I’m sure for many. Thanks for helping me get well… one step at a time. God bless you both!!! ~ Joann