



SIBO
What is SIBO?
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) occurs when bacteria that normally live in the large intestine begin to grow excessively in the small intestine—where they don’t belong. The small intestine is designed to absorb nutrients from food, not to host large colonies of bacteria. When those bacteria migrate upstream or fail to clear properly, they begin to ferment the food you eat before it is fully digested. This fermentation produces gases like hydrogen and methane, which disrupt digestion and trigger symptoms.
How does SIBO occur?
SIBO can arise for many reasons: slowed gut motility, past antibiotic use, food poisoning, abdominal surgery, or even stress. These factors impair the natural cleaning waves of the intestine (known as the migrating motor complex), allowing bacteria to linger and multiply in the wrong place.
SIBO symptoms
SIBO can feel like classic IBS—but often worse. It commonly causes bloating, abdominal pain, excessive gas, diarrhoea, constipation, reflux, nausea, and food intolerances—especially to carbs, fibre, and fermented foods. Left untreated, SIBO can also impair nutrient absorption, leading to fatigue, brain fog, and vitamin deficiencies.
A Simple 3-Step Process
How the Test Works
The SIBO Breath Test is a non-invasive, at-home diagnostic tool that detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Using a simple sugar solution and timed breath samples, the test identifies whether specific gut bacteria are fermenting food too early in your digestive tract
Collapsible content
How do I complete the test
- Fast Overnight: Begin with an empty stomach.
- Drink a Sugar Solution: You’ll both a lactulose and glucose solution.
- Collect Breath Samples: Over 2 hours, you’ll breathe into a small test tube at 20-minute intervals.
- Send It Off: Return your samples in the provided reply-paid packaging.
*Full instructions are included in the SIBO Breath Kit
What is being tested
Your breath is analysed for two gases:
- Hydrogen (H₂)
- Methane (CH₄)
If these gases rise too early or exceed specific thresholds, it indicates bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, confirming a diagnosis of SIBO.
Instruction Video from Nutripath
The Results Report
Below is a sample results report identical to what you will receive.