Case Study: Gut Health Journey #5

Blog Post by Coach Julie

NCI Certified Nutrition Coach L1 & Certified Mindset Coach
Specializing in Woman's Health and Gut Health

** Please Note: This is my journey.  The protocol that I am following is individualized to my situation.  I am not a doctor nor am I offering medical advice.  Should you wish to seek coaching for your individual situation please fill out the coaching call application and Coach Kayli or I would love to help you.

Throughout this process, I have continuously surprised myself.  Phase 3 that I thought would last 6-12 weeks, I completed in 4.  My body has been responding very well to the treatments.  I have eliminated all symptoms after 4 weeks of fighting SIBO with diet and supplements.  I started Phase 3 on June 3rd and ended on July 3rd.  When this phase began, I was to discontinue the mastic gum and the DGL encapsulations and immediately begin the 4 SIBO supplements.  The 4 new supplements were: Oregano Oil, Berberine, GI Detox and BioFilm Defense. Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  It has also been shown to help stabilize intestinal flora balance.  Berberine is usually a natural alternative to some diabetes medications including metformin.  Studies are showing that it has a benefit to gut microbiome and has shown to improve symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.  The BioFilm defense helps support healthy levels of biofilm and provides nutritional support for detoxing the gut.  It is also an aid for bloating, gas and GI distress.  Lastly, the GI Detox is exactly what it sounds like.  This is a supplement that will help bind all of the harmful microbes we are trying to flush from the body and get them out of the body. I also continued the Phase 1 practices during this phase.  Those steps included diet changes, starting S. Boulardii, starting colostrum, walking after meals, managing stress, getting good sleep, and keeping my workout intensity lower.  These are all in place to help my body naturally detox and heal.  The diet changes are to keep inflammation to a minimum.  The S. Boulardii and colostrum help support the gut during the detox and die off process.  Walking after meals aids with digestion and minimizes bloating and discomfort.  Managing stress, getting good sleep and keep my workout intensity low are all about reserving my energy for my body’s healing and fighting the infection.  It is normal to experience fatigue during this phase so keeping some energy is vital for allowing your body to recover.  The typical expected symptoms associated with die off include: fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and flu like symptoms.


I did not experience any adverse symptoms during this phase.  I was able to maintain consistency with the supplements and the protocol which is probably why I was able to get out of this phase within 4 weeks.  Now, it’s time for Phase 4.

Phase 4 is going to be continuing most of the Phase 1 protocol things.  I discontinued the 4 SIBO supplements and the colostrum.  I have also started taking a probiotic called Flora Protect and a supplement called PepZin GI.  These two supplements are to repopulate the gut with good bacteria and to protect the gut barrier and gut immunity.  I will maintain the S. Boulardii with these two supplements and I will be continuing the peppermint oil.  So far the introduction of these new supplements has gone smoothly.  The first day I had some cramping, but I believe this to be caused by a 3 hour window between taking the pills and eating my first meal.  The supplements are to be taken on an empty stomach however I learned that my first meal needs to be shortly after I take them.  The basis of this phase is reintroduction of foods.  All the items that we discontinued in Phase 1 will be added back in.  This is a gradual reintroduction, we aren’t just throwing caution to the wind.  We are implementing a 4 day cycle.  I will be choosing one food from each category and introducing it on a 4 day cycle.  Day 1 will be a half a serving.  If there are no symptoms, day 2 will be the same size serving twice per day.  On day 3 if there are no symptoms, I will eat a normal serving.  Day 4 is a rest day to allow the gut time to rest.  Day 5 starts another 4 day cycle with a different food from a different food group.  As we go through this process, I will be tracking what foods I’m introducing and what symptoms I experience.  By the end of this, I will have identified my trigger foods, if there are any, and can avoid them to maintain gut health.  I anticipate I will be in this phase until I have cycled through all the foods that I would like to add back into my diet. After this phase, we will move to Phase 5 where I work on increasing stomach acid and titrating off Nexium.  Of course, you will receive an update in 4 weeks on progress.