I have leaky gut and have ordered the permavite and seacure. I have been taking them for the past month. I am also taking digestive enzymes. I do find a slight reduction in pain. However, I have a lot of flatulence after my meals (sometimes foul smelling) and also when I drink a lot of fluid. Can anyone advise whether I have SIBO or other conditions.

Hi Rita,

How was your leaky gut diagnosed? If this was diagnosed by a healthcare professional then the same individual is likely to be offer lab tests that can help to diagnose SIBO - typically a hydrogen breath test (HBT).

Since you experience a lot of foul smelling flatulence after meals SIBO is certainly a possibility. Moreso if you have increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) as the two tend to go hand in hand. Flatulence after drinking a lot of fluid is more unusual but may be a symptom of general gut issues.

It is likely you would meet the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but such a diagnosis would be of little practical help to you. I would therefore seek a medical practitioner who can test for SIBO. Doctors practicing integrative/functional or environmental medicine, certain gastroenterologists, naturopaths, nutritionists and other complementary and alternative medicine practitioners are all likely to do this.

For the time being I would recommend you add betaine HCL (stomach acid) supplements if not included with your digestive enzymes and perhaps try a probiotic product such as Align (Bifantis) or VSL#3 which have both proven effective at reducing flatulence in clinical trials.

Hi Maff, Thank you for your advice. I am no longer seeing the doctor who tested me for leaky gut. Shd I continue with the seacure and permavite. This is my second month and I do find some relief. However, can I take the treatment for SIBO even without being tested. Thank you.

You're welcome Rita

Seacure and Perm-a-vite are two of the best supplements for treating leaky gut syndrome so if you feel they are helping and can afford them (since they are quite expensive!) I don't see a reason to stop taking them.

If you do indeed have SIBO as sounds likely then continuing to treat the leaky gut at the same time will only be beneficial.

You can certainly use natural remedies and probiotics aimed at treating SIBO without being tested. An improvement in your symptoms would be a good indicator that SIBO is indeed a problem for you. In some cases of SIBO antibiotic medications may be required however, in which case you would need to seek out a doctor...but try the natural approach first.

For more information see our Antibacterial Treatment page.

Good luck!<br /><br />Post edited by: Maff, at: 2010/06/23 16:16

i think i also have a leaky gut, i feel pain in my intestine, is that what it is like?..oral thrush is also a problem of mine.. does Seacure and Perm-a-vite really effective? i am from philippines, is it available in our country?.

how can i diagnose that i have it?my left side intestine i think on colon sometimes gives a pain inside..i also have gas..