SIBO and Gluten Sensitivity: A Dietitian’s Guide to Gut Health

Are you struggling with bloating, digestive discomfort, or brain fog despite following a gluten-free diet? You might have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), a condition that often coexists with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

As a Neruo-gastroenterologist dietitian and celiac disease expert, I’ve helped many individuals in the UK regain control of their gut health by addressing SIBO and gluten intolerance through proper testing and dietary adjustments. In this article, we’ll explore:

• The connection between SIBO and gluten sensitivity
• How a gluten-free diet affects SIBO symptoms
• Why a reliable SIBO test is essential for diagnosis

Let’s dive in!

Can Gluten Sensitivity Cause SIBO?

Yes, gluten intolerance and celiac disease can contribute to SIBO development. Here’s how:

Gluten-Induced Gut Inflammation

• People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity experience chronic inflammation when they consume gluten.
• This inflammation damages the intestinal lining, impairing digestion and increasing the risk of leaky gut syndrome.
• A compromised gut barrier allows bacteria to migrate into the small intestine, setting the stage for SIBO.

Slowed Digestion and SIBO Risk

• In celiac disease, damage to the gut lining affects intestinal motility (the movement of food through the digestive system).
• When food moves too slowly, bacteria that should remain in the large intestine start overgrowing in the small intestine, leading to SIBO symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort.

Nutrient Deficiencies and SIBO

• Celiac disease and SIBO both lead to malabsorption of nutrients like iron, B12, and vitamin D.
• If left untreated, this can cause fatigue, brain fog, and weakened immunity.

Can SIBO Trigger Celiac Disease?

While celiac disease is primarily an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals, emerging research suggests that SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) could play a role in its onset or worsening. Chronic bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine leads to persistent inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, increasing intestinal permeability – a condition often referred to as “leaky gut.” This heightened permeability allows larger, undigested food particles and toxins, including gluten fragments, to cross into the bloodstream, potentially triggering immune responses in genetically susceptible individuals.

Moreover, SIBO-induced inflammation can disrupt the gut’s immune balance, making it more reactive to environmental antigens like gluten. In some cases, this can accelerate the onset of celiac disease or worsen its symptoms. Additionally, SIBO can mimic or exacerbate celiac symptoms—such as bloating, nutrient malabsorption, and chronic diarrhea—making accurate diagnosis more challenging.

This close link highlights the importance of considering SIBO testing, especially for individuals with ongoing digestive issues despite adhering to a strict gluten-free diet. By treating SIBO, patients may not only alleviate persistent gut symptoms but also reduce the inflammatory burden that could potentially trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions like celiac disease.

How to Test and Confirm Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests and intestinal biopsy. The first step is a serologic blood test to detect specific antibodies, such as tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG-IgA) and endomysial antibodies (EMA-IgA), which are typically elevated in celiac disease. It’s crucial to continue consuming gluten before testing to avoid false negatives. If blood tests indicate celiac disease, a small intestine biopsy, usually done via endoscopy, is performed to confirm the diagnosis by checking for damage to the intestinal villi. In some cases, genetic testing for HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 may be used to rule out celiac disease, as these genes are necessary for its development but not sufficient alone to cause it.

Are Your Symptoms from SIBO or Gluten Intolerance?

Many people in the UK assume they have gluten intolerance when, in reality, they may have SIBO. Both conditions share common symptoms:

• Bloating after eating gluten or high-FODMAP foods
• Gas and irregular bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation)
• Abdominal discomfort and cramping
• Fatigue, brain fog, and vitamin deficiencies

If you’ve gone gluten-free but still experience symptoms, it’s time to test for SIBO.

Should You Follow a Gluten-Free Diet for SIBO?

If you have SIBO, celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity, a gluten-free diet can support gut healing, but it’s not a cure for SIBO.

How Gluten-Free Eating Helps:

• Reduces gut inflammation and supports celiac disease recovery
• Eliminates gluten-containing grains (wheat, barley, rye), which are also high in FODMAPs that worsen SIBO symptoms
• Supports gut microbiome balance by removing inflammatory triggers

However, if you have persistent digestive issues despite going gluten-free, you may need a SIBO-specific diet alongside your gluten-free plan.

Take a Reliable SIBO Test in the UK

If you suspect SIBO, testing is essential for an accurate diagnosis. Our home SIBO test kit offers:

• Accurate hydrogen & methane breath testing
• Simple, at-home sample collection
• Fast results with expert dietitian recommendations

Order your SIBO test today! Click Here to Buy

How to Treat SIBO and Improve Gut Health

If your test confirms SIBO, the next steps include:

• A gluten-free, SIBO-friendly diet to reduce bacterial overgrowth
• Targeted probiotics and digestive enzymes to restore gut balance
• Herbal or prescription antimicrobials to eliminate excess bacteria

By addressing both gluten sensitivity and SIBO, you can take control of your gut health. Don’t wait—get tested today and start feeling better!

Reference:

Losurdo, G., Marra, A., Shahini, E., et al. (2017). Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review with Pooled-Data Analysis. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9795979/