Clinical outcomes of patients with SIBO and adherence to the carnivore diet: An analysis from a functional medicine perspective

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) manifests through excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine, causing significant gastrointestinal disturbances and impairments in nutrient absorption. The quest for innovative remedies is crucial, with conventional treatments like antibiotics facing limitations due to antibiotic resistance. Elemental and low-FODMAP diets, although partially effective, have their limitations. The carnivore diet, consisting solely of animal products, aims to curb SIBO by eliminating carbohydrates—bacteria's primary nutrient source—and providing nutrient-dense foods to remedy deficiencies. This thesis examines the carnivore diet's effectiveness in treating SIBO and its broader health implications. A survey assessed the carnivore diet's impact on health, especially SIBO, among 40 participants from Funmed clinics, gathering feedback on motivation, diet, symptom changes, health improvements, impressions, and challenges. Also, a search of electronic medical records mapped the feedback from the 46 non-survey completers who had adopted the diet. Statistical analysis utilised the Shapiro-Wilk test for data normality, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for non-normal numerical data between groups with (n=27) and without SIBO (n=13), and the Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. Results indicate improvements in gastrointestinal function, fatigue reduction, effective weight management, enhanced cognition, subjectively lower blood sugar levels, and the vast majority of participants would recommend the diet to others, underscoring the diet's therapeutic potential beyond SIBO treatment. These findings suggest that the carnivore diet could offer a promising SIBO and general health improvement alternative, warranting further investigation into its long-term safety and efficacy.