Prepping correctly for your SIBO Breath test is super important.
If you don’t prep properly you could get inaccurate test results.
And then if you are basing your treatment plan on the wrong information… well, that could result in a big fat waste of time, energy and money.
And maybe even put your health even further in the hole.
Yikes!
So how to prep correctly for your SIBO Breath test?
For at least ONE MONTH prior to testing:
NO antibiotics.
NO colonoscopies or barium studies.
For at least ONE WEEK prior to testing:
NO herbal antimicrobials
NO pre- or pro- biotics
NO stomach acid blocking medications (PPI’s / antacids etc)
NO enemas
ONE DAY before testing:
NO digestive aids (enzymes / HCl / Iberogast etc)
NO laxatives
Okay, so that covers supplements and bum flushing.
What about food?
If you’ve been having ZERO fodmaps for an extended period of time (3 months +), it’s probably a good idea to put some in in the weeks leading up to your test.
If they (the SIBOsshole) haven’t been getting any food (ie fodmaps) they might be in a dormant state (hiding), and might not show up on your test.
It could hurt, but eating some could really help the accuracy of your test.
No need to go overboard, say just some fermentable fruits and veggies here and there (ie apples, legumes, potatoes etc).
PREP DIET
You’ll either need to do 1 OR 2 DAYS of prep diet.
Regular to loose stools: ONE DAY
Slow to constipated stools: TWO DAYS
The aim of the prep diet is to reduce fermentation in your intestines, creating your “baseline”.
Then when you drink the solution if the SIBO guys are in there they ferment it and start releasing their gases.
You are measuring these gas levels.
Prep diet FOODS:
Not much! #soz
Baked or broiled chicken, white fish or turkey
Eggs
Steamed Jasmine / Basmati (but only IF you have already been eating grains)
Clear chicken or beef broth (check ingredients – must be nothing else in it, esp no onion or garlic)
Olive oil or coconut oil (1 tsp only for cooking)
Salt and pepper
Water
Very specific. Very important.
You are then going to fast overnight. Minimum 12 hours.
On waking don’t eat or drink anything. You can rinse out your mouth, but I would avoid toothpaste.
Move around for at least one hour, but no strenuous exercise.
Then you can begin the testing-testing.
I made a video for you on how to do the test-test.
Can also find on my YouTube channel.
I recommend watching it a couple times.
I know when I did my first SIBO breath test I was so scared of stuffing it up!
This will help you feel more confident when you do yours, AND avoid mistakes that could lead to an inaccurate test result.
Boom!
Off you go Superstar.
I am a huge advocate for testing for SIBO. Symptoms don’t always match up with what is actually going on on the inside.
Invest the time in getting the correct information. You will save yourself time (and money) in the long run.
Check out my other post on how to interpret your results once you have them.
If you need help with treatment shoot me a dm and we can chat about your options.
Lots of love,
SIBO free Kirsten
x x x
