5 Common SIBO Mistakes to Avoid
If you're dealing with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), you’ve likely felt the frustration of trying everything — yet still struggling with bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea. The truth is, treating SIBO successfully is often less about finding the “perfect” protocol and more about avoiding the most common pitfalls.
Here are 5 SIBO mistakes that could be standing in the way of your recovery:
1. Starting a SIBO protocol without first supporting your detox pathways
Before you dive into antimicrobials or antibiotics, your detox systems need to be functioning properly. This includes your ability to eliminate waste through breath, urine, stool, and sweat. One of the biggest red flags? Constipation. If you’re not having regular bowel movements, you’re not clearing the toxins and bacterial byproducts that treatment releases — which can make you feel worse and stall progress.
Tip: Make sure your liver, lymph, and bowels are supported before starting SIBO treatment.
2. Ignoring biofilm
Bacteria in your gut can form biofilms — sticky, protective layers that make them harder to kill. If you’re doing a SIBO protocol without breaking through those barriers, your treatment might only scratch the surface.
Support tools: Supplements like Interfase Plus and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can help weaken biofilms and make your antimicrobial treatment more effective.
3. Expecting one round of treatment to fix everything
SIBO can be stubborn. One of the most common mistakes is thinking a single course of antibiotics or herbs will solve it for good. But in reality, multiple rounds of treatment are often needed, followed by a gut repair phase to restore balance and prevent relapse.
Patience and consistency are key. Treat, then heal the gut lining with the right nutrients, lifestyle habits, and pro-motility support.
4. Panicking during die-off symptoms
Also known as a Herxheimer reaction, die-off symptoms can feel like you’re getting worse — when in reality, they’re often a sign that bacteria are being effectively killed off. You might feel more bloated, tired, foggy, or achy during this phase, but it usually passes within a few days.
Pro tip: Support detox pathways, drink water, rest, and don’t rush to stop treatment unless symptoms become unmanageable.
5. Treating SIBO without confirming it
Many people jump straight into a SIBO protocol based on symptoms alone. But conditions like IBS, food intolerances, candida overgrowth, or dysbiosis can mimic SIBO — and using the wrong protocol can backfire.
Best practice: Use proper testing, like a SIBO breath test, to confirm whether you’re actually dealing with SIBO before treating.
Final Thoughts
SIBO recovery isn’t always straightforward, but it is possible — especially when you avoid the common traps that hold people back. At BluOrchard, we’ve helped hundreds of people reduce bloating and digestive symptoms by approaching SIBO the smart way: with precision, patience, and simplicity.
If you’re looking for a powerful, easy-to-use supplement to support gut health while navigating SIBO, check out Bloat Blocker — our signature formula made with just two clean, clinically-studied ingredients shown to help heal your gut and prevent SIBO relapse.