Is Your Gut the Problem? GI-MAP, SIBO, and the Truth About Dysbiosis

Jenny Siepka • July 9, 2025

Is Your Gut the Problem? GI-MAP, SIBO, and the Truth About Dysbiosis

How to Heal Gut Dysbiosis Naturally: Herbs, GI-MAP Testing, and Red Light Therapy
If you're bloated, foggy, inflamed, and still feel "off" despite eating clean—your gut is talking. Are you listening?

🦠 Gut Dysbiosis Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
“Dysbiosis” is a buzzword in wellness—but what does it actually mean?

It’s simply an imbalance in the gut microbiome—the trillions of organisms that live in your digestive tract. But dysbiosis comes in many forms:

Overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria

Loss of beneficial species

Fungal overgrowth (like candida)

Post-antibiotic gut damage

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Viral persistence

Parasites

You can’t treat them all the same way—and that’s where people often go wrong.

🧪 GI-MAP: Powerful, But Misunderstood
The GI-MAP is one of our favorite tools at Valley Cryo. It gives us an inside look at what’s happening in the large intestine—the lower part of the gut where most elimination occurs.

It tells us:

Which good vs. bad bacteria are present

How well you’re digesting food

If you’re inflamed

If your immune system is activated

If parasites, viruses, or candida are showing up in the gut

But here’s the catch:
The GI-MAP is not a test for SIBO.

SIBO happens in the small intestine—an area the GI-MAP doesn’t assess. So if you’ve got severe bloating, gassiness, or discomfort after meals and your GI-MAP comes back “normal,” it doesn’t mean your gut is fine. You may still have SIBO, and that requires different testing and a different protocol.

🦠 What About H. pylori?
The GI-MAP does screen for Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining.
And while many people carry it without symptoms, for others it’s a major disruptor—causing:

Bloating

Acid reflux

Nausea

Poor iron and B12 absorption

Inflammation and fatigue

It’s not always black and white. We look at symptoms, strain virulence, and overall gut function before deciding whether H. pylori needs to be treated. If it does, we use gentle, targeted protocols to restore balance without nuking the entire microbiome.

🚨 Common Symptoms of SIBO & Gut Dysbiosis
If you’re experiencing any of the following, your gut might be sending distress signals:

Digestive Symptoms:

Bloating (especially after meals)

Excessive gas or belching

Constipation, diarrhea, or both

Abdominal pain or cramping

Acid reflux or heartburn

Undigested food in stool

Systemic & Inflammatory Symptoms:

Fatigue and low energy

Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Skin issues like acne, eczema, or rosacea

Joint pain or stiffness

Histamine intolerance (runny nose, rashes, itching)

Metabolic or Nutrient Symptoms:

Unexplained weight gain or loss

Food sensitivities

Nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12, D, etc.)

Sugar cravings or blood sugar crashes

Mood & Hormonal Symptoms:

Anxiety or depression

Irritability or mood swings

Worsening PMS or cycle irregularity (yes, the gut impacts hormones!)

Even just one or two of these symptoms can point to underlying gut imbalances. The longer they go unchecked, the more they can disrupt hormone health, immune function, and detox pathways.

🌿 So... What Do You Do About Dysbiosis?
Once we know what type of dysbiosis you’re dealing with, we build a personalized protocol. This might include:

1. Herbal Antimicrobials
For bacterial or fungal overgrowth:

Oregano oil

Berberine

Neem, thyme, allicin
Used in 4–6 week “kill” phases, followed by repair.

2. Immune + Natural Killer Support
When viruses or stealth pathogens are present, we support the body’s internal army:

Reishi, astragalus, olive leaf, larch

3. Probiotics
Broad-spectrum or targeted strains—but only when the gut is ready.
In inflamed or SIBO-prone guts, we may delay probiotics initially.

4. Fermented Foods (If Tolerated)
Raw sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi can reintroduce helpful microbes—but only if they don’t cause gas or bloating. If they do, we wait.

5. Binders, Bile & Drainage Support
We help open detox pathways with:

Magnesium, bitters, bile salts

Castor oil packs

Charcoal or clay (as needed)

6. Red Light & Infrared Therapy
Emerging research shows that red and near-infrared light can support gut healing by:

Reducing intestinal inflammation

Modulating the microbiome

Improving gut barrier integrity 

Enhancing cellular energy (ATP) in the gut lining

At Valley Cryo, we use these therapies regularly in gut-healing protocols to reduce systemic inflammation and support microbial balance.

📚 Source:
Liang, J. et al. Photobiomodulation Improves Gut Dysbiosis and Intestinal Barrier Function. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2021. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.661706/full

💡 Final Thought: You Don’t Need a Gut Reset. You Need a Gut Strategy.
If your gut is inflamed, your brain foggy, your belly bloated, and your mood off—it’s not just “normal aging” or bad luck.
It’s a call for a deeper look.

At Valley Cryo, we use advanced gut testing, functional nutrition, and proven protocols to help your gut heal—for real.

👉 Ready to Heal Your Gut?
📞 Call Valley Cryo 540-217-2831 and ask for Jenny
🌿 Personalized gut healing is just one test and one plan away.
📍 Charlottesville, VA

Jenny's Wellness Disclaimer
Disclaimer:
The information I share is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am a Registered Nurse and Certified Functional Nutrition Coach, and while I draw from advanced training and experience in functional and longevity medicine, I do not prescribe or recommend specific medical treatments, medications, or therapies.

Any discussions about peptides, bioregulators, supplements, or lab interpretations are intended to support your understanding and empower informed conversations with your licensed medical provider.

Please consult with your physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any health protocol, especially involving prescription medications, hormones, or research-grade compounds.
By Jenny Siepka August 26, 2025
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