Dysbiosis, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, and Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Dysbiosis is characterized by an alteration in quantity and quality of intestinal microbiota composition. In the presence of dysbiosis, enterocytes will have difficulty in maintaining the integrity of the mucosal barrier, leading to increased intestinal permeability. These events are recognised to be linked to several chronic diseases. One of the consequences of dysbiosis is the manifestation of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which is associated to a variety of chronic diseases. Single food nutrients and bioactive molecules, food additives, pre- and probiotics, and different dietary patterns may change the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Low FODMAPs diet has been a reference in SIBO treatment. This chapter intends to describe how the intestinal microbiota, dysbiosis, and SIBO can be related; to define dysbiosis food and nutrients influence; and to offer some nutritional therapy strategies for applying the low FODMAPs protocol, enabling better adherence by patients in order to increase their wellbeing.