Let’s start by laying down the science. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are molecules found on the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. These little buggers are naturally occurring in your gut, but they become a serious problem when there’s an imbalance, leading to increased bacterial death and an overload of LPS.
See, when gram-negative bacteria die, they release LPS into the gut environment. This triggers an inflammatory response and can disrupt the gut lining, causing it to become more permeable—a condition commonly known as “leaky gut.” Think of it as your gut lining becoming like a net with holes too big, allowing harmful substances to “leak” through and enter your bloodstream.
Why does this happen? Because the life cycle of bacteria is short, and when there are too many of these gram-negative bacteria in your gut, there are too many dying off and releasing LPS. This onslaught of LPS is like setting off tiny inflammation bombs in your digestive system, paving the way for chronic inflammation that extends well beyond the gut, affecting everything from your skin to your brain.
Gram-Positive vs. Gram-Negative Bacteria: What’s the Difference?
Your gut is teeming with bacteria—some of them beneficial, others not so much. Gram-positive bacteria tend to be your allies. They help maintain a healthy gut environment, produce essential nutrients like vitamin K2, and play a role in keeping harmful bacteria in check.
Gram-negative bacteria, on the other hand, are the problem-makers when they get out of balance. Their outer membrane contains LPS, which can lead to an inflammatory cascade when released. And guess what? These guys are the main culprits in Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
SIBO: How It Starts and What to Look For
SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, isn’t just a matter of “bad” bacteria running wild. It’s a matter of bacteria being where they shouldn’t be. While the small intestine is not a “low-bacteria” zone by any means, it’s designed to have a different bacterial profile compared to the colon.
In SIBO, bacteria that typically reside in the large intestine migrate and colonize the upper parts of the digestive tract. Why does this matter? Because the small intestine is where most nutrient absorption happens. When bacteria set up shop there, they interfere with digestion, steal nutrients, and produce gases that lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of SIBO
- Bloating: We’re not talking about a little post-meal puffiness. This is severe, uncomfortable bloating that can make you feel like you’ve swallowed a balloon.
- Gas: The bacteria in SIBO love to ferment carbohydrates, leading to gas production—usually with that telltale sulfur smell.
- Abdominal pain: The gas buildup and bacterial presence can lead to cramping and pain.
- Diarrhea or constipation: Both can happen depending on the dominant type of bacteria present.
- Fatigue: SIBO can impair nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals.
- Brain fog: That’s right—chronic inflammation from the gut can cause cognitive symptoms, making it hard to think clearly.
So, how does LPS play into this? When bacteria invade the small intestine, they are more likely to die off as they encounter digestive enzymes and bile acids. This leads to increased LPS release, further inflaming the gut lining, and compromising the integrity of your gut barrier. It’s a vicious cycle.
Where to Start Fixing the Problem
Here’s the harsh truth: many conventional doctors will shrug their shoulders if you bring this up. Gut health is often treated like a fringe topic, and SIBO isn’t even on most medical radars unless you’re lucky enough to find a specialist.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for a prescription to take action.
- Address Your Diet
Start by removing inflammatory foods—gluten, dairy, and processed junk are prime suspects. Emphasize whole, unprocessed foods that promote a diverse gut microbiome. Incorporate foods that help restore the gut lining, like bone broth (ever wonder why it's a staple in so many ancient healing practices?), collagen, and fermented foods rich in probiotics. - Support the Gut Microbiome
Probiotic-rich foods are your friend here. Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and other fermented foods can help bring back the balance of good bacteria. Prebiotic fibers—like those found in vegetables, resistant starches, and fruits—feed your good bacteria, giving them the strength to fight off the bad guys. - Consider Herbal Support
Herbs like berberine, oregano oil, and garlic have been historically used to kill off harmful bacteria while sparing the good ones. These natural antimicrobials can help reduce the overgrowth of gram-negative bacteria without the side effects of antibiotics, which wipe out everything—including the good bacteria you want to keep. - Avoid Gut-Damaging Additives
Emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners all wreak havoc on the gut lining, making it easier for LPS to pass through. These substances started infiltrating our food supply post-World War II, coinciding with the rise in processed foods. Their impact? We’ve seen an explosion of metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, and gut-related issues since. Coincidence? Not likely.
The Medical System is Medieval
Let’s get real for a minute. The medical system we rely on today is reactionary and driven by pharmaceutical solutions. You don’t fix SIBO or leaky gut with a pill; you fix it by addressing the root cause, which takes time, effort, and lifestyle changes that most doctors simply aren’t trained to recommend.
We have a healthcare system that’s fantastic in emergencies. If you break a leg or need surgery, you’re in good hands. Surgeons? Heroes. Emergency medicine? Thank goodness for it. But when it comes to chronic conditions like gut health, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders, the system fails.
The average doctor simply doesn’t know, nor care, about what’s going on in your gut—because they aren’t trained to. They’re more likely to recommend a medication to reduce symptoms than help you actually heal the underlying problem.
How Did We Get Here?
This modern epidemic of gut dysfunction is a direct result of straying from our natural environment. Our ancestors didn’t have emulsifiers in their foods, didn’t consume artificial sweeteners, and certainly didn’t rely on pills to fix chronic inflammation. They ate whole foods, fermented their vegetables, and moved their bodies regularly. They lived in line with nature, and their guts were better off for it.
We’ve traded thousands of years of human evolution for convenience, and it’s making us sick. Real health doesn’t come in a package, a pill, or a quick fix. It comes from understanding the complex ecosystem that is the human body and treating it with the respect it deserves.
Sources:
- Science on LPS and inflammation: Cell Host & Microbe, Journal of Immunology
- Research on gut microbiome, SIBO, and gram-negative bacteria: Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Gut Microbes
Historical dietary perspectives from The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson, and Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price