For · Chronic bloating
Chronic bloating — beyond 'try cutting gluten'
You look 4 months pregnant by 4pm. You've tried gluten-free, dairy-free, low-FODMAP — nothing sticks. Your doctor did a stool test that came back 'normal' and suggested more fibre (which made it worse). Here's what's usually actually happening.
Why it happens
Four upstream drivers account for most stubborn bloating: (1) slow motility — food is fermenting instead of moving, (2) small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) — bacteria in the wrong location, (3) low stomach acid — undigested protein feeds the wrong microbes, (4) sluggish bile flow — fat isn't emulsifying. Diet changes only work when they happen to accidentally address one of these.
What to look for on a label
- Ginger extract (500–1000 mg) — the best-studied prokinetic for slow motility
- Berberine (500 mg 2x/day, 4-week course) — the go-to antimicrobial for SIBO-type overgrowth
- Betaine HCl (with pepsin, dosed to sensation) — restores stomach acid production
- TUDCA (250 mg) or ox bile — supports bile flow for fat digestion
- Spore-based probiotic (Bacillus subtilis, coagulans) — rebuilds the microbiome without feeding overgrowth
The Nūjeva protocol
Morning
- • Betaine HCl (with breakfast)
- • Nūjeva Gut Reset
Evening
- • Ginger prokinetic (2 hrs after last meal)
- • Berberine Complex (if SIBO suspected — 4-week course)
What to expect, week by week
If low stomach acid was the driver, bloating drops noticeably within days.
Motility normalises. Stools become more consistent.
Foods you thought you couldn't eat often come back on the menu.
Frequently asked
Should I just do an elimination diet instead?
Elimination diets are diagnostic, not therapeutic — they tell you what's flaring the fire, not why the fire started. Addressing motility, acid, bile, and dysbiosis is what puts the fire out.
Do I need to test for SIBO before starting berberine?
A breath test is the gold standard, but empirical berberine courses are commonly used when symptoms strongly suggest SIBO and access to testing is limited. Discuss with your clinician if you have complex GI history.