Struggling with a motility disorder or Methane Dominant Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)? For people with IBS and SIBO slow motility is a major problem that can leads to bloating, gas and constipation. Motility PRO is a combination of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and artichoke leaf extract (Cynara cardunculus L.) delivered at a clinically proven dose to restore gastric motility. This distinctive blend of bioactives promotes contractions in the migrating motor complex, helping to restore proper motility, which ensures the steady flow of food particles and bacteria through the small intestine. In addition, it provides support for improved digestion and relief from gas, bloating and associated GI discomfort.
Methane Dominant SIBO
Methane dominant SIBO, also known as methane SIBO or constipation SIBO, is a form of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The predominant microbe, called Methanobrevibacter smithii, is an archaeon which can convert hydrogen into methane, resulting in slowed intestinal transit. This kind of Methane dominant SIBO
Motility PRO- Help for SIBO and Methane Dominant SIBO
Motility in the GI tract describes the movement of food and other substances through the stomach, small intestine, large intestine and eventually out of the body. In between meals, the migrating motor complex (MMC) is a cycle of peristatic movement that acts as an inter-digestive housekeeper of the GI tract.
The MMC facilitates transport of indigestible substances and bacteria from the stomach and small intestine into the colon, inhibiting the backward migration of colonic bacteria and an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. It has been shown that motility impairment typically results in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).(1)
One of the root causes of methane SIBO, and a reason why there is such a high relapse rate, is poor gut motility. The small intestine has a complex and elegant way to keep things moving and prevent stagnation (which leads to bacterial overgrowth aka SIBO). When you haven’t eaten for 3-5 hours a process called the migrating motor complex takes over and sweeps through your intestines.
During this process you may hear gurgling noises. There are a number of things that can stop the migrating motor complex process from delayed gastric emptying (your stomach actually holds onto food too long) to infections and even liver damage (2).
Methane SIBO Symptoms
Methane-dominant SIBO symptoms are often a lot different to those of hydrogen-dominant SIBO. Here are the three main signs we look for to indicate whether a SIBO lactulose breath test for methane SIBO is warranted:
- Constipation: discussed in more detail below, methane gas slows down transit time and causes constipation in most of those who test positive for methane SIBO.
- Bloating and Gas: bloating is probably the most common and noticeable symptom of methane SIBO. While the archaea consume the hydrogen gas which might theoretically reduce total gas volume, our experience clinically is that methane SIBO clients tend to have more sustained bloating. This may be because of the slow motility (constipation) causing the gas to become trapped in the GI tract for longer compared to the more diarrhea-dominant form of SIBO.
- Unexplained weight gain: discussed in detail below, the archaea responsible for methane SIBO are also known as obesogens that help the body extract additional calories from our diet.
How is Methane Dominant SIBO treated?
Methane SIBO is characterized by the presence of methane gas, causing constipation, severe bloating, and other gut symptoms. Methane SIBO is initially treated by working to reduce the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. The treatment may involve a combination of dietary changes, biofilm disruptors, probiotics and prebiotics and pro kinetics like Motility Pro. It is also important that the underlying issue is addressed in order to prevent a relapse.
Support the Migrating Motor Complex with Motility PRO
The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is one of the Root Causes of SIBO. MMC activity varies widely across individuals, and can become impaired for several reasons. Motility Pro can help support motility taking stress of the MMC.
Cause of A Sluggish Migrating Motor Complex
- Chronic Stress (High or Low Cortisol)
- Medications
- Sluggish thyroid function
- Medications
- Hormones
- Liver
- Autoimmunity associated with cytolethal distending toxins.
When it comes to the most sensitive patients with SIBO or multiple symptoms of GI discomfort, it is important to choose a proven solution that stimulates motility yet is gentle and effective. Clinical studies on the standardized combination of ginger and artichoke extracts in Motility PRO have demonstrated a unique ability to stimulate gastric motility and relieve temporary GI discomfort.
Artichoke Leaf Extract
Artichoke Leaf Extract (Cynara cardunculus L.) Artichoke leaf (Cynara cardunculus L.) has been used for centuries to stimulate bile secretion and enhance overall liver function which help to restore gut motility and improve digestion.6,7 Cynaropicrin, the bitter compound found in artichoke leaf extract, along with other polyphenols, such as caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids, have antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential and contribute to the alleviation of an impressive range of GI symptoms.8,9
In fact, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the combined supplementation with artichoke (100 mg) and ginger extract (20 mg), twice per day before lunch and dinner for 14 days, was shown to improve occasional acid indigestion.10 Artichoke has been said to complement the therapeutic effects of ginger as the former acts on the small intestine while the latter, on the stomach.
Ginger Root Extract
Ginger Root Extract (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) The therapeutic applications of ginger root (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) are vast and well-documented by both human and animal data.11 The therapeutic effects of ginger root reach far beyond its well-recognized role in alleviating nausea and vomiting and include its role as a carminative, spasmolytic, and as a digestive stimulatory agent.
For example, compared with placebo, supplementation with a combination of ginger root extract (20 mg) and artichoke leaf extract (100 mg) resulted in a -24% difference in the after-meal gastric area, indicating improved gastric emptying.12
Additional human studies corroborate this finding showing ginger supplementation stimulates antral contractions in the stomach and consequently accelerates gastric emptying compared to placebo. Preclinical studies suggest the active components in ginger; namely, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol, may affect gastrointestinal motility through interaction with serotonergic receptors.
Additional Human data using the same 120 mg extract described above, suggest additional gastrointestinal benefits for the combination including improved nausea, epigastric fullness and bloating after four weeks of daily supplementation before lunch and dinner.10
Ginger has also shown to help maintain microbial balance. Supplementation with 3 g/day of ginger for four weeks has been shown to remove unwanted organisms in gastric area and improve occasional acid indigestion with symptoms of gastric fullness, early satiety, nausea, belching, and gastric discomfort.18
References
- Pimentel M, Soffer EE, Chow EJ, Kong Y, Lin HC (December 2002). “Lower frequency of MMC is found in IBS subjects with abnormal lactulose breath test, suggesting bacterial overgrowth”. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 47 (12): 2639–43
- Kumar D, Wingate DL (November 1985). “The irritable bowel syndrome: a paroxysmal motor disorder”. Lancet. 2 (8462): 973–7.
- Kueppers PM, Miller TA, Chen CY, Smith GS, Rodriguez LF, Moody FG (March 1993). “Effect of total parenteral nutrition plus morphine on bacterial translocation in rats”. Annals of Surgery. 217 (3): 286–92.
- Yaylali O, Kirac S, Yilmaz M, et al. Does hypothyroidism affect gastrointestinal motility?. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2009;2009:529802. doi:10.1155/2009/529802
- Pimentel M, Morales W, Pokkunuri V, Brikos C, Kim SM, Kim SE, et al. (May 2015). “Autoimmunity Links Vinculin to the Pathophysiology of Chronic Functional Bowel Changes Following Campylobacter jejuni Infection in a Rat Model”. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 60 (5): 1195–205.
- Salem M, Affes H, Ksouda K, et al. Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. 2015;70(4):441-453.
- Holtmann G, Adam B, Haag S, Collet W, Grünewald E, Windeck T. Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo- controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2003;18(11-12):1099-1105.
- Zayed A, Serag A, Farag MA. Cynara cardunculus L.: Outgoing and potential trends of phytochemical, industrial, nutritive and medicinal merits. Journal of Functional Foods. 2020;69:103937.
- Elsebai MF, Mocan A, Atanasov AG. Cynaropicrin: A Comprehensive Research Review and Therapeutic Potential As an Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Agent. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:472-472.
- Giacosa A, Guido D, Grassi M, et al. The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) Extract Supplementation on Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2015;2015:915087.