The specific dietary protocol undertaken in preparation for a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) breath test is a restrictive eating plan. This temporary dietary adjustment aims to provide accurate and reliable results during SIBO testing. An example includes a low-fermentation diet followed for a designated period, such as 24 hours, prior to the breath sample collection.
Adherence to the prescribed eating guidelines is crucial for the validity of the SIBO breath test. By minimizing fermentable substrates in the digestive tract, the diet allows for a clearer assessment of bacterial activity within the small intestine. Historically, such preparatory diets have evolved to improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic testing for gastrointestinal disorders.