SIBO and Gut Health Specialist in Newport Beach, CA

You eat well, and by mid-afternoon you look and feel bloated. Some days it's urgency, other days nothing moves. Reflux comes back the moment you stop the medication, and the list of foods you "can't have" keeps getting longer.

Maybe you've been told it's just IBS, or just stress. At Etara Wellness, we don't stop there. Dr. Rasha El Naggar, a licensed naturopathic doctor in California, looks for what is actually driving your symptoms, using targeted testing and a step-by-step plan for SIBO treatment and other gut concerns. Your gut affects your energy, mood, skin, hormones and immunity, so getting it right tends to help far more than digestion.

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Symptoms we see most

  • Bloating after eating, often worse as the day goes on
  • Gas, belly discomfort or cramping
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or swinging between the two
  • Reflux, heartburn or feeling full too quickly
  • Feeling tired or foggy after meals
  • New food reactions, skin flare-ups or joint aches that seem to travel with gut symptoms

Gut conditions we help with

Our approach to functional medicine gut health starts with naming what is going on, because each of these needs a different plan.

SIBO

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth happens when bacteria that belong further down the gut build up in the small intestine. It's a common driver of bloating, gas and changing bowel habits, and it often has an underlying reason, such as slow motility or low stomach acid, that has to be addressed too.

SIFO

Small intestinal fungal overgrowth produces similar symptoms but involves yeast rather than bacteria. SIFO treatment looks different from SIBO treatment, which is why testing first matters.

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome describes a pattern of symptoms, not a cause. For many people, SIBO, food reactions, stress physiology or an imbalanced microbiome sit underneath it, and those are things we can evaluate.

Leaky gut

Increased intestinal permeability means the gut lining isn't sealing as well as it should, which may contribute to inflammation and food sensitivities. Leaky gut treatment focuses on removing what irritates the lining and giving it the nutrients it needs to repair.

Candida overgrowth

Yeast overgrowth can follow antibiotics, a high-sugar diet or a weakened gut barrier. Candida overgrowth treatment combines targeted antifungal support with diet changes and microbiome rebuilding.

H. pylori

This stomach bacterium can be linked to reflux, gastritis and ulcers. We test for it, and we discuss both conventional and H. pylori natural treatment options, coordinating with your gastroenterologist when needed.

Gastritis and reflux

Inflammation of the stomach lining and acid reflux often improve when we address the triggers behind them. Gastritis natural treatment may include soothing botanicals, nutrition changes and supporting healthy digestion rather than only suppressing acid.

How we test your gut

We choose tests that answer a specific question, and we read the results alongside your history. See our functional lab testing page for more detail.

Comprehensive stool analysis (including the GI-MAP test)

A comprehensive stool analysis looks at bacteria, yeast, parasites, digestion, absorption and inflammation markers. The GI-MAP test is one well-known option; other comprehensive stool panels may fit better depending on your symptoms.

SIBO breath test

The SIBO test is a breath test done at home. It measures hydrogen and methane gases produced after drinking a sugar solution, which helps show whether overgrowth is present and which type.

Food sensitivity testing

A food sensitivity test can help guide which foods to remove for a period while the gut heals. It is different from allergy testing, and we always interpret it in context so you don't end up on an unnecessarily restrictive diet.

Microbiome testing

Microbiome testing shows the balance of beneficial and less helpful organisms in your gut, which helps us choose the right foods, probiotics and support for rebuilding.

The 5-R gut healing protocol

Our gut healing protocol follows the 5-R framework, adapted to your test results. The timeline is a general guide and varies from person to person.

Remove · Replace · Reinoculate · Repair · Rebalance

  • Remove (weeks 1–4): address overgrowths, infections and trigger foods identified on testing.
  • Replace (weeks 2–8): support what digestion may be missing, such as enzymes, stomach acid or bile flow.
  • Reinoculate (weeks 4–12): rebuild a healthy microbiome with targeted probiotics and fiber-rich, varied foods.
  • Repair (weeks 4–12): give the gut lining the nutrients it needs to heal.
  • Rebalance (ongoing): sleep, stress and eating habits that keep your gut steady long term.

Why gut treatment fails and symptoms come back

SIBO in particular has a reputation for coming back. Usually that's because the overgrowth was treated, but the reason it developed was not. Slow gut motility, low stomach acid, past food poisoning, certain medications, thyroid issues or chronic stress can all set the stage again.

That's why we look for the root cause, finish the repair phases instead of stopping when symptoms ease, and plan for prevention so your results last.

How the program works: four phases

  1. Consultation: a full review of your history, symptoms, diet and past treatments.
  2. Testing: the stool, breath or other tests that fit your case, usually back within 2–3 weeks.
  3. Your plan: we review results together and start the 5-R protocol, with nutrition, botanical medicine, targeted supplements, and IV nutrient therapy when absorption is poor.
  4. Follow-up and maintenance: regular check-ins to adjust your plan, retest when useful, and prevent relapse.

Meet Dr. Rasha El Naggar, MD, MBiotech, ND

Dr. Rasha is a licensed naturopathic doctor in California with more than 18 years of experience. She earned her medical degree at Ain Shams University in Cairo, an MS in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins, and her naturopathic doctorate at Bastyr University.

Gut health is personal for her. After spending about three years with a chronic illness no one could explain, she rebuilt her health through an integrative approach, and the gut was central to that. She sees patients in English and Arabic.

Newport Beach clinic and California telehealth

Visit us at 20301 SW Birch St, Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660, or meet by telehealth from anywhere in California. Most gut tests, including stool and breath tests, are collected at home.

Gut health FAQ

Ongoing bloating, gas and changing bowel habits can point to it, but a breath test is the way to know. Symptoms alone overlap with many other gut conditions.

Many people notice changes within a few weeks, while a full 5-R protocol usually takes about three months. It depends on what testing shows and how long symptoms have been present.

It can, especially if the underlying cause isn't addressed. Our plan includes finding that cause and a maintenance phase to lower the chance of relapse.

In most cases, yes. Testing tells us which problem we're dealing with, so we're not guessing.

Yes. A naturopathic doctor can look for what is behind IBS symptoms, such as SIBO, food triggers or microbiome imbalance, and build a plan around it while working alongside your gastroenterologist if you have one.

Book a free 10-minute call

If you're tired of planning your day around your gut, let's talk about what might be going on. Book your free 10-minute call or call +1 949 828 3020.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary.