68: Remission of SIBO, Crohn’s, IBS, and IBD in Just Weeks with Debbie Steinbock

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST – Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, I spoke with Debbie Steinbock, a certified holistic health and nutrition counselor who has been helping people navigate digestive disorders and autoimmune conditions for more than 25 years. Debbie has been in remission from Crohn’s disease for nearly three decades, and she now specializes in helping others heal from conditions like SIBO, ulcerative colitis, IBS, and thyroid disorders.

Debbie and her husband, Dr. Roy Steinbock, created the Elemental Diet Success Plan, a step-by-step program designed to help people use this powerful but often misunderstood healing tool safely and effectively. In our conversation, we explore why the elemental diet works, how it compares to other SIBO and IBD protocols, and the many ways it can restore gut and thyroid health.

If you’ve ever had gut symptoms that just won’t resolve, or if you’ve been told your thyroid disease is “incurable,” this episode will give you new insight and a sense of hope.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The connection between gut and thyroid health. Many people with hypothyroidism may also have SIBO, and motility issues tied to thyroid disease can fuel bacterial overgrowth. The elemental diet offers a way to reset both digestion and immune reactivity.
• The elemental diet explained. Debbie breaks down what’s actually in an elemental shake, why it’s considered “pre-digested,” and how it feeds the body while giving the gut time to rest and heal.
• Why SIBO and IBS are so stubborn. Many protocols fail because they either don’t fully eradicate bacterial overgrowth or they overwhelm a sensitive gut. Debbie explains why the elemental diet can be more effective, with research showing that the majority of people who try it find success in a matter of weeks.
• Partial vs. full elemental diets. Not everyone needs to do a 100% liquid diet. Debbie describes how partial approaches – paired with “soft, warm, and mushy” foods – can calm flare-ups and support long-term remission for conditions like IBD.
• Practical tips and side effects to expect. From energy swings and hunger to oral discomfort, Debbie shares what to watch for, how to prepare, and the strategies she teaches in her Elemental Diet Success Plan to minimize setbacks.
• Why personalization matters. Not all formulas are created equal, and not all patients need the same approach. Debbie shares how to choose between amino-based and semi-elemental shakes, and when each might be best.

Freebies

• 5 Tips for Elemental Diet Success – Free downloadable guide from Debbie Steinbock

Guest Resources / Connect with Debbie Steinbock

• Enjoy $50 off the Elemental Diet Success Plan with code THYROID50.
• Learn more at the Mindful Family Medicine website
• Follow Debbie and Roy on Instagram and Facebook

Supplements We Discussed

• Absorb Plus elemental shakes – One of the first widely used elemental formulas for Crohn’s and IBD.
  Physicians’ Elemental Diet (dextrose-free option) – A common formula used in SIBO protocols. (If you do not have a Fullscript account, you can sign up with my credentials here.)
• Homemade elemental formula by Dr. Allison Siebecker – A DIY option for those without access to commercial products.
• Probiotics (strain-specific) – May support gut balance in some SIBO patients when introduced carefully, starting with infant strains such as B. infantis.

Other Tools and Resources

• SIBO breath testing – Identifies hydrogen, methane, or hydrogen sulfide–dominant SIBO.
• Low FODMAP diet – Provides symptom relief by removing fermentable foods but does not eradicate SIBO.
• Partial Elemental Diet (“soft, warm, mushy” foods + shakes) – Helps extend bowel rest while allowing some whole foods.

Books and Articles About Gut & Thyroid Health

• IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Dr. Izabella Wentz’s upcoming book, which is available for pre-order now. Most people with Hashimoto’s have some degree of intestinal permeability, which can be a powerful trigger for autoimmunity! Yet, most of us were never told about it. Whether you’ve been struggling with Hashimoto’s for many years or you were just diagnosed with intestinal permeability (or IBS), this comprehensive guide will help you figure out the root causes of gut issues and help you heal.
• Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall – The foundation of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet that inspired Debbie’s healing journey.
• The Low FODMAP Diet for SIBO, IBS and Hashimoto’s
• Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Hashimoto’s
• The Fundamental Gut Health Protocol
• 6 Root Causes Behind Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity

Get the Full Episode Transcript

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram:@izabellawentzpharmd
• Get my FREE weekly thyroid & gut health newsletter: Sign up here
• Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate it on Spotify!

Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂

About Our Host

Dr. Izabella Wentz 

Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.

Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will be released March 17, 2026, and is available for pre-order here.

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About Our Guest

Debbie Steinbock is a Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor with a special interest in digestive disorders and autoimmune disease. Her 20+ years in clinical practice includes working with complex conditions that often involve gastrointestinal disease, thyroid imbalances, food allergies and sensitivities, nervous system dysregulation and more.

Debbie brings a uniquely personal perspective to her work with clients that was gained by navigating her own health challenges. Debbie’s deep personal understanding, combined with a passion for and commitment to continuing education and research, makes her a compassionate clinician with an insightful perspective.

Debbie and her husband Dr. Roy are the co-creators of the Elemental Diet Success Plan, a step-by-step roadmap that teaches participants their proven tips and strategies to complete an elemental diet with clarity, direction and confidence!

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