Heading to Bali? Here’s How to Protect Your Gut from Traveller’s Diarrhoea and Gut Infections

Tropical fruit, ocean swims, family time — Bali is one of my favourite places to unwind. But as a naturopath and acupuncturist, I’ve seen firsthand how often people return from holidays with more than just a tan.

Traveller’s diarrhoea, often called Bali Belly, can come on fast — and hit hard. I want to help you avoid it entirely (or at least recover faster), so you can enjoy your holiday and protect your gut long-term — especially your children’s.

Why Do People Get Sudden Diarrhoea and Vomiting While Travelling?

When we ingest contaminated food or water — which can happen easily in tropical destinations like Bali — our body detects foreign pathogens in the digestive tract (such as E. coli, Salmonella, Blastocystis hominis, or Dientamoeba fragilis). These organisms release toxins or directly irritate the intestinal wall and leave you with Bali Belly.

Your body responds quickly to protect you:

1️⃣ Diarrhoea = Rapid Elimination

The intestines secrete water and electrolytes to flush out pathogens. This causes:

• Watery, urgent stools
• Cramping and dehydration
• Loss of beneficial gut flora

2️⃣ Vomiting = Emergency Rejection

If the upper digestive tract senses danger (such as in viral gastro or bacterial toxins), the brain triggers nausea and vomiting to expel the contents of the stomach.

These responses are protective, but they also:

• Strip the gut lining of its protective mucus
• Disrupt the microbiome
• Leave the gut vulnerable to ongoing inflammation and damage

Anatomy of the Gut Lining & What Infection Does

The gut lining is made of a single layer of epithelial cells. These cells are joined by tight junctions and are covered in a mucus layer that protects the body from bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles.

When pathogens or toxins enter:

• Tight junctions loosen — leading to leaky gut
• The immune system is activated — releasing inflammatory cytokines
• The gut produces mucus, water, and immune cells to flush the invader

If Bali Belly is not addressed properly, this can lead to:

• Food sensitivities
• Fatigue, skin issues, and mood changes
• IBS, SIBO, or chronic dysbiosis
• Recurrent infections or poor nutrient absorption

As an acupuncturist, I’ve also seen how gut damage can affect other organ systems through meridian pathways — especially the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney systems — impacting immunity, fertility, skin, and even emotional wellbeing.

Common Causes of Bali Belly: What You Need to Know

Pathogen	Symptoms	Where It’s Found	Notes
ETEC (Enterotoxigenic E. coli)	Diarrhoea, cramping	Water, raw food	Most common traveller’s diarrhoea
Blastocystis hominis	Bloating, IBS, fatigue	Food/water	May persist for months
Dientamoeba fragilis	Chronic loose stools, gut pain, mood changes	Poor hygiene	Common in children
Giardia lamblia	Profuse watery diarrhoea	Pools, salads	Often missed on stool tests
Norovirus/Rotavirus	Vomiting, fever, diarrhoea	Surfaces, buffets	Spreads quickly in resorts

How I’m Protecting My Family Before & During Our Bali Trip

✅ 1. Nutrients to Strengthen the Gut Barrier and prevent Bali Belly

These help seal the gut, nourish the mucosa, and modulate immune function:

• Zinc – supports epithelial integrity and immune resilience
• Colostrum – rich in IgG antibodies; helps prevent gut permeability
• L-glutamine – essential fuel for gut lining repair
• Vitamin A & D – regulate mucosal immunity and inflammation
• Quercetin – stabilises mast cells, reduces histamine responses

✅ 2. Probiotic and Antimicrobial Support

• Saccharomyces boulardii – reduces risk of traveller’s diarrhoea
• Metagenics Gut Care for Kids – for my toddler
• Broad-spectrum probiotics – support the microbiome
• Herbal antimicrobials (for adults):
  • Berberine
  • Garlic
  • Olive leaf
  • Oregano oil

Why Gut Protection for Kids Matters

Getting Bali Belly is enough to ruin any adults holiday but even worse is ruing your children’s holiday and potentially their long term health.

Children’s guts are still developing, with more porous intestinal linings and immature immune systems. A gut infection can have lifelong effects on:

• Immune tolerance
• Skin and respiratory health
• Mood and behaviour
• Digestive function

This is why I’m taking every step to prevent infection before we even get on the plane — and continuing care after we return.

Travel Tips to Prevent Bali Belly

DO:

• Drink only bottled or filtered water (even when brushing teeth)
• Wash hands regularly — especially before eating
• Eat food that’s freshly cooked and served hot
• Swim in clean pools — keep heads above water
• Peel your own fruit

AVOID:

• Ice (unless made with filtered water)
• Raw salads, unpeeled fruit, seafood
• Buffet or street food that’s been sitting at room temp
• Tap water (even in luxury resorts)

What to Do if You Get Bali Belly — My Natural Toolkit

As soon as you start feeling the rumbles and nausea come on, start treating yourself with the remedies below. Make sure you have them all neatly prepared in your Health kits before you get on the plane. You will thank yourself if you are unlucky enough to get Bali Belly.

Homoeopathics:

• Arsenicum album 30c – vomiting, burning, weakness. Especially after spoiled food.
• Podophyllum – explosive diarrhoea, urgency. A hot smelly mess.
• Nux vomica – nausea, indigestion, bloating. After over indulgence or food and alcohol with nausea.

Herbs + Nutrients:

• Saccharomyces boulardii – 2–4 times daily
• Activated charcoal – binds toxins (not with meds!)
• Slippery elm, marshmallow root, aloe – soothe and repair
• Electrolytes – Hydralyte, coconut water, sea salt + honey – Stay hydrated. These infections can leave you feeling drained and dehydrated.

🧳 Marta’s Gut-Healthy Travel Packing List

Supplements & Remedies:

• ✅ Probiotic & Saccharomyces boulardii
• ✅ Zinc, vitamin A & D
• ✅ L-glutamine & colostrum
• ✅ Metagenics Gut Care for Kids
• ✅ Herbal antimicrobials
• ✅ Homeopathics (Arsenicum, Nux vomica, etc.)
• ✅ Electrolytes
• ✅ Activated charcoal (for emergencies)

Food & Water Tools:

• ✅ Filter water bottles
• ✅ Hydration sachets
• ✅ Easy travel snacks
• ✅ Enzyme capsules (optional)

Hygiene Essentials:

• ✅ Natural hand sanitiser
• ✅ Wipes for high-touch surfaces
• ✅ Tissues & ziplock bags
• ✅ Laundry detergent strips

❤️ Final Thoughts from a Naturopathic Mama

As a naturopath and acupuncturist, I’ve supported countless patients who never quite bounced back after a gut infection — even years after their holiday. I’ve seen how parasites like Blastocystis and Dientamoeba can cause chronic fatigue, food sensitivities, and IBS-type symptoms long after the trip is over.

So my message is this: protect your gut like it’s sacred. Because it is. And especially protect your kids’ guts — it’s an investment in their immunity, mood, and long-term health.

This trip, we’re taking the sunshine without the sickness. And I hope you can too.

If you need to rebuild your gut health book and initial consult and lets get started.

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