Fasting and Gut Flora.

Hi,

I am currently Water Fasting (28 days-ish) for bloating and other issues.

Does anyone know what happens to gut flora in this time, in particular pathogenic flora?

I have read some account of bloating to be completely gone whilst fasting only to come straight back when eating is resumed (I hope this isn't me!). To me this sounds like the work of bad gut flora not being destroyed during the fast yet I have also read that the small intestines gets sterilized in long fasts(???).

Does anyone have any info or experience in this matter, did a Water Fast cure you of sibo or other GI dissorders?

Thanks for any input, Sean.