Gas & Flatulence
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MANY PEOPLE THINK that if their digestive system is normal, they won't have any gas unless they eat a particular food, like beans. The fact is that normal people on an average diet expel nearly a quart of intestinal gas each day. Most of us aren't aware of this. It's when we become aware of the gas that it can become uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Gas is formed when certain foods reach the large intestine without being completely and adequately digested. When they arrive, bacteria that reside there go to work to digest them and in the process produce gas. This is a normal process; in most cases, intestinal gas is not a sign of a disease. Today, when we're eating more high-fiber foods and 'fruits and vegetables--which can be sources of intestinal gas--the problem of flatulence is more common.
The major cause of occasional excess flatulence is gas-promoting foods. Most people know that beans are a major suspect, but there are other foods that will put you at risk including apricots, bananas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, radishes, and onions.
Obviously the first step in reducing flatulence is avoiding the foods that give you gas. But remember that people react differently to various foods. Some people have found that corn, oats, and even bagels give them gas. You have to make a point of noticing which foods give you problems. Of course, even when you identify the foods, it may not be practical or even sensible to give them up.
There are ways to reduce the amount of gas produced by one of the main offenders: beans. Soaking beans in water for at least twelve hours and then cooking them welt will help reduce their gas-producing properties. Make sure that you discard the soaking water. Rinse beans thoroughly and be certain to cook them thoroughly until they are completely tender with no "bite" left.
There are other methods to help reduce gas while still eating problematic foods. The most effective one seems to be a new product called Beano. You use it as a condiment, adding a few drops to your first spoonful of offending food. It has a mild soy sauce-type flavor that usually works well with beans and other gas producers.
Some people find that activated charcoal tablets, which are available at health food stores, help cut down on their gas production. The charcoal absorbs the problem odors. If you try activated charcoal tablets, be careful to avoid taking them within two hours of any other medication. Because they are so effective at absorbing chemicals, they can absorb your medicines and make them unavailable to your body.
It is not uncommon to experience intestinal gas and bloating when on antibiotics. As I've discussed, antibiotics kill off good as well as bad bacteria in your system, and an overgrowth of yeast can result. Yeast overgrowth is a common cause of flatulence and can be easily remedied by following a yeast-free diet as well as taking acidophilus tablets available in health food stores.
Many people are unaware that milk products can be a cause of flatulence but, in that, lactose intolerance is probably the major cause of chronic excessive gas and bloating, I've had a number of patients who have developed lactose intolerance and complained of gas and bloating. Fortunately, it's not hard to deal with this problem. There's a product available called Lacraid, which is available at any pharmacy and even some supermarkets, h helps break down the sugar in milk, which causes the problem. If you suspect that you are lactose intolerant, avoid all dairy products including milk, cheese, and the like for ten days to see if your symptoms are alleviated. Acidophilus is also helpful.
There are also some dietary and lifestyle changes that can help. Smoking, chewing gum, drinking carbonated drinks, and drinking from water fountains can all introduce excess air and gas into your system, thus promoting flatulence.
If you have chronic flatulence it's possible that you're suffering from something other than a simple case of gas.
NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR FLATULENCE
- Avoid gas-promoting foods, including beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, radishes, and onions.
- When you cook beans, be sure to soak them for at least twelve hours in cold water. Discard the soaking water, rinse Carefully, and cook ' thoroughly until the beans are tender.
- Sprinkle Beano on your first bite of a gas-promoting food. Beano is available at pharmacies.
- Try activated charcoal tablets, available at health food stores, which absorb odors. Follow the directions on the package. Don't take them within two hours of any medication.
- If you are lactose intolerant, use Lactaid, a product that helps digest the sugar in milk. Take one acidophilus tablet three times a day.
- Avoid the following, which introduce excess air and gas into your system: smoking, chewing gum, drinking carbonated drinks, and drinking from water fountains.
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