Info on various of gas relief methods, taken from a number of medical guides and newspaper articles I've accumulated, listed in random order...
-Simethicone gas relief products break up gas bubbles in the large intestine.
-Activated charcoal tablets absorb gas in the intestines before it can escape.
-Beans soaked in water for at least 3 hours lose as much as 90% of their gas producing tendency. Discard the soaking water and boil the beans in fresh water.
-"Beano" and similar products contain the enzyme alpha-galactosidase which helps break down the indigestible sugars found in some vegetables. It is derived from the fungus Aspergillus Niger.
-As many as 70% of adults have trouble digesting lactose, the
Sugar found in milk products. The enzyme lactase is manufactured in the body to digest lactose, although some folks are deficient in same. Lactase supplements can correct this.
-The body's primary digestive aiding secretions are stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, and liver bile. If any ONE of these is deficient, the door is open for parasitic or yeast infections.
-The primary beneficial bacteria in the upper gut and lower gut are acidolphilus and bifido, respectively. A healthy gut contains about 85% lactobacilli (good bacteria) and 15% coliform (bad bacteria), while many of us for various reasons unfortunately have those numbers reversed. Insufficient bifido bacteria can result in constant gas. A quality probiotic supplement (prefabably refrigerated) containing both acidolphilus and bifido, 1-10 billion active units per capsule, can help restore proper intestinal flora.
-Many folks middle aged and older have lowered stomach acid, as do most candida yeast sufferers. Taking with each meal a few betaine HCl capsules, 4 tablespoons vinegar, lemon juice or lime juice, or 12 tablespoons grapefruit juice, can boost stomach acid.
-Liver function, including the excretion of digestive liver bile, can be boosted by taking dandelion capsules. Proper liver function is determined through a standard, comprehensive blood panel.
-Numerous types of enzymes are required to break down various foods once consumed. About 22 different enzymes are produced in the body, and others are naturally found in foods. Enzymes are destroyed at 150F dry temp, and 118F when wet (such as when boiling foods). The protein-consuming enzymes papain (derived from papaya) and bromelain (from pineapples) are two common supplements. Comprehensive multi-enzyme digestive supplements are a better choice. The body's output of pancreatic digestive enzymes can be measured through a comprehensive stool analysis.
-Believe it or not, bowel movements are not really supposed to smell that much. Frequently malodorous stools suggest several possibilities, with gut bacterial imbalance being the most common.
-Parasitic infections, yeast overgrowth, and bacterial imbalances can be determined through a $300 comprehensive stool analysis, recommended for anyone with frequent non-food related (beans, cabbage, etc.) gas or routinely malodorous stools. Premier labs such as Great Plains Lab in Kansas and Doctor's Data in Illinois are especially competent at this (some/many labs aren't).
-Candida yeast overgrowth in the gut isn't uncommon, and gas is a common symptom of same. One should take a "Candida Questionnaire" such as that developed by candida expert Dr. Crook (type "candida questionnaire crook" into a search engine). A stool analysis can quantify yeast in the gut, and a candida PCR serum test can quantify it in the bloodstream. Labs such as Immunosciences in Beverly Hills and Immuno Laboratories in Florida excel at candida PCR tests.
-Sufficient fiber take is critical to proper bacterial balance in the gut. Increased fiber can actually CAUSE gas at first, so increase gradually. Avoid refined flours and always look for "100% whole grain" or "stone ground" on the label. Common grocery store fiber supplements are helpful as well. Boost fruits and vegetables, and choose fresh or frozen vegetables over canned or overcooked. (Note that fruits and fruit juices, in part due to their
Sugar content, have been known to aggravate irritable bowels.)
-Inulin is a long molecular chain
Sugar which feeds bifido bacteria in the colon, but not the bad bacteria, increasing bifido numbers by about 10% in one study. It is indigestible to the body, so the body doesn't see it or use it as sugar, and it doesn't affect blood sugar levels. It also acts as a fiber, so it's a two-birds-with-one-stone deal. "Inuflora" is available at U.S. health food stores, and "Fiber Choice" is found at all U.S. grocery stores.
-Sugar substitutes such as mannitol, sorbitol, malitol, maltitol, and xylitol are not completely absorbed from the digestive tract, and can cause gas, cramps, and diarrhea.
-Herbal bitters activate the bitter-taste receptors on the tongue, and stimulate the digestive processes and the secretion of digestive juices. Some traditional bitters include gentian root, goldenseal, chamomile, and dandelion.
-"Essential oils such as dill, caraway, anise, and fennel stimulate the appetite, promote the flow of gastric secretions and bile, and relieve flatulence."
-"Coriander is useful in treating disorders...accompanied by painful flatulence."
-"Peppermint, sweet basil, lovage, thyme, and balm/lemon balm/bee balm relieve flatulence."
-Savory is known as the "bean herb" since it can assist with bean and vegetable-caused gas.
-Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can cause gas and bloating. Calcium carbonate (antacids) can cause gas.
-Garlic can cause gas in those sensitive to it.
-"Anise is a natural diuretic and gastric stimulant. Today, herb experts particularly tout anise's ability as a digestive aid and gas reliever."
-"Traditional herbalists also recommend dill for prevention of flatulence, and perhaps there is something to this. The herb has anti-foaming action, suggesting it might help break up gas bubbles."
-"Through the ages, as far back as the ancient Romans, fennel has had a reputation as a flatulence reliever."
-"Caraway and coriander may actually prevent gas after eating legumes (beans) or cabbage. Anise and fennel are good, but milder in action to caraway and coriander."
-"After taking flax seed powder for a few days, my husband has been free of flatulence."
-"Garden angelica's primary uses include...lazy digestion accompanied by flatulence."
-"The active ingredients of common centaury/lesser centaury have an excellent effect on...improving digestion."
-"The ingredients in roman chamomile/common chamomile...are effective in the treatment of flatulence."
-"Many doctors have used alfalfa in treating stomach ailments, gas pains..."
-"Homeopathic physicians use kelp for poor digestion, flatulence..."
-"Rosemary can relieve flatulence..."
-"The spores of lycopodiaceae/lycopodium clavatum and stagshorn moss/common club moss can be used for stuck gas made worse by garlic or onions."
-The not-uncommon intestinal pathogens Giardia, Blastocystis Hominis, and possibly Dientamoeba Fragilis as well (and I'm sure a few others) can present symptoms which include excessive gas.
-A product called the "Toot Tapper" is a polyurethane foam seat cushion with one side coated with activated charcoal, and supposedly eliminates more than 90% of the odor.
One last, best piece of advice...
-IF YOU HAVE CONSTANT GAS, ROUTINELY UNPLEASANT NON-FOOD RELATED GAS, OR FREQUENTLY MALODOROUS BOWEL MOVEMENTS, AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE SAME ON YOUR OWN, SWALLOW YOUR EMBARRASSMENT, SEE AN DOCTOR AND HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE STOOL ANALYSIS DONE!!!
Hopefully this gassy novella might prove useful to someone! Best wishes...
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Info on various of gas relief methods, taken from a number of medical guides and newspaper articles I've accumulated, listed in random order...
-Simethicone gas relief products break up gas bubbles in the large intestine.
-Activated charcoal tablets absorb gas in the intestines before it can escape.
-Beans soaked in water for at least 3 hours lose as much as 90% of their gas producing tendency. Discard the soaking water and boil the beans in fresh water.
-"Beano" and similar products contain the enzyme alpha-galactosidase which helps break down the indigestible sugars found in some vegetables. It is derived from the fungus Aspergillus Niger.
-As many as 70% of adults have trouble digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk products. The enzyme lactase is manufactured in the body to digest lactose, although some folks are deficient in same. Lactase supplements can correct this.
-The body's primary digestive aiding secretions are stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, and liver bile. If any ONE of these is deficient, the door is open for parasitic or yeast infections.
-The primary beneficial bacteria in the upper gut and lower gut are acidolphilus and bifido, respectively. A healthy gut contains about 85% lactobacilli (good bacteria) and 15% coliform (bad bacteria), while many of us for various reasons unfortunately have those numbers reversed. Insufficient bifido bacteria can result in constant gas. A quality probiotic supplement (prefabably refrigerated) containing both acidolphilus and bifido, 1-10 billion active units per capsule, can help restore proper intestinal flora.
-Many folks middle aged and older have lowered stomach acid, as do most candida yeast sufferers. Taking with each meal a few betaine HCl capsules, 4 tablespoons vinegar, lemon juice or lime juice, or 12 tablespoons grapefruit juice, can boost stomach acid.
-Liver function, including the excretion of digestive liver bile, can be boosted by taking dandelion capsules. Proper liver function is determined through a standard, comprehensive blood panel.
-Numerous types of enzymes are required to break down various foods once consumed. About 22 different enzymes are produced in the body, and others are naturally found in foods. Enzymes are destroyed at 150F dry temp, and 118F when wet (such as when boiling foods). The protein-consuming enzymes papain (derived from papaya) and bromelain (from pineapples) are two common supplements. Comprehensive multi-enzyme digestive supplements are a better choice. The body's output of pancreatic digestive enzymes can be measured through a comprehensive stool analysis.
-Believe it or not, bowel movements are not really supposed to smell that much. Frequently malodorous stools suggest several possibilities, with gut bacterial imbalance being the most common.
-Parasitic infections, yeast overgrowth, and bacterial imbalances can be determined through a $300 comprehensive stool analysis, recommended for anyone with frequent non-food related (beans, cabbage, etc.) gas or routinely malodorous stools. Premier labs such as Great Plains Lab in Kansas and Doctor's Data in Illinois are especially competent at this (some/many labs aren't).
-Candida yeast overgrowth in the gut isn't uncommon, and gas is a common symptom of same. One should take a "Candida Questionnaire" such as that developed by candida expert Dr. Crook (type "candida questionnaire crook" into a search engine). A stool analysis can quantify yeast in the gut, and a candida PCR serum test can quantify it in the bloodstream. Labs such as Immunosciences in Beverly Hills and Immuno Laboratories in Florida excel at candida PCR tests.
-Sufficient fiber take is critical to proper bacterial balance in the gut. Increased fiber can actually CAUSE gas at first, so increase gradually. Avoid refined flours and always look for "100% whole grain" or "stone ground" on the label. Common grocery store fiber supplements are helpful as well. Boost fruits and vegetables, and choose fresh or frozen vegetables over canned or overcooked. (Note that fruits and fruit juices, in part due to their sugar content, have been known to aggravate irritable bowels.)
-Inulin is a long molecular chain sugar which feeds bifido bacteria in the colon, but not the bad bacteria, increasing bifido numbers by about 10% in one study. It is indigestible to the body, so the body doesn't see it or use it as sugar, and it doesn't affect blood sugar levels. It also acts as a fiber, so it's a two-birds-with-one-stone deal. "Inuflora" is available at U.S. health food stores, and "Fiber Choice" is found at all U.S. grocery stores.
-Sugar substitutes such as mannitol, sorbitol, malitol, maltitol, and xylitol are not completely absorbed from the digestive tract, and can cause gas, cramps, and diarrhea.
-Herbal bitters activate the bitter-taste receptors on the tongue, and stimulate the digestive processes and the secretion of digestive juices. Some traditional bitters include gentian root, goldenseal, chamomile, and dandelion.
-"Essential oils such as dill, caraway, anise, and fennel stimulate the appetite, promote the flow of gastric secretions and bile, and relieve flatulence."
-"Coriander is useful in treating disorders...accompanied by painful flatulence."
-"Peppermint, sweet basil, lovage, thyme, and balm/lemon balm/bee balm relieve flatulence."
-Savory is known as the "bean herb" since it can assist with bean and vegetable-caused gas.
-Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can cause gas and bloating. Calcium carbonate (antacids) can cause gas.
-Garlic can cause gas in those sensitive to it.
-"Anise is a natural diuretic and gastric stimulant. Today, herb experts particularly tout anise's ability as a digestive aid and gas reliever."
-"Traditional herbalists also recommend dill for prevention of flatulence, and perhaps there is something to this. The herb has anti-foaming action, suggesting it might help break up gas bubbles."
-"Through the ages, as far back as the ancient Romans, fennel has had a reputation as a flatulence reliever."
-"Caraway and coriander may actually prevent gas after eating legumes (beans) or cabbage. Anise and fennel are good, but milder in action to caraway and coriander."
-"After taking flax seed powder for a few days, my husband has been free of flatulence."
-"Garden angelica's primary uses include...lazy digestion accompanied by flatulence."
-"The active ingredients of common centaury/lesser centaury have an excellent effect on...improving digestion."
-"The ingredients in roman chamomile/common chamomile...are effective in the treatment of flatulence."
-"Many doctors have used alfalfa in treating stomach ailments, gas pains..."
-"Homeopathic physicians use kelp for poor digestion, flatulence..."
-"Rosemary can relieve flatulence..."
-"The spores of lycopodiaceae/lycopodium clavatum and stagshorn moss/common club moss can be used for stuck gas made worse by garlic or onions."
-The not-uncommon intestinal pathogens Giardia, Blastocystis Hominis, and possibly Dientamoeba Fragilis as well (and I'm sure a few others) can present symptoms which include excessive gas.
-A product called the "Toot Tapper" is a polyurethane foam seat cushion with one side coated with activated charcoal, and supposedly eliminates more than 90% of the odor.
One last, best piece of advice...
-IF YOU HAVE CONSTANT GAS, ROUTINELY UNPLEASANT NON-FOOD RELATED GAS, OR FREQUENTLY MALODOROUS BOWEL MOVEMENTS, AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE SAME ON YOUR OWN, SWALLOW YOUR EMBARRASSMENT, SEE AN DOCTOR AND HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE STOOL ANALYSIS DONE!!!
Hopefully this gassy novella might prove useful to someone! Best wishes...
http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/020800pubadfarts.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/intestinal_gas_belching_bloating_flatulence/page1.htm