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Flatulence

I find I like to write on a diversity of topics when I have useful information that is not generally known. This is one of those topics: There is an effective way of reducing flatulence.

Before continuing, I want to mention that I have no medical training. So, begin by consulting your doctor first and before making any changes.

From my experience, flatulence is caused by two independent factors: 1) Eating food that your body cannot completely digest: Bacteria in your large intestine then break down this undigested material producing gas. 2) Excessive harmful bacteria in your digestive tract. These pathogenic bacteria cause gas as well as illness. I'll deal with each issue separately.

First, foods that your body cannot completely digest. These foods vary with individuals. In my case, I, especially, limit my intake of milk. Other foods that give me gas include processed meats (Examples: bologna, ham, salami, beef jerky), dried fruit, and soy milk.

Some people find using a lactase enzyme (e.g. Lactaid) for lactose intolerance helps. Or using an alpha galactosidase enzyme (e.g. Beano). Neither of these work for me. So I simply avoid the foods I can't eat.

Finding out what you can't eat will take some time. You just eliminate a few foods at a time and see what happens. Don't eliminate all fiber from your diet; you don't want to become constipated.

I should also note that your body will adapt to some foods after a period of time. This can take a long time (up to 6 months) if you're eating a large amount of the food in question. So, if you're making a change in your diet, take this into consideration.

A couple of examples: 1) It took a long time before I was able to eat banana smoothies without gas. Now, this is not a problem. 2) Beans stopped giving me gas, after a much shorter period of time, once I began eating them on a daily basis.

Note: Beans need to be fully cooked or they will always give you gas. The beans should be cooked until you can easily squash a bean between your tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Second: There is a second cause of flatulence: Excessive quantities of harmful bacteria and/or viruses in the digestive tract also produce gas. There are both beneficial and harmful organisms in your digestive tract. You want more of the first and less of the second. How do you accomplish this? Keep reading.

First, it may be necessary to avoid the regular consumption of soda and sparkling water. This is something that was necessary for me when I was younger—and less healthy. It is no longer true today.

Experiment and see if this is true with you.

I know what you're thinking: drinking soft drinks or sparkling water reduces gas. And drinking these also make you feel better when you're sick. That's true! But the reason they work is because the carbonated water impedes the growth of many organisms in the gut, good and bad.

Occasionally drinking a soft drink or sparkling water, when you're sick, or need relief from gas, shouldn't cause a problem.

Second, don't drink lemonade. Lemon juice is an antimicrobial; it impedes or kills organisms both good and bad. As with soft drinks, harmful organisms soon gain the advantage.

I do use lemon juice to preserve frozen bananas, which I use for making smoothies—this doesn't cause a problem.

Third, always eat a healthy, primarily plant-based, diet. Eat a variety of healthy foods. Improving your health will reduce flatulence.

I should mention that it may take some time for your body to adjust to a healthier diet without this causing gas. However, this is essential. Go slowly if you need to.

Eating a variety of healthy foods, and avoiding certain foods I can't tolerate, eliminated my problems with flatulence a long time ago. It was also necessary for me to avoid eating a lot of meat, on a daily basis.

Fourth, be careful about what and where you eat: Don't unnecessarily introduce harmful bacteria into your digestive tract. One example: I stopped buying organic lettuce, which is often contaminated. This definitely made a difference. Today, for green leafy vegetables, I cook chard and kale. I also avoid accepting free food samples.

Fifth, In regard to probiotic supplements: I used to take one of these, and it helped, but have since found that this is no longer necessary since I switched to a primarily plant-based diet. "Probiotics are safe for most people, but you may need to avoid them if you're pregnant or nursing, have a serious acute or chronic illness; or have weakened immunity. Check with your doctor."1 If you try this, you will need to experiment with different supplements to see what works.

In retrospect, I think this was a mistake. It makes a lot more sense to just occasionally eat some yogurt that contains live, active cultures. This information is on the label. It's also a good idea to try different brands so you get a variety of cultures.

Don't eat yogurt, or any other dairy product, when you're sick. This will make you sicker and also cause unnecessary flatulence.

Start with a healthy primarily plant-based diet, abstinence from soft drinks and avoid lemon juice. Then, experiment with your diet and see what foods need to be eliminated. That's, basically, what you need to do.

Some final comments follow.

Eating red meat will make your flatulence stink a lot more. Eating a clove of garlic, on a daily basis, will do just the opposite.

Recognize that drugs—including prescription medications—may also cause digestive problems, including gas. Tums is one example. Some herbal supplements, laxatives and other products purchased at health food stores may also cause gas.

Avoid products that may be damaging to your health, like simethicone. I don't see a problem with the occasional use of activated charcoal, when you're sick. However, I no longer find that this is necessary.

Avoid eating foods that are getting close to being spoiled. What you are doing is ingesting large amounts of harmful bacteria.

Do whatever is necessary to reduce your anger and stress. Make full use of the articles published on this site.

Once you've figured out what foods you need to avoid—and are eating a healthy, primarily plant-based diet—the flatulence should largely disappear. Except, occasionally, when you get really sick. At least this has been my experience.

In the meantime, you may still have excessive gas at times: This is because there will be times when harmful organisms exist in your digestive tract in excessive amounts. There is a remedy for this problem: You can take a natural antimicrobial during these times. There are two that I know of: 1) Garlic. 2) Jalapeno pepper. Just take a couple cloves of raw garlic, mince it and swallow it with water. Or do the same thing with a somewhat lesser amount of raw Jalapeno pepper. The gas will often quickly disappear.

You would use garlic one day—as often as needed—and then use Jalapeno pepper the second day in the same way. On the third day you would again use garlic. If you use the same remedy two days in a row, the bacteria will adapt and you will get no results.

One caution: Jalapeno pepper will burn your mouth a lot—at least for the first few years that you do this. After a few years, your body will adjust and the burning will diminish and then go away. In the meantime, you can get temporary relief by repeatedly washing out your mouth with milk.

I used Jalapeno peppers, for years, whenever I got sick. So, my body is used to them. I rarely use them today; I'm a lot healthier.

I'd avoid drinking the milk. Drinking milk, when you are sick, will only make you more sick. Thus, this will cause gas even if you're not lactose intolerant.

To avoid getting sick, it is especially important that you eat a healthy diet.

It's also a good idea to always have a can of sparkling water available that can be used for temporary relief from flatulence.

I think you now have everything you need to effectively deal with this issue. But again, its always a good idea to get personal medical advice from a physician.

Finally, if the above suggestions are insufficient, there is a United States Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter treatment for flatulence and other problems related to bowel odors. It's called Devrom. Check out their website.

Disclaimers: 1) Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 2) Discuss all medical issues with your physician before making any changes.

1 Consumer Reports, November 2011, Page 12.

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