The Gas We Pass
Gas can be a social liability, But (so to speak), it’s natural to pass gas. We all do it.
The average number, for both men and women, is around 10 to 15 times a day – give or take a few toots. However, according to Dr. Michael Levitt, the world’s leading scientist in the field of flatulence (what a gas), female gas contains more hydrogen sulfide and can therefore be smellier. (Excuse me!)
Fortunately, since not all gas is offensive, our family and friends don’t usually notice the gas we pass. However, people with severe flatulence might pass gas as often as 150 times a day. This can become a serious social problem.
Intestinal gas has two basic causes: 1) swallowed air and 2) bacterial fermentation of food. Most swallowed air comes back up in a belch and is fairly easy to manage by slowing down when eating and by avoiding carbonated drinks.
The main problem with gas caused by fermented food is that many foods which ferment in the body, like whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, are also some of the best foods for you. So what can you do?
People have different digestive systems and not all the same foods will affect everyone in the same way. By trial and error, you can usually identify and manage your personal perpetrators. Foods sweetened with sorbitol, for example, are notoriously gas producing for most people. So, stay away from them.
Beans are another universal producer of gas. As are onions, raisins, prunes and, for some people, milk products. But, most people can eat these and other nutritious gas producing foods in moderation.
As you get used to eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables your body starts making the necessary digestive enzymes. So, don’t just suddenly add large quantities of these foods to your diet. Beginning gradually and going slowly allows your digestive system to adjust. For most people, it’ll only take a few weeks to gradually build up to full size servings.
To curb excess flatulence, you can consider adding natural digestive aids to your daily supplement program. And, when you eat beans, Beano can help. If your problem is dairy based, because of lactose intolerance, add lactase enzymes to milk products or switch to eating yogurt which produces less gas than milk.
Exercise has many benefits, including speeding up the passage of gas in healthy people. And, if you’re committed to your health, you can manage eating nutritious gas producing foods at times when it’s okay to let go of a few good toots.
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© Copyright Moss Greene. All Rights Reserved.
To subscribe to the Nutrition Newsletter, just enter your email address in the subscribe box at the bottom of this page.
Note: The information contained on this website is not intended to be prescriptive. Any attempt to diagnose or treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician who is familiar with nutritional therapy.
The average number, for both men and women, is around 10 to 15 times a day – give or take a few toots. However, according to Dr. Michael Levitt, the world’s leading scientist in the field of flatulence (what a gas), female gas contains more hydrogen sulfide and can therefore be smellier. (Excuse me!)
Fortunately, since not all gas is offensive, our family and friends don’t usually notice the gas we pass. However, people with severe flatulence might pass gas as often as 150 times a day. This can become a serious social problem.
Intestinal gas has two basic causes: 1) swallowed air and 2) bacterial fermentation of food. Most swallowed air comes back up in a belch and is fairly easy to manage by slowing down when eating and by avoiding carbonated drinks.
The main problem with gas caused by fermented food is that many foods which ferment in the body, like whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, are also some of the best foods for you. So what can you do?
People have different digestive systems and not all the same foods will affect everyone in the same way. By trial and error, you can usually identify and manage your personal perpetrators. Foods sweetened with sorbitol, for example, are notoriously gas producing for most people. So, stay away from them.
Beans are another universal producer of gas. As are onions, raisins, prunes and, for some people, milk products. But, most people can eat these and other nutritious gas producing foods in moderation.
As you get used to eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables your body starts making the necessary digestive enzymes. So, don’t just suddenly add large quantities of these foods to your diet. Beginning gradually and going slowly allows your digestive system to adjust. For most people, it’ll only take a few weeks to gradually build up to full size servings.
To curb excess flatulence, you can consider adding natural digestive aids to your daily supplement program. And, when you eat beans, Beano can help. If your problem is dairy based, because of lactose intolerance, add lactase enzymes to milk products or switch to eating yogurt which produces less gas than milk.
Exercise has many benefits, including speeding up the passage of gas in healthy people. And, if you’re committed to your health, you can manage eating nutritious gas producing foods at times when it’s okay to let go of a few good toots.
For the Health, Weight Loss and Natural Nutrition Newsletter, click here.
Click here for the Site Map
Articles you might also enjoy
Best Health Advice
Nutrition 101
Fact or Fiction: You Can Get Everything You Need From The Food You Eat
© Copyright Moss Greene. All Rights Reserved.
To subscribe to the Nutrition Newsletter, just enter your email address in the subscribe box at the bottom of this page.
Note: The information contained on this website is not intended to be prescriptive. Any attempt to diagnose or treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician who is familiar with nutritional therapy.
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