GAS AND BLOATING

by Lawrence Wilson, MD

î May 2011, The Center For Development

                 

                  Intestinal gas or flatulence, and intestinal bloating are very common symptoms that are telltale signs of deeper problems with digestion.  This article discusses their causes and correction by nutritional balancing science.

 

CAUSES FOR GAS AND BLOATING

 

The main cause is improper digestion of food.  Most often, the gas and bloating occur after meals, which should be an indicator that oneÕs diet and digestion are at fault.  Here are some of the major reasons for the problem:

 

á           Improper diet, or too much food that overwhelms the digestive system.

á           Food allergies or sensitivities.

á           Leaky gut syndrome.  This is related to inflammation of the intestines and often low digestive enzymes and an improper diet or poor eating habits.

á           Poor eating habits that interfere with digestion.  These are eating standing up, eating while driving, eating in noisy environments, or when anxious or upset, eating too fast, not chewing thoroughly, drinking too much liquid with meals that dilutes the digestive juices, or eating improper food combinations that are hard to digest.

á           Low levels of digestive enzymes.  This is extremely common today among people of all ages, including some children but most often adults.  Older people are at even greater risk of this problem.  This includes low stomach acid, and low levels of pancreatic and liver enzymes needed to digest oneÕs food.

á           Infections in the intestines.  The most common, which is almost universal, is candida albicans, especially in those who eat sugar and/or too much starch in the diet.  However, many other infections of the intestines are extremely common including parasitic infection, as well as viral, bacterial and other fungal infections.

á           The use of prescription or over-the-counter medications or remedies that interfere with digestion.  Many drugs can inhibit the digestive system in various ways.  Among the worst are acid blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that irritate the intestines and stomach terribly, and even some herbs and vitamins with iron, for example.

á           Fatigue and lowered vitality.  This will always impact digestion, enzyme secretion, bowel motility and other aspects of the digestive process.

á           Emotional upset.  The digestive system is highly susceptible to emotional upset for various reasons.  A fight-or-flight response will slow or can even stop proper digestion very quickly.  This is why it is important to eat calmly and slowly, and maintain low stress levels for good digestion.  At least, relax a little before and after meals.  Preferably do not jump up from the table right after eating.  At least allow your meal to digest for 10 minutes or more before leaving the table.

á           Not heeding the call of nature to use the bathroom.  This strains the system and can cause other problems as well.

 

CAUSES FOR GAS AND BLOATING REVEALED ON HAIR MINERAL ANALYSES

 

á           Low overall vitality. This may be indicated by a low phosphorus level, a low sodium/potassium ratio, a very slow oxidation rate or perhaps very high toxic metals or a low aluminum level.

á           Sympathetic dominance.  This is a very common condition today in which people overuse their sympathetic or fight-or-flight nervous system.  When this system is active, it Òturns offÓ or inhibits digestion and elimination.  As a result, the body produces fewer digestive enzymes and the entire digestive system receives less nervous energy.  This can have a devastating effect upon digestion.

á           Excessive levels of toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and others.  These not only interfere with digestive enzyme production, but support or enable harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi to live and thrive in the intestinal tract.

á           Zinc deficiency.  Zinc is critical for digestion.  It is needed for enzyme production, to rebuild the intestinal wall, to fight off certain infectious organisms and to balance the nervous system for best digestion.

á           Low tissue phosphorus level (less than 12 mg%).  This is associated in some cases with overall lowered vitality, impaired digestion, low dietary protein, vegetarian and other deficient diets, intestinal infections, low zinc and impaired protein synthesis in the body.

á           Low levels of sodium and potassium.  Dr. Eck found this is associated with lower levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and perhaps generally less digestive enzyme production.  The pattern is also associated with adrenal burnout and general exhaustion.

á           Low sodium/potassium ratio (less than 2.5). This is associated with digestive weakness, adrenal exhaustion, carbohydrate intolerance and the presence of toxic metals and chronic infections in many cases. 

 

VARIETIES OF INTESTINAL GAS

 

                  Digestion is supposed to be a particular type of chemical breakdown process in which starches are broken into sugars and proteins are broken down into amino acids.  It is quite a simple process.  When this process does not occur correctly, not only is nutrition seriously impaired.  Gases are produced in the intestines that are called flatulence.  The two main types of intestinal gas are caused by:

 

á           Putrefaction of proteins.  This is similar to rotting.  It produces very toxic chemicals such as indols and skatols.  It also can produce sulfur dioxide and other gases that are very foul-smelling and toxic.

á           Fermentation of sugars and starches.  This is the same process used to make wine and beer in which various yeasts and other ferments, as they are called, change sugars into alcohol, acetaldehyde and methane gas, among other chemicals. This is not as foul-smelling a gas.

 

Thus, putrefaction of proteins and some other foods has a strong odor, while fermentation of sugars and starches has a milder odor.  The same principle applies to the smell of the stool.  The stool should not have a strong odor.  If it has a very foul odor, usually putrefaction is occurring, while a milder odor has more to do with fermentation.

 

When does gas and bloating occur?  This depends on where there is a problem in the intestinal tract.  Gas in the stomach will occur usually within an hour or two of eating.  Gas and bloating of the intestine, which is lower down on the abdomen, may occur several hours after eating and even the next day.  This is because it takes this long for a meal to travel through the stomach to the intestine, where the problem occurs.

 

OTHER CAUSES FOR BLOATING

 

In almost all cases of gas and bloating, poor digestion is present.  Rarely, other factors can cause bloating, however.  It is usually chronic, meaning that it is always present, even if one does not eat a meal.  These causes include:

 

á           Digestive diseases such as tumors, diverticuli, and systemic infections that may affect the intestines.

á           A generalized yin condition of the intestines.  Yin means expanded, weakened, and often flaccid or too relaxed.

á           Fatty deposits in the belly area.  This is not really bloating, but it can look and feel exactly the same.  It is really just belly fat.

 

CORRECTION OF GAS AND BLOATING

 

                  This is usually easy with a nutritional balancing program.  One must begin with a healthful lifestyle with plenty of rest and sleep, deep breathing, good posture and healthful general living habits.

                  Meals must be simple, with few foods at a meal, no sugar, very little fruit, no fruit juice, no or minimal food chemicals, and  organic food, if possible.  The most important foods are cooked vegetables several times daily and animal protein about twice or perhaps three times daily.  Avoid drinking liquids with meals and observe healthful eating habits such as eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, eating only when relaxed and resting at least 10 minutes after meals, and preferably a few minutes before meals as well.

                  Also, avoid all products made with wheat, with white sugar, honey, maple syrup and flour.  Also, limit beef to once a week and eat only small fish up to twice weekly such as sardines or salmon.  Avoid all larger fish, avoid all shellfish and all pig products, which may contain parasite eggs.

Any food that causes digestive symptoms should be omitted and only reintroduced slowly after several months, preferably, when the intestines have had an opportunity to heal.

Everyone needs a digestive enzyme supplement today.  We recommend a powerful one called GB-3 that contains ox bile, pancreatin, bile acids and bile salts.  We find this better than all the others, although the others may help, too.

We also recommend specific targeted nutrients based on a properly performed hair mineral test and based on oneÕs metabolic type as revealed on this test to balance the bodyÕs oxidation rate and major mineral ratios, along with other nutrients as needed.

When this is done properly, gas and bloating usually disappear within days to a few months.  Sometimes symptoms continue for a while because fully rebuilding the intestinal tract is often a longer procedure, but one that is well worth the effort.

 

What we do not recommend.  Avoid most herbs, most ÒcleansesÓ, fasting for more than a day or two, most parasite cleanses as they are not needed if the above is done, too many supplements and especially toxic supplements including bentonite and other clays, most herbs, and all medical drugs, if possible.  We have also recently seen peopleÕs digestion get much worse on amino acid therapy, and natural hormone therapy.

 

 

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