Flatulence
Flatulence
5 Ideas for Getting Rid of Gas
It's tough to be serious about flatulence, though we promise to try. It's tough because even the scientists who study the subject poke fun at their own research, writing of failed experiments that ended "without even a whiff of success."
Yes, the pun was intended and was in very bad taste, but such is the nature of this science—even at the highest levels. Consider Michael D. Levitt, M.D., one of the top researchers in the field. His peers know him as "the man who brought status to flatus and class to gas." In his own words, Dr. Levitt describes his work as "an attempt to pump some data into the field filled largely with hot air."
Hot air, perhaps, and a colorful history as well. Hippocrates investigated flatulence extensively, and ancient physicians who specialized in it became known as "pneumatists." In early American history, such great men as Benjamin Franklin taxed their minds seeding a cure for "escaped wind."
In more recent times, Stephen Goldfinger, M.D., a digestive disease expert, wrote that "glaring at the next guy, when all else fails, can make life easier." Yes, it's tough to be serious about flatulence, but we promise to try. Read on.
Lay off the lactose. "If you are lactose intolerant, you could have flatulence problems from eating dairy foods," says Dennis Savaiano, Ph.D., associate professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. (For more tips, see Lactose Intolerance on page 407.) Lactose-intolerant people have a low intestinal level of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest lactose, the type of sugar found in many dairy foods.
But you don't necessarily need to be diagnosed as lactose intolerant to have unwanted repercussions. Some people can only handle certain amounts and different kinds of milk products with comfort. If you or your doctor suspects that your favorite dairy product is causing your problem, try eating it in smaller servings or along with a meal for a day or two until you notice where gas begins to be a problem.
Avoid gas-promoting foods. The primary cause of flatulence is the digestive system's inability to absorb certain carbohydrates, says Samuel Klein, M.D., assistant professor of gastroenterology and human nutrition at the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston.
Though you probably know that beans are sure fire flatus producers, many people don't realize that cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, onions, cauliflower, whole wheat flour, radishes, bananas, apricots, pretzels, and many more foods can also be highly flatugenic.
Fight off fiber-induced flatus. "Although we often encourage fiber in the diet for digestive health, some high-fiber vegetables and fruits may increase gas," says Richard McCallum, M.D., a professor of medicine and chief of the Gastroenterology Division at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center.
If you're adding fiber to your diet for health reasons, start with a small dose so the bowel gets used to it. That lessens the increase of flatus, and doctors have found that most people's flatus production returns to normal within a few weeks of adding fiber.
Use charcoal to help you reach your goal. Some studies have found that activated charcoal tablets are effective in eliminating excessive gas. "Charcoal absorbs gases and may be useful for flatulence," says Dr. Klein. "It's probably the best available treatment—after appropriate dietary changes have been made and other gastroenterological diseases have been treated or ruled out." Check with your doctor if you're taking any medication because charcoal can soak up medicine as well as gas.
Bean Cuisine: Getting the Gas Out If you love beans and legumes but hate living with the consequences, there is a solution. Clearly, beans and legumes cause flatulence, although the better they're cooked, the less the problem. Indeed, beans seem to lose a lot of their gas-producing properties in water. Studies have shown that soaking beans for 12 hours or germinating them on damp paper towels for 24 hours can significantly reduce the amount of gas-producing compounds. In fact, soaking followed by 30 minutes of pressure cooking at 15 pounds per square inch reduced the compounds by up to 90 percent in one study. |
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Get quick relief from popular OTCs. While many physicians are recommending activated charcoal for relief of intestinal gas, pharmacists say simethicone-containing products are still the most popular with consumers. Among the over-the-counter favorites: Gas-X, Maalox Plus, Mylanta II, and Mylicon.
Unlike activated charcoal's absorbent action, simethicone's defoaming action relieves flatulence by dispersing and preventing the formation of mucous-surrounded gas pockets in the stomach and intestines.
PANEL OF ADVISERS
Samuel Klein, M.D., is an assistant professor of gastroentology and human nutrition at the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston. He is also an editorial adviser to Prevention magazine.
Richard McCallum, M.D., is a professor of medicine and chief of the Gastroentrology Division at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville. He does research on gastrointestinal problems.
Dennis Savaiano, Ph.D., is associate professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis.
