by Lorn Allison L.M.T., Doctoral Candidate

What really causes abdominal bloating and gas?

There can be several reasons.
Most importantly, lower intestinal gas and stomach bloating is produced when bacteria in your colon cause fermentation of carbohydrates and other foods that aren’t digested in your small intestine.

These foods aren’t digested because…

• Lack of appropriate digestive enzymes

• Improper food combinations

• Not chewing food thoroughly

• Lack of high water content fruits and vegetables

Other causes…

• Antibiotics. In some cases of excess gas, antibiotic use may be a factor because antibiotics disrupt the normal bacterial flora in your bowel.

• Food intolerances.
  If gas and bloating occur mainly after eating dairy products, it may be because your body isn’t able to break down the sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. Many people aren’t able to process lactose efficiently after age 6, and even infants are sometimes lactose intolerant. Other food intolerances, especially to gliadin (gluten) – a protein found in wheat and other grains – also can result in excess gas, diarrhea and even weight loss.

• Stress or anxiety

• A gastrointestinal infection or blockage (i.e. candidiasis) or parasites.

• Irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function.

Serious health conditions.

Excessive gas may be one of several signs and symptoms of a more serious inflammatory condition.

Examples include…

• Diverticulitis

• Ulcerative colitis

• Crohn’s disease

• Celiac disease

The 2 best preventative measures for eliminating non-serious abdominal bloating and fermentation, are simply…

1. Take digestive enzymes

This is one of the best lines of self defense against stomach bloating and gas.  Enzymes help break down all of the food components that can cause abdominal bloating.  Learn more here… digestive-enzymes

2. Better food combining

There have been many books written about this but the most important thing to remember is to eat fruits before eating complex carbohydrates like pasta, grains and breads.
Anytime these foods are consumed before fruit, the fruit cannot pass through the stomach in 15 to 20 minutes as it is meant to.  As the heavier food moves from the stomach through the rest of the intestines followed by fruit, it will cause fermentation throughout the intestinal tract, resulting in intestinal bloating and gas.
Also, it is always a good idea to combine concentrated foods like proteins, fats and grains with vegetables. The high water content in the vegetables helps move the grains and proteins through the intestines swiftly and easily, eliminating or minimizing stomach bloating and gas.

Lorn Allison L.M.T., Doctoral Candidate