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Gas & Bloating |
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After I eat anything, I get gas and my stomach blows out so much I have to buy pants two sizes bigger. Why is this? |
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Answer
(Published: April 6th 2007) |
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Gas and bloating is an extremely common complaint. It also has various ways to occur making it sometimes a bit complicated to determine the cause.
One is your stomach acid may be insufficient. You may want to consider taking a betaine hydrochloride supplement to assist in making your stomach more acid. This will then trigger your pancreas to release enzymes for digestion as well.
If your stomach acid is sufficient, then it may be a lack of pancreatic enzymes. Taking a good pancreatic enzyme support supplement may resolve the gas and bloating if this is the case.
If your pancreatic enzymes are sufficient, then it may be due to a sluggish gall bladder. Your liver may need some assistance with either producing bile or releasing bile. A good naturopathic physician can determine which is needed. One has a hint of the bile/gall bladder being a problem when they get gas and bloating with fatty foods. Bile is what breaks down fats for you.
If you think all three may be the problem, then you may be eating while under stress. If you eat while in a hurry, while driving, while reading a book, while at a business meeting, while in an elevator, while yelling on the phone, or simply eating while not paying attention to eating, then of course you will have gas and bloating.
Why does stress cause gas and bloating?
You have two nervous systems and each one dominates at any one time. Stress rules the sympathetic nervous system and that is your fight or flight. This causes most blood to go to your muscles and away from your digestive tract. The sympathetic nervous system also releases cortisol which shuts down the release of stomach acid.
The relaxing nervous system is called the parasympathetic nervous system and allows blood to flow to your digestive system. Another major component of the parasympathetic system is to relax the sphincters of the gall bladder and pancreas. There is no release of cortisol so you get a natural release of stomach acid. Thus, your digestive juices will flow very well if you simply eat when you eat. Do not multitask while you eat. Put both feet on the floor, appreciate the flavors, textures and chew chew chew.
This brings up another point. Do not drink while you eat. Drinking while eating dilutes stomach acids. You may want to drink 30 minutes before eating and 1 hour after eating. This allows your digestive enzymes, bile and acid to work in a concentrated fashion.
If you are noticing gas and bloating with carbohydrates like sugar, refined rice, refined breads, sweets, donuts, etc then you may have an overgrowth of yeast or a very low amount of beneficial bacteria like acidophilus. If you have brain fog, fowl gas, fatigue, allergic to many foods and crave sweets, then yeast may be part of the picture.
A history of antibiotic use wipes out most if not all beneficial bacteria in your gut making you susceptible to such vermin as yeast - which is candida. If taking antibiotics, many naturopathic physicians and european medical doctors recommend taking a probiotic or acidophilus while you take the antibiotic. This helps prevent bad bacteria from taking over.
Another reason for gas and bloating is simply that you are intolerant to that food and you should not be eating it. A classic food intolerant is cow milk. Many of us lose the lactase enzyme as we age making us susceptible to gas and bloating when we drink or eat dairy products. Don't forget that dairy products means anything made with milk - not just milk! If you think dairy is the culprit - remove it completely from your diet. Some say take a lactase enzyme supplement - you can do that if you like. Ask your doc.
Gas and bloating is a very common condition and can be complicated for an individual to suss out. It is quite easy for a naturopathic physician to determine.
View our selection of digestive supplements. You may find some for the stomach, pancreas or the liver. You may also find some supplements to reduce stress or anxiety - as that may be the root problem of your gas and bloating. If you believe yeast or candida is your problem, then you may want to consider ParaBiotic Plus.
The supplements may be found in our search by "Symptom" area. You may view the "Gas and Bloating" products here. |
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