Gas

What Causes Increased Gas?

Over the years, I’ve learned this about people as it relates to their health: they notice every change in their digestive system. They have their own bathroom habits, and they don’t like anything that changes their pattern. If they make a change in their nutritional intake—whether it’s a food, a supplement, or a medication—and it impacts their pattern, they really don’t like it. What’s not as noticeable immediately is another digestive change, and that’s an increase in gas.

In one case, a person developed an increase in gas production—and not in a good way; she stopped taking a probiotic (after regular use for a couple of years) and the problem stopped. Another person noticed an increase in gas after adding an amino acid blend. Yet another noticed an increase in gas after starting a medication. What gives?

The microbiome consists of the bacteria and other microbes that reside in the digestive system. The primary way they do what they do is by fermentation; the result is the production of gas, and that’s perfectly normal. Any change that impacts the microbiome can change the production of gas. Other than stopping the food, supplement, or medication, what can we do about it? I’ll give you some ideas on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet