Mailbag! Try THIS for Embarrassing Bloating and Gas
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 16, 2021
I suffer from constant bloating. No matter how little I eat, I feel as stuffed as if I just had Thanksgiving dinner. What should I do?
–Pearl from Lancaster, PA
Bloating most often happens when the microorganisms in the gut have a meal. As the collection of bacteria and other organisms eat, they produce gas… and that gas causes bloating and pain. It’s generally pretty uncomfortable… for everyone in the room!
I’m going to share some tips from my practice to keep those little critters from eating too much.
Eat less sugar. If you’re thinking that sugar gets blamed for everything, you’re right! One of the worst things sugar does for your digestion is feed unhealthy bacteria. Those bad bacteria LOVE sugar and produce extra gas as a byproduct. Replacing them with artificial sweeteners won’t do the trick, however – they, too, tend to throw things off. It’s best to just reduce sugars and foods that act like sugars.
Eat fermented foods. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso, kefir, and yogurt all contain healthy bacteria. Those good bacteria can help create a microbiome that reduces gas. The problem is, these foods sometimes increase gas for a short period of time before settling down.
Avoid eating late in the evening. Most folks eat late because of a busy schedule, but making time to eat earlier in the day can help reduce gas and bloating. The digestive system works best during the day, and it slows down at night. This is because, during the day, you’re moving and walking around, which allows for peak digestion. Try to eat at least a few hours before going to bed.
If those don’t do the trick, try some of these additional tips:
· Use salt. Many articles on bloating will say to avoid salt because it causes you to bloat, but don’t believe it. Salt is necessary to make hydrochloric acid in your stomach, and the acid is needed to keep bad bacteria levels down.
· Take a good prebiotic and probiotic. I like a probiotic product which has both fiber (prebiotic) and good bacteria (probiotics). The fiber feeds the good bacteria, boosting their numbers.
· Try herbs. Basil, dill, ginger, fennel, and mint can all help decrease bloat.
· Look for potential food intolerances. This is probably the hardest step. Try keeping a food diary to see what foods cause you to feel the most bloated. Dairy is a very common intolerance, as well as wheat and corn.
· Check in with your doctor. If symptoms persist, there could be a more serious problem. Make sure you talk to your doctor to rule all possible issues out.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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