I used to do karate with a guy whose farts were so putrid that they were more deadly than any punch or kick he could throw.   

I remember dreading when I would be matched with him in sparring, just waiting for the stench to permeate my nostrils.  Sure, I could block his punches and kicks, but nothing could stop that hideous odor. 

And you certainly didn’t want to be near him when we did sit-ups—that abdominal action would trigger his anal acoustics. 

But seriously, passing gas is an interesting subject because let’s face it—we all do it and it is normal to a certain extent.   

Let’s get close and personal with your gas and see where you might fall on the “gas-o-meter” as well as look at ways to “clear the air” if you’re cutting the cheese a little more than you should.  

It’s perfectly normal…to a point 

It’s actually normal to pass gas between 13 and 21 times a day. 

Most “normal” gas has little or no odor and is simply the leftover gas that your gut microbiome was not able to absorb during digestion. 

But chronic, excessive, putrid gas is a sign of something else brewing down there. 

So if you can play a symphony with your flatulence, or you blow past the 13-21 fart-a-day average before you’ve even had your morning coffee, or your gas even gags the dog, then here are some possible reasons to consider and how you can help sweeten the air: 

Medical conditions 

First and foremost, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any suspected medical conditions that may be behind your gas. 

These include: Lactose intolerance, food sensitivities, gluten intolerance, celiac disease, intestinal parasites, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, gastroenteritis, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).  

Medications 

Many medications can cause gas including: 

• Aspirin 
• Antacids 
• Diarrhea medications 
• Pain medications 
• Diabetes drugs 
• Antibiotics 
• Antidepressants 
• Osteoporosis drugs 

If you suffer from medication gas, it’s time to talk to your doctor about alternatives or natural remedies.   

For example, vitamin B12 has been shown to be extremely helpful with pain (especially back pain) and depression.  And since it’s a very common deficiency, an oral vitamin B spray like Hydroxaden 2.5 is a great way to ensure you’re getting enough of this crucial nutrient. 

In addition, fish oil has also been proven to help with depression and arthritis pain, and our very own VitalMega-3 can help your body get the soothing Omega-3 fats it needs. 

Indulging in bubbly drinks  

Bubbles that go in must come out, usually in the form of flatulence. 

So if you regularly drink beer, sparkling wine and/or soda, this may be the culprit behind your gas.  

Beer is especially gas-inducing because of the yeast it contains, which can challenge your friendly gut flora and impact its ability to help carry out your digestion. 

Poor digestion of starch and fiber 

Poor digestion of starches and fiber is one of the most common causes of gas.   

Your friendly intestinal flora helps to break down starches and fibers, but if your microbiome has low numbers of these good bacterial helpers or if they are outnumbered by harmful bacteria, you are lacking in their digestive help and may get serious gas as a result. 

A full-spectrum, potent probiotic formula like Super Shield PLUS can help create and maintain a healthy microbiome balance and ease gas.  Super Shield PLUS’s 15 strains of beneficial bacteria and 20 billion CFUs can work to repopulate your intestinal microbiome and support their efforts of smoothing digestion and breaking down starches and fiber! 

Also, fermented foods like yogurt, buttermilk, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchee and kefir help further support and nourish these intestinal good guys. 

In addition, apple cider vinegar (that includes “the mother”) can help boost helpful bacteria in the gut.  You can find ACV at most grocery stores, plus Dr. Mercola has a nice product called “Biothin” that you might wish to try. 

Using sucralose (Splenda®) 

Studies have shown that the artificial sweetener sucralose (known by its brand name Splenda®) raises the pH level in your intestines (thereby throwing off proper digestion) and can destroy up to 50 percent of your beneficial gut flora—both of which can lead to gas (as well as weakened immune function).  

Please don’t make the mistake of thinking aspartame (Equal®) is any better.  This blog would be an encyclopedia if I discussed all the health destroying dangers of aspartame.   

If you truly need to use a calorie-free sweetener, try stevia. 

Lacking in digestive enzymes 

Digestive enzymes are in your saliva, your stomach and the upper part of your small intestine (with contributions from the pancreas, gallbladder and liver) and each of them serves a very important role in completing digestion. 

So if you’re running low in enzymes at any point along the GI tract, it can impact your digestion and lead to nasty gas.    

Enzyme deficiencies can occur for a variety of reasons—having a diet high in processed foods, gallbladder surgery, using acid reducers or even Mother Nature because as we age, our ability to produce enzymes diminishes. 

Many people have had enormous success in getting relief from gas just by giving their bodies some enzyme support with a digestive enzyme supplement like Digestizol Max.   

Digestizol Max’s complete formula of 15 plant-based enzymes helps break down every kind of food you can imagine, and its unique herbal blend helps ease GI distress. 

Having a typical Western diet 

The typical meals that most people eat (which usually include every food type under the sun) are extremely taxing on your system, especially your stomach which is responsible for the “preparatory” breakdown of your foods. 

If your stomach can’t do its job efficiently, things won’t go along so well further down either.  The small intestine will be stressed trying to make up for what the stomach didn’t do, but it can only do so much. 

What results is a poorly digested blob of food, fermenting carbohydrates, putrefying proteins, and anything-but-normal BMs… 

Plus LOTS of gas! 

But you can pave the way for better digestion by making your meals simpler for your stomach to tackle. 

And that is what I will teach you to do in the Great Taste No Pain health system! 

Great Taste No Pain is not a diet—it is an eating style that shows you what foods to pair together in your meals to pave the way for super-efficient digestion.  Certain combinations of foods break down better in your stomach than others, and Great Taste No Pain teaches you what combinations ae good and which ones are volatile! 

When you make your stomach’s job easier, that puts you on a path to more complete digestion, less heartburn, more regular bowel movements, and less gas! 

Not sure where to start? 

If you’re not sure where to start to help ease excessive gas, then book a coaching session with me! 

We’ll talk about what’s going on, your diet and lifestyle habits, any medications you’re on, etc. and try to pinpoint what may be triggering your wind breaking. 

To your health, 

Sherry Brescia