It is natural to have gas in the colon. It is usually expelled during a bowel movement. However, some people have an excessive amount of gas and are bothered by it throughout the day. Intestinal gas is primarily composed of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. Oxygen and nitrogen are found in the air we breathe, whereas the other gases are primarily the result of bacterial fermentation in the large intestine. Some foods that may cause excessive gas are beans, peas, wheat, oats, bran, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn, rutabaga, and dairy products. From a naturopathic point of view, excessive gas may be an indication of Candida overgrowth. Candidiasis can be worsened by eating excessive amount of fermented and yeast-containing foods, such as soy sauce, beer, bread, sugar, fruit juice, or fruit.
Intestinal gas can be aggravated when dietary fiber intake is increased, and sometimes it occurs when taking herbal remedies one is unaccustomed to. Eating too fast and chewing gum can contribute to gas as well because of swallowed air. Therefore, eat food slowly and chew thoroughly. Carbonated beverages and sugar substitutes can also contribute. In terms of Chinese medicine, gas is usually due to diet, stress, and spleen qi deficiency that is accompanied by dampness. Over-the-counter chemical remedies should not be taken to relieve or prevent gas because there is no strong evidence that they are effective.
SELF HELP
Try chewing a handful of caraway seeds. Peppermint tea may be taken several times per day to aid in digestion.
PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT
Quiet Digestion can be used as needed for gas or administered 2 capsules QID and can be combined with the formulas mentioned below.
Anti-Candida diets are often very effective. In addition, anti-candida herbal formulas such as Phellostatin, 1 to 2 capsules TID, are helpful particularly when combined with symptomatic formulas like Quiet Digestion.
As mentioned above, Chinese medicine considers excessive gas to be due to a weak Spleen function, thus formulas such as Six Gentlemen, 3 capsules TID, may be combined with Quiet Digestion, 2 capsules TID, particularly if the patient has a weak pulse and complains of fatigue.
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