Few situations are more embarrassing than passing gas in public. Some flatulence is triggered by certain foods, such as dairy products or beans. In many cases, you don't have to suffer through the gas or avoid the food, however. You can purchase over-the-counter enzymes to take before or during your meal that will reduce or eliminate your flatulence.
Lactase
If you are lactose intolerant, milk and other dairy products may give you gas because you lack the enzyme called lactase in your stomach. Lactase breaks down lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. If you believe that you may be lactose intolerant, consult your physician to make sure that you have lactose intolerance rather than a food sensitivity or other digestive problem. Your physician will prescribe or recommend a lactase supplement that may enable you to enjoy dairy products without flatulence.
Alpha-Galactosidase
Beans and other vegetables such as broccoli give some people flatulence. The human body does not have an enzyme that can break down the large sugar molecules, called oligosacchaides, also known as raffinose, in the intestines, according to Myles H. Bader, author of "The Wizard of Food's Encyclopedia of Kitchen & Cooking Secrets." Instead, this sugar is broken down in the intestines by bacteria. If you are sensitive to beans, broccoli or related foods, you can purchase an over-the-counter product that contains the enzyme alpha-galactosidase. This enzyme helps to break down the oligosacchaides before they can cause flatulence.
Other Strategies for Reducing Flatulence
Enzymes do not work for everyone, according John D. Kirschmann, author of "Nutrition Almanac." If you are still experiencing flatulence and you have eliminated the possibility of an underlying illness, you can try home remedies such as taking apple cider vinegar before you eat, or try cooking your beans with an espazote, an herb used in Mexican cooking to reduce the digestive effects of the beans. If all else fails, you could avoid the offending food if you know you will be going out in public after you eat.
When to Consult a Physician
Most flatulence is normal, if embarrassing. The normal human passes gas 10 to 20 times per day, according to The American College of Gastroenterology. If you believe that your gas is abnormal or if it is accompanied by pain or excessive belching, you might be suffering from another condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which the valve between your stomach and esophagus is not functioning correctly, or from constipation. Your physician can conduct a number of tests, such a colonoscopy or a trial change in diet, to find the cause of the problem and treat it accordingly.
References
- "Nutrition Almanac"; John D. Kirschmann, et al.; 2006
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gas in the Digestive Tract
- The American College of Gastroenterology; Belching, Bloating and Flatulence; Larry Szarka, M.D., et al.;
- "The Wizard of Food's Encyclopedia of Kitchen & Cooking Secrets"; Myles H. Bader; 2010
- "Biochemistry"; Reginald Garrett, et al.; 2010
