Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: LeoG on 03/11/2008 22:39:44

Title: Why do I produce so much flatulence?
Post by: LeoG on 03/11/2008 22:39:44
Leo asked the Naked Scientists:

Hi Chris,

I have a question which is kind of embarrassing, but something which has bothered me for a while. Both me and my girlfriend have exactly the same diet (we are both vegan) and have eaten essentially the same things for about 5 years.

However, I always seem to fart much much more than she does, which also usually smells dreadful. What is it about my digestive system that is so different from my girlfriend's? I went vegetarian at quite a young age (around 10 years old) - could this be the cause?

Thanks and best wishes,

Leo (and the long-suffering Hannah)

PS. Any hints on how I can be less disgusting would go down well!

What do you think?
Title: Re: Why do I produce so much flatulence?
Post by: Make it Lady on 03/11/2008 22:50:33
You probably have Irritable Bowl syndrome. This means your gut could have any number of problems. It may just be that you have a food allergy. The main foods to avoid are onion, garlic and potato. You could be gluten intolerant which is quite common. Anything containing gluten should be avoided (Bread, cereals etc.) The friendly bacteria in your gut may be diminished. Don't use the yogurt drinks like yakult as they are full of sugar and therefore counter productive. You must take high dosage capsules with a prebiotic powder. One months dose may put you right. Finally it could be purely lack of fibre. If you are constipated try taking a fibre gel and then slowly increase the fibre in your diet. You can then come off the fibre gel. Remember to drink lots of fluids as this helps too. Doctors are pretty rubbish at looking after this problem so find a good holistic therapist. Hope this helps. I'm the most flatulent person I know!
Title: Re: Why do I produce so much flatulence?
Post by: dentstudent on 04/11/2008 10:03:24
Hi Leo

By way of self-diagnosis, I believe that I have IBS too. The frequency of visits, consistancy and immediacy after eating are what has led me to this conclusion, as well as finding corroborative evidence from various websites. As MIL says, my personal method was to find the food that caused most trouble, and for me it is partially cooked onions. I can eat raw onions and well-cooked onions till the metaphorical cows come home, but give me even a small amount of onion that has been only warmed, and not browned, and I spend the next 24 hours with stomach cramps and rather fast evacuations (if you get my meaning). In addition to this, I find that pulses are also better for me after having been well cooked - for example, baked beans (the ultimate test!) give me (and I'm sure 99% of the population) wind. But if they are cooked gently for 15 to 20 minutes, this effect completely goes. Therefore, perhaps it would also be good to look at not only what you are eating, but the method with which you are cooking it. My own thoughts about MIL's recommendation to seek "holistic therapy" are somewhat sceptical, and much of the result of this sort of treatment are intirely placebo. It is in my opinion, a far better use of your time to seek out the "problem" food and/or cooking method. Additionally, if you do suffer from IBS, it is worth knowing that the digestive system can be "trained" to go when you want over time - I had a habit of "going" directly after a meal, because this is I felt needed to happen. With conscious effort, I have managed to (generally) stave off this feeling.

The rest of what MIL says is good advice - fibre and the eternal healthy and well balanced diet are of vital importance (no pun intended) - I wonder how much effect your vegan diet has on this?

I had a quick look at a holistic therapy site - I think I have found MIL's motivation!

http://www.fhtonline.co.uk/product.asp?productid=1439&sectionid=17
Title: Re: Why do I produce so much flatulence?
Post by: Make it Lady on 04/11/2008 21:43:21
I visit a holistic therapist because the doctors don't look at the whole body. They tend to throw a perscription at this kind of problem eg peppermint pills or charcoal tablets. My holistic therapist has helped me to change my diet, given me the correct dosage of pre and probiotics and a have massages to help with stress (another cause of IBS.) He is going to look at exercise next.
I wouldn't go to some mumbo jumbo merchant. If anyone started putting crystals over me or anything like that, I would be first out the door.
Title: Re: Why do I produce so much flatulence?
Post by: Make it Lady on 04/11/2008 21:46:16
www.holisticplace.co.uk/therapy.html

This is the guy I go to. If you don't know what a holistic therapist does his website will give you an idea.
Title: Re: Why do I produce so much flatulence?
Post by: bcjunsan21 on 17/06/2010 06:49:17
You probably have Irritable Bowl syndrome. This means your gut could have any number of problems. It may just be that you have a food allergy. The main foods to avoid are onion, garlic and potato. You could be gluten intolerant which is quite common. Anything containing gluten should be avoided (Bread, cereals etc.) The friendly bacteria in your gut may be diminished. Don't use the yogurt drinks like yakult as they are full of sugar and therefore counter productive. You must take high dosage capsules with a prebiotic powder. One months dose may put you right. Finally it could be purely lack of fibre. If you are constipated try taking a fibre gel and then slowly increase the fibre in your diet. You can then come off the fibre gel. Remember to drink lots of fluids as this helps too. Doctors are pretty rubbish at looking after this problem so find a good holistic therapist. Hope this helps. I'm the most flatulent person I know!



Yakult is very delicious which is full of nutrients that even kids enjoy drinking it. However, in your condition you must be careful of choosing a probiotics, because, we are talking about our health here. It is a regretful thing when we do not care for our own health.