20 Ways to Minimise Gas

Whether you call it ‘Flatulence’, ‘Abdominal Bloating’, or just plain ‘Gas’, it remains a problem for millions of individuals. Gas is most often a sign of one or more flaws in the complex process of digestion, absorption or elimination.

As so many things can cause or contribute to the problem, a broad spectrum approach is usually necessary to get the condition under control. The recommendations below are general guidelines for the treatment of gastro-intestinal gas due to non-pathological conditions.

1. Do NOT eat quickly. Avoid stress while eating
2. Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing
3. Do NOT overeat
4. Do NOT eat within one hour of bedtime
5. Do NOT drink more than eight ounces of liquid with a meal
6. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of pure water each day
7. Eat your vegetables lightly steamed
8. Avoid swallowing air as you chew or drink
9. Avoid the foods you have difficulty digesting
10. Minimise sweets (biscuits, sugars, syrups etc.,)
11. Minimise fatty or fried foods
12. Minimise alcohol, coffee and carbonated beverages
13. Keep your meals simple but vary them from day to day
14. When using nutritional supplements, try to use the capsule or powder form in preference to pills or tablets
15. Avoid the use of a lot of spices on your food
16. Exercise daily, but wait at least 1 hour after your meal
17. To maximise your digestive powers, eat when at least slightly hungry and not according to the clock
18. Use acidophilus, when indicated, to restore friendly colon bacteria
19. Use digestive enzymes, when indicated, to help digestion of protein, fats and carbohydrates
20. Use hydrochloric acid supplements, when indicated, to aid the digestion of proteins. Do NOT use if you have an ulcer