Beat the Bloat this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season to be... bloated? As the holiday season approaches, the endless celebrating means fun for some but, for many, it means the excessive gas and bloating that comes from eating too many treats and sweets. But don’t give up just yet on your holiday joy. By giving your digestive system a helping hand, you can banish that annoying, stuffed, inflated feeling and still be the life of the party.

Digestion Basics
Though you can’t entirely prevent some gas from forming after you eat, it’s possible to reduce your digestive aftermath from a bloated rumble to a barely noticeable whimper. When digestion functions as it should, the liter of gas that the average person passes daily is odorless and nearly imperceptible.

The gas that leads to bloating is made by the bacteria that inhabit your colon. As these bacteria ferment food in the digestive tract, they produce varying amounts of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and hydrogen. Under normal circumstances, this small amount of gas should not present a problem. But when undesirable bacteria are too numerous and a lack of digestive enzymes leads to a relatively large amount of undigested food for fermentation, you can find yourself filled with methane and hydrogen sulfide. That produces bloating and the awful sounds and smells that people find so discomforting.

Gas-forming Foods
Certain foods such as beans are notorious for creating uncomfortable gas. That’s because the fiber, starches and sugars in beans survive the intestinal digestive process and supply the gut bacteria with plenty of raw material to use for fermentation. Other common gas-forming foods include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) and processed foods, since processing removes minerals such as chromium and copper that would otherwise aid digestion. Dairy products may also cause problems, as many people lack the enzyme lactase, which is necessary to break down milk sugar, or lactose. In this case, as lactose lingers in the digestive tract, it soaks up water and leads to voluminous amounts of gas, bloating and cramps. Diarrhea may also result. For these folks, taking supplementary lactase before dining can help them eliminate their problem.

Natural Solutions for Soothing Relief
Those who suffer from gas, bloating and other digestive difficulties can benefit from a variety of natural remedies made to target specific issues or conditions. For those who have low stomach acid, taking a hydrochloric acid supplement with pepsin can help alleviate gas and bloating. Additional ingredients such as the amino acids N-acetyl D-glucosamine and L-glutamine, as well as soothing natural ingredients such as bromelain, gamma oryzanol and quercetin may prove beneficial. Adding a daily digestive enzyme can help break down difficult-to-digest foods and relieve occasional gas and bloating. Enzymes also help break down fats and make them easier for the body to absorb and use for energy. Choose a natural supplement made with plant enzymes, as they are effective over a wide pH range in the body. Herbs such as marshmallow, slippery elm and fennel may be added to help ease inflammation and support healthy digestion, while the amino acids L-glutamine and N-acetyl D-glucosamine aid intestinal repair.

Aid for Aging Digestion
As we age, we undergo physiological changes that can complicate healthy gastrointestinal function. Absorption of certain nutrients may not be adequate and our production of beneficial enzymes may decline. That’s why taking enzyme supplements along with nutrients and botanicals to support digestion supports a more efficient digestive process and reduces the risk of feeling bloated and gassy after meals. That’s especially important at holiday time, because after a satisfying holiday meal, it feels good to feel full, but not too full!

Last Call…Your Liver Speaks Up
Your liver makes an important point. When you drink, alcohol turns your world upside-down, blunting your central nervous system and scrambling information from the sensory organs, especially the eyes and ears.

Starving the Yeast Monster
The first sign of a yeast infection may be your sweet tooth. While beneficial bacteria (or probiotics) that normally keep your digestive tract functioning smoothly prosper on fruits & vegetables, microorganisms like Candida albicans, a harmful yeast, flourish on refined carbohydrates and processed foods.