Flatulence (flatus) is also known as farting or gas in the stomach or intestines.

Flatulence is produced by the 'friendly bacteria' in the large intestine during their action of fermenting undigested food which releases the gases carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, methane, nitrogen and oxygen.

A common cause of flatulence is feeble secretion of stomach acid which leads to the improper digestion of foods.
It can occur at any time but more commonly manifests after eating a meal.
Flatus occurs when the food eaten is not 'broken down' / digested completely in the stomach and small intestine.
Subsequently, the food makes it into the Large Intestine in an undigested state.
There, the food comes into contact with billions of bowel bacteria - the friendly "intestinal fauna". These bacteria digest it further & this action produces a variety of gases - Hydrogen sulphide is the odour we associate with flatulence.
 

From the 3 food nutrients i.e. Proteins, Carbohydrates & Fats, the carbohydrates are the most efficient at producing smelly gas. The reason is that many contain indigestible carbohydrates & fibre e.g. beans.
These gasses & 'fermentation' can also cause bloating and in some long standing cases, pain in the gut area (especially upper left side).

Some causes of Flatulence are ...

• Food Intolerance.
• Use of certain medication e.g. antacids, stomach acid blockers.
• Digestive disorder (lack of stomach acids - our stomach HCL levels decline as we age)
• Poor diet & long term overindulgence in 'junk foods', salt, sugar, food additives, food colorants etc.
• Swallowing air when eating (not very common)

Food intolerance & digestive disorder are the two prime factors.
For example, if you are "lactose intolerant", it means that you lack the enzyme, lactase in your intestine.
This enzyme is required to break down lactose into two sugar molecules so they can enter the bloodstream. Without the enzyme lactase, the lactose passes undigested through the stomach and small intestine. When it reaches the large intestine, it is attacked by the bowel bacteria and bad smelling flatulence is produced.

QUESTION: What can you do to help yourself?

ANSWER: If there are no medical reasons causing the problem, improve eating habits, chew your food better, don't drink too much liquid with the meal & supplement your diet with Digestive Enzymes & Probiotics for a period of time.

SUMMARY: Alter / improve your eating habits & diet Improve the digestive process. BENEFICIAL SUPPLEMENTS Digestive Enzymes Probiotics e.g. Acidophilus & Bifido Antifungals Caprylic Acid Aloe Vera Cinnamon Apple cider vinegar