There is one thing that remains unchanged during our lives… farting is just something we don’t want to say we do.
But passing gas is normal. We all do it, whether we like to say it or not.
But do some people fart too often?
If you have noticed that lately, you’re a lot gassier than you normally are, here’s what you need to know.
What is a fart?
A fart or “flatulence” is an internal build-up of gas.
Farts are made up of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, and hydrogen. They are formed when we breathe and digest our food.
Farting is actually a sign of health in most cases. A healthy person passes gas around 15 to 20 times daily… How many farts do you pass per day??
Most farts are odourless while only around 1% per cent of them produce a foul smell.
Why do we fart?
The number one reason we fart is because of our microbial activity and it’s totally harmless. It is a normal metabolic function.
When you eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, you are providing the best food for your gut microbes. This creates more activity (fermentation) and it usually increases farting. For example, vegans eat a lot of beans, which are known to cause gas. But this is a good thing. Those are healthy farts!
On the other hand, there are times when excessive farting is not health
For many reasons, the air gets trapped in the body and cause bloating and gas. This can be from swallowing air, eating too fast, constipation, and changes in microflora.
If you’re experiencing an excessive buildup of gas, this may mean:
- You’re suffering from food intolerances such as dairy
- You have a bacterial overgrowth like Candida
- You are constipated
- You have a bowel disease like IBS or Crohn’s disease
Farting too much?
If you think you’re farting too much or more than usual, it’s probably nothing to worry about. But if it’s affecting your quality of life, start by asking yourself:
- Did I change something in my diet?
- Am I eating “bad” foods?
- Are my gasses happening after I eat a certain food?
You may want to check for these possibilities:
1. You eat too fast
If you’re eating too fast, you are probably swallowing a lot of air (air is made of various gases).
If air gets into your body, it needs to come out somehow… SO you’ll either burp it up or fart a lot!
2. you have an unbalanced gut
First, I want to emphasize the fact that farting is normally a sign of health. Even the ones that smell like death! You know, those embarrassing rotten egg farts!
Usually, stinky gas is caused by the breakdown of sulfur… and many healthy foods contain sulfur, like broccoli, garlic, and beans.
So passing gas can just mean that your healthy gut microbes being properly fed.
Your gut microbes are known to promote health and in order for these microbes to get fed, you must eat foods that cause gas…
Gut microbes eat fiber and in return, they create more gas and short-chain fatty acids, which promote the growth of more beneficial bacteria.
When farting isn’t a sign of health
In some cases, excessive gas can be caused by SIBO, a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. SIBO is when gut bacteria begin to invade your small intestine (they normally hang out in the large intestine, your colon).
When people suffer from SIBO, they also experience poor nutrient absorption and symptoms associated with IBS. It’s also usual to have symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and skin rashes.
If this is the case, you should change your diet and improve your lifestyle.
3. You’re sensitive to gluten or dairy
In many cases, excess gas is caused by lactose intolerance… Never forget that dairy is baby cows growth fluid. It’s not meant for us.
Even if you have been eating dairy your whole life without any problems, your digestive system can change as you age.
Perhaps your body no longer produces enough lactase, the enzyme that is necessary to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy.
The same is true for those suffering from celiac disease… they can’t properly break down gluten.
If you think something in your diet is to blame for excessive farting (or any other symptoms), it’s recommended to try an elimination diet. This means you stop eating a certain food, dairy for instance, and then see how you feel…
How’s your poop?
If you find that your pooping habits have also changed, if you’re experiencing diarrhea, constipation, or a change in your poop’s colour or smell, this can be a sign that something is up.
What should your poop look like? Read this article and take the test
