What causes bloating and gas? 8 reasons why

You know that feeling – where you woke up just fine but by the end of the day you're ready to burst out of your jeans?

Perhaps you feel like you could literally clear out a room with the amount of smelly, gassy air you're expelling?

Bloating and gas can cause embarrassment and does nothing for one's self-esteem. I can help you! 

Read on if you want to know the reasons why you could be so bloated and gassy. 

1. You're constipated

​The longer your stool stays in your colon the more the bacteria there will ferment it. This will produce more gas and cause more bloating. Bloating from constipation can even cause back pain. 

Your pipes should move at least once daily and with ease. Ideally you're having two to three bowel movements daily. If things aren't so regular, you may want to check that you're drinking enough water, moving your body throughout the day and eating the right types of fibre.

​If you feel you're already doing all the right things and you still feel constipated and bloated get in touch with me. 

2. You have a food intolerance

You feel you're reacting to everything! You feel bloated, gassy, a bit rubbish – and it’s often mistaken for a food intolerance. And that assumption means that we tend to cut out certain foods from our diet altogether.

What's really happening is your body is struggling to break down particular food particles due to an enzyme or stomach acid deficiency. I explain more about food intolerance in this blog post. 

Putting in nutritional and short-term supplement support for digestive enzyme production, bile and/or stomach acid can help. Taking steps to strengthen the gut barrier can also be really beneficial if you suspect food intolerance. 

Cutting out foods and avoiding more and more food groups does not solve food intolerance in the long term because you are not addressing the underlying issue – the enzyme and acid deficiency and/or your leaky gut. I can help you!

3. Bacterial infection in your gut

You may have gut dysbiosis, an unhealthy balance of bacteria in your gut. For instance, if you have high levels of methane producing bacteria in your large intestine you probably produce foul smelling farts more frequently and experience constipation. 

The types and abundance of bacteria which you harbour in your gut can be identified through comprehensive stool testing and the balance of bacteria can be addressed with tailored diet and supplement plan, created by your nutritionist. 

If you experience bloating, excessive burping and constipation you may have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, also known as SIBO. A simple breath  test or comprehensive stool test can be helpful to identify what's really going on. 

4. You've had your gallbladder removed

​Your gallbladder stores bile, a substance that helps you digest dietary fats and absorb fat soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E and K).

​When you have a healthy gallbladder, bile is released as needed at mealtimes to help you digest your meal.

Once your gallbladder is removed you can no longer store bile. Instead bile is continuously dripping straight into your intestine (even when there is no food to digest). This creates a laxative effect and increases your risk of diarrhoea and bloating. 

Having your gallbladder removed also reduces your ability to digest and absorb fat and fat-soluble vitamins.  With the right diet and tailored supplement support, it is possible to help your body digest fat more easily again and feel more comfortable. Get in touch with me to find out more. 

5. Your portion sizes are too big

​When you consume large amounts of food, your body needs to work harder to break down and digest everything.

​Digestion is a lengthy process. Your stomach has to produce a greater amount of enzymes and stomach acid in order to sufficiently break down the large portion of food you have consumed. Insufficient stomach acid and digestive enzymes can lead to bloating after a large meal.

If you find your portion sizes are too big, try eating off a smaller plate 

6. You're eating too fast

​It takes your brain 20 minutes to register fullness. So next time you go to eat, slow down and give your body a chance to catch up with your eating.
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​Eating more slowly will also reduce the risk of overeating which contributes to bloating. 

7. You're skipping meals

​Skipping meals is going to increase your hunger later on in the day. This can lead you to eat too much, too quickly at your next meal, and may lead to bloating. 

8. You're consuming fizzy drinks 

​The carbonation in fizzy drinks can cause gas to become trapped in your stomach leading to bloating and belching in attempts to remove the gas. Drink fizzy drinks slowly to minimise the amount of air entering your stomach. 

🚩 Bloating red flags 🚩
If you experience unexplained or excessive bloating speak to your GP as it could be a sign of cancer or other serious disease. 

What to do next...

It’s time to break free from never-ending tummy troubles for good with my 90 Days to Better Gut Health 1:1 Plan!  If you're ready to get to the bottom of your gut health issues and FINALLY feel like yourself again book a call now.