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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Chronic Bloating

Q: Dear Elena: I am an active, healthy, 29-year-old female and over the past year I have been getting chronic bloating almost every six-to-eight weeks. It lasts for about five days and it looks like I am six months pregnant. I am lactose intolerant and I have already eliminated dairy. I just can't figure out what is causing this bloating. What can I do?

A: Excessive production of gas by bacteria is a common cause of intermittent abdominal bloating.

There may be poor digestion and absorption of foods in the small intestine, allowing more undigested food to reach the bacteria in the colon. The more undigested food the bacteria have, the more gas they produce. Examples of diseases that involve poor digestion and absorption include lactose intolerance, pancreatic insufficiency, and celiac disease.

Finally, bacterial overgrowth can occur in the small intestine. Under normal conditions, the bacteria that produce gas are limited to the colon. In some conditions, these bacteria spread into the small intestine. When this occurs, food reaches the bacteria before it can be fully digested and absorbed by the small intestine.

Human beings are supposed to carry billions of active lactobacilli in their stomach to stay healthy, but due to the stresses of age and modern living, most hardly carry any. Instead, unwanted bacteria overwhelm most people's stomachs.

Best thing to do is to start with a gentle but effective intestinal cleanse. I often use magnesium peroxide powder. It effectively cleanses your colon in less then seven days. After, you should take a good Lactobacilli Acidophilus and Bifidus mixture to put back the good bacteria. Use a high potency full spectrum digestive enzyme with each meal to help break down your food before it reaches the colon.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist