Intestinal Gas and How to Alleviate It
Sep 29, 2020 06:53PM ● By Sheila Shea
Some gas is a normal part of intestinal health and functioning. Excessive and painful gas is not. The intestines register pain from gas before pain from inflammation, adhesion and ulceration. Our body alerts us: “Pay attention to gas pain, understand the cause, then alleviate it properly.”
The Metabolically Deficient Abdomen
The metabolically deficient abdomen is the fermenting abdomen, percolating tons of microbial growth. Gas is a byproduct of this fermentation. According to Elaine Gottschall, MS in Breaking the Vicious Cycle, excessive gas is caused by a microbial overgrowth. Bacteria and fungi migrate from the large to the small intestines to feed mainly on complex sugars or complex carbohydrates that the person is not breaking down with normal human digestion. The microbes feed on the complex sugars. This kind of digestion is called fermentation digestion. The fermentation byproducts are gases, acids and other metabolites that are toxic to the system. Through appropriate healing of the gut wall, one can return to human or enzymatic digestion.
Sheila Shea, MA is director of Intestinal Health Institute with the goal of healing the gastrointestinal system and hence healing the body. Shea is a 43-year veteran colon hydrotherapist with specialties in Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS), metabolic syndrome and detoxification programs. She offers consultations in person and online. Connect at
Herbs for Intestinal Health
In a traditional colonic, a person rests on their back. However, since most clients now have excessive gas, all clients begin on their left side or Left Sims position, which helps the gas to come out more easily.
The bowels are stretched and weakened by continuous gas bloating. The colon muscles do not have the energy to move and release the gas, nor the ability to eliminate stool.
The Metabolically Deficient Abdomen
The metabolically deficient abdomen is the fermenting abdomen, percolating tons of microbial growth. Gas is a byproduct of this fermentation. According to Elaine Gottschall, MS in Breaking the Vicious Cycle, excessive gas is caused by a microbial overgrowth. Bacteria and fungi migrate from the large to the small intestines to feed mainly on complex sugars or complex carbohydrates that the person is not breaking down with normal human digestion. The microbes feed on the complex sugars. This kind of digestion is called fermentation digestion. The fermentation byproducts are gases, acids and other metabolites that are toxic to the system. Through appropriate healing of the gut wall, one can return to human or enzymatic digestion.
Causes of gas include: consumption of processed foods, added sugars and seed oils; carbohydrate indigestion and/or inability to break down complex sugars; enzyme insufficiencies in digestive processes including liver, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach and small intestines; overeating, food addiction and eating disorder; eating all day long, late night eating, overeating, overlapping meals, five or six feedings daily; overabundance of pathogenic bacteria, virus and fungi; imbalanced microbiome; accumulation of waste in the system, slow transit, constipation; insufficient exercise, therefore lack of tone in the abdominal muscles; inability to develop coping mechanisms for stress; and various pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics and steroids.
Reducing Gas and Removing Cause
The diets for reducing the gas and restoring a normal balance of intestinal flora are free of processed foods, added sugars, seed oils and complex sugars. Low carbohydrate/high fat (LCHF) diets are helpful for reducing gas. Main LCHF diets are lower in carbohydrates and higher in fat and protein. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS), ketogenic, paleolithic and carnivore protocols are low in carbohydrate and higher in protein and fat. Whatever diet the person follows, the mantra is to reduce sugars of any kind.One male in his 40s had such severe gas, it made his life miserable at work and destroyed his social life. This situation had been going on for 13 years when he sought help from a colon hydrotherapist and chose to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) to reduce his gas and heal his gut. It took him about 10 months to see progress. From the beginning, he had good signs he was getting better. It takes time to heal, to change the patterns, to create the right microbial balance in the gut. The quality to cultivate is patience.
There are several lifestyle factors that can help to get gas under control. These include: using herbs, digestive enzymes and/or charcoal; practicing breathing exercises; meditation; fasting and time restricted eating; colon hydrotherapy, enemas, hot and/or detox baths; detox protocols for intestines, liver, kidney and parasite; abdominal massage; exercise to stimulate peristalsis and circulation in the intestinal tract; eating real foods; and developing coping skills for stress.
Sheila Shea, MA is director of Intestinal Health Institute with the goal of healing the gastrointestinal system and hence healing the body. Shea is a 43-year veteran colon hydrotherapist with specialties in Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS), metabolic syndrome and detoxification programs. She offers consultations in person and online. Connect at
520-325-9686 or [email protected].
Herbs for Intestinal Health
Perusing Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible revealed some culinary tips on plants which aid the digestive system. Give them a try in salads, juiced or as a tea.
Anise: A tea brewed from the crushed seeds can relieve digestive disorders and cramps.
Basil: An effective remedy for a variety of digestive disorders, including stomach cramps, vomiting and constipation.
Caraway: Soothing for gas and other stomach disorders. Toss a few seeds in a soup
or stew.
or stew.
Cardamom: A standard ingredient of curry, it stimulates the production of gastric juices, improves metabolism and even helps relieve gas.
Celery: Has a calming effect on the digestive system, relieving gas and indigestion. Try a pint juiced.
Dill: Best known as a digestive aid and remedy for a sour, gassy stomach.
Fennel: Similar in taste to anise, and used to relieve gas. Sold fresh in most supermarkets, it can be juiced or chopped into salads.
Garlic: A powerful digestive aid and gas reliever. It’s an antibiotic that works on pathogenic bacteria.
Ginger: A time-proven remedy for upset stomach, indigestion and cramps.
Olive oil: An excellent laxative, and stimulates the production of liver bile.
Papaya: Breaks down and metabolizes protein and relieves indigestion.
Parsley: A natural antispasmodic which helps to settle the stomach after a meal. It’s great juiced with carrot, or minced in salads.
Peppermint: Lessens the amount of time food spends in the stomach by stimulating the gastric lining. It also releases the stomach muscles. Effective for stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and IBS.
Turmeric: Stimulates the flow of bile from the liver, which breaks down dietary fats. Used 3,000 years ago by Indian healers to treat obesity. In Asia, it was used to treat stomach disorders and liver-related ailment. Modern research shows that it protects against gallbladder disease.
Thyme: Culpepper, one of our earliest herbalists, said, “When taken internally, thyme comforts the stomach much, and expels wind.”
INTESTINAL HEALTH INSTITUTE - Tucson, AZ
Sheila Shea MA is Board Certified with 41 years of colon hydrotherapy experience. The Intestinal Health Institute offers intestinal nutritional support and detoxification protocols to a... Read More »
