How to Reduce the Smell of Intestinal Gas

Intestinal gas is normal, but it can be embarrassing if it smells. Smelly intestinal gas is caused by swallowing air while you eat or drink and by the natural breakdown of the foods you eat. Your stomach has enzymes that aid in digestion, but sometimes it lacks the right enzymes to digest sugars, starches and fibers. Undigested food moves through your intestines and bacteria breaks it down, producing sulfur, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. These gases exit your body as smelly intestinal gas. Changing the foods you eat and taking supplements of digestive enzymes can help reduce the smell of intestinal gas.

Things You'll Need

• Digestive aids
• Lactase
• D-galactosidase
• Fresh ginger
• Fresh lemon juice
• Peppermint tea
• Chamomile tea

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Instructions

Eliminate Foods That Cause Smelly Gas

• 1

  Experiment to see if any of the following foods are causing excessive gas when you eat them: apples, apricots, bran, prunes, soybeans, tuna, nuts, beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, milk and dairy products, artificial sweeteners, eggplant, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, bread, citrus fruit, Brussels sprouts, radishes, onions, pasta, wheat, lettuce, raisins and carbonated drinks. Keep a list or chart and try only one of these foods at a time.

• 2

  Take digestive enzymes, generically known as lactase, to help digest the lactose in dairy products you eat. Acidophilus bacteria, found in yogurt or available as a dietary supplement, can also help you to digest food.

• 3

  Take an over-the-counter digestive enzyme, such as D-galactosidase, to help digest the sugars in beans and other carbohydrates and reduce smelly intestinal gas.

• 4

  Exercise such as yoga and low-impact aerobics can aid in digestion. Moving your body will get your blood flowing and help all your organs function better.

• 5

  Ginger is a natural remedy for intestinal gas. Sushi restaurants often serve ginger as part of the meal to aid in digestion. Soak one tablespoon of fresh ginger in a teaspoon of lemon juice for just a few seconds, then chew slowly and swallow.

• 6

  Drink peppermint tea or chamomile tea to support your digestive system and help eliminate gas.