Page 9 - MAYO CLINIC Head to Toe e-magazine 293700

6 Preventing excess gas

Too much gas typically is caused by the incompletely digested
foods fermenting in the intestine To prevent excess gas:
• Limit gassy foods

The worst gas formers are beans and other legumes, wheat and
wheat bran, cabbage, onions, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut, apricots,
bananas, and prunes Milk and other dairy products also can cause
gas if you have reduced amounts of lactase, the enzyme needed to
digest lactose, the main sugar in milk
• Consider taking anti-gas products
Beano, a food enzyme, helps improve the digestion of gas-forming
foods Nonprescription medications such as simethicone (Gas-X,
Mylicon) or antacids that also have simethicone (such as the anti-gas
formulations of Maalox or Mylanta), may relieve gas
• Eat fewer fatty foods
Fatty meats, fried foods, cream sauces and gravies tend to increase
gas and bloating They also can contribute to unwanted weight gain
• Limit sugar substitutes

Many healthy people don’t easily absorb sorbitol and mannitol
contained in some sugar-free foods, candies and gums The amount
of sorbitol contained in five sticks of sugar-free gum can cause gas
and diarrhea in some people
• Consider products for lactose intolerance, if needed
If you have trouble digesting milk sugar (lactose), consider buying
lactose-reduced or lactose-free products Or choose products with
the lactase enzyme (Dairy Ease, Lactaid), which can help you
digest lactose

8 Mayo Clinic