7 reasons why you are bloated and what you can do about it
The last one might actually be the root cause of your bloat and stomach issues so make sure to read all of them before you jump to any conclusions and try too many things at the same time. Most bloating is just gas produced from food, some foods are normal to produce some bloating. Bloating after every meal and throughout the day isn’t normal, it’s a sign that something isn’t working properly. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are known to cause bloating, but not as much as these I’m about to mention. They cause that pregnancy look.
1: Fermented foods
Carbohydrates of the short-chain group are poorly digested in the small intestine which leads to fermentation by the gut bacteria in the large intestine, this causes gas and bloating. This happens for everyone, but someone with GI issues like slow motility, inflammation and imbalances of biome do experience more uncomfortable kind of bloating.
Eat a low FODMAP diet.
2. Slow motility
Slow motility refers to a condition where the muscles of the digestive tract contract and move food along at a slower than normal pace, this can be caused by constipation because there’s a buildup by stool in the colon and no where for new waste to go. This causes distention from fluid build up and bloating from gases.
Eat easy digested food & bitters before meals.
3. Constipation
Just like mentioned above.
Take laxatives.
4. Inflammation
Inflammation in the digestive tract can disrupt bacteria balance, motility and digention which leads to bloating and distension from water retention.
Eat anti-inflammatory and if you want take anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen.
5. SIBO & Candida overgrowth
SIBO is a bacterial overgrow in the small intestine while candida is overgrowth of the yeast Candida. Both ferment certain types of food (especially FODMAPs) that causes gas buildup, much like when bread rises. Additionally, they cause inflammation, digestive issues and motility issues that leads to constipation and diarrhoea.
Eat low FODMAP diet add anti-microbial, anti-fungal agents. Add pre and probiotic food and supplements.
6. Food sensitivity & intolerance
Food intolerance and sensitivity can lead to digestive issues, bloating and pain and typically occurs a couple of hours after the food have been eaten. Histamines are something that exist in food and can be built up in fermented food and left overs like rice, potato, chicken. Inflammation can lead to a weak gut lining which leads to intolerance to histamines that causes skin rashes, pain and bloating.
Eat anti-inflammatory diet and DAO enzymes.
7. Stress (this is likely to be the root cause if you struggle with one or more of all above)
Stress releases cortisol and triggers a fight or flight response that is designed to slow down or pause digestion until you’ve run away from the potential threat. Now we don’t have much threats as such, but getting a message from your boss or panicking in traffic can be enough. Chronic stress really mess things up leading to a bunch of these mentioned above. Constipation causes slow motility that causes imbalances that leads to inflammation which leads to SIBO and candida that then develops to sensitivity and intolerance.
You can eat low FODMAP and it will make you feel better while you’re on the diet, but it wont fix the problem. You can eat anti-inflammatory food and you’ll feel better, but it wont fix the problem. You can all the supplements you need and most of them wont fix the problem.
Here’s how you’ll fix the actual problem:
Calm your nervous system
Heal your gut flora
If you need help healing your gut flora, I have a PDF guide that will stop your bloating and heal your gut in 30 days or less. Yes it is a diet and you’ll have to change your food and habits. Remember that your current habits got you where you are today, so if you want change you need to change.
