ACTIVATED CHARCOAL and Flatulence

[TREESE]

Greetings, Forum Friends -

I recently saw a Food Allergy Specialist to see if there was another food I might be sensitive to because after my D stopped and I slowly started adding foods back, it seemed I had flatulence quite often throughout the day. I am about 6 months without D now.

He Prescribed a Probiotic 250mg 2x a day and Activated Charcoal 3x a day to clean out the toxins from the CC flare up that ended in early November.

I don't think this forum is in favor of Probiotics, but what about Activated Charcoal to end the Flatulence which he believes is being caused by the toxins that are in my system because of my recent CC flare up.

Thank you!
TREESE

[tex]

Hi Treese,

This is just my opinion, and I'm sure you'll find other opinions here, depending on who's posting, but flatulence is the best way to get rid of the gas produced when we digest carbohydrates. In other words, that's just a sign that your digestive system is working normally. When MC is active, as we produce gas, we're often unable to get rid of it, and that leaves us with a very uncomfortable feeling, due to the bloating. The best way to minimize flatulence, is to eat less gas-producing carbs.

Probiotics feed gut bacteria, and gut bacteria are the source of the gas, in the first place. In other words, the gas is a byproduct of the bacteria, as they decompose the specific contents of our digestive system that they choose to target. Regarding toxins with respect to MC, toxins are the reason for the diarrhea in the first place — the watery diarrhea is specifically used by our immune system to wash out all the toxins in our digestive system. Why would there be any toxins left, after all that diarrhea that was aimed at flushing it out? And as far as activated charcoal is concerned, it works great in air filters used in dusty or toxic environments, such as agricultural spraying equipment, harvesting equipment, or other industrial uses. But personally, I find eating activated charcoal to be rather unappealing. But that's just my opinion.

Tex

[TREESE]

Hello, TEX and thank you for your Reply. One further question, please... May I ask you what you meant when you said The best way to minimize flatulence, is to eat less gas-producing carbs.

Might you tell me what you would consider gas producing carbs? I only know foods by Starch, Proteins, or Vegetables.

GF Bread, Rice, Potatoes, GF Cereal, soy free buttery spread? I eat all of these.

OR over cooked carrots, small amounts of broccoli?

OR Chicken breast, Salmon, Tuna, Eggs?

OR Almond Milk, small chunks of Banana, Peanut Butter?

I am just hoping you could pick a Category of foods for me, and then I will know what I must do next.

Bless you, Tex and Thank You so much!
TREESE

[tex]

From the foods you listed, the worst gas producers would be cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, arugula, bok choy, brussels sprouts, cauliflower,etc. Anything we can't completely digest will also tend to produce gas, because bacteria will ferment it. In general that may happen with any carb, but other than the cruciferous vegetables, the most likely candidates are the grains. I can't specifically critique your diet, because I have no idea how well you can digest each particular food.

I hope this helps,

Tex

[TREESE]

Many thanks for your Reply, TEX!

Bless you,
TREESE