Flatulence - intestinal gas, is the natural result of good digestion. Passing gas is a more familiar term to many people. Most of us try to make light of it so as to not be embarrassed by its occurrence. Gas pains can be uncomfortable and malodorous for many people often there is no easy way to reduce the symptoms and find relief both from the pain and the odor.

The average person expels gas 14 times every day averaging 400cc to 1200cc. The amount of actual gas released ranges from as little as one cup to as much as one half gallon per day. Gas is made primarily of odorless vapors such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, but sometimes methane or hydrogen sulfides are produced causing unpleasant odors.

Flatulence occurs when a food does not break down completely in the stomach and small intestine. As a result, the food makes it into the large intestine in an undigested state. Most lower intestinal gas is produced when bacteria in your colon ferment carbohydrates that aren't digested in your small intestine.

The body does not digest and absorb some carbohydrates (the sugar, starches, and fiber found in many foods) in the small intestine because of a shortage or absence of certain enzymes. This undigested food then passes from the small intestine into the large intestine, where normal, harmless bacteria break down the food, producing gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and, in about one-third of all people, methane. Eventually these gases exit through the rectum. Certain foods produce more flatulence than others because they contain more indigestible carbohydrates than others. Beans and other high fiber foods are well known gas producers.

Unfortunately, this means healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (beans and peas) are often the worst offenders. That's because these foods are high in fiber. Fiber has many health benefits; including keeping your digestive tract in good working order, helping to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and helping prevent heart attacks and other heart problems.

However this can also lead to the formation of gas. In the colon the bacteria thrive on the indigestible fiber.

By contrast, fats and proteins cause little gas. They are absorbed in the digestive tract before they get to the colon.

In addition Sugars are known to create gas. Fructose is naturally present in onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks. Sorbitol is a sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. There are also many new “sugar alcohols” that are used as artificial sweeteners in many low carb and sugar free candies and gums and baked goods.

This becomes extra important in patients with diabetes.

Since many of our patients are now eating these foods with increased fiber and sugar alcohols such as guar, pectin, malitol, xylitiol, and inulin and there is a greater chance of flatulence occurring.

In addition many of the medications patients use also cause gas or flatulence. These include Glucophage(metformin), Precose(acarbose) and Glyset(migtilol). In fact the mechanism of action of both Precose and Glyset is to stop or delay the absorption of carbohydrates, so the glucose from foods actually make it to the colon where they are fermented by the bacteria. In addition many of our patients are using over the counter “starch blockers” which cause the same side effects.

What does all this flatulence lead to? Non-compliance!!

We know that our patients will not follow our food recommendations or comply with their medicine regimen if they are embarrassed or affected by the side effects. So if they cannot overcome the embarrassment of flatulence then chances of compliance are greatly decreased.

Flat D is not another pill for the problem, but is a device worn in clothing that filters out the odors of flatulence…..

Flat-D Innovations has a solution to many digestive disorders. The Flatulence Deodorizer can control intestinal gas odors. It’s like wearing charcoal-filtered underwear, but much more economical.

The Flatulence Deodorizer™ can benefit people of all ages, including children! If you or anyone you know suffers from any of the following diseases or medical conditions that create continuous intestinal gas such as Colitis, Celiac’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Diabetes, a Gastric Bypass or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) the Flat- D Deodorizer will solve the embarrassing odor problem. Other odor causing conditions and diseases that can be resolved with our products are IBD, AIDS/HIV and their related complications, Malabsorptive Syndromes, Lactose Intolerance, TMAU, or any of numerous other medical or dietary problems.