Probiotics

Bloating which is caused by gas production is from undigested food mixing with intestinal bacteria and fermenting. To address the incomplete digestion of food requires sufficient digestive enzymes-amylase, lipase and protease to digest carbohydrates, fats and proteins. A condition called Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI) also referred to as Pancreatic Enzymes Insufficiency (PRI) occurs in patients that had Whipple surgery or has a tumor or Interductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMN) in pancreatic ducts interfering with the production/secretion of these digestive enzymes.

To resolve the gas, bloating, diarrhea, Pancreatic Enzymes Replacement Therapy (PERT) is prescribed. Pancrealipase which goes by the names Creon, Zenpep, Viokace, Pertzye and Pancreaze are blends of the three digestive enzymes. It will resolve the symptoms. Speak with your care provider to evaluate if EPI/PEI is the cause.

If your diet consists of high fiber vegetables and legumes, they contain complex carbohydrates of oligosaccharides. To digest them requires the enzyme alpha-d-galactosidase which the pancreas does not produce nor is it blended into a pancrealipase. To digest items such as corn, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and all varieties of beans, the OTC product Beano is the required enzyme. Taking a capsule with meals that are high-fiber is the proactive method to prevent gas formation and bloating from occurring.

For gas already present, the reactionary method to eliminate gas are OTC products containing Simethicone. Phazyme and Gad-X will help in expelling gas to provide relief but will not prevent it.

Using a probiotic alone never resolved the gas for me. The causative reason was EPI/PEI and eating oligosaccharide vegetables and legumes. Once I started on PERT, symptoms immediately resolved.

Thank you again for informative information. Today I stopped the probiotics before I read your post. After reading it I figured, “what the hell”, and upped my Zenpep at lunch. I had the most normal BM in weeks. I hope this is a trend that will continue as I will do the same for all meals.

I did apply to the company that will advise the strength for my diet. I haven’t heard from them yet.

This blog has been so helpful to me.

Happy Holidays!