- Antiflatulent
An antiflatulent agent is a drug used for the alleviation or prevention of excessive intestinal gas, i.e.
flatulence .Mechanisms of Action
For the "alleviation" of flatulence, an antifoaming agent such as
simethicone may be taken orally. This agent will coalesce the smaller gas bubbles into larger bubbles, thereby easing the release of gas within thegastrointestinal tract viaburping or flatulence.For the "prevention" of flatulence, an
enzyme -baseddietary supplement may be helpful. Substances indigestible by humans are usually present in foods associated with flatulence. When these substances reach thelarge intestine intact, they may be fermented by intestinalbacteria , thereby causing gas production. These enzyme-based dietary supplements work by breaking down these indigestible substances and preventing these substances from reaching the large intestine intact. These supplements are usually taken with foods associated with flatulence. It is important to take the appropriate enzyme with the appropriate food. When consumingbean s and other vegetables high incomplex carbohydrate s, it may be helpful to take a product that contains alpha-galactosidase, such as Beano. Additionally, for individuals withlactose intolerance , taking alactase -containing product withlactose -containing foodstuffs may reduce flatulence.Members
Antifoaming Agents
*
Simethicone Enzyme-based Dietary Supplements
*Beano
*Lactase (brand Lactaid)Herbal Antiflatulents
*
Epazote is claimed to have antiflatulent properties, and is used in traditional Mexican cuisine for this reason.External links
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682683.html USP Drug Information on Simethicone]
* [http://www.beanogas.com/ Beano website]
* [http://www.lactaid.com/ Lactaid website]
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