Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 3/25/2009

Question
It seems that everything I eat causes me to have A LOT of flatulence.  I like to eat lots of fruits, vegetables and yogurt.....I am lactose intolerant so when I eat yogurt, ricotta cheese, etc. I do experience a lot of pain and gas. I don't want to give up what I eat because I like to eat healthy.  Your advise for helping to ease the flatulence (and the awful smell that accompanies it) is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Irene

Answer
Hello Irene,
Thanks for your question.  Excess flatulence is often a sign of an intestinal imbalance in normal flora.  This can often be prevented by avoiding food intolerances and providing the GI tract with supplements to support health--fiber, probiotics or fermented foods, and raw fruits and vegetables to name a few.  Often, a period of a hypoallergenic diet with herbs to decrease overgrowth, followed by a period of supportive supplementation will fix the imbalance; however, it is likely to come back if the diet goes back to the way it was.  If you find you are sensitive to dairy, there are some other options to try.  There are dairy products with added lactase, or you can take lactase capsules with these foods.  Sometimes goat or sheep dairy products are more tolerable than cow dairy, and raw milk versions are more tolerable than conventional pasteurized dairy products.  There are also non-dairy alternatives for cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and milk; usually these are from rice, soy, almonds, or coconut.  Any of these options could be a part of a healthy diet, it just takes some adjusting to the alternatives.  Not only should this result in a lowering of current symptoms, it is beneficial for health in the long-term, as well.  
In health,
Dr Conner