Artificial Sweeteners And Cancer
Since the 1970s, debate about whether there is a link between artificial sweeteners and cancer risk has raged.
It was ignited when animal studies found an increased risk of bladder cancer in mice fed extremely high amounts of saccharin and cyclamate .
However, mice metabolize saccharin differently than humans.
Since then, more than 30 human studies have found no link between artificial sweeteners and the risk of developing cancer .
One such study followed 9,000 participants for 13 years and analyzed their artificial sweetener intake. After accounting for other factors, the researchers found no link between artificial sweeteners and the risk of developing various types of cancer .
Furthermore, a recent review of studies published over an 11-year period did not find a link between cancer risk and artificial sweetener consumption .
This topic was also evaluated by U.S. and European regulatory authorities. Both agreed that artificial sweeteners, when consumed in recommended amounts, do not increase cancer risk .
One exception is cyclamate, which was banned for use in the United States after the original mouse-bladder-cancer study was published in 1970.
Since then, extensive studies in animals have failed to show a cancer link. However, cyclamate was never re-approved for use in the United States .
Summary
Based on the current evidence, artificial sweeteners are unlikely to increase the risk of cancer in humans.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Could a medical condition be making me gassy?
- What tests can determine the cause of intestinal gas?
- What steps can I take to cut down on intestinal gas?
- What foods or drinks should I avoid?
- Whats the best treatment for my gas symptom?
- How can I tell the difference between gas and something more serious?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
While intestinal gas is common, the symptoms belching, flatulence, bloating and stomach discomfort can be embarrassing and even painful. Gas is sometimes a symptom of a more serious health problem. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. The right treatment can ease gas symptoms so you can go about your day in confidence.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/11/2020.
References
How Can I Prevent Intestinal Gas
Most foods containing carbohydrates can cause gas. A food diary can help you determine which foods make you gassy. But dont cut out too many things. Many vegetables, fruits, dairy products, wheat products and beans cause gas, but theyre also very good for you.
To reduce your bodys gas production, you can:
- Chew slowly, and dont talk while eating.
- Cut back on carbonated beverages, chewing gum and hard candies.
- Drink through a straw.
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How To Get Rid Of Trapped Gas
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
If you are alive, then youve had to deal with gas. Men, women, children even dogs and cats get gas. At some point or another, you will let out a little toot or burp, or perhaps a massive one.
But sometimes excess gas will get stuck in the body, leading to an annoying condition known as trapped gas. It can cause pain and discomfort, and its generally frustrating to try and eliminate. What do you do at that point?
Dont worry we are here to tell you all about how to get rid of trapped gas. Well take a look at trapped gas symptoms, how to get rid of gas pains, natural remedies for gas, and everything in between. By the time we are done, you should know how to get rid of gas through various methods.
Manifestations Of Bloating And Gas
Bloating and gas can cause several complaints or coexist with them. Patients complain of excessive belching .2 Belching is a normal response during or after a meal, especially one that was eaten so rapidly that the patient also swallowed air. However, some patients swallow air intentionally to facilitate belching, a practice that can develop into an unconscious habit. Thus, if people burp excessively, they may be chronic air swallowers. Patients may deny that they swallow air as a nervous habit, forcing physicians to give them a mirror to observe the episodes themselves.
Flatulence is a common and logical consequence of intestinal gas. Average patients with no pathology or underlying medical condition produce 1 to 4 pints of intestinal gas per day and flatulate 14 to 23 times daily.2,3
Abdominal distention is an increase in abdominal girth that is frequently ascribed to excessive intestinal gas.2,4 This perception is often incorrect, as many such patients have normal amounts of gas. Rather, investigators believe that these patients have a heightened awareness of intestinal gas. Thus, even normal volumes of gas cause troublesome symptoms.
Abdominal pain is another complaint often thought to be due to gas.2,3 It may arise from either side of the colon, mimicking such conditions as heart disease, gallstones, and appendicitis.
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How To Reduce Gas In Stomach
If you find that you regularly suffer from gas, its important to examine what youre eating.
However, there can be other causes, such as gastrointestinal infection, dysbiosis and even psychological influences such as stress. In other cases, it may simply be that you havent been active enough for the gas to move through your body as it normally would. This can occur with long-distance travel or sitting at a desk all day.
Fortunately, there are lots of ways to reduce that gas naturally.
Herere 7 home remedies to help you get rid of gas in stomach:
What Is Trapped Gas
In human beings, gas can come from numerous sources, and on average, a person will create one to three pints of gas a day. Intestinal gas may accumulate from small amounts of swallowed air, or from the gases released by our gut bacteria during digestion. Normally, this is relieved in multiple wayssomewhere around 10 to 13 times a day, you will pass gas.
Trapped gas is when that gas does not get passed and is stuck, usually somewhere in the stomach area. That trapped gas can lead to all sorts of unpleasantness. So, the question now turns to, what causes trapped gas? Once you know the causes of trapped gas, it becomes easier to avoid or treat.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Gas In Your Stomach
Eating ginger root or drinking it in a tea can help relieve bloating. Ginger is a natural carminative, which is an agent that relieves gas. Drinking lemon juice can be a great choice for getting rid of gas instantly. Citric acid found in lemons helps break down gas-causing foods when they enter the digestive tract.
Gas Can Be A Pain But It Doesnt Have To Be
Gas is a natural part of life. Every one of us gets gas and more than likely, everyone gets trapped gas. But it doesnt have to be an issue. You can do a number of things to prevent it by altering aspects of your diet. If you do get trapped gas, there are a ton of simple methods that you can use to try and relieve the pressure and bloating without having to resort to medications or pharmaceuticals. Hopefully, the next time a burp gets trapped on the inside, you will know how to deal with it.
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Strategies For The Relief Of Bloating And Gas
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPhBernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and DevicesCollege of Pharmacy, SouthwesternWeatherford, Oklahoma
US Pharm. 2009 34:16-22.
Patients often consider pharmacists as professionals to whom they can confide embarrassing medical problems in the hope that the pharmacist will provide some assistance. One such problem is abdominal bloating, often thought to be due to excess intestinal gas. However, patients may also experience abdominal discomfort they attribute to gas, but can be caused by several serious medical conditions.
Chew Your Food Properly
Taking your time to eat your food slowly and drink slowly will help to reduce the amount of air you swallow. An easy way to do this is to put your fork down between mouthfuls.
Some people even like to count the number of times they chew each mouthful: around 32 times is recommended for breaking down food so that it loses texture.
If thats too bothersome, simply focus on chewing your food to a mush before swallowing. Allow plenty of time for each meal, and dont eat on the run.
And, most importantly, close your mouth while eating!
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How To Relieve Pain Caused By Trapped Gases
How to get rid of trapped gas is the primary concern for a person who is suffering from abdominal pain due to gas. To prevent further gas entrapment, please consider the following points:
- Avoid overeating
- Avoid swallowing of air
- Do not control belching to relieve the trapped gas in the chest
- In fact, make attempts to enhance belching and burping by drinking the solution of soda bicarbonate and water
- Try ginger or coriander seeds that will help you to digest cholagogue and release the trapped gas
Red Flags You Shouldnt Ignore
Gas is usually not a medical emergency, but when accompanied by certain worrisome symptoms, its a good idea to speak with your doctor. Colon cancer is one potential concern, van der Linden says. If is in the lower part of the colon and causing a partial blockage, it could make things back up a little bit easier, he says.
Additional warning signs of a potentially serious health issue that requires medical attention include:
- Bloody stool
- Changes in frequency of bowel movements
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation
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How To Get Rid Of Gas Naturally
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and drink right before a meal. This can help to relieve digestive conditions including acid reflux and heartburn by boosting healthy bacteria and acid in the gut.
Try switchel, a fermented drink made from apple cider vinegar, fresh ginger, real maple syrup and water. You can use natural sparkling water to add some fizz to the drink that may help you belch some of the gas in your system. Fresh ginger is known for combatting nausea, promoting digestion and protecting against stomach ulcers.
2. Clove Oil
Add 25 drops of clove essential oil to eight ounces of water to reduce bloating and gas. It may also help other digestive problems like indigestion, motion sickness and hiccups.
3. Activated Charcoal
Take 2 to 4 tablets of activated charcoal just before eating and again one hour after a meal to relieve gas pains. Activated charcoal may help relieve symptoms including flatulence, bloating and distention of the abdomen by eliminating gas trapped in the colon.
4. Digestive Enzymes
Take a full-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement as recommended. Look for a high-quality supplement that contains lactase to breakdown lactose in dairy, lipase to breakdown fats, amylase to breakdown starches and protease to breakdown proteins. For further digestive support, look for one with ginger and peppermint that also support healthy gut function.
5. Probiotics
6. Fennel Essential Oils
7. Asafoeida
Yoga And Sleeping Positions
Yoga can stretch the stomach and digestive tract to release trapped gas and relieve bloating. Yoga poses that relieve gas include wind-removing pose, supine twist, cat-cow pose, and happy baby.
The best sleeping positions to relieve gas include keeping your head elevated, sleeping on your left side, and lying face down.
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Gas & Bloating Due To Ibs
Irritable bowel syndrome is sort of a catch-all term for digestive issues that have no other diagnosable cause. In fact, an estimated 50% of people diagnosed with IBS actually have SIBO.
For the other 50%, there are a number of possible underlying issues that may be causing your symptoms, including leaky gut, Candida overgrowth, parasites, or food intolerances. In that case, an amino acid called L-Glutamine may be just what you need. The main function of L-Glutamine is to provide the building blocks of protein. Your body produces it naturally to protect the mucous membrane of the esophagus and intestines. Because its so readily and easily used by your intestinal tissue, L-Glutamine can help to quickly restore your gut lining to an optimal state.
Interested in finding out which diet is right for you? Take this short symptoms quiz to determine which foods are best for your condition, and which foods you should eliminate.
Foods to Enjoy, Foods to Toss Quiz
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Gastric Pain And Heart Pain
The main difference between symptoms is that: Heartburn tends to be worse after eating and when lying down, but a heart attack can happen after a meal, too. Heartburn can be relieved by drugs that reduce acid levels in the stomach. Heartburn does not cause more general symptoms, such as breathlessness.
Excess gas is often a symptom of chronic intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth. An increase or change in the bacteria in the small intestine can cause excess gas, diarrhea and weight loss. Mar 3, 2020
An air embolism, a lung tumor, and a rare condition called pneumomediastinum, can all cause this uncomfortable sensation. This can also be a symptom of a heart attack. Whenever you experience a bubbling feeling in your chest, its critical that you investigate whats causing it to happen.
While farting every day is normal, farting all the time is not. Excessive farting, also called flatulence, can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. It might also be a sign of a health problem. You have excessive flatulence if you fart more than 20 times per day.
Everyone has gas. Most people pass gas 13 to 21 times a day. Passing gas through the mouth is called belching or burping. Passing gas through the anus is called flatulence. May 7, 2020
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Which Supplements Help With Bloating
If the foods and teas above along with movement arent cutting it, you may want to consider the following supplements.
Prebiotics and probiotics reduce bloating
As previously discussed, prebiotics are food for the good bacteria in your gut. This is important to help them grow and outnumber the bad bacteria, like the ones that cause gas. Probiotics are good bacteria that help digest and absorb your food among MANY other things.
Digestive enzymes help your body naturally reduce bloating
Your body requires enzymes to fully digest the food you consume. Some people lack one or more digestive enzymes for a variety of reasons. Enzyme production also naturally declines as we age, so digestive enzyme supplements can be extremely helpful when it comes to bloating.
Fiber packs a bunch in reducing your bloat
If youre backed up, eating often leads to bloating since theres only so much food and waste your body can hold. This is why its important to get plenty of fiber in your diet. High fiber fruits and veggies include spinach, artichoke, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, onions, sweet potatoes, raspberries, and avocado. If you donât feel like eating much, a fiber supplement or a delicious collagen fiber snack bar might be better options for you.
Keep in mind that fiber works by drawing fluid into your digestive tract, which can also make you feel bloated. So its important to go slow. If the addition of fiber causes discomfort or further bloating, give it a rest.
Try Natural Digestive Aids
There are many kinds of natural digestive aids available now in the form of over-the-counter supplements. These contain digestive enzymes which work with your bodys own enzymes, helping to make digestion faster and more efficient.
Certain types of supplements may contain the specific enzymes useful for breaking down complex carbohydrates in beans and other gas-producing foods. Talk to a naturopath or health practitioner about a quality supplement that contains the right blend of enzymes to suit your diet.
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Head To The Drugstore
Some people find relief with over-the-counter products, such as simethicone and activated charcoal. Of the two, simethicone is considered the better option, although experts are not quite sure how it works. Brand names for simethicone include:
- Maalox Anti-Gas
- Gas-X
- Phazyme
You should know that activated charcoal may result in constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Therefore, its use is somewhat controversial within the medical community.
In addition, if you decide to try activated charcoal, you may find that it turns your stool black. However, black stools from charcoal supplements are not something to be concerned about.
As with any OTC product, check with your healthcare provider before use. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should generally avoid these products.
Apple Cider Vinegar And Water
Apple cider vinegar is another remedy for flatulence. It treats gas and soothes stomach. It is advisable to use apple cider vinegar for the remedy but if you do not have it, you can use regular vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar
Method: Take a glass of warm water and add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to it. Drink it once a day, preferably in the morning.
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Which Foods Cause Gas
Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. In contrast, fats, and proteins cause little gas.
Sugars
The sugars that cause gas are raffinose, stachyose, verbascose, lactose, fructose, and sorbitol:
- Raffinose, stachyose, verbascoce are indigestible oligosaccharides present in large amounts in legumes, especially beans. Smaller amounts of this complex sugar are found in cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables and whole grains.
- Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. It is also found in milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and processed foods, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing. Many people, particularly those of African, Native American, or Asian background, have low levels of the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose. Also, as people age, their enzyme levels decrease. As a result, over time people may experience increasing amounts of gas after eating food containing lactose.
- 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 alcohol found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, prunes, and some liquid forms of medications. Excess amounts can lead to diarrhea. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums.
Starches
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