Banish Bloat and Indigestion

A large survey found that nearly one in seven Americans has experienced feelings of trapped gas in the gut, excessive fullness, abdominal pressure, and pain.¹

Bloating is often associated with other gut disorders such as dyspepsia (indigestion), celiac disease, and constipation.¹

Over-the-counter and prescription medications don't always help, and all too often provide only minor relief.

Four plant-based compounds have been shown to ease bloating and occasional digestive discomfort.

In a clinical trial, a combination of fennel and curcumin relieved symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome by 50% compared to baseline and stopped all symptoms in 26% of users after 30 days.²

In another trial, 63% of those taking an artichoke-ginger blend had significant reductions in bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and other symptoms of indigestion after four weeks.³

Fennel-Curcumin Relieves Bloating and Pain

Seeds of the fennel plant, known for its licorice flavor, have long been consumed after meals to promote digestion and prevent gas.⁴

Fennel seed oil has antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic (relieving involuntary muscle spasm) properties.^2,4,5 These actions may help get rid of bacteria that can cause gassiness and help encourage healthy gastrointestinal muscle activity to relieve bloating.

Curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, promotes the gall bladder to release bile into the intestines to help in the management of bile flow and aid digestion.^6-8 Curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties,^9,10 may further relieve digestive symptoms by lowering gut inflammation.^11,12

In a randomized controlled clinical trial, researchers treated adults with irritable bowel syndrome with a twice-daily combination of 5 mg of fennel seed oil and a low 42 mg dose of curcumin.²

After 30 days , those who took the fennel-curcumin blend had a 48% average reduction in irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, including bloating and abdominal pain. That was nearly double the decrease seen in a placebo group.

Even more remarkable, 26% of those taking fennel-curcumin were completely symptom-free after 30 days , compared to close to 7% of placebo recipients.²

The treated group reported a significant enhancement in quality of life, and no adverse effects.

Artichoke-Ginger Eases Indigestion

Artichoke improves gut motility and increases bile production, which speeds up digestion and aids in fat breakdown and vitamin absorption.^13,14

In a clinical trial, artichoke extract significantly alleviated symptoms of functional dyspepsia (recurring and unexplained indigestion), including fullness, gassiness, and bloating.¹⁵

Ginger may help gastrointestinal disorders by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the digestive tract.^16,17 Ginger also enhances digestive function by promoting gastric motility.¹⁸

In another randomized controlled trial, scientists gave adults with functional dyspepsia a twice daily combination of 20 mg of ginger root extract and 100 mg of artichoke leaf extract. After four weeks, 63% of those who received this combination had a marked reduction in digestive symptoms, including bloating, fullness, nausea, and upper abdominal pain, compared to just 25% of those in the placebo group.³

An additional study confirmed that an artichoke-ginger blend promotes gastric emptying, the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, which can relieve indigestion and nausea.¹⁹

Summary

Post-meal bloating can make people miserable and have a serious impact on quality of life.

The plant compounds fennel, curcumin, artichoke, and ginger have clinically demonstrated effectiveness in reducing symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea, and abdominal pain.

In clinical studies, a fennel-curcumin combination reduced irritable bowel syndrome symptoms by 50% compared to baseline and stopped them entirely in 26% of users at 30 days. An artichoke-ginger blend reduced digestive symptoms including bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain in 63% of those taking it.

A combination of all four compounds may maximize relief for bloating and other gastrointestinal problems.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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