30BaD FADs: Abdominal Bloating

30BaD FADs:  Frequently Added Discussions

Why is my belly so big after eating fruit?

Why do I go to bed fat and wake up flat?

What is the cause of my abdominal bloating?

Abdominal Bloating EmergenciesMedical Causes EdemaMalnutrition and Calorie RestrictionStarch BellyHigh Oxalate Foods Transitioning Not RecommendedJuicing ProblemsImportance of FiberDehydrationUnripe Fruit

Introduction

A frequently added discussion here @30BaD is people experiencing a swollen belly and or abdominal bloating.  

It is normal on this diet to go to bed fat and wake up flat.

However, other symptoms may include generalized bloating, gas in its various forms including burping, belching, flatulence, and flatus, indigestion, sour stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and slowed digestion making it difficult to eat enough calories.  

This list is not all inclusive, but covers some of the common symptoms.  Some of the reasons and causes as well as solutions will be discussed here although not all inclusive.  

Abdominal Bloating Emergencies

It is recommended to call a healthcare provider and seek medical assistance for the following conditions that may accompany abdominal pain and swelling for more than a few days: (1)

Blood in the stools or dark, tarry looking stoolsDiarrheaHeartburn that is getting worseVomitingWeight loss

Abdominal Pain

The abdomen extends from below the chest to the groin. Some people call it the stomach, but the abdomen contains many other important organs. Pain in the abdomen can come from any one of them. The pain may start somewhere else, such as the chest. Severe pain does not always mean a serious problem. Nor does mild pain mean a problem is not serious.

Call your healthcare provider if mild pain lasts a week or more or if you have pain with other symptoms. Get medical help immediately if:  (2)

You have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharpYou also have pain in your chest, neck or shoulderYou're vomiting blood or have blood in your stoolYour abdomen is stiff, hard and tender to touchYou can't move your bowels, especially if you're also vomiting

Medical Causes 

A swollen abdomen is when the belly area is bigger than usual. Alternative names include swollen belly, swelling in the abdomen, abdominal distention, and or distended abdomen.  (3)

This problem can be caused by:

Edema 

Edema means swelling caused by fluid within the body's tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve the entire body. (4)

Causes of edema include:

Eating cooked and processed foods high in salt can cause edema and fluid retention within the abdomen.  

Malnutrition and Calorie Restriction

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients from  inadequate or unbalanced diets, problems with digestion or absorption, and certain medical conditions .  Malnutrition can occur by not eating enough food which could be caused by lack of availability of food, voluntary fasting, restrictive diets, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Starvation is a form of malnutrition.  Malnutrition may develop by lack of a single vitamin in the diet.  (5)

Symptoms of malnutrition include fluid accumulation in the arms, legs, and abdomen. (6)

Read more:  Why 2500/3000 Calories a Day?

Starch Belly

Starchy foods are complex carbohydrates and or complex sugars, and include tubers, legumes, starchy vegetables, whole grains and breads, refined starches like corn starch.  Terms that can be used interchangeably are starch, starches, or starchy foods in writing, dicussion, and for ease of  understanding.  

A steady diet of starchy foods means a steady stream of glucose entering the blood stream, and chronic high insulin levels.  One role of insulin is to act as a glucose transport into cells.  Glucose can be used for energy and or stored as glycogen.  If there is too much glucose, that may be stored as fat by insulin. Much of this fat is stored as belly fat. (7)

Other problems with whole grain consumption includes: deficient in important nutrients, contain substances poisonous to the human body, need to be cooked which further depletes nutrients, may cause hypertrophy of pancreas, cause unnecessary depletion of enzyme levels, result in flatulence and gas, damage intestinal villi, acid forming and cause cancer and arthritis, skin problems such as dry skin, subcutaneous cysts, exasperate MS, cause brain disorders such as schizophrenia, deplete the immune system and increase susceptibility of head colds and allergies and other infections, promote tooth decay and enamel erosion, may permanently damage infant digestive systems, promote arteriosclerosis meaning hardening via calcification of arteries long term increasing risks of stroke and or heart disease. (8)

Many of the conditions caused by grains also cause and or exasperate abdominal bloating, swelling, and diseases of the abdomen.  

For further reading and references:

Carbohydrates and Starchy Foods

Starchy Foods vs Fruit n Lettuce

 Most starchy foods are also high in oxalate which an contribute to digestive upsets, gas, and bloating.  

High Oxalate Foods 

For optimum digestion, avoid cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, spinach, and cauliflower, and root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and tubers, starchy vegetables like beets, some legumes and and beans, grains and bread, some nuts and seeds, and most processed foods.  These foods are high in oxalate which is an irritant to the body. (9)

Immediate symptoms of high oxalate consumption include burning mouth and throat during consumption, digestive upsets including sour stomach, stomach pains, diarrhea, blood in stools, constipation, bloating, gas in its various forms including burping, belching, flatulence, and flatus, breathing and asthma symptoms, acne and skin eruptions, arthritis flare ups, kidney stones and kidney problems, urinary pain and or problems, irritation of the genitalia, body odor, and slowed digestion which makes it difficult to eat enough calories during the day.

Long term symptoms and diseases related to high oxalate consumption include kidney stones and kidney disease, urinary problems, breathing and asthma problems, digestive system irritation and or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), prevention of calcium absorption and assimilation with risk of osteopenia (bone softening), osteoporosis, and jaw, oral, and dental problems, iron deficiency anemia, and other systemic problems such as calcification of tissues and arteries also known as hardening of the arteries and or arteriosclerosis which can lead to heart problems and cerebrovascular accidents and strokes.  Systemic circulation of calcium oxalate crystals can also cause them to be deposited in the visceral organs, bones, cartilage, and synovial fluid of joints resulting in pain, swelling, and arthritis.

For further reading and references:

Oxalate Health Impact

Transitioning Not Recommended

One cannot ride two bikes with one bum!

Eating fruit on top of slow digesting food can cause the fruit to ferment leading to digestive discomfort and or pain, gas, bloating, and other problems like brain fog.

CHEAT DAYS = SICK DAYS!

Cheating with cooked food, and even steamed vegetables, can cause digestive upsets, detox symptoms, and a return of previous conditions. What many members who have tried to transition have experienced is that the longer they eat raw, the cleaner their bodies get.  Their bodies will react violently when they cheat with cooked food.  Symptoms may include upset stomach, vomiting, constipation, headache, acne, and other detox symptoms.  The best way to describe it is sudden onset of flu like symptoms which may last 1-3 days.

Juicing Problems

Some of our members have had troubles with juicing such as indigestion, sour and or acidic stomach, acid reflux,  blood sugar spikes, dizziness, brain fog, diarrhea, blood in feces, constipation, and inability to absorb and assimilate calories, vitamins and minerals in spite of high calorie count. The high sugar and acid content of some juices may give some people teeth pain and oral issues such as sores and bleeding gums. 

Juicing removes the fiber from the fruits n veggies. 

Importance of Fiber

The soluble fiber in fruit and some vegetables may gel up inside the intestine.  This fiber slows down digestion and regulates assimilation of nutrients as well as water absorption.  

Diets high in animal products may have little or no fiber, and diets high in grain products that have insoluble fiber actually may scrape and irritate the intestines like shards of glass and do not digest well. 

Fruits are high in soluble fiber which also causes easy elimination of feces just like toothpaste being squeezed from a tube.  This soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel in the intestines.  (Ref: Soluble vs Insoluble Fiber,  Soluble and Insoluble Fiber)

Without this fiber, nutrients, calories, and carbohydrates can pass right through the system without being digested and assimilated and possibly lead to unwanted weight loss and or malnutrition.

Dehydration 

Water makes up more than two-thirds of the weight of the human body. Without water, humans would die in a few days. All the cells and organs need water to function.  Water serves as a lubricant. It makes up saliva and the fluids surrounding the joints. Water regulates the body temperature through perspiration.

Water also helps prevent and relieve constipation by moving food through the intestines. Constipation can cause abdominal bloating, swelling, gas, and even pain.  

Experts usually recommend drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. (10)

Here @30BaD, we have found that drinking about 3-4 quarts a day promotes optimal health and digestion.  

It is important to drink before feeling thirsty as thirst is a signal that your body is on the way to dehydration. (11)

Eating fruit on a dehydrated system may cause digestive upsets and difficulties leading to abdominal swelling.  It is recommended to drink 3-4 cups of water about 20 minutes before a meal, and always ensure that urine is clear.  

For more tips on managing water and fruit:

When to eat and hydrate for max life performance  Posted by Durianrider

Unripe Fruit

Unripe fruit is difficult to digest.  Always make sure to pick ripe fruit.  Ripe fruit may contribute to other health benefits as well as promoting oral and dental health.  

How to Pick Ripe Fruit   Posted by Freelee

Conclusion

Never try to self diagnose or treat a disease or symptom.  Many diseases and conditions have similar symptoms.  In case of a medical emergency, seek medical care to get a proper diagnosis for abdominal bloating, and then make a plan of therapy and nutritional treatment.

To prevent abdominal bloating, stay properly hydrated and always pick ripe fruits.  Avoid symptoms of edema and interstitial fluid by not eating salt.  Focus on raw fruit and lettuce greens and avoid vegetables high in oxalate such as spinach and kale, and avoid starchy foods and grains.  And, last but not least, avoid cheating.  

Benefits of Lettuce Greens

Further Reading

For tips and trips on doing HCRV optimally, please (re)read:

The Banana Wagon Tour

Healthy Weight Gain

References

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003123.htm  Abdominal Bloating, Healthcare issues.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/abdominalpain.html  Abdominal Painhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003122.htm  Abdominal Swelling http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/edema.html  Edema, Salthttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000404.htm  Malnutritionhttp://www.merckmanuals.com/home/print/disorders_of_nutrition/under...  Undernutrition Symptomshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/print/belly-fat/MC00054/METHOD=print  Belly Fat Causes.  http://soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020149imp.on.pritikin/020...  Improving on Pritiking, You Can do Better by Ross Horne (The whole free ebook, but specific to grains is chapter ten: "Grains Are For The Birds")http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/Pages/low...  Low Oxalate Diet, Oxalate Food List. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002471.htm Water in Diethttp://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/water.html  Water, Fluid, ThirstDisclaimer:

This blog is for informational purposes only.

Never try to self diagnose or treat a disease or symptom.  Many diseases and conditions have similar symptoms.  In case of a medical emergency, seek medical care to get a proper diagnosis.  

The medical and/or nutritional information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional  medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health 
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional 
medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this Web site.

Updated October 5, 2012 By PK

View the original article here