In humans the intestine is divided into two major sections: the small intestine, which is about 6m long, where the most extensive part of digestion occurs and where most food products are absorbed; and the large intestine, which has a larger diameter and is about 1.5m long, where water is absorbed and from which solid waste material is excreted.
The presence of gas in the digestive system (oesophagus, stomach, intestine and colon) comes from two sources:
- Ingested air
- The decomposition of food by the enzymes and bacteria in the stomach and intestines
The volume of intestinal gas varies greatly from one person to another. An adult person can produce anywhere from 2 to 20 litres of gas per day, for an average of 14 to 20 evacuation episodes (farts) per day, however some individual will suffer up to 140 episodes per day.
Usually the gases are odourless and are made of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and sometimes methane. The odorous gases (less than 1% of the eliminated gases) come from bacteria located in the colon, which produce gases containing sulphur.
The abundant production of gas is often caused by a bad absorption of glucoses (lactose of milk, fructose of certain fruits), complex sugars (from cabbages, asparaguses and other vegetables), of the starches (corn, potatoes, corn and cereal) and of the fibers (broad beans, pea, bran of cereals).
In addition, certain type of foods produce gas to certain type people and not to others, this is dependent on the presence of some bacteria (in the colon) that assimilate the hydrogen produced by other types of bacteria. The quantity of gas produced depends of the balance between these two varieties of bacteria.
In addition to the quantity of gas in the intestines, the feeling of distension and bloating accompanied by pains can be attributed to an irritable colon or to more serious intestinal problems. In these cases it is advisable to obtain an opinion from qualified medical personnel. The same applies in the case of aerophagia.
Action of Deflatil
Deflatil is composed of specific plants and natural substances that reduce the formation of gas by limiting, right at its source, the fermentations and the presence of moulds in the intestines. It results from it that Deflatil is also very effective in the cases of intestinal inflammations and diverticulitis.
Deflatil does not contain any type of anti-acid products. Therefore, it does not modify the acidity of the stomach and the digestive system.
Some other plants and substances used in Deflatil could be viewed as excipients, in fact their role is to facilitate and control the assimilation of the preparation to insure its dilution over time and its distribution to the targeted tissues.
