Dear Patriski,

Interesting question. As far as naturally occurring sources of alpha-galactosidase, Alice is afraid you won't have much luck. Aspergillus niger is isolated from rotting cassava (a vegetable), and the enzyme alpha-galactosidase is, in turn, isolated from the aspergillus mold. Alice doesn't recommend eating rotting vegetables! As far as gas production is concerned, a good place to start is to understand that there are many causes of gas. Some simple rules to follow are:

1. Gas can be caused by swallowed air. Try to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. If you tend to gulp beverages, make an attempt to sip instead. Carbonated beverages can also cause belching.

 

2. Sugar-free foods containing sorbitol or xylitol are poorly digested and can cause gas. Read labels to look for these ingredients.

 

3. Lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest lactose, the naturally occurring sugar found in dairy products, causes gas. Try eliminating milk products from your diet for a few days to see if your symptoms improve. If this is effective, you may be somewhat lactose intolerant. Look for products containing lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose during digestion, which may help you feel better.

 

4. High-fiber diets can result in flatulence (gas). If you have suddenly added a great deal of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and whole grains to your diet, the result may well be gastrointestinal discomfort. Try to add these foods to your diet more slowly. While 20 - 35 grams of fiber is recommended as part of your average daily intake, you don't want to shock your system by jumping from low or medium fiber intake to a high fiber intake at the drop of a hat.

 

5. Yes, beans do live up to their reputation, both for being a healthy addition to your diet and for causing gas. Here are methods for "de-gassing" your beans: soak dry beans for at least eight hours and rinse thoroughly before cooking them; if you're more of a canned beans type of person, drain off the liquid and rinse the beans well before cooking them.

If none of these suggestions are helpful, talk to your doctor, gastroenterologist, or nutritionist about a "complex carbohydrate elimination diet." This is a strict diet which excludes all forms of complex carbohydrates and high-fiber foods (i.e., fresh fruits and veggies, and whole grains). Over time and as tolerated, these food sources are gradually added back to the diet.

Alice

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