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What’s the price you pay for gas?
Nope, I am not talking about the gas you put in your car’s gas tank. I am talking about the gas that comes out your rear end. For some people it happens a lot, for some nice and quiet; others embarrass themselves with deadly smells.
Sure, the body does produce gases. It’s natural to some degree. The colon is the main seat for Vata dosha (the air and ether element). If Vata increases in the colon due to eating Vata-aggravating foods, cold weather, anxiety, insomnia and other factors, gases may build up.
Passing a gentle form of gas a couple times per day is normal. However, when there is:
If any of these instances happen, then it’s time to take a look at it.
According to Ayurveda you should never suppress natural urges. In the Caraka Samhita, one of the ancient texts on Ayurvedic medicine, it says this:
“One should not suppress the natural urges relating to urine, feces, semen, flatus [that’s the gas we are talking about], vomiting, sneezing, eructation, yawning, hunger, thirst, tears, sleep and breathing caused by overexertion.” (Chapter VII, verses 3-4)
“If one suppresses the urge for passing flatus, this causes retention of feces, urine, distension of abdomen, pain, exhaustion and other abdominal diseases due to the vitiation of Vata.” (Chapter VII, verses 12-13)
In other words, gas can lead to a lot more than just a fleeting moment of passing wind.
If you think the ancient text’s exposition on gas is a bit dry and need a juicier explanation, then read on.
Here is the thing: having a lot of gas is a sign that you are not absorbing your nutrients well.
One of the reasons gas is produced is as a by-product to the breakdown of your food. It is likely you ate a lot of Vata-aggravating foods that inherently are comprised of a lot of air–like popcorn, crackers, bread or the like. The equation goes:
Now you must remember that our cells are made up of the substances we ingest. If you don’t absorb your food well, you will have poor tissue formation. The equation continues like this:
If your tissues—ultimately made up of individual cells—are low-quality, the work each cell does will also be low-quality, leading to low immunity. The equation continues like this:
Now go back to the beginning and remember we started out with gas. So, the equation ultimately goes:
…which makes you more susceptible to disease.
And that, dear friend, is the high price you pay for gas.
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