Human Gas and Health

Dad, If you fart a lot then you’re healthy, and I fart a lot!”

Shaye (Weasel Boy)

While recounting this story to family members (some of whom have worked in the medical field for a number of years) I was surprised to hear one of them say, “that’s true, a lot of gas is healthy”.   

I got curious about it and did a brief search and came up with a story that ran on Oprah of all places about your digestive system.  Here are a couple of highlights for those too lazy to go read the whole article. 

When discussing two women’s health, one who struggled with constipation and the other who had diarrhea and hemorrhoids:

“On top of suggesting to Susan and Maureen to change their diets, Dr. Oz says that Susan and Maureen need to pass gas more often and not be ashamed—we all need to!”

And on the idea we need to pass gas:

“Dr. Oz says that the average person passes gas 14 times a day—and less than one percent of it actually smells.”

S0, if the average person needs to pass gas 14 times a day and ”holds back” (due to embarrasement, phobia, or some sort of strange disorder) that can adversely affect your health.  That doesn’t necessarily make weasel boy’s comment fact but it’s more rooted in truth than I initially thought. 

As an aside, having lived in a college dormitory I’d like to argue the fact that only 1% of gas actually smells but I’m not prepared to prove the statistic wrong since I’m afraid being a judge in that clinical study would be less than enjoyable.