Enjoy the latest installment of Dr. Lowell Keppel’s “Good to Know” series for practitioners.
When I was a kid we used to say, “You’re about as funny as a fart in a space suit!” In other words, not so funny when you smell it. Fact is, we still laugh at farts—and fart jokes. My grandson Xander Man is four, and he thinks farting is hilarious. He also thinks it’s funny to simply say the word fart. Typical boy, no doubt.
It’s also true that farts can be funny and nasty at the same time. When they stink, we’re disgusted by the smell, while at the same time they seem to make us laugh even more. What do you think you farts telling you and those around you?
A stinky fart is a great diagnostic sign. (Though it’s not one I want to experience with my face up close during an adjustment!) A smelly fart is a signal of poor and inadequate protein digestion. It means your digestive system is no longer effective at breaking down and metabolizing protein, be it animal or vegetable. Most protein metabolism occurs in the stomach, while digestion starts in the mouth, with the saliva. Stinky gas is telling you that the pH of your stomach should be lower and pancreatic enzymes such as pepsin must be available.
Dr. Royal Lee understood this. As the founder of Standard Process, he set about creating a product for just this situation. Zypan (enZYmes of the PANcreas) combines Betaine Hydrochloride to lower the pH and enzymes from the pancreas to breakdown and efficiently process the proteins. Once proper metabolism has been reestablished, the proteins won’t rot and create gas of putrefaction. (In other words, stinky farts.)
What about farts that don’t smell? Well, while smelly farts are a sign of poor protein digestion, the non-stinky kind are a sign of poor carbohydrate digestion. Ever been on a first or second date to the movies, shared the big popcorn, and on the ride home you’re holding in the gas until it hurts so bad? (Or was that just me?) This is a signal that your body is not breaking down the carbs, and it occurs more in the small and large intestines.
The good news is that there’s no smell. The bad news is that it’s another sign of poor digestion. When this occurs, use Lactic Acid Yeast wafers or Zymex wafers (also available as capsules). These products convert carbohydrates to lactic acid, which helps maintain healthy pH of the intestines.
Here are two articles from the Selene River Press Historical Archives that delve into the importance of lactic acid yeast (also called mycelium yeast) and acidophilus yeast: “The Constipation Syndrome” and “Acidophilus Yeast,” both written by Dr. Lee.
So, yes, your farts have a lot to say to you and others about your digestive process. Keep in mind that some gas is normal. Doctors say the average person farts anywhere from five to fifteen times per day! Be thoughtful, take care of your digestive system, and allow your farts be the alarm that you need digestive help.
Images from iStock/Koldunova_Anna (main), Bohdana Smiian (post).
Dr. Keppel received a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1983, following an associate degree in science from Southwestern Michigan Community College. He became certified in Neuro-Emotional Technique in 1999, having studied directly under the program’s founder, Dr. Scott Walker. He has undertaken a variety of further training, including herbology, spinal rehabilitation, and ongoing nutritional education.
Dr. Keppel knows there is always some seminar, book or journal that might deepen his knowledge or contribute one more bit of information that he can directly translate into an effective treatment. He gives sound advice from the perspective of clinical experience and years of practice.
More recently, Dr. Keppel has been teaching seminars for Standard Process West. He has become their in-house chiropractor and is recognized as a mentor for other practitioners throughout the greater Denver area.
For more information, visit his website at DoctorKeppel.com, check out his YouTube channel, or contact him directly at drkeppel@gmail.com.
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