Why rotten egg farts

And it's all made from bacteria fermentation. When the bacteria in your gut break down all that food into hydrogen sulfide, then you produce that ghastly rotten egg fart smell. It's all a function of what you eat," adds Dr. Brand, helpfully reminding you that eating a steady diet of cabbage and cheeseburgers is bad on virtually every level.

The common thread between rotten eggs and farts is the sulfur; if you've ever been to natural springs that emit sulfurous gasses, you probably recognized the stench. It may be the only thing your butt, eggs, and natural hot springs have in common. If you have to choose based solely on how much you'll fart, Dr. Brand recommends going high-protein. There are more extreme measures you can take, too, though it's important to understand that what works or goes horribly wrong for you may do the opposite in someone else.

Brand says, which is a science-y way of saying every person is different and it's a bit of a guessing game as to which foods make one person rip silent-but-deadlies and another go about their day without emitting a hint of methane. The low-FODMAP diet he mentions is one that limits certain types of carbohydrates that have a tendency to ferment in your gut and, as you now know, produce rancid gas.

This diet is tough to follow, since it eliminates seemingly healthy foods like onions and asparagus, so it's typically used only for people with serious gastrointestinal distress. If your flatulence is really an issue, work with a gastroenterologist or dietitian to pinpoint which carbohydrates are the cause of your discomfort or bloating. Eh, not really, unless you surround yourself with people who judge you solely based on your farts, in which case you might want to rethink your friend group.

You live in a symbiotic relationship with your gut bacteria -- you have to feed them if you want to achieve optimal health. The average healthy person farts times a day. So farting is normal.

Certain prescription drugs, vitamins, and supplements can do a number on your gut, including turning your farts foul. The reasons they cause flatulence differ by drug, and how much they'll make you gas and how badly that gas stinks varies from one person to the next, explains doctor of pharmacy Oralia Bazaldua, professor of family and community medicine at UT Health San Antonio.

People taking the weight loss medication orlistat commonly experience gas with oily discharge. Iron supplements are also known to cause gas and bloating. Supplements containing fiber can produce gas as a byproduct, and the diabetes drug metformin can also make you gassy. Diabetes drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which slow carbohydrate absorption, can give you gas too. But don't use Beano with drugs in this class, Bazaldua says, because it can affect how well the medicine works.

To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter. Smelly gas alone is usually nothing to worry about, Dr. Gandolfo says. But if you also have other signs and symptoms, get checked out. Talk to your doctor if you have fever, weight loss, blood in your stool, or persistent diarrhea alongside your stinky farts, or if you have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.

Any change in your bowel habits or abdominal pain that doesn't go away after you pass gas or poop could signal trouble. It's important to rule out or treat other conditions that can cause smelly farts, says Dr.

Gandolfo, including a bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease , colon cancer, celiac disease an immune reaction to gluten , and C.

By Karen Pallarito Updated February 12, Save Pin More. Here's what got you into this stinky situation. Start Slideshow. For more on digestive conditions, check out our Digestive Health Condition Center If you're having wicked gas, it's probably something you ate—and not necessarily a bad thing. Here are eight reasons why the gas you pass can sometimes be offensive. Bowl of broccoli.

Credit: Getty Images. Bagels, rice, and pasta aren't necessarily gas-producing carbs. But load up on these low-fiber picks, and you may have difficulty moving your bowels. Bacteria then ferment undigested lactose, producing methane gas, which has a foul odor," Dr. If you're stressed about your smelly farts, consider booking an appointment with your primary care physician who can analyze your bowel movements and frequency. With this information, you might be referred to see someone like Dr.

Wolfman, should a GI tract issue be suspected. In many cases, though, you can put an end to stinky flatulence by changing your diet. Here, Dr. Wolfman recommends a few tactics to try:. Wolfman is a huge proponent of fiber, especially for those who are releasing stinky gas. The nutrient does wonders to stabilize our blood sugar levels, causing us to eat less and leading to a feeling of fulness.

Plus, it benefits our cholesterol levels and overall intestinal health. If you do decide to increase your fiber intake, you'll want to proceed with caution, since it could have the opposite affect if you move too quickly.

You can slowly increase the amount of fiber you're eating by a couple of grams — and be sure to increase your water intake as you do so, which can help prevent constipation and more gas. Many of those high-sulfur foods fall into this category.

Health Digestive Conditions Intestinal Gas. Lindsay Tigar. Lindsay Tigar is an experienced lifestyle and wellness journalist.