Amount and location of methane gas in your body.

[wasteofo2]

Of course this will vary from person to person depending on various factors, but in general, how much methane gas is produced by digestion and where is it located? Is it possible for it to spread in the direction opposite of peristalysis(sp?). Also, is methane the only combustible gas produced during digestion?

Thanks for any answers.

[iansmith]

Originally posted by wasteofo2
how much methane gas is produced by digestion and where is it located?

It produce in the large intestine by methanogens. Only a 1/3 of the population have methanogen. The production depend on the microflora of the intestine and the food you eat. To produce methane, you need carbone dioxide and hydrogen. These compound are produce during fermentation of the undigested food. For the quantity produce, I don't think it well known but there people doing research on gaz.

Originally posted by wasteofo2
Is it possible for it to spread in the direction opposite of peristalysis

Not when it is in the large intestine but cow belch methane because it is produce in their lumen. That why cow don't smoke [:D]

Originally posted by wasteofo2
Is methane the only combustible gas produced during digestion?


Is there any combustible gaz in this list: oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. These are the common gaz expelled.

Also the odor does not come from the methane but from hydrogen sulfide and other gaz.