Persistently High Methane Levels
If you purchased a FoodMarble device because you were experiencing bothersome symptoms, but prior to this, you had never been formally medically diagnosed with IBS or another condition, you may have made some personal discoveries about your food triggers and intolerances with the help of your device and/or the Food Intolerance Tests.
Some FoodMarble users discover that they have persistently elevated methane levels through monitoring their day to day breath readings.
Firstly, it's important to be aware that before the FoodMarble AIRE 2, it wasn't possible to monitor a person's day to day methane levels, so we're exploring new territory here.
Here is an article outlining some foods that may help if you have elevated methane levels.
If your methane readings remain persistently high regardless of the food you're consuming, you might be wondering why dietary change has such little impact.
What we know now is that even though methane has less correlation to the foods we eat when compared with hydrogen, some people will notice fluctuations in their results depending on what they are consuming.
Nonetheless, it's important to be mindful that methane levels appear to be less impacted by the level of FODMAPs that we eat and in some cases, it has been shown that when we eat low FODMAP, our methane levels can even increase. This occurrence is not fully understood, but it can be helpful to be aware of this.
Some users with persistently high methane levels want to complete the food intolerance tests but are concerned because their methane readings are always high.
Did you know that you can proceed with any FODMAP challenge despite having a high baseline methane reading? That's right. You can proceed with the FODMAP tests with a high baseline methane reading, however we would not recommend proceeding with any test if your hydrogen levels are above 3. This is because a person's hydrogen levels are generally more responsive to dietary changes when compared with methane which tends to remain more static.
It's important to ask yourself the following questions:
Have you been monitoring your fermentation levels for some time now and you've noticed that dietary change makes little or no impact on your methane levels?
Did you start one or all FODMAP challenges despite having a high baseline methane reading?
Are your day to day symptoms disrupting your life?
Have you consulted a healthcare practitioner yet?
If you've discovered that you have persistently high methane levels by monitoring your day to day fermentation levels and you're still highly symptomatic, despite reducing FODMAPs from your diet, it could be time to consult a trusted and qualified healthcare practitioner who is best placed to assist with a diagnosis (where appropriate) and a treatment plan to help alleviate persistent symptoms and improve your quality of life.
We recommend continuing to track your fermentation levels day to day as you progress with any treatment to monitor its effectiveness over time!
Best of luck and please don't hesitate to reach out to our team on hello@foodmarble.com if you have any questions or concerns.
What if you discovered that you have persistently high methane levels?
Some FoodMarble users discover that they have persistently elevated methane levels through monitoring their day to day breath readings.
Firstly, it's important to be aware that before the FoodMarble AIRE 2, it wasn't possible to monitor a person's day to day methane levels, so we're exploring new territory here.
Foods that may help methane
Here is an article outlining some foods that may help if you have elevated methane levels.
If your methane readings remain persistently high regardless of the food you're consuming, you might be wondering why dietary change has such little impact.
The impact of foods on your methane levels
What we know now is that even though methane has less correlation to the foods we eat when compared with hydrogen, some people will notice fluctuations in their results depending on what they are consuming.
Nonetheless, it's important to be mindful that methane levels appear to be less impacted by the level of FODMAPs that we eat and in some cases, it has been shown that when we eat low FODMAP, our methane levels can even increase. This occurrence is not fully understood, but it can be helpful to be aware of this.
You can complete FODMAP Challenges, despite having a high baseline methane reading
Some users with persistently high methane levels want to complete the food intolerance tests but are concerned because their methane readings are always high.
Did you know that you can proceed with any FODMAP challenge despite having a high baseline methane reading? That's right. You can proceed with the FODMAP tests with a high baseline methane reading, however we would not recommend proceeding with any test if your hydrogen levels are above 3. This is because a person's hydrogen levels are generally more responsive to dietary changes when compared with methane which tends to remain more static.
Persistently high methane level - What next?
It's important to ask yourself the following questions:
Have you been monitoring your fermentation levels for some time now and you've noticed that dietary change makes little or no impact on your methane levels?
Did you start one or all FODMAP challenges despite having a high baseline methane reading?
Are your day to day symptoms disrupting your life?
Have you consulted a healthcare practitioner yet?
If you've discovered that you have persistently high methane levels by monitoring your day to day fermentation levels and you're still highly symptomatic, despite reducing FODMAPs from your diet, it could be time to consult a trusted and qualified healthcare practitioner who is best placed to assist with a diagnosis (where appropriate) and a treatment plan to help alleviate persistent symptoms and improve your quality of life.
We recommend continuing to track your fermentation levels day to day as you progress with any treatment to monitor its effectiveness over time!
Best of luck and please don't hesitate to reach out to our team on hello@foodmarble.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Updated on: 13/03/2024
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