I just recently read that bloating, either above or below the navel, is most often an inflammatory reaction either to an allergen (food is the most likely) or a toxin. These both cause minor intestinal injuries and the result is mild inflammation and bloating. This is why there is suddenly a new theory called "fat flushing." The idea is to target what is causing the inflammation and eliminate it from your diet thereby flushing this "false fat" (which is really bloating) from your system. Interesting, eh?Anyway, I also experience bloating above and below the waist. Often I find it's after drinking alcohol or eating a food I didn't realize was a trigger for me. Pesticides on fruits and vegetables are also toxins, so I try to buy organic whenever possible.