Wisdom of Healing

Indigestion, acid reflux, acid indigestion, GERD; upper GI troubles go by many common names, but the problem is huge and growing! That ‘purple pill’ has been in the top five best selling prescription medications for years, grossing $5.7 billion in 2005, according to Forbes.

Virtually all of the medications made to address acid reflux and indigestion on the market either work to reduce or neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach, or to turn off the pumps that produce the stomach’s acid.

Hydrochloric acid is produced by the body so that, as the liquefied food called chyme, churns about in the stomach, the proteins will be broken away from the rest of the contents, to assist absorption when it reaches the various sections of the intestinal tract. It also acts as a protective barrier to kill dozens of the potentially harmful microorganisms that occur in our food or water.

Unfortunately for the millions of people who suffer with these uncomfortable and potentially very serious conditions, the reality is that the majority of sufferers may actually have insufficient stomach acid, rather than excess stomach acid. When doctors perform the Heidelberg capsule test to check for excess hydrochloric acid, the results show that as many as 90% have an insufficient quantity to properly digest the proteins contained in a typical healthy meal.

It can be very confusing for the layperson, and doctors rarely do any testing before writing a prescription for the latest version of reflux medication. This is unfortunate, since the symptoms of excess stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) production and insufficient production are virtually identical. It is therefore essential for our health and ability to absorb and utilize nutrients to be tested properly before beginning any of these medications, even the over-the-counter (OTC) ones.

There is a simple home test that any of us may safely perform when we are feeling indigestion. (Please note that those who suffer with a hiatal hernia may not experience the same results from these home tests as others will.)

We can mix a rounded teaspoon or two of baking soda (bicarbonate) into about six or eight ounces of water and drink it down the next time we feel indigestion coming on. If the baking soda neutralizes the excess acid, then you will know that you experience excess hydrochloric acid. If you don’t experience any significant relief, then you will realize that you have insufficient hydrochloric acid.

If you are the type of person who would like to confirm this information, there is also a safe home test to confirm a likelihood of insufficient hydrochloric acid. Just follow these simple steps:

At your local health food store, please purchase a bottle of betaine hydrochloride tablets that include digestive enzymes. An excellent product is called Parazyme, made by Renew Life.
Take one capsule as directed on the bottle with a larger meal. (This does not mean that you need to eat a large meal, just a larger one in your typical day.)
If you feel none of the discomfort that you normally experience, then you will probably be in good company with the millions who have insufficient hydrochloric acid production.
If you feel a burning, discomfort in the tummy or indigestion, this indicates that your level of hydrochloric acid is sufficient (or sometimes in excess). You may want to use a teaspoonful of baking soda as in the test above to relieve the discomfort.

There are other tests for stomach PH but they’re more invasive. One of the lesser uncomfortable tests is the Heidelberg capsule test, where a plastic capsule is swallowed that contains electronic monitoring equipment. The capsule measures the pH of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine and transmits a signal back to a monitor worn by the patient.

If you visit your doctor and mention your tummy symptoms, you’re likely to receive a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor medication, without any testing whatsoever.

Recently released research has shown that there may be more considerable problems associated with several of the best-selling upper G. I. medicines than previously believed.

The good news is that there are several holistic ways to support digestive health so that we may not need to resort to the potential side effects linked to these various popular prescription and OTC meds. To begin with, there are several dietary practices that you may choose that have helped millions before you.

1. Don’t drink water, milk or soda with your meal. This can dilute the hydrochloric acid and enzymes necessary for proper digestion. To prevent thirst while eating, drink a refreshing glass of water 15-30 minutes before your meals.
2. Don’t drink alcoholic beverages with your meal. If you enjoy a beer, glass of wine or a mixed drink in the evening, it would be ideal to wait one hour or more after eating.
3. Reduce your overall sugar intake. Refined sugar may be a significant contributor to the discomforts of indigestion.
4. Reduce your white flour intake. White flour has had the bran and germ removed, and the fiber found in the bran is well known to support digestive health.
5. Eat your vegetables! More root vegetables and dark leafy greens help to alkalize the body, and an alkaline body experiences better digestion.
6. Chew your food. We should chew our food until it is a fine liquid without chunks, and then swallow. This usually takes upwards of 50 or 60 chews per bite. Most Americans, however, chew six to ten times per bite, and swallow their food with good sized pieces intact. This is very hard, even impossible, for your digestive tract to break down completely.
7. Sit down when you eat. Sitting encourages the digestive processes.
8. Relax. Don’t eat on the run, or while angry or upset. Before eating, try taking a few deep breaths. The difference will probably impress you.

Try paying attention to which foods tend to affect you and while you are working toward digestive health, do your best to avoid these foods.

Candida in the intestinal tract has been associated with problems of the stomach. For much more information on this topic, please read: Candida Free!, posted to this site very soon.

Next, let’s discuss the herbs and nutritional supplements that may provide digestive relief, according to dozens of studies and millions of users throughout the world.

Ginger, preferably certified organic, is well known for its effect on virtually all aspects of digestive health. Taken just before, during or after meals, ginger can significantly support the calming of upper G.I. tract distress, increasing the body’s ability to break down foods and digesting proteins, so as to help increase absorption and utilization of nutrients. Ginger, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, also helps prevent gas, sooth intestinal discomfort and support eliminative regularity.

New Chapter, one of my favorite and most respected companies, produces some of the most potent certified organic ginger products on the world market. Much of their ginger is grown on their biodynamic farm in a remote region of Costa Rica. It is then processed into a variety of therapeutic, digestive comforting products, including capsules, liquid extracts, concentrated tiny softgels and delicious ginger honey syrups.

When I travel, I always bring the ginger capsules, which can serve triple duty, helping with my inflammation and occasional issues with motion sickness. The Daily Ginger is helpful for daily use, and I’ve found the Gingerforce, a super potent 250:1 concentrate of ginger extract, to be phenomenal for my more ‘heavy duty’ needs. At home, I use the Ginger Honey Tonic daily.

Swedish bitters, served at most fine restaurants throughout Europe, may be sipped or drunk down directly after eating to support digestion and help prevent discomfort. There are hundreds of different combinations of herbs that may be chosen, so if you aren’t fond of the first one you try, you may not want to stop there. Try another. Some are really quite tasty! But, like the name says, they are bitter. It is probably better to develop a taste for bitter and have good digestion and utilization of nutrients than to experience serious side effects of something that is actually preventing most digestion and absorption of nutrients from occurring.

Enzymes – Good digestive function relies on the body’s ability to produce digestive enzymes. Enzymes are used to break foods apart and release specific nutrients. Protease enzymes prepare proteins for absorption; lipase prepares the fatty acids (good fats), lactase to break down milk sugars, etc. Taking digestive enzymes with meals helps to assist the process of digestion, supporting increased absorption and providing our cells with the necessary nutrients, as long as we’re consuming healthy, organic whole foods.

Although there are hundreds of enzyme products on the market, there are very few excellent, therapeutic quality ones. My favorites include those offered by Renew Life and Enzymedica.

Enzymes with HCI – As mentioned in the home test above, hydrochloric acid (HCI) is available in supplement form, and may be most effective when combined with digestive enzymes.

Licorice – Licorice has been used in Asia to support digestive health for thousands of years. Its mucilaginous (thick and slippery) appearance helps by soothing gastric mucous membranes.

Wood Betony – An uncommon herb that is very supportive of the stomach and solar plexus is called Wood betony. A member of the mint family, wood betony has been used for hundreds of years for a tight and nervous stomach, the burning feeling of the stomach and gas. T was prescribed by doctors in previous centuries for those who ended toward both nervous and digestive disorders.

Peppermint, as well as other varieties of mint, is known to help settle the tummy when indigestion rears its ugly head. If you have only occasional mild discomfort, a peppermint tea may suit your needs.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to experience truly natural relief for tummy discomfort. Let me know what you find works best for you!

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