Approximately 10 to 20% of the U.S. Population have trouble with indigestion, reflux & heart burn due to:
- Insufficient Stomach Acid
- Lack of Digestive Enzymes in the Modern Diet
Confused? Isn’t it common knowledge that TOO MUCH stomach acid is what causes these problems? Let me explain why it’s the reverse that is actually true.
Insufficient Stomach Acid:
If one does not produce enough hydrochloric acid to be able to digest the foods they eat, the foods actually stay in the GI tract for longer than they should leading to putrefaction of the undigested food. This internal “rotting” produces numerous organic acids which are the true root of heart burn & indigestion. Acid-suppressing drugs alleviate symptoms because they neutralize these organic acids. However, they only exacerbate the underlying problem by increasing alkalinity of the stomach which leads to a reduction in nutrient absorption and a whole host of other problems.
Digestive Enzymes:
Traditionally, the foods that you eat contain in them the enzymes that are necessary for their own digestion. The processed foods that most people sustain themselves on, however, are completely deficient of these crucial enzymes & this is the big problem. Enzymes act as the biochemical machinery that break down the proteins, fats & carbs that we ingest, and provide numerous other roles in controlling inflammation & other metabolic processes. While our bodies can make many of these enzymes endogenously, this can be strenuous for the body if we do not also get enzymes from our diet.
Fruits such as papaya & pineapple, leafy-green vegetables, apple cider vinegar & other raw foods are the best sources of these enzymes. It is important that these foods be eaten raw because enzymes are very sensitive to heat & can be easily destroyed by the cooking process.
Holistic Treatment:
If the absence of sufficient quantities of acid & enzymes is the problem, than the solution is to simply replace these through diet modification, stress management and nutritional support & supplementation.
Taking digestive enzymes & nutritional supplements that stimulate acid secretion with each meal is the start. This corrects the deficiency and takes pressure off the stomach in order to give it the time & energy it needs to heal itself. This by itself can do wonders for one’s condition if there is no ulceration or damage already done to the gastrointestinal lining. In this case, herbs/supplements to reduce this inflammation & aid in healing of the GI mucosa will be necessary as part of treatment.
Please contact me today if you would like more in-depth guidance on a similar condition or would like to get my recommendation on the highest quality supplements with the most research to address these specific issues.
Health & happiness,
David C. Morcom, PharmD.
Doctor of Pharmacy & Certified Herbal Specialist
Integrative Wellness Fx
