Saurer reflux and digestive health

Saurer reflux and digestive health

Burn the burning

My mother -in -law has been suffering from strong heartburn for years. And in addition to hundreds of antacids and careful what she ate, she visited at least a dozen doctors. Since most of them assumed that the problem was too much acid, they pulled out their recipe blocks, ready to write a script for a proton pump inhibitor. Others had suggested an operation to move parts and parts of the digestive system to prevent the painful acid backflow.

But although these doctors offered the best that modern medicine has to offer, the premise with which they started was wrong. It turned out that the burning feeling did not come from too much stomach acid - it was too little!

missing sign

Since the invention of antacids, the stomach acid has received a bad reputation. But the truth is that our digestive system would switch off without it.

This is how it works: After eating, the stomach acid decomposes large food particles before the food gets into the intestine. If there is not enough stomach acid, these large food particles can sit in the stomach for hours instead of being quickly directed into the intestine, where the nutrients are absorbed from food. This undigested food can accumulate in the stomach and penetrate into the esophagus, which leads to burning and uncomfortable.

The problem is that we were conditioned to take a over -the -counter antacid to alkalize the pain. Sure, it makes the burning feeling disappear temporarily, but it does not fix the underlying cause. Instead, they throw in a chewing tablet every time the burn begins, which triggers a vicious circle.

The same can happen if your doctor has prescribed a proton pump inhibitor like Nexeum. But again because these drugs are intended to treat the symptoms and not the cause, you can find that you take it for years.

The acid sample

There are a number of things that can lead to your gastric acid level sinking. Stress and long -term intake of antacids are some of the most common reasons. In addition, our gastric acid level decreases with increasing age, which explains why more people develop digestive disorders with increasing age.

So how can you find out whether you have too little stomach acid? A test is called Heidelberg gastric acid test. This high-tech test is carried out in a doctor's office. In this test, the patient swallows a capsule that measures the stomach acid level and sends the information back to a computer.

But there is another do-it-yourself test, in which a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar is simply taken when symptoms occur. Vinegar has a low pH, which means that it is very acidic like the stomach acid. If you take a tablespoon of vinegar and disappear your symptoms, it is likely that you have too little stomach acid.

How do you write relief correctly?

My mother -in -law finally got relief - no thanks to her doctors! A friend suggested seeing a natural medicine on site who immediately - and correctly - assessed the problem. The solution? A complement called Betain HCL, which imitates your own stomach acid.

But the increase in your hydrochloric acid level will not only alleviate your symptoms. HCL makes her stomach sterile against orally absorbed pathogens. It also prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi in its small intestine, promotes the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes and supports the absorption of folic acid, vitamin C, beta-carotene, iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

Numerous studies show that gastric acid secretion decreases with increasing age. In fact, an estimated 30 percent of people produce over 60 or no gastric acid at all - and 40 percent of postmenopausal women have a low stomach mirror. This decline can increase the risk that the nutrients in your food will not be absorbed. There is also some speculation that low concentrations can contribute to a variety of diseases such as osteoporosis, asthma, eczema, chronic hives, psoriasis, arthritis, thyroid diseases, gastrointestinal infections and even parasites.

If you have a low stomach acid level, most naturopaths recommend taking 325 to 650 mg. Betain with a protein -containing meal. But don't overdo it. Large quantities of additional betain can burn the gastric mucosa. If you feel a burning feeling, end the take of Betain immediately.

Taking a low dose of betain is a safe way to bring your gastric acid level back into balance. But if you have ulcers in history or if you take non-steroidal inflammatory medication (NSAIDS), cortisone or other medications that could cause a stomach ulcer, ask a naturopath or a doctor specializing in nutrition before taking this preparation.

a last thing ...

If you do the dining test and do not feel any relief, it is possible that your body will really pump too much stomach acid. But instead of relying on antacids, try some licorice. Long before Tums appeared, herb connoisseurs relied on plants for the treatment of heartburn. Today, licorice is considered the first line of defense against this burning feeling because it promotes healing and protects against another demeanor.

but no liquorice will do it. Ordinary sweepers can increase blood pressure if it is used for more than a week a day. Instead, opt for chewable deglycyrrhicized licorice tablets (DGL), a secure and effective shape of the herb. Studies show that DGL can be as effective as many over -the -counter medications or pharmaceuticals. It also calms and heals the mucous membrane in the digestive tract.

A preliminary study showed that while the acid-blocking drug Cimetidine led to a faster relief of the symptoms, chewable DGL tablets were just as effective when healing the intestine. DGL can also be helpful in the treatment of ulcers. However, forget to take licorice in capsule shape. DGL has to mix with saliva to be activated.

In acute heartburn, the German Commission E recommends chewing 2 to 4 tablets before each meal. You can also take a few tablets when heartburn occurs.

this just in ...

Are you looking for a good naturopath? Then forget the yellow pages. Instead, whether an acupuncture, alternative practitioner or an integrative doctor, it is wise to go straight to the source. Here are some resources that make it easier for you to get started:

Doctor for traditional Chinese medicine: Those who practice this 3,500 -year -old healing art use Chinese herbs, oriental body work and acupuncture to compensate for the rhythms and energy flows of their body. To find a doctor certified by the board, contact the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (nccaom.org).

acupunctor: If your body's energy - known as Qi - is stuck or insufficient, this can cause diseases, sore muscles, depression, anxiety and more. In order to restore the natural balance, acupfunkers sting a number of extremely thin needles in certain points of the body. You can also help with weight loss or smoking cessation. Make sure your acupunctor is certified NCCAOM.

naturopath: These specialists promote the body's self -healing powers and look at the whole person and not just individual parts of the body. To have a cold? A naturopathic practitioner will skip symptoms of symptoms in favor of nutritional supplements, vegetable medicines, nutritional changes and physical therapies to strengthen immunity. Look for an approved naturopath with ND for his name or get a transfer from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (naturopathic.org).

homeopathic practitioner: This 200 -year -old practice is based on the idea that tiny amounts of substances that cause symptoms can be used to cure the same symptoms. Since there are a variety of certifications and licenses, it is best to look for a homeopath that is also a licensed ND or MD. The National Center for Homeopathy (National Centerforhomeopathy.org) offers a good starting point.

Practicer for integrative medicine: Integrative medicine began in the early 1990s when more and more doctors began to integrate aspects of holistic medicine into their practices. What distinguishes an integrative doctor from a naturopath or TCM practitioner? All of your methods - body work, nutrition, nutritional supplements, electromagnetic treatment and mental healing - are scientifically tested. While every doctor can deal with integrative medicine, it is advisable to look for a doctor who is a "fellow" or "diplomat" of the American Association of Integrative Medicine (aaimedicine.com).

references:

Abdelmalek MF, Angulo P, Jorgensen Ra, et al. "Betain, a promising new active ingredient for patients with non -alcoholic steatohepatitis: results of a pilot study." American magazine for gastroenterology. 2001; 96: 2711-2717.

aoki F., Nakagawa K., Kitano M. et al. "Clinical security of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) and pharmacokinetics from Glabridin in healthy people." Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2007; 26: 209-218.

"Betainhydrochloride." Encyclopedia of alternative medicine. 2005.

Craig Sa. "Betain in human nutrition." American journal for clinical nutrition. 2004; 80: 539-549.

lentini J, Tauren C, Escala C. "Hypochylia in old age. His treatment with an acid combination of pepsin and vitamins." Revista Española de Las Enfermedades del Separato Digendivo. 1970; 31: 525-544.