Do you occasionally experience bloating, gas or indigestion... or avoid certain restaurants or food so you don't pay a penalty for it? Let Powersource Chiropractic help improve your digestion with these simple but effective lifestyle tips to get your gut restored to health!
The acid indigestion pain (usually thought to come from a “high-acid stomach” actually most of the time comes from a low-acid stomach that cannot fully digest foods. The undigested foods “rot” or ferment in the stomach creating fermentation acids that are the real culprits in heartburn, acid indigestion, reflux, etc. Without adequate stomach acid, or when taking antacids, you are causing nutrient starvation because you cannot absorb the nutrients your body needs from food to maintain good health.
Watch our informative (and amateur!) video now:
Therefore, you need to do everything in your power to maintain good stomach acid production. That includes doing everything possible to eliminate antacids, acid blockers and acid stoppers- prescription or not. They are grossly over prescribed. They do nothing to correct the underlying cause of most indigestion and they can cause harmful side effects. Not to mention that your immune system is dependent upon adequate stomach acid.
Low stomach acid from chronic use of antacids destroys the “friendly” good bacteria in the body which is needed to fight infections.
Tips for a Healthy Gut and to Optimize Digestion:
1. Mindful Eating Habits:
Avoid carbonated beverages.
Avoid eating while stressed out.
Take the time to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Slow down, enjoy and taste your food.
Eat smaller meals more frequently.
Drink water with the juice of half a lemon
Eliminate foods you’re sensitive to
Do not drink water during a meal as it can dilute your digestive HCL
Maintain a healthy weight (extra weight puts pressure on your abdomen and can encourage acid reflux).
Refrain from lying down for 2-3 hours after eating.
2. Helpful Digestive Aids:
Taking a Probiotic at the end of your meal (not at the same time as the digestive enzyme) can help reduce improve digestion.
Take an HCl capsule or product containing HCl (such as Zypan® by Standard Process)
Add a digestive Enzyme like VitalZymes® 15-20 minutes into the meal with food.
What to Do Next:
If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from low stomach acid then ask us about the Zypan Test. The test is performed by taking one tablet with a meal. If burning or tingling takes place, you are probably suffering from an ulcer or a truly over-acid stomach.
Taking HCl or products containing HCl (such as Zypan® by Standard Process) is highly effective in restoring your gut health. Zypan® is a premiere digestive enzyme containing hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes. In addition to cleaning up your diet, eliminating processed foods, switching to sea salt and drinking plenty of pure water, odds are that you will only need to add Zypan® for a 4-6 month period of time.