7 Steps for Improving Digestion
According to the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases), 12% of the U.S. population is living with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome); with a higher percentage of this population being women under the age of 50. The same U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that approximately 16% of the adults and children living in the U.S. struggle with constipation. To add to this, the CDC reports that nearly 3 million adults in the U.S. are living with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease … either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) which is a significant increase from 1999.
It’s important to point out that IBS is categorized as a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder involving a group of symptoms, including constipation, with no visible signs of disease or damage. IBD, on the other hand, is a disease which is confirmed by inflammation. Although different in many respects, these conditions share the same root cause; a chronically distressed body. Yet, there is no way of truly determining the route of physical manifestation our stress will lead to; this is simply determined by the individual genetic coding.
What’s even more intriguing is the number of people currently living with digestive issues, even though these numbers only offer a glimpse into the magnitude of the problem. Around 1% of the U.S. population lives with Celiac; although, the NIDDK believes that number is probably higher. At the same time, somewhere between 30 and 40% of the people in the U.S. develop an H. pylori infection, often leading to a peptic ulcer. this infection frequently goes dormant in its host. What’s more, it’s reported that 20% of us lives with GERD; and it doesn’t stop there.
The point is, over half of the U.S.. either requires or is receiving some kind of assistance and / or treatment for a confirmed digestive problem while the rest of ‘us’ probably has something going on, ‘we’re’ just not aware of it because normal is defined by the length of our experience. If we’ve never had a different experience, then what we’re living with is normal. To expand on this; when we’re used to having a bowel movement only twice a week for as long as we can remember … then that’s normal .. especially when we don’t talk to anyone about our digestion / bowel movements and nobody tells us differently.
Aside from what’s normal, digestion is more than an important discussion, it’s vital to our health; particularly when so many people are experiencing trouble. Additionally, there is a beneficial distinction that needs to be made; a functional GI disorder is now considered a ‘disordered gut-brain interaction’. As noted in the Annals of Gastroentrology, “recent advances in research have described the importance of gut microbiota in influencing these interactions. This interaction between microbiota and GBA (gut brain axis) appears to be bidirectional, namely through signaling from gut-microbiota to brain and from brain to gut-microbiota by means of neural, endocrine, immune, and humoral links”
With this said, low stomach acid, also known as hydrochlorhydria, is commonly diagnosed in people 65 and older; however, we’re born with low stomach acid simply because we receive our nutrients via the umbilical cord .. there is no point to producing hydrochloric acid until we ‘get’ here and then that takes about a year to establish a microbiota profile . By the time we’re about 2 1/2, the flora resembles that of an adult, in terms of composition. At this point, you might be wondering what hydrochloric acid has to do with anything mentioned earlier. Plenty!
Hydrochloric acid has two very important roles in the human body: 1) it provides the acidic environment necessary for the release of pepsin, required in the digestion of proteins, and 2) it sterilizes our food, protecting us from harmful bacteria and maintaining the proper balance of gut microflora; this includes H. pylori. Another chemical / neurotransmitter essential to this process is acetylcholine. In fact, the production of hydrochloric acid depends on it. However, as the body is threatened albeit physically, mentally, emotionally and / or environmentally, acetylcholine is redirected to activate the stress mechanism, starting with the autonomic nervous system which increases heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and so on. An important point to know is this is not meant to be an ongoing activity. This brilliant mechanism of survival is a temporary function until safety is restored. Unfortunately, with the 45 million and counting man made chemicals being used around the world, the body is on high alert from a very early age; hence the reason why low stomach acid cannot be age related.
Taking all of this into consideration, over half the U.S. population is receiving treatment for at least one digestive disorder, and systemic distress is slowing the production of stomach acid; so, it’s fair to say that it is in our best interest to make quality digestion our goal.
7 Steps for Improving Digestion
take a hydrochloric acid supplement like Betaine Plus HP Why not probiotics? Elevating the good bacteria does nothing for stabilizing the stress response, the use of acetylcholine in the gut or the production of hydrochloric acid. They are simply a way of overriding a challenge and do nothing to restore the digestive system. Not to mention, there is considerable concern with the overuse of probiotics and autoimmune issues. The body requires a balance of gut flora and mega dosing on probiotics is too much of a good thing. The best time to consume them is while taking antibiotics. In the meantime, beginning with a Betaine supplement offers a more stable improvement in digestion.
stop taking acid suppressants i.e. proton pump inhibitors and H2 antagonists Chances are the indigestion, burping, etc is due to low stomach acid and linked to alterations to the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) processes. These changes lead to a nitric oxide deficiency due to the production of oxidative stress in response to the activated stress mechanism which leads to an increase in histamine release. Therefore, supporting NOS with such essential oils as laurel leaf and lemongrass will not only relieve symptoms, but begin to enhance the production of nitric oxide. And, if you blended copaiba with the first two, you’d be reducing the amount of histamine in the gut. Additionally, consider drinking aloe vera juice.
do not use the essential oils mentioned in number 2 if taking additional medications for such things as depression, anxiety, heart health, or respiratory condition; however, the following oils would make for suitable alternatives for helping to ease the stress response and supporting the use of acetylcholine in the gut: palmarosa, celery seed, coriander, ambrette seed or marjoram sweet. These aren’t the only choices, they’re just the best generalized options For a more personalized idea, register for a consult.
reduce your use of antibacterial mouthwash (see my post on Dysbiosis)
reduce your intake of packaged and processed foods
reduce or eliminate your use of over the counter pain medications .. there are alternative options, and you are welcome to sign up for a class or consult.
stick with the Betaine Supplement, giving yourself a month off from time to time, and continue learning about and using essential oils. Honestly, there are other options i.e. prescription and over the counter antacids which you will take for the rest of your life along with other medications due to the complications that arise from taking the first one … and that is ok. What’s being proposed here is an alternative that protects your body from further, unnecessary breakdown
Can We Reverse Our Issue Altogether?
There is no firm answer on that. Depending on our age, possibly. The older we are, the more stress we’ve had to endure. The system is taxed .. but beyond repair? It’s fair to say the body has the ability to restore stability and repair itself; yet, that depends on the amount of inflammation it’s been subjected to. On the other hand, it is definitely possible to halt the progression; however, as long as we live in the environment we’ve collectively created, we will need to remain loyal to supporting our body’s ability to thrive with suggestions made here or contribute to a market that is aware of these digestive trends.
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