Acid Reflux and Indigestion:
You probably think you know exactly how you get Acid Reflux and Indigestionand the reasons why you have Acid Reflux and Indigestion! You know the version that most Doctors tell you. That your Stomach produces too much stomach acid.
You are probably asking, “Well what else is there to believe?”. Well if you ask a Naturopathic Physician you will get a few varied stories! One that I have heard and feel it makes way more sense than what you’ve been taught to believe is true. With most of us, what is really true is “You are not producing Enough Stomach Acid”, to properly break down and send your stomach contents on their way, in a timely fashion. Yeah, sounds nuts! Think about it. If you eat a high fat meal, especially one with meat, something that takes a while to normally digest, typically about 2-3 hours, but you don’t give it 2-3 hours to fully digest before you decide to go to bed, or lie down. If your body is not producing enough stomach acid and enzymes to break down and digest your meal within the normal time frame, it will Stay in your Stomach and Keep trying to break down, until it does or thinks it has. When you lie down prematurely you invite your stomach contents, to slide back the wrong direction, and being that it is partially digested, it now has stomach acid combined and that is what burns so badly. Stomach acid, better known as “Hydrochloric Acid”, is not suppose to go that direction.
So, if you do what you have been taught to do, take antacids, you have just destroyed all of the acid your stomach produced, that has been trying to break your food down. So, now what? Your meal eventually leaves without being completely broken down for full utilization into the small intestine. Sounds constipating?
Another strange misconception I learned is that Calcium needs stomach acid to properly assimilate into the body and most antacids boast that they contain Calcium. Great! Did a lot of good. Other truths you don’t know are what the prescription drugs are really doing. Did you know that you are suppose to only use those drugs for appx. an eight week period of time? When taken for longer your stomach produces an excess of Gastrin, a natural occurring hormone. Gastrin simply tells your stomach to make more acid. Can you start to see the unhealthy cycle?
The other most common band-aid on the problem are the continued taking of antacids hoping to ease the over production, however, many antacids contain excessive amounts of Sodium, Aluminum, Calcium, and Magnesium. Your body can only handle things in moderation and an imbalance amount of these minerals can cause cancer, high blood pressure and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Many of us have not experienced or gained the knowledge of what can happen to someone who lets this health issue goes unchecked. Recently I have been made painfully aware of what happens in my “Cancer Support Group” I volunteer with at my church. We have had 2 women in the last year, who have been diagnosed with “Lower Esophageal Cancer”. Which by the time it is found, it’s too late. This according to Doctors is brought on by Acid Reflux when left untreated.
Acid Reflux is a condition that can be controlled and cured with simple Natural Home Remedies. There are many foods and natural herbs that can and do aid in digestion and encourage stomach acid production naturally. Some are common and some are a surprise. Anything is worth a try to see how you can stop the merry go round and ensure your health naturally. Isn’t it?
Here are some ideas:
Chewing fennel seeds after meals helps to facilitate digestion and to helps to keep bad breath in check. Some of the components of the essential oils in fennel are stimulants and encourage secretion of digestive and gastric juices, reduce inflammation of stomach and intestines and facilitates proper absorption of nutrients from the food. It also has anti-acidic or basic properties and is used in antacid preparations. I love the taste of Fennel, especially in Biscotti’s and sausage
Digestive Aid:
Fennel is also used as an anti-flatulent and a digestive aid, due to the carminative properties of Aspartic acid found in fennel. It can cure flatulence and helps to expel gases from the stomach. Fennel seeds, when used in the powdered form, can be used as a laxative. The roughage helps clear out the bowels whereas the stimulating effect helps maintain the proper spasms of the smooth muscles. The Anetol and Cineole found in Fennel help cure diarrhea. Some amino acids such as Histidine aid digestion and proper functioning of the digestive system.