Atlantic Coast Chiropractic

At least 90% of those suffering from acid indigestion and/or acid reflux are in reality suffering from too little stomach acid. How can this be? you ask. "It feels like too much acid, and the TV commercials tell me its too much acid."

Here's how it works. When you eat a meal, the stomach is designed to produce strong acid to begin the digestive process, especially of proteins. When there is too little stomach acid, the food sits too long in the stomach undigested, and begins to ferment and rot.

It is the acids of the fermenting and rotting food that cause the feeling of acid indigestion (and can eventually cause ulcers.)

Sufficient stomach acid is also the signal to the small intestine to open up, receive the stomach contents, and begin the next phase of digestion. When this signal is too weak, the stomach contents may try to escape in the other direction, causing the symptoms of acid reflux.

What happens when antacids are taken for this condition? It makes the symptoms stop and the problem worse. It would be like putting a piece of duct tape over the oil light in your car when it comes on, thinking you've solved the problem.

 Antacids stop the digestive process, and the partially-digested, rotting food is forced through the rest of the digestive tract. Not a pretty picture. (This is also true  of the acid stoppers like Zantic, Pepsid AC, and especially Prilosec.)

Minerals in particular cannot be digested without a strong acid medium in the stomach. Antacids and acid stoppers create an alkaline condition in the stomach. It therefore becomes impossible to digest calcium and most other minerals. (So much for Tums!)

As this condition continues, the digestive tract becomes weaker and weaker, as well as increasingly toxic. You are also not digesting and absorbing the nutrients from food.

Loss of the ability to produce sufficient stomach acid, and all the consequences of this , is the first step in developing all kinds of degenerative diseases. However, the connection that this is an underlying cause of disease is seldom made.

The real solution is simple. There are natural and very effective supplements to assist digestion and help your body to repair its own digestive ability. Standard Process supplements has some of the best protocols for this type of condition.

Supplements that increase pepsin in the stomach to break down foods are first and foremost. Prebiotics help build the digestive tracts healthy bacteria for proper digestion and also helps reestablish healthy gut lining. Finally, Folic Acid B12 helps with cell replication, which will help the healing process of the gut.

There are things that can be done with the diet to help prevent acid reflux and heal from its effects. Drink 12 oz of water 30 minutes before each meal. This helps supply fluids to form sufficient amounts of gastric juices to prevent indigestion.

Eat small frequent meals throughout the day so that the stomach has time to digest all contents and do not eat more than 3 oz of a protein at a time. This is due to the fact that protein is the hardest macronutrient to digest and requires the most acid. Do not fill the stomach with large amounts of food(cannot digest well enough for this), and do not let the stomach become completely empty as burning will likely occur.

After following a specific nutritional and supplemental routine for 5 days, it is possible to start weaning off of the acid-stopping medications, with the prescribing doctors assistance. This will ensure proper absorption of protein, vitamins, and minerals, preventing degenerative processes in the future.