Digest Some Digestion Tips

Seems like the public has been brainwashed in the last several decades to think that digestive acids produced by the stomach are the root of digestive problems. Antacid tablets and liquids have been around for years. Now the latest supposed remedy for stomach problems is the "acid blockers" that have been advertised so heavily on television and in magazines. They have become one of the best-selling over-the-counter drug categories in history. Some of the advertisements even claim they can stop the production of stomach acid for up to 12 hours.

The question is, how will food get digested without stomach acid. The answer is, it won't, which leads to three problems for people who use acid blockers. The problems get worse the longer ou use one of these drugs.

Firstly, proteins won't be broken down properly and certain minerals won't be absorbed, because they require stomach acid for this process. When these improperly digested substances reach the intestines, gas-forming bacteria multiply quicker than election-year promises, leading to a serious gas problem.

Secondly, low stomach acid eventually causes a protein deficiency. Your body then robs protein from joint surfaces and transports it to areas where it's needed, leading to possible arthritis.

Thirdly, a lack of stomach acid also impairs the digestion and assimilation of calcium, which can result in many problems, including muscle cramps and osteoporosis.

There is a simple way to stop this problem and that is to eat the protein foods at the beginning of the meal. Most of us in this U.S. eat a salad as the first part of a meal. The carbohydrates that make up the salad require no hydrochloric acid for digestion. Nevertheless, the stomach dumps all the hydrochloric acid in to begin with. Then when the protein food (meat, fish, beans, cheese, etc.) needs the acid, there's none left. So always eat the vegetable salad either with the protein food (with meal) or after, but not before.

If this is still not enough to stop the problem, you may need to help your stomach out by taking some hydrochloric acid in the form of betaine hydrochloride tablets. One really important point to remember here is to take one or two tablets after you eat. Whatever you do, don't take them before or during the meal, which will shut off your natural acid production. Instead, you want your stomach to produce and secrete as much acid as it can first, then you can add the additional acid needed.

Once your digestive tract is re-acidified, the next step in improving your digestion is to provide a proper digestive enzyme. Many supplements are available so you should not have any trouble finding one but remember a good product will include acids and enzymes very similar to the ones produced by the stomach. You want to look for pepsin and betaine hydrochloride on the label. It should also include enzymes commonly produced by the pancreas, as well as the enzymes present in bile from the gallbladder.

An all-purpose digestive enzyme is bromelain. It's a combination of protein-digesting enzymes that come from the and stems of the pineapple. When taken shortly after a meal, bromelain can relieve an upset stomach or heartburn. In addition, brmelain is an effective anti-inflammatory.The German Commission E (Germany's equivalent to the U.S. FDA) has approved it for healing after surgery or injury. It can reduce swelling, bruising, pain and improve healing time.