When Tummy Troubles Strike

By Marilyn Zink

Holiday season is looming and with it comes all those tempting treats that add inches to our waist line.

By January, if you overdue it, you may be feeling sluggish and the digestive system isn't working so great, This can lead to a host of other problems.
Those problems could be indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, gas, abdominal bloating, constipation or diarrhea and parasites. For some people, there are more serious problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease (gluten intolerance), other food allergies, chronic candidiasis, colitis or Crohn's disease.

The digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, throat, esophagus and intestines), the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. All of these need to work properly for the digestive system to operate smoothly and efficiently.

Many people are quick to reach for antacids when they experience indigestion. They may also be quick to reach for the laxatives when the bowels aren't working properly. These are just band-aid solutions and are hiding the real cause of digestive disturbances.

Taking antacids will typically raise the stomach's pH above. 3.5 and inhibit pepsin, an enzyme involved in protein digestion. The stomach's optimal pH range is 1.5 to 2.5 with hydrochloric acid being the primary stomach acid. If the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin is inhibited by antacids, proper protein digestion will not occur, which will adversely affect gut microbial flora. So antacids should be used sparingly, if at all.

Leaky Gut
Perhaps you've heard of the term 'leaky gut,' but what does it mean? A leaky gut occurs with the presence of food allergies often caused by parasites in the small intestine. This causes the intestinal barrier to become leaky and very large molecules that are not normally absorbed find their way into the body. In other words, the poisons are going back into your bloodstream and body. This overwhelms the immune system and increases the likelihood of developing additional allergies and also increases the allergic compounds that trigger asthma.

Conditions Associated with Poor Digestion
There are many conditions caused by poor digestion, leaky gut and constipation. Asthma and other respiratory conditions play a role. Skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema and dermatitis are connected to poor digestion.

Low gastric acidity can cause diseases such as celiac disease, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, graves disease, hepatitis, Chronic hives, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid arthritis and the above-mentioned skin conditions.

What You Can Do
There are some steps you can take immediately to help improve digestive problems. Two of these come to mind easily.

Pro-Biotics
Increase the amount of friendly flora in your intestine by taking pro-biotics such as acidophilus. This can help reduce the 'leaky gut' syndrome.

Digestive Enzymes
Another step to is to take digestive enzymes before a meal. Many people lose enzymes as they age and their levels of hydrochloric acid decrease.

Get Rid of Parasites
Parasites can play a big role in poor digestion and often eliminating them can make a big difference. Symptoms of a parasitic infection are; abdominal pain and cramps, constipation, depresses secretory IgA, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, flatulence, food allergy, foul-smelling stools, gastritis, headaches, hives, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), indigestion, irregular bowel movements, irritable bowel syndrome, loss of appetite, low back pain, malabsorption and weight loss.

Clean the Colon
The statement 'good health begins in the colon' has much wisdom in it. Some people get colon hydrotherapy done and find their skin clears up and their energy improves. Others take herbal products, increase their intake of green foods and fiber and drink plenty of water. If you have colitis or Crohn's disease, you should avoid natural laxatives such as senna and cascara sagrada.

Build Your Immunity
Just consuming four ounces of sugar (glucose, fructose, sucrose or honey) can significantly reduce the ability of white blood cells to destroy foreign particles. Effects start within 30 minutes and last for over five hours, causing a 50% reduction in the ability of white blood cells to destroy and engulf foreign particles. Avoid sugar and you'll stay healthy. Supplement with Vitamin C, E and B complex. Herbs to use include Echinacea and Astragalus.

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