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INDIGESTION ANYONE?
It almost gives me heartburn to hear how many new patients come to me having
been prescribed various acid-blockers, & antacids. These are such items
as Zantec, Tagamet, Pepsid, Prilosec, Tums, Mylanta, & so on.
Unless they have clearly substantiated high acid production, an ulcer, gastritis,
or esophagitis ( inflammation of the stomach or esophagus), there is no
reason to block acid. It can even be counter-productive. Occasional use
of such products is okay, but chronic usage can lead to problems.
After 50 years of age more people suffer from the effects of low than high
acid. The digestive symptoms of low acid can be intense, with pain, even
burning pain. gas, bloating, cramping, & general indigestion. Low acid can
further predispose to bacterial & fungal overgrowth in the intestines. as
well as creating maldigestion & malabsorption leading to nutritional deficiencies
& a build up of toxic metabolites in the gut.
Your stomach acid begins the breakdown of food, especially protein. If the
digestive process does not begin correctly, it certainly cannot proceed
correctly.
Low stomach acid has more chronic consequences & is more common than high
acid, yet millions take acid blockers. Even children can have low stomach
acid & associated problems.
Over time, chronic use of acid blockers can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.
One of the first effects of the bacterial overgrowth resulting from decreased
acid is the decline of B 12. Vitamin B12 that is bound to dietary protein
needs to be released to be absorbed & utilized. This release requires the
normal secretion of hydrochloric acid & pepsin. Serum B12 levels are not
an adequate way to access B12, though many non-nutritionally oriented doctors
only test B12 in this way. A functional B12 defiency occurs before the serum
levels are low. There are tests for functional B12 deficiency such as urinary
methylmalonic acid, or plasma homocysteine to name a couple. We'll go into
more ramifications of B12 in another newsletter.
Low stomach acid also impairs iron & calcium absorption. Other effects of
the small bowel bacterial overgrowth are changes & interference with the
gall bladder produced bile salts, folic acid & protein deficiency,bacterial
degradation of carbohydrates, damage to the lining of the intestines from
bacterial enzymes, auto-toxicity, & liver & joint disease.
If you chronically have bloating, an excessive sense of fullness, gas, burning,
or indigestion soon after eating, you are a probable candidate for having
decreased stomach acid.
If you only occasionally have these symptoms, it may more likely be a food
intolerance or another cause.
Other symptoms consistent with low stomach acid are:
Diarrhea or constipation, multiple food allergies, undigested food in the
stools, rectal itching, chronic yeast or parasites, acne, dilated blood
vessels on the nose & cheeks, & weak, peeling, cracked finger nails.
Some of the illnesses associated with low stomach acid are asthma, adrenal
insufficiency, diabetes, eczema, gall bladder problems, chronic hives, psoriasis,
osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, thyroid disease, & Helicobacter
pylori overgrowth in the stomach.
Food sensitivities can commonly cause GI symptoms. My usual approach to
GI symptoms is to first check for food allergies by blood testing. See the
labs in the links at https://www.thewayup.com.
If you have a history of chronic gastrointestinal problems, & changing your
diet has not completely corrected the symptoms it is helpful to find out
how your gut is functioning.
The tests I like for measuring gut function are the Comprehensive Stool
& Digestive Analysis at https://www.gdx.net
&/or the Gastrointestinal Function Panel at Immune Science Lab.
The first does provide a stool PH measure which gives some info re acid.
Diagnos-Tech at 1-800-87-tests has Gastro Test Capsules for actually measuring
gastric PH. Your Dr would have to order these or the lab would need to give
you the name of a Dr in your area who orders their tests.
If you want to learn more about this topic see https://www.thewayup.com/books/gastro.htm.
I particularly refer you to:
HEALING DIGESTIVE DISORDERS by Andrew Gaeddert
HEARTBURN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT by James Balch M.D. & Morton Walker D.P.M.
POWER HEALING by Leo Galland M.D.
NEW HOPE FOR CHRONIC NEUROLOGIC
PAIN?
Dr Clayton Varga at The Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute at 626-403-6250
is calling for participants in a clinical trial for the treatment of chronic
neuropathic & malignant pain. Some with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy who
have contacted me may want to have your Dr look into this.
If you know anyone who might like to receive this newsletter, please forward
to them.
I appreciate your requests & feedback re topics & will eventually hope to
address them all.
Wishing you all that you desire! Until next month.
Priscilla Slagle M.D.
"All healing is release from the past."
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