By Frank Tabino | Category: Natural remedies for health, Natural supplements, Stomach health
There is a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI). You know them as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid. The function of these drugs is to prevent your body from producing stomach acid. When used for a short period, as with the treatment of gastric ulcers, these drugs will help an ulcer patient heal. However, when used day after day, month after month and year after year, these drugs can slowly ruin your health. To make matters worse, experts believe the majority of people taking antacids, do not need them. If you or someone you know is taking antacids on a regular basis, there is a simple at-home test that you can do to determine if you really need antacids.
You’ve more than likely seen the TV commercials with “the cable guy” driving around in his monster truck, announcing to the world that he takes a certain OTC acid blocker. Americans buy 40% of all antacids sold in the entire world. Experts’ estimate that 100 million Americans have digestive problems, and it’s now crystal clear, “poor digestion lies at the root of countless health problems”. It is said, we are what we eat, but, actually, we are what we absorb.
No matter how healthy your diet may be; if your vitamins, nutrients and minerals are not being properly absorbed, you’ll get sick. Many holistic doctors consider the digestive tract as the “foundation of health”. If the digestive system is not functioning properly, then your organs, blood, nerves and muscles are not getting the nutrition they need to keep you healthy. Poor digestion is not just uncomfortable situations like gas and bloating.
Poor digestion can contribute to serious illnesses like osteoporosis and even cardiovascular disease. If your digestive process is not functioning properly, it’s only a matter of time before nutritional deficiencies start ruining your health. In addition, if you’re taking prescriptions or over-the-counter acid blockers because you think your body is over producing acid that burns and can damage your throat, you’ll be surprised to learn the real truth.
According to naturopathic physician, Dr. Douglas Mackay, “Fifty percent of antacid users were shocked to learn that they didn’t need them.” His findings are in line with national averages that show that up to 65% of people taking antacids don’t need them.
Chances are that you, or someone you know, have complained about acid reflux to a doctor. If so, there’s also a good chance that the doctor recommended a prescription or over-the-counter acid blocker without even performing tests. Unfortunately, in this antacid-guzzling society, we are making digestive problems even worse by taking antacids if we don’t need them.
According to Dr. Mackay, the symptoms of excessive acid and those of acid deficiency are the same and here’s why: Undigested food will putrefy, producing gas. Lower than normal stomach acid levels relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which allows both acidic juices and food to be regurgitated into the esophagus and/or the throat. Such is the case with many people who take prescription antacids.
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 35% of people taking prescription acid inhibitors continue to experience heartburn on a daily basis. Also, 75% of people taking prescription acid blockers are also taking over-the-counter antacids. One of the most diabolical aspects of antacid use is the more you take, the more you need. If you’re using or abusing them on a regular basis, your ability to absorb nutrients is greatly decreased, and it will eventually ruin your health.
There is a simple at-home test that can determine if you are producing too much acid. To do the test, you’ll need a digestive enzyme supplement that contains betaine HCL. I recommend Digestin. Start by taking one Digestin capsule with your first meal. If you don’t notice a warm, tingly sensation in your stomach, then take two capsules with your next meal. Continue to increase the number of capsules, one more with each meal, up to four or five. Your body will tell you when you have exceeded the amount necessary for digestion, by giving you a warm, tingly sensation in your stomach or mild heartburn.
Step two is to reduce the dosage by just one capsule and keep that supplement level for every meal. As your digestive health improves, you may need to further decrease the dosage, by one capsule, should you again get the warm, tingly sensation in your stomach or heartburn.
We are all biologically different. This simple test will help determine the level of enzymes “Your body needs to digest your meal”. If you have a sufficient amount of stomach acid, you will get a warm, tingly sensation with the first Digestin capsule. Digestin is a dual phase digestive aid. It works both in the stomach and intestines, and it contains all the enzymes needed for proper digestion
If you occasionally get heartburn after a meal, don’t reach for an antacid, reach for some Aloe Vera Juice Concentrate and take from 1-3 teaspoons. I’ve been using it for twenty years and during that time, I haven’t taken any antacid. Be careful what Aloe Vera Juice you choose. The effectiveness of Aloe Vera is measured by quality and potency (polysaccharide concentration) of the juice. I use Nutritional Solutions Aloe Vera Juice because of the guaranteed potency of 10,000 mg/L of polysaccharides
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