Overview
Indigestion
is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition of its
own. Also called dyspepsia, it is defined as a persistent or recurrent pain or
discomfort in the upper abdomen. Ongoing indigestion can lead food allergies,
osteoporosis, anemia, degenerative disease and a debilitated immune system.
Symptoms
Gas,
abdominal pain, a bloated feeling, rumbling noises, belching, nausea and
possibly a burning feeling. Sometimes vomiting.
Causes
Poor dietary habits and stress are primary causes of this problem. Other causes
include (1) overeating, eating too fast, not chewing food well, eating when fatigued. (2) Too much cooked food and not enough fresh food, not enough fiber in the
diet. (3) Partaking of coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol, and using nicotine. (4) Eating foods you are allergic to. (5) Eating when nervous, distressed, angry, fearful, etc. (6)
A lack of hydrochloric acid (achlorhydria), which means
protein food will not be digested correctly. (7)A lack of digestive enzymes, which keeps vitamins and
minerals from being used properly. (8) Other causes include peptic ulcers. Intestinal obstruction can lead to indigestion. If the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder are not functioning properly, it is more difficult
for the body to digest food.
If food does
not digest properly, it tends to ferment in the intestines. This produces
hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas, which causes bloating and pain.
Treatment and other
natural remedies to help you
A.Proper diet and nutrients to undergo
in order to get rid of the problem.
1.Drink carrot and beet juice
2.A primary cause in older people is achlorhydria (low
hydrochloric acid production). Take natural digestive aids, such as papain from
papaya or bromolain from pineapple.
3.Papaya contains the digestive enzyme, called papain; and
fresh pineapple contains bromelain. Or take papain and bromelain tablets. These
are proteolytics which break down protein.
4.Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are needed.
5.If foods, such as cabbage, cucumbers, onions, radishes,
or turnips are foods which cause indigestion, an aftertaste usually identifies the problem food.
6.Eat more live (raw) foods rather than primarily heavy
cooked items. Fresh, raw foods are rich in enzymes that help digest and assimilate
the nutrients. But those enzymes are destroyed when heated over 120o
F. All processed foods have been heated above 120o F.
7.Be sure to include enough fiber in your meal. Otherwise
you are more likely to have constipation, with consequent absorption of toxin
backup into the system.
8.Include trace minerals
in the diet (in Norway kelp and Nova Scotia dulse)
9.Obtain adequate vitamin and mineral supplementation. If you are having a
difficult time absorbing your food, you need to maintain those nutrients all
the more.
10.Some people have an excess of hydrochloric acid in their
stomachs, and they do best eating a little protein, such as a few raw nuts, to start the meal. This gives the stomach acid something to work on right away.
B.Useful and helpful
herbs to help you get relief
1.English bitters
are very helpful. Take them before each meal. (These are bitter herbs)
2.To soothe the stomach, end a meal with a cup of chamomile
tea.
3.Peppermint tea can relieve indigestion. The German government
recommends it for this purpose. Angelica root tea is also good for this
purpose. Take 2-3 tsp. dried herb, per cup of boiling water, or up to 1 tsp. of
tincture. Other helpful herbs include coriander, marjoram, catnip, fennel and ginger. Mint tea calms the stomach.
C.The foods and other
things to avoid to prevent indigestion
1.Avoid greasy foods or foods containing meat. Eliminate
meat entirely. It is very hard to digest; and it frequently has bacteria and
parasites.
2.Do not use alcohol,
vinegar or caffeine. Avoid spicy, refined or greasy foods; these promote
indigestion.
3.Food allergies,
such as lactose (milk) intolerance, can also cause it; so
locate and eliminate those foods from diet. Avoid foods which tend to bother
you. Take the pulse test in order to determine yours.
4.Do not eat heavily of legumes, especially lentils, peanuts
and soybeans. They contain a
substance which slows down certain digestive enzymes.
5.Eat fewer gas-producing foods, such as cabbage and
cauliflower. Avoid eating these food combinations together at the same meal:
milk and sugar, fruits and vegetables, sugar and protein.
6.Do not drink out of bottles, cans or through straws. Do
not chew gum or suck on hard candies. Do not drink carbonated
beverages.
7.Avoid foods which have lots of air in them, such as
carbonated drinks, beer, soufflés, omelets, whipped cream and ice cream.
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