Nutrition and Indigestion
When a person is in a stressed state, the body is programmed to shove blood and energy away from the digestive tract in favor of the skeletal muscles and brain. Learning to calm the mind and body is extremely important in relieving stress and improving digestion.
Indigestion - This word is used to describe a feeling of fullness, gaseousness in the abdomen, and heartburn. Indigestion can be attributed to many causes, from increased secretion of acid, decreased secretion of acid, to enzyme deficiency. The stomach's optimal pH range is 1.5 to 2.5, with hydrochloric acid being the primary stomach acid. The use of antacids (prescription and over the counter) increases the stomach pH to 3.5. The pH increase inhibits the action of pepsin, an enzyme involved in protein digestion that can be irritating to the stomach. Even though taking antacids relieved the symptoms, people have to keep in mind that hydrochloric acid and pepsin are very important in digestion. When the secretion is not enough or hindered, proper digestion and mineral dissociation will not occur. The change in pH can affect gut microbial flora, including the overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection of the gut. A person with chronic indigestion needs a natural medicine evaluation.
Other Digestion Factors
Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency
Both physical and laboratory tests can be used to assess pancreatic insufficiency include abdominal bloating and discomfort, gas, indigestion, and the passing of undigested food in the stool. Impaired digestion, malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies and abdominal discomfort characterize it. Pancreatic enzymes are most effective for pancreatic insufficiency.
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
The upper portion of the human small intestine is designed to be relatively free of bacteria. The reason is when bacteria are present in significant concentrations in the duodenum and jejunum; they compete with their host for nutrition. The bacteria can ferment the carbohydrates and produce excessive gas, bloating, and abdominal distension. At our clinic we perform careful evaluation for small intestine for bacterial overgrowth.
NEWS: Black Tea Can Lower Cholesterol
In the October 2003 Journal of Nutrition, U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers published their findings from a study in which research participants drank five cups of black tea every day for three weeks. The study found that the participants lowered their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Dr. Hauser Comments: I admit that I had my two cups of coffee today. I go back and forth on this issue. ‘Natural' drinks like coffee and tea have many healthy chemicals in them. In fact, coffee has been shown to decrease the incidence of Parkinson's disease, and now black tea has been shown to lower bad cholesterol (LDL). As long as you are not dependent on the caffeine buzz from black tea or coffee, you may drink either of them in moderation.
Nutrition and Infection
Ross Hauser, M.D.
For a long time, natural medicine doctors have suspected that infections or allergies are responsible for autoimmune diseases. By eliminating the allergen and infection, an autoimmune disease can be put into remission. Anyone with rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or any suspected autoimmune disease should have comprehensive allergy (food, inhalant, chemical) and infection testing. Based on the results of this testing, we can prescribe the appropriate antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral medication and immune stimulating herbs, and your condition can be helped tremendously!
NEWS: Vitamin E May Reduce Risk Of Stomach and Esophagus Cancer
In the September 17, 2003, publication of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Chinese researchers found that high blood levels of alpha-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk for stomach and esophageal cancers. However, high levels of alpha-tocopherol may increase the risk of gastric noncardia cancer, another form of stomach cancer.
Dr. Hauser’s take: For people desiring to prevent cancer, vitamin E is a good supplement, but you need to make sure that it is comprehensive vitamin E. Comprehensive vitamin E complex consists of alpha, gamma, and delta tocopherol. If the label on your vitamin E only says alpha tocopherol, the vitamin E not comprehensive and may be injuring your health (see above findings on how alpha tocopherol levels increase the risk for certain cancers). Regularly taking comprehensive Vitamin E can thin your blood, act as a strong antioxidant, and have some anti-cancer effects. Comprehensive vitamin E should be on everyone's supplement list!
NEWS: VITAMINS CAN SAVE ON HEALTH COSTS
Reported October 2, 2003
A study by The Lewin Group for Wyeth Consumer Health, in an attempt to find ways to cut health care costs, says that if the elderly take a multi-vitamin every day, billions would be saved in health care costs.
Dr. Hauser's Comment: For years I have been talking politics with my patients, and I always tell them that the way to improve the health care system in the United States is to make it a health care system, not an illness system. The above study is on the right track, but I would add the following:
Everyone in the United States – including children – takes a multivitamin every day. This could very easily be supplied by the government (no fillers, no dyes, hypoallergenic).
Everyone in the United States is made aware of the correct Food Pyramid. They eat very few grains, and the bulk of their diet is vegetables and vegetable products like tofu/soy/nuts/seeds.
Everyone is told that they need an hour of exercise a day. Schools give children an hour of exercise each day.
Fast food options are eliminated from schools and children are offered balanced meals, emphasizing vegetables and protein.
Everyone has a natural medicine specialist as their primary care doctor.
Do the above and billions of people and billions of dollars in health care costs will be saved!
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