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Indigestion
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Introduction:A common modern problem which can be due to any number of causes from stress to poor gut flora, constipation, liver disharmony or pancreatic weakness. Indigestion can lead to reduced absorption (leaky gut), low energy levels, create lower bowel problems and a range of allergies to name but a few. Poor digestion is the seat of many ills. Nutritional Advice:Excess Acidity is going to make things worse so : Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee. Very fibrous foods can irritate. Foods that require a lot of chewing and digestion, like nuts, should be avoided for a while if these cause problems. Also avoid fried foods, cooked spices and sugar. A one day fast on pureed apple can help to soothe and calm before reintroducing gentle foods e.g. a little rice may be tolerated after the one day fast, with some cabbage juice or finely chopped and steamed cabbage. Aloe vera juice 20-50ml, 3 x daily. Avoid acidic foods except for lemons and apple cider vinegar which will help the gut enormously as they act as alkaline - they become alkaline in the stomach. Natural HealingIt is inadvisable to use drug antacids, as long term use can make the problem worse. Drug induced suppression can eventually lead to unpleasant excess acidity. Exercise is important as the gut must be encouraged to 'move' and allow digestive massage. Insufficient Digestive Juices: This is the lack of, or total absence of hydrochloric acid. The average levels stand at 3% in healthy people. Very often lack of hydrochloric acid can denote a lack of ability to absorb vitamin B12, and a deficiency of another digestive enzyme - pepsin. More and more children have low hydrochloric acid, especially those with allergies like childhood candida, asthma and eczema.
Hydrochloric acid and pepsin production can be balanced by using apple cider vinegar. Take between one and three tablespoons daily in apple juice or honey and water. Eat pineapples and papaya for extra digestive help; the bromelain in the pineapple is good at breaking down half-digested food matter and the papain in papaya digests proteins and starches and soothes the stomach as it does so. Resurrect beneficial stomach flora with acidophilus capsules and garlic, which will help digestion and immunity. Soil biotics are available from Kiki Ltd |
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