Date:   12/31/2005 1:30:53 PM ( 19 y ago)
Hits:   6,890
URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=560431

Natural Treatments for Hypochlorhydria (one symptom of this is bad breath)

Americans now spend approximately $3 billion a year on over-the-
counter heartburn drugs, according to the American Pharmacists
Association.

But there's a lesser known, frequently overlooked condition called
hypochlorhydria, when the stomach doesn't produce enough acid.

What are the signs and symptoms of hypochlorhydria?

* gas, bloating, burping after meals

* sluggish digestion - food seems to sit in the stomach after meals.

* heartburn not due to excess acidity

* bad breath - undigested meat protein putrefies in the intestines,
producing foul-smelling odor.

* upset stomach, diarrhea

* iron deficiency

* low energy

* weak, brittle, or peeling nails

* dilated capillaries in the cheeks and nose

* dry and thin hair and skin

* acne

People with hypochlorhydria often say that they feel hungry all the
time. Food isn't being properly digested, and absorption of nutrients
is impaired, triggering hunger.

How common is hypochlorhydria?

More common than you might think. It's estimated that 10 to 15% of
the population have hypochlohydria.

Stomach acid production naturally declines with age beginning in the
mid thirties. By the time people reach their fifties, some doctors
who treat this condition say that the percentage of people with this
condition is closer to 50%.

While it's undisputed that production of stomach acid slows with age,
most conventional doctors don't test for or know how to treat this
condition.

Why is stomach acid important?

Stomach acid plays a vital role in maintaining good health. Let's
take a look at some of the functions these gastric juices have:

* Stomach acid is needed to digest protein. The acid activates an
enzyme, pepsin, which breaks down the protein we eat. If there is
insufficient stomach acid, hair, skin, and nails become weak and
deficiencies of vital hormones, enzymes, and neurotransmitters can
result.

* Stomach acid stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes.
Stomach acid mixes with the food we eat and it's this acidity that
triggers the pancrease to release digestive enzymes lipase (to digest
fat), amylase (to digest crabohydrates), and protease (to further
digest protein). If there is hypochlorhydria, digestion of fat and
carbohydrates are also impaired, resulting in bloating, indigestion,
and deficiency of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K.

*Stomach acid helps keep the digestive tract free of unwanted
bacteria and yeast. Hypochlorhydria can lead to bacterial overgrowth
and candida yeast infection, resulting in poor digestion, bloating,
IBS-like symptoms, fatigue, and chronic yeast infections.

* Stomach acid is needed to absorb minerals. One clue to doctors is
low iron, even though the person gets enough in their diet. Other
minerals that rely on stomach acid to be absorbed are calcium and
zinc. Chronic malabsorption of these minerals can manifest as low
bone density and increased susceptibility to colds and flu.

The stomach glands that produce acid also produce intrinsic factor, a
substance needed to absorb vitamin B12. Symptoms of vitamin B12
deficiency are depression, fatigue.

What causes hypochlorhydria?

* bacterial infection (h pylori)

* aging

* adrenal fatigue

* chronic stress

* alcohol consumption

Related conditions

Because food isn't being properly digested and nutrients aren't
absorbed, hypochlohydria is believed to contribute to the onset of
many diseases, including: Chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune
Diseases, rosacea, vitiligo, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia,
asthma, adrenal fatigue, chronic hepatitis, celiac disease, chronic
thyroiditis, diabetes, eczema, food allergies , gastritis, Graves
disease, hepatitis, hives, lupus, osteoporosis, pernicious Anemia,
psoriasis, thyrotoxicosis, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis
(MS), and Rheumatoid Arthritis .

How is hypochlorhydria diagnosed?

If you think you may have hypochlorhydria, it's important to receive
a proper diagnosis, because hypochlorhydria can be confused with
hyperacidity and gastric ulcers, conditions at the opposite end of
the spectrum.

The Heidelberg Gastric Analysis test is considered one of the most
accurate. It's also one of the most expensive tests. The Heidelberg
test involves swallowing a vitamin-sized capsule containing a pH
meter and radio transmitter. The patient then drinks a solution of
water and bicarbonate of soda, which normally stimulates the release
of stomach acid. The pH is transmitted to a receiver that is placed
on the outside of a person's body near the stomach, and the
fluctuations in pH are plotted on a graph, called a gastrogram. After
the test, the capsule passes through the digestive tract and is
excreted.

The gastro test is a simple, less expensive version of the
Heidelberg. It's also less accurate. The gastro test involves
swallowing a vitamin-sized capsule containing pH string. Holding the
end of the string, the patient swallows the capsule, which dissolves
as it makes its way down the esophagus until it the opposite end is
in the stomach. After 10 to 15 minutes, the end of the string that
the patient is holding is gently pulled until the entire length of
the string is removed. The end that was in the stomach is compared to
a color key to measure the pH. It should be in the acid range.
Neutral pH is a sign of hypochlorhydria. This may also be combined
with a baking soda challenge.

* Chew thoroughly - One of the most simple things you can do to
lessen the job of your digestive juices is to chew your food
thoroughly.

* Multivitamin - Because hypochlorhydria can cause malabsorption of
many vitamins and minerals, it's important to take a good
multivitamin/mineral supplement.

* B complex - An extra B complex supplement may be necessary for
some. Vitamins B1 and B5 help to repair the stomach glands, vitamin
B3 helps increase acid release, and folic acid and vitamin B12 are
often deficient in someone with hypochlorhydria.

* Bitter herbs - Bitter herbs stimulate the secretion of stomach acid
and digestive enzymes. Examples of bitter herbs are gentian and
dandelion. To have the full effect, they must be taken in liquid form
(vs. capsule), because it's the bitterness that triggers the release
of the digestive juices. Add up to 3 ml of the herb tincture to room
temperature or warm water and sip. Drink 15 to 30 minutes before
eating. Another option is to buy a herbal tea containing bitter herbs
and drink one cup before eating.

* Digestive Enzymes - Look for a blend that includes lipase to digest
fat, protease to digest protein, and amylase to digest carbohydrates.

* Betaine Hydrochloride - Look for a capsule (not tablet) that
contains both betaine hydrochloride and pepsin. It should be taken at
the start of a meal, and the dose depends on the size of the meal. I
only recommend taking this under the supervision of a health care
practitioner, because too much can lead to stomach bleeding or ulcers
even in the absence of symptoms. Betaine hydrochloride also should
not be taken by people taking cortisone, NSAIDS, or aspirin. People
who have peptic ulcer disease or abdominal pain also shouldn't take
betaine hydrochloride. If abdominal pain, burning, discomfort, dark
stools occur, it should be discontinued immediately.

* Herbal antimicrobial- If there is bacterial or yeast overgrowth (a
typical symptom is bloating after eating carbohydrates) grapefruit
seed extract, clove, peppermint may help eradicate unwanted bacteria
and yeast.

* Ginger Tea - Ginger aids digestion and elimination, and reduces
bloating. In Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine,
ginger is a digestive tonic. Learn how to make ginger tea.



 

<< Return to the standard message view

fetched in 0.03 sec, referred by http://www.curezone.org/forums/fmp.asp?i=560431