This Is Why A Healthy Digestive System Is So Important

Our digestive system is bigger than you may think. It doesn’t just encompass the stomach; it begins in the mouth and ends in the anus. That means that symptoms caused by a poor digestive system can occur in many, many areas of the body.

At least 50% of Americans experience heartburn (also known as acid reflux) at least once per month. but that’s just one of many symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system. Others include gas, bloating, constipation, and indigestion, which can lead to brain fog, depression, skin rashes, acne, sore and achy joints, eczema, and anxiety.

It starts with healthy stomach digestion

In order for food to properly digest, the pH in your stomach needs to be very acidic, ranging from 1.0 to 2.0. Basically, it should be about as acidic as battery acid. That’s vital for your digestive system for many reasons:

• Begins the process of protein breakdown

• Kills food-borne viruses, bacteria, and parasites

• Creates a hostile environment for yeast overgrowth

• Better metabolizes vitamins B12 and C, as well as minerals, iron, calcium, magnesium

• Helps support digestion and absorption of carbs, fats, and vitamins A and E by stimulating the release of enzymes from the pancreas and bile into the small intestine for the next stage of digestion

Common causes of heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD

Heartburn is that burning sensation behind the breastbone that travels up to the throat. GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is diagnosed when heartburn or acid reflux occurs at least twice a week, interferes with your daily life, or causes damage to your esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus is when the esophagus has been exposed to stomach acid for so long that the cells change their structure. If left untreated, individuals with Barrett’s esophagus are susceptible to cancer of the esophagus. These are some of the causes of digestive system discomfort:

• Not chewing your food properly or too quickly: Stomach acid is suppressed when we’re stressed or rushing through a meal.

• Consuming food depleted of enzymes and nutrients: Pre-cooked, pre-packaged, and processed foods - all staples in the American diet - compromise the health of our digestive system and encourages the onset of symptoms. The enzymes and nutrients in clean, whole foods help with pre-digestion.

• Hiatal hernia: a condition where the esophagus pushes upward into the lower part of the stomach.

• Medications: Antibiotics, antidepressants, nitroglycerin, NSAIDs, and pills for high blood pressure and anxiety compromise the health of your digestive system

• Low stomach acid: This is the number one reason for heartburn and GERD in my opinion! Low stomach acid production is quite prevalent and especially common as we age. By the age of 40, 40% of people have low stomach acid. By 60 years of age, that number jumps to 50%. By 80, the figure rockets to 90%. Yikes!

You’ve been lead to believe that too much stomach acid is the cause of heartburn or GERD. But the reality is that the stomach acid leaking into your throat is just a symptom of something bigger. The most common symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite for meat and other high protein foods

• Bad breath and body odor

• Difficulty digesting fruits and vegetables

• Sense of fullness after meals

• Acid indigestion

• GERD

• Bloating

• Depression

• Osteoporosis

• Anxiety

• Acne

• Autoimmune disease

• Stomach acid relieved by food

• Gas shortly after eating

• Acid and upset stomach caused by spicy foods

• Desire to eat when not hungry

• Hoarseness, constant need to clear your throat

• Frequent belching

• H. Pylori

• Constipation

• Anemia

• Memory loss

• Decreased immune system

• Food sensitivities

• Yeast and bacteria overgrowth

Getting to the root cause of your digestive system problems instead of masking symptoms

The human body is an amazing machine. The symptoms we experience are your body’s way of telling you something isn’t working right. Using Nutrition Response Testing , I can discover what’s wrong and create a nutrition program to fix the underlying problem for good. A nutrition program that gets to the root cause of your heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD can last a lifetime with only one side effect: increased health and well-being.