(Gastritis, heartburn, indigestion)

This is an extremely complex subject, since there are many disorders possible. Symptoms include swelling and bloating accompanied by gas, pain, burning, irritation, pain in the oesophagus, belching, nausea and headache. Vomiting may sometimes occur. Disorders in the colon, such as diarrhoea and constipation, frequently arise from disorders of digestion.

The Digestive System

Put very simply, the digestive system works as follows:

Digestion starts in the mouth, where chewing breaks down the food into small pieces, and the release of amylase starts digestion of starches.

In the stomach, hydrochloric acid is released and dissolves the food, allowing it to flow easily from the stomach into the duodenum, and also partially breaks down the protein into smaller molecules, ready for the protein-digesting enzymes to work on further along the system.

In the duodenum (small intestine), bile is released from the liver via the gallbladder, and other digestive enzymes flow from the pancreas. These are designed to complete the breakdown of starches, proteins and fats into their component parts.

It is in the oesophagus that symptoms arise which cause most misconcep­tions and misdiagnoses about digestive problems. The hydrochloric acid released into the stomach is so powerful that if you were to put your finger in it, the flesh would be removed in minutes. This does not normally cause a problem, because mucus is continually produced, which protects the stomach wall.

When there is insufficient hydrochloric acid production in the stomach, the food is not liquefied sufficiently, and is delayed in leaving the stomach. The highly acid condition normal to the stomach destroys any microbes that might be present, but in low acid conditions, they are able to survive and begin to ferment the stomach contents, producing gas, which pushes the food back up the oesophagus. This is called oesophageal reflux.

The stomach contents, although not acid enough for proper digestive function, are sufficiently acid to burn the unprotected wall of the oesophagus.

The solution is obvious; administer antacids to remove the remaining acidity. WRONG. This approach relieves symptoms in the short term, but used on a regular basis it disturbs the body’s acid/alkaline balance. In addition, digestive efficiency is greatly impaired, causing reduction in nutrient absorption. It will also cause incomplete breakdown of proteins in the digestive system, causing the body to react to these “invading” substances by producing inflammatory and other reactions.

Causes of Digestive Disorders

A) Dietary

Much in the modern diet contributes to digestive problems, and putting dietary mistakes right can cure a high proportion of these disorders. The main mistakes are as follows:

Intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates

Food intake causes a rapid secretion of gastric acid. In normal, unrefined meals with a reasonable amount of protein, fibre absorbs some of the acid, and protein buffers most of the rest during its partial digestion. Sugars contain no fibre or protein, and leave acid unbuffered and potentially harmful.

Excessively large meals

If a meal is too big, the production of gastric acid and digestive enzymes may simply not be enough to cope with that meal. This will cause food to enter the duodenum less digested than it should be. Fermentation and gas production will result.

Too-frequent meals

We usually advise more frequency of eating than the traditional three meals per day, which usually are eaten at intervals of 5 to 6 hours. However, the common habit of “grazing” or having snacks every hour or so doesn’t allow the system to settle itself down after each meal, and the whole system becomes disturbed. We recommend intervals of three to four hours between meals.

Insufficient chewing of food

This will inhibit digestion of food, both in the mouth and in the duodenum.

Gastric irritants

Refined carbohydrates, sugar and other acid-forming foods such as pepper, curry, coffee, alcohol and salt cause excess acidity without aiding digestion as does gastric acid. This irritates the mucous membranes.

Fried foods

These are difficult to digest, particularly if deep fried.

Food intolerance and allergy

A fair number of digestive problems are caused by intolerance to certain foods, including milk and milk products, wheat, citrus fruits and tomatoes.

B) Drugs

Drugs such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can cause erosion of the stomach wall, gastritis and even ulcers. These drugs should be used as little as possible.

Treatment

Diet

¨    Avoid all the dietary mistakes listed above. Initially, also eliminate all milk and wheat products, citrus fruits and juices and tomatoes.

¨    Artificial preservatives, colourings and flavourings must be avoided.

¨    Avoid sweets, fizzy drinks, biscuits and cakes.

¨    Eat more fruit, vegetables and unrefined grains.

Supplements

Nutritional

¨      Vitamin A; 7500iu per day.

¨      B Complex; 50-75mg strength complex per day.

¨      Vitamin C (use buffered C if sensitive); 2x1000mg per day.

¨      Vitamin E; 400iu per day.

Other

¨      Betaine HCl if underacid; not to be used if peptic ulcers are present.

¨      Pancreatic enzymes

¨      Bromelain

¨      Papaya Enzyme

Note

It has been found that a particular type of liquorice, deglycyrrhised liquorice, has more potent anti-irritant effects on the upper digestive tract than anything else we know. Slow chewing of tablets of this herb is particularly effective.

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