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Reflux, GERD, Heartburn
Heartburn is basically a condition where gastric
juices back up into the esophagus, causing a burning
sensation which radiates upward. It is also
called Reflux and when chronic GERD (Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease).
Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from
your mouth to your stomach. Normally, a muscle
(valve) at the end of your esophagus closes after food is
delivered into the stomach.
Reflux happens when
this valve does not close properly which allows the stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the
esophagus and irritate it.
Symptoms:
You may feel a burning in the chest or throat,
nausea, upper abdominal pain (usually after meals)
flatulence and belching (gas), abdominal distension
after eating, a sense of fullness after eating. Sometimes, you can taste stomach
fluid in the back of the mouth. This is what is
referred to as "acid
indigestion."
If you have these symptoms more than
twice a week, it is called GERD. GERD which can be
accompanied by hoarseness or wheezing, painful or
difficult swallowing, vomiting, dramatic weight loss,
with increased severity of symptoms over time.
Why doesn't the valve close
properly?
The valve on top of
stomach is controlled by the pH of the stomach or the
acidity of the stomach acid. The stomach acid must be
1- 3 pH for this to work properly. If the stomach is too
alkaline (not acid), it will not close and the acid will splash
up. Alkaline means that it is not the correct pH
needed by the stomach to digest food. Stomach
acid needs to be very acidic.
Have you ever taken
antacids for stomach problems, did it help? If
not, it
is most likely because the stomach was not too acid,
but was not acid enough.
Why is the Stomach
Important? - Digestion
Digestion
is necessary to extract nutrients from the food you
eat. The stomachs job is to digest the
nutrients. The stomach breaks down protein and
the collagen in the protein.
It breaks down food
into amino acids which are necessary to build the
body. This also makes neurotransmitters and hormones.
Pepsin enzyme is
needed to digest protein and the collagen in the
protein. Enzymes are only triggered by the low
1-3 pH.
The stomach is also
necessary for the absorption of minerals.
Advantages to low
pH:
A low pH of the
stomach acid is necessary for the release of bile.
Bile is necessary for the absorption of fat soluble
vitamins and will cause a deficiency of these vitamins
if they are not absorbed.
Low pH is necessary
for the release of pancreatic enzymes. When you put food
in your mouth, the pancreas gets enzymes ready for digestion
Low pH is necessary
for the full absorption of minerals.
The low pH also kills
off potential microbes. This stops these
microbes from getting into the intestine to infect
you.
Symptoms of low stomach
acid (or low pH)
Indications
of faulty digestion is inflammatory conditions of the
bowel, trouble with ligaments which effect skin tone,
joints, connective tissue and ligaments on the bladder
and arteries.
Gas (not fruit or beans)
means not enough acid.
Faulty
digestion and you can wake up dizzy, have back pain,
shoulder pain, not being able to see, dried esophagus. It is needed to absorb B12, cramps due to
breakdown in collagen and craving salt.
Lack of
absorption of minerals: The first symptom is
cramps in the lower calf.
What are the causes of not enough acid in the
stomach?
Low
sodium (creates alkaline stomach)
Aging -
stomach acid gets more alkaline
Antacids
- You can think the pain in your stomach is too much
acid, but it can be too little acid and incompletely
digested food due to that. As above the stomach acid
has to be very acid to digest the food.
What
do you need to do?
The body
needs sodium and other minerals.
When
there is high blood pressure and edema from the
increase of sodium you need to increase the opposing
mineral - potassium. Increase in potassium and
sodium is necessary for the adrenals to
recharge.
Basically,
you need to
acidify the body.
See
educational video by Dr. Berg - REFLUX
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Dr. Berg's Digest Formula
The importance of stomach acids has not been focused on enough. The correct pH (acid level) for the stomach should be between 1 to 3. This is VERY acidic, but is necessary to break down proteins, collagen, absorb minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, etc.) and B12 as well as to help kill off unfriendly microbes before entering the intestines. A strong acid stomach is also necessary to help release bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas.
Gallbladder Formula
Gallbladder Formula contains natural ingredients to help break down gallstones and provide bile salts for bloating and digestive stress.
This product has a blend of gallbladder targeted nutrients to thin bile, reduce digestive stress, break down stones and improve the digestion of fats. Most digestive drugs work by reducing acid and this natural product enhances the bile, a commonly omitted factor.
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STILL
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