The Digestion System, Health and HCL

Misunderstanding and lack of concern for the proper operation of the digestive system causes many diseases. The decline of the digestive system, as we age, contributes to all diseases and hastens ageing. Diseases of the digestive system are the second most common illnesses in the United States.

Many people are literally starving to death because of improper digestion. Reasons for digestive malfunction include bad eating habits, eating the wrong combination of foods, and drinking too much liquid with meals.

Digestion starts in the mouth with proper chewing, and the mixing of food with saliva. The salivary glands start the complex and lengthy process. These glands are found in and around the mouth and throat. The major salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. These glands perform a series of vital functions.

The watery secretions contain variable amounts of mucus, enzymes (principally salivary amylase) and antibacterial enzyme lysozyme, lactoferrin, and IgA (antibodies). All these processes are vital to kick start the digestion process. Other important functions of the salivary glands include preventing tooth decay and detoxifying most food poisoning.

As we age, we may encounter more digestive problems. The most common thing that goes wrong with our digestion as we age—and the root of many digestive problems—is a condition known as hypochlorhydria. This is very simply the underproduction of hydrochloric acid, or stomach acid. Hypochlorhydria is quite common and becomes more prevalent with age. It occurs in about 15 percent of the population. Among people who are worried enough about symptoms to see a doctor, 50 percent are diagnosed with it. By age 40, 40 percent of the population is affected, and by age 60, 50 percent. A person over age 40 who visits a doctor's office has about a 90 percent probability of having hypochlorhydria.

If the stomach were not protected by mucus, hydrochloric acid (HCL) would burn the stomach lining. This powerful acid protects us from harmful bacteria-what we may ingest with foods is fried by this strong acid. HCL also helps keep the three pounds of bacteria found in the colon from moving up into the small intestine. If this happens, "bad" bacteria and yeast can establish a foothold in the intestine, resulting in less than optimum absorption of nutrients and inflamed intestines.

HCL is paramount in our digestive process. It begins the digestion of protein and stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes and bile. Without enough of these two substances, we cannot adequately digest or absorb carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When we don't digest foods properly we don't get the nutrition we need. Badly digested foods continue through the digestive tract. Some of the larger molecules flow through the intestine into the bloodstream. These larger molecules are seen as invaders by the immune system and are attacked. The result is food allergies.

It is estimated that 80 percent of patients with food allergies suffer from some degree of impaired hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach. Foods linger for much longer than they should in the digestive system, resulting in an overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria in the small intestine and colon. When these bad bacteria begin to outnumber the good bacteria, a condition known, as dysbiosis exists. According to Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.C.N., in her book, Digestive Wellness, dysbiosis may result in such diverse conditions as arthritis, autoimmune disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema, food allergies and food sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. In other words, a shortage of HCL can have dire consequences.

Correcting Hydrochloric Acid Production will have broad-spectrum results in preventing and curing many body malfunctions, which are incorrectly called disease.

One of the biggest mistakes of Allopathic medicine is that of prescribing anti-acids for acid stomach problems. All foods will produce an "over acid" condition within the stomach if the production of hydrochloric acid is inadequate. Regular and continuous use of anti-acids (and many other drugs) will cause a breakdown in body chemistry by blocking the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals, blocking B12 and Folic Acid thus causing a decline in the production of red blood cells, the destruction of the immune system, and destruction of overall health.

Inadequate production of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells in the stomach is the result of damaged cells or lack of nutrients. Supplementing with glutamine, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, duodenum concentrate, and vitamins A and B5 (pantothenic acid) can help repair the acid secreting cells.

No matter what the pharmaceutical companies would like us to believe, use of antacids in any form can lead to health degeneration and disease. Many people with food allergies have impaired digestion. Incomplete digestion of food, which then passes through a leaky gut into the bloodstream, is a major contributing factor to food allergies.

What can we do to improve our digestion and correct digestive problems? If the stage one, chewing, saliva, and salivary gland enzyme production fails, likely stage two will be inadequate. Bloating, gas, stomach pains and acid reflux, all suggest HCL production and enzyme production failure.

Ideally, one should get tested for HCL production. Older people need to eat smaller meals, preferably 4 to 6 small meals per day instead of the conventional 3 meals. Drinking liquid with food is a controversial subject and experts do not agree. Wild animals never drink and eat at the same time. Likewise humans should avoid large amount of liquids with meals, as this will dilute the hydrochloric acid and enzymes, which will hamper digestion. Supplement of HCL and digestive enzymes will help aid digestion in older people that do not produce adequate HCL. Some HCL supplements contain digestive enzymes such as pepsin, papain, and bromelain.

Proper HCL production depends on an adequate supply of calcium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and trace minerals. Too little HCL inhibits protein digestion and the absorption of vitamin C, which causes the destruction of vitamin B-complex factors and prevents essential calcium, iron and other minerals from being assimilated to the extent that anemia and bone fragility may develop.

The lower digestive track is subject to hundreds or malfunctions. Some are caused by organ failure or overall body chemistry breakdown. Most of the lower digestive problems can be corrected or improved by concentrating on the upper digestive system and getting it in order. If organs associated with lower digestion function such as the liver, the pancreas, or the gall bladder, have been damaged, removed or diseased, the overall effectiveness of the digestive system will be impaired. People who have had this misfortune need to work even harder to improve upper digestion by supplying all the required nutrients, and insure proper HCL production, and provide supplement HCL and Digestive_Enzymes.

What is a good digestion system worth to you? I think it is worth a few million dollars. Without a great digestion system, life will not be pleasant, health will be destroyed, and all modern disease will be your reward.

The startling fact that LOW HCL effects all modern disease makes us wonder why doctors seldom test for HCL production and virtually never prescribe HCL supplements or digestive enzymes. Treat your digestion system properly and you will be rewarded with a lifetime of good health.

Comments or Questions to wayne@fugitt.com

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