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When we digest a meal containing protein, our stomach produces Hydrochloric acid to break down the food into useful amino acids (the building blocks of life needed for every body function). While it may look like food to us, the stomach recognizes the protein as a complex sequential chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Once the acid is secreted, the protein is unraveled, exposing the amino acid chains so that the pancreas, small intestine and stomach lining's digestive enzymes can get to work splitting peptide bonds and freeing individual amino acids for energy absorption, fat for storage and waste for excretion.
When our digestion system is out of whack, we suffer in both big and small ways. Acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion can be a small - yet terribly uncomfortable - side effects of improper digestion. While it's widely believed that acid reflux comes from overproduction of HCL acid, recent research suggests that indigestion can be caused by the contrary - underproduction!
In the case of underproduction of acid, also known as achlorhydria, undigested protein sits in our stomach, essentially rotting. Bloating, burping and discomfort ensues - sometimes forcing acid or food back up the esophagus. Disgusting, isn't it? If you have bad breath, burp excessively after eating, feel heavy after eating, experience nausea, diarrhea or constipation, then these may be telltale signs that food isn't being broken down properly into the amino acids you need to feel your best.
Digestive systems can malfunction for several reasons. At the core level, the body isn't receiving the chemical signals needed to stimulate waste removal, amino acids absorption, mineral use and protein use. The chemicals can be affected by heavy duty body building or stress -- which seems to command all of your body's attention, thus taking it away from other processes that may need neurotransmitters. Age also naturally diminishes HCL supply; 65-year-olds have 85% less HCL than they did at 35. Sleep deprivation, eating disorders and a poor diet can also affect your digestion greatly.
Drug companies like Prilosec - the top selling prescription last year -- appeal to us by promising to stop acid production, even though it's a much-needed natural process. While these drugs provide immediate, temporary relief, they still don't attack the underlying issue - that your body simply isn't digesting foods properly, and, as a result, can't derive the amino acids from the food that you've eaten.
A different kind of drug (such as Exstress or Genesis Today) can be taken as an HCL supplement, which aims to reduce the stress on the digestive system by stimulating natural gall bladder and pancreatic functions, adding additional protection from pathogens and supplementing a powerful combination of amino acids. Elderly people, body builders, stressed individuals, people with Bipolar Disorder and people looking to improve digestion have been known to take these natural supplements.
Thanks for reading and good luck putting this information to good use.
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Today's Tip On Acid Reflux
Polyunsaturated fatty acids include soy, vegetable oil, sunflower, soybeans, mayonnaise and margarine. However, small amounts should be used, as high amounts have been linked to oxidization and free radical production, leading to cancer. |
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