This article is the second in a series that attempts to explain in simple terms how stress causes energy deficiency in our bodies.
This article is the second in a series that attempts to explain in simple terms how stress causes energy deficiency in our bodies.
This article is the second in a series that attempts to explain in simple terms how stress causes energy deficiency in our bodies. My purpose is to help you understand the cause of your symptom(s) and help recognize what will be needed to restore normal body function and relieve the symptom(s).
We must first understand that the symptoms of energy deficiency may result from any of three causes. Emotional stress is certainly a factor and can lead to inability to maintain cognitive functions.
• Physical stress, traumatic injury, or excessive exercise.
• Visceral stress that involves an organ or tissue such as a heart, lungs, or digestive organ, for example. Biological stress would fall into this category following infection, infestation, or allergic response.
Each of the above can exhaust any involved tissue or organ, resulting in specific signs and symptoms. One way of identifying the cause is to look at the most delicate tissues in the body—those whose function is to coat and protect the walls and surfaces of the stomach, small and large intestines, urinary bladder, and lungs. We will deal with the bowel, respiratory, and urinary irritants in other articles. For this article, we are focused on the lining of the stomach.
The mucosal lining protects the wall of the stomach from its own digestive secretions. Are the symptoms coming from a lack of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, or from a lack of adequate protection by the mucosal lining? Either way, the body is struggling to maintain its normal functions and the involved organ(s) no longer can produce enough energy to do their part. What is the source of the irritation? Our goal should be to find it, remove or reduce it, nourish the involved tissues, and restore normal function.
Symptoms of GERD Symptoms of Gastritis Heartburn, usually after eating. If worse at night -► Burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night Chest pain Indigestion Difficulty swallowing Loss of appetite Sensation of a lump in your throat Abdominal bloating Regurgitation of food or sour liquid Nausea or recurrent upset stomach
Digestive complaints: GERD or Gastritis?
These two clinical entities cause similar symptoms, but they are entirely different problems, and it is important to understand the difference to bring about relief. Let me say right up front that neither is caused by excess stomach acid. In fact, it is physiologically impossible for the body to produce "excess" stomach acid. However, it is possible for even a small amount of stomach acid to produce symptoms! That is the key to understanding the difference.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, gastroesophageal reflux affects about 20% of the population of the United States. Anyone can develop symptoms of GERD. It occurs across every age group and ethnicity.
Studies indicate you are more likely to have GERD:
• If you are overweight or pregnant, but those conditions are structural in nature and have nothing to do with the need to produce stomach acid for digestion.
• If you take certain medications, including antihistamines, painkillers, and antidepressants, but those medications do not cause stomach acid to be produced. Rather, they cause side effects of their own.
• You smoke or are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. Again, exposure to smoke does not cause secretion of stomach acid.
• Another cause of acid reflux is a hiatal hernia—another structural problem. It can allow acid to move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux, but it does not cause stomach acid to be produced.
Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. All or part of the gastric mucosa may be affected, and it may be classified as acute or chronic. Acute gastritis is characterized as erosion (ulceration) and nonerosive.
Studies indicate the two major causes of gastritis are:
• Overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that cannot grow in an acid environment like the stomach, unless stomach acid is deficient! In other words, it doesn't cause gastritis, but it is an effect of stomach acid deficiency.
• The use of NSAIDS, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The common side effects of NSAIDs include stomach pain, heartburn, and stomach ulcers, including a tendency to bleed more, especially when taking aspirin.
So again, we see that "excess stomach acid" is not the cause of digestive problems. In fact, many studies have proven digestive symptoms are related to stomach acid deficiency.
Stress exhausts the organs and tissues of the body to perform their normal functions to maintain health. The key is to know which tissues and why. Arguably, digestive and resulting bowel problems are the most common visceral problems seen in chiropractic offices.
• Our next article will be recognizing when stomach acid is not adequate to properly start the digestive process. In the meantime, if you have questions you can contact us at (888) 243-1322 or go online to: foodenzymeinstitute.com.
Howard F. Loomis, Jr., DC, has an extensive background in enzymes and enzyme supplements. He is the founder and president of the Food Enzyme Institute. His extensive knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and enzymology has made him a sought-after speaker and a prolific writer.
I hope to answer these and many other questions in future articles. In the meantime, if you have questions, you can reach The Food Enzyme Institute at 800-6622630 or go online to www. foodenzymeinstitute.com
