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Robin (Rocky Ridge, Ohio) on 01/13/2009
5 out of 5 stars

Here are some general suggestions to improve digestion.

For indigestion or heart burn, take Betaine (sp?) HCL or a couple teaspoons apple cider vinegar in a glass of water right before, during or right after a meal. The stomach needs to be acidic to start the digestion process and if there isn't enough acid the stomach sphincter will not close which results in heartburn or the sitting of food in the stomach for longer periods of time.

Digestive enzymes also help digest the foods we eat. The foods are lacking in natural enzymes because the food has been cooked or irradiated, destroying the enzymes. The enzymes act to extract the nutrients we need so they can be absorbed by our bodies. Digestive enzymes also help break down the gunk that builds up in our digestive track which creates poor health.

A colon cleansing system, like ____. This cleanses the built up gunk in our digestive track that also creates leaky gut syndrome, houses yeast/candida and parasites, and holds toxins and undigested food particles, prevents us from achieving a complete evacuation of fecal matter, contributes to polyps, and all manner of diseases and illnesses. Just like the drain pipes to our kitchen sink, they get smaller and clogged and cannot do the job they are meant to do. This cleanse also detoxes the liver, a very important organ involved in digestion. This is also helpful to someone who feels overfull high up in the stomach area after a meal, those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and constipation. I've tried a couple cleanses and this one does what it says.

Fiber is another necessary ingredient in a healthy digestive track. It gently scrubs out our insides and provides bulk and emollients to expedite the removal of waste matter.

Eat organic foods as much as possible. There are no chemical substances used in their production adding to our toxin overload.

Eat as many raw veggies as possible, their natural enzymes are needed for digestion and nutrition. Try to start every meal with a large salad.

Avoid sugars, processed man made foods including all dairy and foods made with white flours.

Eating an alkaline diet, which means no meats, no dairy, few grains and few fruits. Not only will a diet like this help with digestion, many ailments and illnesses can be reversed with this kind of eating plan. The dairy products in the stores now are altered and contain no enzymes for digestion. The result is the milk products forming a thick glue-like substance in our digestive tracks which collect undigested foods, host parasites and hold toxins in our bodies. After all, Elmer's Glue is made from milk...think about it.

Blessings and good luck!

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Replied By Rich (Boca Raton, Fl) on 01/23/2009

Milk has an acidic ph. However, it is kind of a super-food. It contains: Sulfur, Lactoferrin-B, iodine, H202, Lactose (necessary for creating Lactic Acid), and Lysine(necessary for Collagen). (5 things that kill candida). Pasteurized milk destoys good bacteria, 20% of the iodine, and H202. However, it prevents Salmonella and other bad bacterias as well. You can always add these back.

I've been experimenting with "Super Milk", or adding extra vitamins to my milk. 2000mg Sodium Ascorbate (powder), 1000 mg Lysine (powder), 8 drops liquid Kelp, a sprinkle of Turmeric. Note: the Ascorbate raises the ph of the milk. You can't really taste the additives (the turmeric much more than the others). Turmeric improves liver function.
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Apparently milk in the winter time has less iodine than in the summer.
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There are many ways to skin a cat. I have no problem with the rest of the recommendations. As for the Betaine HCL, this is a nice bacteriocide... if you need it, then it can be miraculous. Sometimes people trying to avoid salt (NaCl), need this supplement (for Chloride). As for the Pro-biotics, these kill candida by creating acids, and are somewhat slow acting. I think you can get a quicker response from mega-Garlic (Sulfur). However, this is an argument of Good vs. Better.

As for the meat, meat is acid forming, and if you have a ph problem, it will give you indigestion and other problems. Theoretically, you can kill your Candida with mega-Garlic, and reduce your bacteria count with sodium Ascorbate, and then you can eat meat again without the indigestion problems. However, I am a firm believer in the alkaline diet, and Robin has it right.

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Replied By Jantien (London, UK) on 02/24/2009

Just a quick note in response to Robin; the cause for indigestion could be either too much or too little acid in the stomach. Here's an indication on how to differentiate: if you feel better after eating food, you probably have too much acid in your stomach. In that case it would be beneficial to alkalize your system (i.e. by taking ACV, which is alkaline, not acidic). If you feel worse after eating, you probably produce too little acid. Do not take ACV in that case, but HCl. Digestive enzymes are always beneficial.
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Replied By Robin (Near Toledo, Ohio) on 04/14/2009

Organic raw milk is a super food, but pasteurization and homogenization destroy all the health benefits of the nutrients found in it and kill the enzymes our bodies need to digest it along with the things added after the fact, plus the pus that is found in much of it due to the new farming procedures which are allowed, therefore making milk an inferior, chemically, man made product now found at the grocers. As it it now, it is an acidic food, not sure about the raw milk. Not to mention that man is the only animal found on the planet that drinks another mammals infant milk after weaning, an unnatural practice.

Apple cider vinegar is acidic going in which will trigger the stomach sphincter to close, eliminating the burning and indigestion from backing up the esophagus making it a good choice if too little acid is the case. As the body processed the ACV, there is some disagreement on whether it turns into an alkalizing substance for the body like lemon/lime juice, or remains acidic in the body until it is eliminated. I've read it both ways in my research.

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Replied By Gabrielle (Pottsville, PA) on 06/11/2009

RE: Robin's post... people with diverticular disease should NOT use the tea which comes with ___ program as it has Senna in it and is not safe. I know this because I've used it and wound up in the hospital with peritonitis! Also, most fruit is exactly what we DO need for healthy digestion/colons - the majority IS alkalizing.
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Replied By Kim (Suwanee, Ga) on 03/26/2010

The Betaine HCL has been a terrific addition to my doctor prescribed enzymes. I've had malabsorption issues for years with an exhausting list of symptoms. The first thing I noticed the most was the weight loss. I lost a pant size just from eliminating water weight. The swelling in my hands, feet and face are reduced. My digestion is more "normal". I've followed most of the above suggestions but feel the HCL was an important addition. It was irritating to hear from doctors that I should "stay away from cheesecake" and to purchase a costly gym membership. Can't wait to see my new doctor's face when I walk in 2 sizes smaller, (yes, the pants are already loose), and hopefully other less obvious health improvements, i.e. lower cholesterol and better iron levels.

Do want to caution anyone taking this to proceed slowly with this supplement. It's not by any means a weight loss supplement. If I hadn't been eating well and exercising, I doubt it would have done much more than give me heartburn. :)

I've posted this question elsewhere on the site, but wanted to ask again: Would taking the Betaine HCL and the apple cider vinegar cancel each other out? Is it a bad idea or just overkill? I've read about the benefits of ACV but don't want to undo the results I've already achieved.

Thanks!

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