When Your Stomach Talks: Natural Solutions for Indigestion

by Marie Harger |

Tis the season to overeat! In October the stores you shop have officially entered into the holiday swing of things; our eyes are constantly bombarded by over abundance. Your work, home, school, neighbors and friends and family are displaying lots of treats and delicious foods for you to eat and it all starts with going through your kids trick or treat bag and picking out the goodies you like. Often the result of eating too much is indigestion.

Indigestion has many causes, with overeating as just one. You can get indigestion from eating too quickly, talking or swallowing air while eating, eating spicy or fatty foods, drinking liquid with foods. Heartburn and indigestion, often go hand in hand. Food and beverages, such as caffeine, vinegar, greasy, spicy, refined foods and alcohol can cause indigestion because they irritate the digestive tract. Food that is not properly digested will ferment in the stomach and upper intestines.

This produces hydrogen, carbon dioxide and organic acids causing bloating and gas. Undigested food and bacteria can also create toxins that cause leaky gut syndrome, which is damage to the mucosal lining in the intestines. Persistent or recurrent indigestion is associated with peptic ulcer, gallstones, or inflammation of the esophagus.

Psychological factors should be considered because they can disrupt the nervous system mechanism that controls the contractions of the stomach and intestinal muscles. These factors include anxiety, stress, worry or disappointment, as well as being tense, upset or emotional when you are eating,

If you watch any television during the fall and winter seasons, drugs for indigestion and heartburn seem to be in every commercial break. Instead of heading to the medicine cabinet for some relief, first try some Natural Solutions.

There are many natural solutions for dealing with indigestion such as eating a well-balanced meal, including foods high in fiber such as fresh fruit, and vegetables. Certain foods, such as fresh pineapple and papaya can help with digestion because they are a source of beneficial digestive enzymes.

Knowing and recognizing the causes of indigestion is a logical way to remedy discomfort because it is a preventive approach. Foods that are high in complex carbohydrates are difficult to digest and can leave undigested particles in the intestine. These foods include grains and legumes. Other foods to avoid include lentils, peanuts and soybeans, bakery products, carbonated beverages, citrus juices, fried or fatty foods, pasta, red meat, refined carbohydrates (sugar), tomatoes, and salty foods.

Food combinations such as: protein with starches or fruit, vegetables with fruits, and milk with meals cause indigestion. Melons digest quickly, due to their high volume of water, so should be eaten alone.
Herbs that help include alfalfa, aloe vera, anise seeds, catnip, ginger, bay leaf, slippery elm, and parsley. Herbal formulas, available at health food stores, are Acid-Ease from Prevail Corporation and Turn-Ease from New chapter. Both enhance digestion.

Supplements such as acidophilus can be helpful for theycontain the good bacteria needed in the intestine. Garlic and Omega 3 fatty acids and a Vitamin B complex are some others. Charcoal tablets (from the health food store) help absorb gas and toxins. Take pancreatin when you feel stuffed, bloated, have gas or rumbling.
Other Natural Solutions:

• Massage,
• Exercise (a brisk walk)
• Stretching
• Doing a fasting program (consult your physician)
• Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly
• Eat food without any liquids
• Not eating when upset
• Drinking the juice of one lemon in lukewarm water to help the body’s PH

References:

1. Clayman, Charles B. MD, The American Medical Association – Home Medical Encyclopedia. Random House. New York, NY, 1989.
2. Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, fourth edition. Penguin Group/books Ltd. New York, NY, and London, England, 2006.
3. Dollemore, Doug; Giuliucci, Mark; Haigh, Jennifer; Kirchheimer, Sid; Callahan, Jean. New Choices in Natural Healing. Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1995.
4. Murray, Michael MD; Pizzorno, Joseph ND, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition. Prima Publishing, USA, 1998.