A patient came into my office four weeks ago, with abdominal gas, bloating, and pain. He had had a gastroscopy, which demonstrated a mild gastritis (stomach inflammation), and Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is tissue changes in the esophagus which happen in response to constant acid reflux. Those changes are the initial changes which may lead to esophageal cancer.
My patient had been placed on protonics by his previous physicians. Protonics (Prilosec and other similar brands) are acid-blockers; that is, they reduce the production of acid in the stomach. During my evaluation in our office, I discovered that he actually produces an insufficient amount of acid to properly digest food. This same test additionally demonstrated that he does not produce enough pancreatic enzymes to appropriately break his food down. If his food is not broken down in the mouth, stomach, and small intestines, it will flow into the large intestine, where bacteria will use that food and basically have a party-they have too much undigested food to metabolize. The byproduct of that digestive process is gas; hence, his problem with his painful bloating and flatulence.
Today he started a course of correction. We targeted the underlying problem instead of being sidetracked with deceptive symptoms. Stay tuned for his progress in the next couple of months.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
7 responses so far ↓
1 Cara Patterson // Sep 10, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I am astounded at how many people are placed on acid blocking medications. My great-grandmother took acid with her food. It was understood at that time that acid production decreases with age. On a personal note, I take digestive aids on a regular basis. Because I spent years suffering with bulimia, I am sure there is quite a bit of residual damage to the esophagus and esophageal sphincter. If that area feels tender and sensitive to the acid/enzymes, I will take deglycyrrhizinated licorice about 20 minuted before I eat. This stimulates my stomach and esophagus to make a mucus coating so I am not bothered by the acid.
I am learning more about many other results from undigested food in the digestive tract. Could you comment about inflammatory response, food allergies, immune dysfunction and some of those manifestations?
It is amazing to me how gut function is quite central to health. Thanks.
2 Dr. Stan Gardner // Sep 10, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Cara, I totally agree with you that the gut function is central to our health, but ignored within much of standard medicine. The digestive process begins in the mouth with chewing and enzymes, continues in the stomach with acid, limited enzymes and churning of the stomach muscle. Major breakdown of food occurs at the beginning of the small intestine with pancreatic enzymes, and the final breakdown occurs in the intestinal wall. If any of these processes do not function, then food is not adequately digested. This means it cannot be adequately absorbed into the body. This undigested food will provide a ‘party time’ in the large intestine for the bacteria and yeast that is naturally present. The by-product of this metabolism is gas and bloating. If this persists, inflammation occurs in both the large and small intestines, which may lead to small holes in the wall of the intestine we call ‘leaky gut’. This permits large undigested particles to cross the intestinal wall and cause an allergic reaction to food. In fact, there are more immune cells surrounding the gut wall than in the whole rest of the body combined. Greater ingestion of carbohydrates seems to cause more bloating in more people than other types of food.
3 Cara Patterson // Sep 11, 2008 at 8:49 am
I look forward to hearing more from you about intestinal healing. One lingering problem I have is very low cholesterol. My doctor is thrilled, because he just looks at the number. I suspect an absorption problem. At present, I have eliminated gluten and other things from my diet. I have also taken probiotics to achieve more bacterial balance. I eat mostly organic, low glycemic foods and drink ionized alkaline water. Any other suggestions?
4 Cara Patterson // Sep 11, 2008 at 9:07 am
I just want to add some testimony regarding change. Disobedience to the laws of health carry hefty consequences, to which I can attest. However, the body is a great example of the laws of repentance and forgiveness. I am grateful for the divine gift of the ability to heal. As I have been able to return to healthy habits, the results have been amazing.
5 Marilyn // Sep 11, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I also look forward very much to following this story. I, too, have suffered much with acid reflux. I was on the PPI medicines for more than 5 years and last year I decided, enough was enough! I had a tummy ache all the time. Over the course of time I have been led to different therapies-I just started the deglycerized licorice and yesterday had my first acupuncture treatment. (cross your fingers!) I look forward to hearing how this patient responds.
6 Marilyn // Sep 11, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I also forgot to mention that I have eliminated milk, wheat, yeast and eggs from my diet (due to husband’s food allergies)-I’m waiting my turn to be tested! It does seem to help.
7 Dr. Stan Gardner // Sep 13, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Cara, Your cholesterol level is determined by your body, not by how much cholesterol is eaten or absorbed, so don’t be concerned about that. I trust you have stopped all inflammatory triggers to the intestinal tract–sugar, aspartame, trans fatty acids (and hydrogenated oils), caffeine (no processed foods). If the gut needs to heal, the challenge of raw foods may be too much, so cooked fruits and vegetables may need to be ingested. Broths (or soups) that are pre-digested food may also give the gut a rest. Glutamine is an amino acid that the gut uses as energy, so add that to the supplement regimen. Nutritional IVs can be most helpful, if you can find a physician that practices alternative medicine. A good look at potential food allergies and treatment with NAET (or some variation of it) may resolve that piece of the puzzle. Let me know how you do.
Marilyn, DGL is an excellent choice, as it heals ulcers in the stomach. We also use vitamin E oil, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon several times a day to coat the esophagus and stomach to offer protection. Food allergy avoidance is helpful, as you discovered–you may want to consider treatment with NAET.
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