Shpigel Acupuncture

I am sure you have all heard this saying, but is it accurate? Well, YES and NO. Your body only gets fuel and building blocks from the food and supplements that you take in, and I highly recommen getting the best quality nutrition. Your health, however, will only be as good as your ability to break down and absorb that food. Have you ever wondered why some of the supplements you are taking are not having the proper effect? Then read on.

I am seeing more and more people in my office suffering from digestive disorders. If you are suffering from gas, bloating, loose stools, cramping, diarrhea, poor appetite, acid reflux (fun list, huh?), or any discomfort after you eat, you are most likely not getting the most out of your food.

There may be many causes for these problems but I will go over the three most common ones I see in my office.

• Allergens such as gluten, soy, eggs, peanuts, and milk: when you eat something you are allergic to, your body will try to get rid of it or kill it. Over time this will damage your digestive tract, causing problems with absorption, inflammation, and pain. Gluten or wheat allergies are very common and can be very severe, along with nuts and milk.

So what do you do?

Once the body is allergic to something, it is very difficult to shut that off. Your immune system is programmed to constantly look for invaders. These can be bacteria, viruses, or things you are allergic too. Once that program has been turned on, itʼs there for life. You can do simple lab tests to see what you are allergic to, or simply follow an elimination diet. For three weeks cut out any possible allergens — the ones I listed before are the main ones. Then introduce each food one by one and notice any symptoms. Any foods that you have symptoms to need to be cut out of your diet.

• Do you take acid blockers or anti-acids? Do you have heartburn or gas after meals — especially protein?  Keep reading.

Most “acid reflux” (or GERD) is not caused by too much acid, but too little acid.

Acid has a few roles, but is mainly to break down protein and defend against bacteria. Here is a simple test: Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with your meal and  see if you feel better or worse. Vinegar is an acid, so if youʼre deficient it will make you feel better. Aside from digestion and protection, stomach acid (HCl) also helps digestion and absorption of certain minerals, B12, and other nutrients. So if your acid is low and you are taking acid blockers or anti-acids —which are alkaline — you will NOT absorb these key nutrients.

What can you do?

Vegetable juices such as celery and cabbage helps support the stomach. There are many HCl products on the market. I carry one that I have seen great success with. Again, I caution anyone who grabs something off the shelf without getting a proper diagnosis.

• Last but not least, digestive enzymes. Do you will feel that you are not digesting as well as you used too, feel full longer, have a poor appetite or bloating? This might be the solution for you. Every food needs an enzyme to get broken down so you can absorb it. Without them, food is not small enough to get through your intestines. As we age, our enzymes get used up; also if you are not getting enough raw foods (enzymes break down with heat and processing) then you will need to get them somewhere else.

The solution is simple; either include more raw food into your diet, and/or supplement with a good digestive enzyme. I prefer both.

So go take care of your digestion, itʼs working very hard every day to take care of you and get you what you need.

Eat good food, take your supplements, and make sure you are taking good care of your digestion.

If you feel that you may have a food allergy, contact the office for a simple test. The sooner you know the quicker you will return to optimal health.