First, did you know the term ‘acid reflux’ is very misleading?
Doctors named it the wrong thing many years ago and the label ‘acid reflux’ stuck.
Basically, you get reflux (not acid reflux) when you don’t have enough stomach acid to keep your stomach environment sterile.
Yeast and other nasties begin to grow in your stomach fermenting and producing gas, heartburn, and pressure as well as reflux.
If your stomach acid levels are healthy you have a pH under 1 (more acidic than a car battery) you can absorb all the nutrients from your food.
When your stomach becomes less acidic and the pH creeps up e.g. around 2.5, you are in trouble.
Now you can’t absorb iron or digest your proteins, so your body begins to crave sugars and carbohydrates because they are easier to digest.
The heartburn will make you reach for antacids, like Nexium, Gaviscon, and others.
Antacids are the most popular over-the-counter drugs sold worldwide.
While they may provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause of reflux.
Worse, they can:
- Reduce your ability to digest and absorb nutrients, leading to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals
- Contain harmful ingredients like aluminium, which can thicken your blood and cause long-term health problems (clots, Alzheimer’s, bone and tooth decay, arthritis)
- Interfere with your body’s natural stomach acid production, creating a cycle of dependence.
A lack of HCL (HCL is hydrochloric acid or stomach acid) in the stomach is the hidden cause of anemia, burning sensations in the stomach, systemic alkalosis, and allergies because of the starvation caused by the non-absorption of vitamins and minerals such as iron from the food.
HCL protects us against bacteria and parasites that enter our stomach from the food we eat.
According to researchers, more people have died from parasites than from WW1 and WW2 put together!
If you have enough HCL you won’t get food poisoning and your body will become strong and healthy.
If you have been struggling with reflux, bloating, brain fog, lethargy, and aches and pains, it’s time to rebuild your stomach acid levels.
Here is how you judiciously supplement with Betaine HCL:
- Upon completion of a meal with protein, take one HCL capsule.
- The more proteins you eat, the more HCL you may need.
- If you do not feel a warming sensation in your tummy, take 2 the next meal.
- If you do not feel a warming sensation in your tummy after the meal, take 3 the next meal.
- And, so on until you reach a maximum of five 600 mg capsules.
- Then, at the next meal, back off one capsule and stay at that dosage for all successive meals until you begin to feel a warm sensation again, then back off another capsule and stay at that dosage for successive meals.
- When you feel a warm sensation again, back off another capsule.
- Continue until you are down to one HCL capsule with each meal.
Drinking ½ teaspoon of baking soda stirred into 8 ounces of water will remedy an overdose of HCL.
If reflux occurs at night or at least 2 hours after a meal, bicarb of soda dissolved in water is a safe remedy.
If you are in a continual state of stress or fight and flight, you will need more Betaine HCL.
Your body must learn to relax and unwind again so your digestion will improve easier.
Regular healing or tune-up sessions at the Purple House are ideal to restore calm and well-being.
Supplementing with Magnesium Complete restores and tones your nervous system.
Many people adhere to low salt diets and this is another reason why they don’t digest their foods.
Salt, specifically sodium chloride, plays a crucial role in maintaining various bodily functions, including the production of stomach acid.
Without enough salt, your body cannot produce hydrochloric acid (HCL), which is essential for digestion.
Low stomach acid impairs the absorption of essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
Here are some important natural solutions to keep your digestion firing away:
- Stop drinking with your meals. Any drinks will dilute your stomach acid levels even further. Drink 20 minutes before the meal and again 2 hours after the meal.
- Have ¼ teaspoon of healthy salt per 30 kg of body weight daily. (We recommend Himalayan salt)
- Betaine HCL Supplements: Betaine hydrochloride supplements help increase stomach acid levels.
- Digestive Enzymes: Taking digestive enzyme supplements with meals can aid in breaking down food and improving nutrient absorption.
- Probiotics: Probiotics support a healthy gut microbiome, which can positively impact stomach acid production and overall digestive health.
- Eat fermented foods like the Love Your Guts range. They are packed with goodies and are predigested so your own body doesn’t need to do much to get all the nutrients.
- Chew Thoroughly: Properly chewing your food helps stimulate stomach acid production and aids in the initial stages of digestion. It’s been suggested to chew each mouthful 100x.
- Manage Stress: Practicing stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and walking in nature can improve stomach acid production and overall digestive health.
- Supplement with magnesium. This helps reduce the fright, flight, or fight reaction and calms you down.
- Have regular healing sessions at the Purple House to get relief from pain, overwhelm, and stress, restore your nervous system, and balance your digestion.
- Limit Processed Foods: Reducing the intake of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can support better stomach acid production and digestive function.
- Listen to Your Body. If you are stressed and tired, don’t sit down for a huge meal.
- Slow down first. E.G., have a hot shower, or a warm drink while you sit down and relax.
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Immuno-Synbiotic$62.50
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Cabot Health Magnesium Complete – 200 tabs$49.00
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Betaine HCL – 240 caps$42.95
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Omnizyme – 180 caps$63.95
Give your body a chance to shift gears to get ready for digesting food.
There is a saying: “You are what you eat,” but it would be more accurate to say: “You are what you absorb.”
If you suffer from reflux, you are likely only getting 10% of the nutrients from your food!
That’s a lot of wasted energy, all the way from the farmer who grows it, to you walking the supermarket aisles looking for the right products, prepping/cooking your meal, and washing the dishes afterward.
I am not even talking about all the money you just wasted because your food ended up in the toilet rather than inside your cells.
So, treat yourself properly and supplement with Betaine HCL if you suffer from bloating, burping, tiredness, brittle nails, hair thinning, low immunity, anaemia, and lack of energy.
Addressing low stomach acid is not just about alleviating digestive discomfort.
Healthy stomach acid levels are the cornerstone to good health and set you up for a long, healthy, and happy life.
Remember, small changes can make a significant difference, and your journey to digestive wellness begins today.
And, if you are tired of feeling dismissed and want to take control of your health – remember we are here to help you.
The Full Health Audit with Pete can provide the clarity and support you need to address the root causes of your health concerns.
Ring our friendly team on 03 64283007 OR click here to visit our website (which is open 24/7) for more information, to shop online, book appointments, read blogs, or download our free e-books containing life-saving tips and health hacks.
We are open Tuesday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM from 02 January 2025!
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a wonderful end-of-year holiday and a happy new year.
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