The Surprising Secret to Healthy Digestion

When you find yourself tossing and turning with the occasional bout of indigestion, heartburn or gas, your first move might be to reach for the nearest acid blocker for relief. But not so fast—as counterintuitive as it sounds, the real solution to a healthy gut might be giving your stomach more, not less, of the very acid you’re struggling against.¹

Many people don’t realize the amount of energy it takes for your body to produce the amount of hydrochloric acid (HCl) necessary to maintain the acidic pH of your gastric fluid.² In reality, HCl is an involved process that requires a number of conditions to take place, including proper hydration, optimal hormone balance, and ample B vitamin and zinc intake. And studies show that, as you age, the ability of your acid-producing cells to generate HCl decreases significantly—with rates of low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) increasing from 4 percent to as much as 75 percent past the age of 60.^3-5

Needless to say, this decline can have negative consequences, triggering imbalanced inflammatory responses in the stomach lining, not to mention difficulty digesting food properly—all of which can add up to imbalanced immune health, food sensitivities, and “leaky gut.”^6-7 And the whopping 300 percent increase in the use of acid-suppressants doesn’t help matters, with their use being linked to a wide range of health issues, including a subpar immune system, reduced mineral absorption, less than optimal hip joint health, suboptimal kidney function, and imbalances in the intestines that are heavily associated with any number of common gastric concerns.^8-13

So how can you get the edge against your gut issues? Look no further than the all-natural formula Digestive Aid®—a daily supplement designed to support optimal HCl levels in your body for comfortable digestion and long-lasting intestinal health as you age.

Digestive Aid includes an effective level of HCl, which is bound to betaine for optimal bile release and detoxification—as well as pepsin, vitamins B1 and B6, and the mineral zinc, added to support both protein digestion and HCl production. The cabbage-derived nutrient “vitamin U” nourishes your stomach lining with the help of gamma oryzanol. And last but not least, you’ll find an ample dose of Marine-FS—a polysaccharide found in seaweed and prized for its immune-supportive benefits—included to promote a healthy bacterial balance in your gut.^14-15

The bottom line: If you want a healthier, happier gut, do your stomach a favor with HCl-nourishing Digestive Aid®—available from Complementary Prescriptions®.

References:

1. Pizzorno J, Murray, M. eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 3rd ed, St. Louis: Churchill Livingston, 2006, pg 661.

2. Lord R, Bralley, A. Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine. 2nd ed, Duluth: Metametrix Institute, 2008, pg 418.

3. Krentz K, Jablonowski H. In: Hellemans J, Vantrappen G, eds. Gastointestinal Tract Disorders in the Elderly. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingston, 1984.

4. Rafsky HA, Weingarten M. A study of the gastric secretory response in the aged. Gastroenterology 1947;May:348-352.

5. Wright JV, Lenard L. Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You. Lanham: M. Evans, 2001, pg 40.

6. Guyton A, Hall J. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 11th ed, Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 2006.

7. Untersmayr E, Scholl I, Swoboda I, at al. Antacid medication inhibits digestion of dietary proteins and causes food allergy: A fish allergy model in Balb/c mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112:616-623.

8. Gulmez SE, Holm A, Frederiksen H, Jensen TG, Pedersen C, Hallas J. Use of proton pump inhibitors and the risk of community-acquired pneumonia: a population-based case-control study. Arch Intern Med. 2007 May 14;167(9):950-5.

9. Yang YX, Lewis JD, Epstein S, et al. Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA. 2006;296(24):2947-2953.

10. Geevasinga N, Coleman PL, Webster AC, et al. Proton pump inhibitors and acute interstitial nephritis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4(5):597-604.

11. Williams C, McColl KE. Review article: proton pump inhibitors and bacterial overgrowth. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;23(1):3-10.

12. Cunningham R. Proton pump inhibitors and the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated disease: further evidence from the community. CMAJ. 2006;175(7):757.

13. Sturniolo GC, Montino MC, Rossetto L, et al. Inhibition of gastric acid secretion reduces zinc absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr. 1991;10(4):372-375.

14. Nagaoka M, Shibata H, Kimura-Takagi et al. Anti-ulcer effects and biological activities of polysaccharides from marine algae. Biofactors. 2000 Jun;51(6):2274-7.

15. Pierini CM. Lectin Lock™: Natural Defense Against a Hidden Cause of Digestive Concerns and Weight Gain. Vitamin Research News. 2007;21(2):7.