Indigestion: its causes and solutions

An increasing number of our clients list indigestion as one of the reasons for detox. The vast majority of us experience this uncomfortable condition on a regular basis and do nothing about it. In the below article we highlight some potential causes and steps to rectify them to allow you to feel better and lead a more energetic life.
Indigestion is a discomfort caused by eating and/or overeating.
Symptoms: burping, flatulence and heartburn.

Causes:

• Overeating

• Eating foods high in fat

• Excess or deficient stomach acid

• Eating too quickly and not chewing properly


Action plan:

Learn to listen to your body as a general rule, especially, before a meal as there may be some foods that do not agree with your system at that particular time. Pay attention to what you eat and when and the way you eat and you may find that the main symptoms of indigestion will disappear.
Eat

• Pear and Peach

• Powdered ginger with some squeezed lime/lemon

• Banana blended with pear or mango juice

• Apple cider vinegar (digestive tonic). Add some to a glass of warm water and sip slowly before meals

• Miso soup, whole grains

• Fresh vegetables and fruit to reduce wind:

o Diuretic superfoods: Asparagus, Celery, Watermelon, Parsley, Coriander. These will help you to clean your intestines

o Pineapple and Papaya: both contain digestive enzymes

o Umeboshi Plums are known as the Japanese Alka-Seltzer

o Apples, Carrots, five to ten unsalted, raw almonds or sucking on peppermint sweet (i.e. candy): known for neutralising stomach acid

• To prevent heartburn:

o Chewing on raw Ginger (or take prepared ginger tablets)

o Have some raisins (soak them in the water over night) before ingesting foods that usually trigger indigestion symptoms.

Drink

• A mixture of water and a small amount of baking soda: it neutralises excess stomach acid and relieves the pain of heartburn and indigestion.

• To prevent heartburn:

o Drinking a shot glass of Aloe Vera juice http://www.purifyne.com/weight_loss_detox_a.php?duration=3-day

Herbs and Supplements:

• Peppermint, camomile, fennel and thyme teas

• Aloe Vera juice (a shot glass)

• L-glutamine

• Gentiana root

• Betaine hydrochloric acid for acid reflux

• Essential oils such as peppermint, coriander, marjoram, and fennel can be diffused throughout your home or mixed with olive oil and applied to your abdomen (for heartburn release)

Avoid:

• Overeating and/or starving yourself

• Heavily spiced foods, junk and fried foods

• Caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks

• Rich, creamy foods, full-fat cheeses, wheat-based foods (increase stomach acid)

• Eating fruit straight after your meal as a dessert: do NOT eat them straight after high protein food (fish, chicken etc), bread, rice, potatoes.

• Lying down after a meal: this can allow acid and food particles from your stomach to travel back up through your oesophagus. Stay upright for at least two hours.

• Smoking, leading a sedentary lifestyle

• Eating too quickly

• Skimping on your daily water intake


Do:

• Have small but regular meals

• Eat fruit by themselves, separately from any meal

• Drink only warm liquids (no iced ones) before you eat and not during your meals

• Have some warm water with lemon every morning before your breakfast: add a teaspoon of honey, a dash of apple cider vinegar (digestive tonic) and a small pinch of cayenne pepper.