Digestive

You have heard it said “you are what you eat.” Most complementary practitioners will rephrase that and say, “you are what you eat, and then absorb, and then what you do or do not detoxify.” There are far reaching effects of gastrointestinal function on health. Many medical conditions are now being recognized as having a strong gastrointestinal component. Seventy percent of your immune system is in your gut.
The aisles of intestinal support products that are seen in pharmacies are growing. Prescription medications are commonly used to “band-aid” the symptoms but not address the cause. Heartburn is not a “purple pill deficiency”, and in fact, often blocks the stomach pumps from ever working normally. Prescription drugs will often continue to work as long as taken but the cause of symptoms is still questionable. With their acid blocking effect, nutrients are not absorbed. Recent research points out that people using acid blocking drugs cannot absorb the calcium they are eating or taking as the stomach needs to be acidic for absorption to occur. Food needs an acidic environment for digestion and absorption. Bacteria such as H. Pylori (which causes many ulcers), does not survive in an acid environment.

Many things can affect acid production and digestive function…stress, overcooked foods, caffeine, medications, processed foods just to name a few.

Because of the far reaching effects of Gastrointestinal function on health, it is pivotal to evaluate and assess this imbalance in one’s quest for better health. Often simple changes can facilitate optimal function.

The following “Four R’s” are paramount.
1. Removal…toxins, foods, parasites, smoking, alcohol, etc.
2. Replace…hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes
3. Reinoculate…restore the normal gut flora…pre and probiotics
4. Repair…supply the proper nutrients for the gut lining to heal.

Protocols for Repair include lifestyle changes, herbs and supplements tailored to specific needs of each patient. Heartburn, gastritis, reflux, constipation, Irritable bowel, excessive belching and gas are merely symptoms of a “plumbing problem”. Often, those symptoms can be eliminated with the right tools.

Center for Preventive Medicine
603-673-7910
3 Overlook Drive, Suite 1
Amherst, NH 03031