Hiatal hernia, a condition in which the opening where the esophagus and stomach meet becomes overly wide and protrudes, is a common cause of recurrent indigestion. Obesity and pregnancy are also associated with heartburn, since the extra weight can push the stomach contents back into the esophagus. Medications that irritate the stomach lining (such as aspirin) can also be instigators of indigestion. By itself, indigestion is a cause of discomfort but is not harmful to your health. It can, however, be a symptom of a serious disease, such as peptic ulcer, gastritis or gallbladder disease. Consult a physician to rule out the possibility that chronic indigestion is a sign of a more serious condition.

 

    Prevention is by far the best treatment for indigestion. An indigestion prevention plan should be based on a wholesome, low-fat diet. Fatty foods can lead to indigestion, since they take longer to digest. Overeating is another red flag. Smaller meals at regular intervals are a better choice. Foods and beverages (including coffee, tea, soft drinks and tomato-based foods) that crank up acid in the stomach should be avoided or at least minimized if they are a problem for your tummy. Alcohol and tobacco also promote a sour stomach. When and how meals are eaten can be another cause of indigestion. It's important not to eat within two hours of going to bed. In addition, lying down or even slouching after a meal can bring on a bout of heartburn, since these positions increase stomach pressure.

  The three types of macronutrients - protein, carbohydrates and fat - have corresponding classes of digestive enzymes. Proteolytic enzymes (or proteases) digest protein; amylases are needed during the digestion of carbohydrates; and lipases digest fat. The pancrea produces these enzymes, which is why they are collectively known as pancreatic enzymes. Inadequate production of pancreatic enzymes, which is increasingly common as we age, can lead to symptoms of indigestion. Although there are tests to determine the quantity and quality of the body's production of digestive enzymes, it is easier and less expensive to simply add digestive enzymes to a meal and then to judge whether your digestion is improved. If so, continued use of digestive enzymes could go a long way in promoting good digestion. Knowing how much to take of the various digestive enzymes can be tricky. The government has helped by establishing a standard for pancreatic enzyme supplement  (a number of units of activity per enzyme), with which enzyme supplements are compared. If a supplement contains 9X pancreatic enzymes, it provides nine times the amount of each of the enzymes (amylase, lipase, and proteolytic enzymes) in the standard. As a general guildine, if a 9X pancreatic enzyme supplement is used, 1.5 gm of the supplement taken with each meal should be adequate to aid in food digestion in individuals with pancreatic insufficiency. Greater amounts of a lower-potency product are needed to achieve the same effect.

Licorice   has been used as a highly effective alternative to anti-acids and acid-blocking drugs. by inhibiting acid production, but rather through support and stimulating the stomach's natural protective mechanisms. Stomach discomfort is usually to protect itself against the irritation caused by acid. The presence of harmful bacteria can also be a factor. the stomach's primary defense against corrosive gastric acid is a fine layer of mucin, secreted by millions of mucosal cells that line the stomach wall. Licorice has been shown to stimulate both the secretion of mucin and the formation of new mucosal cells, probably through its ability to increase blood flow to mucosal tissue. In addition to supporting a normal chemical balance, licorice has also been shown to help inhibit the growth of potentially harmful intestinal bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial reported that 16 people with significant stomach discomfort showed an average improvement of 78% when given 360 mg of DGL twice daily, compared to 34% in the placebo group. Other trails compared DGL to prescription drugs showing that 760 mg DGL 3 times daily is as effective as the popular prescription drug cimetidine.  DGL stands for De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice. Licorice contains a naturally occurring substance known as glycyrrhizin.

    While most people consume plenty of salty, sweet and sour foods, biter foods are not commonly eaten in North America. Bitter herbs encourage salivation and production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes. In other words, they get your juices flowing! There are many herbs with bitter properties. Dandelion, and Blessed Thistle are the most frequently used for this purpose. Bitters are particularly valuable for people who eat a lot of fatty, hard-to-digest foods. Take one to two capsules one hour before eating.

 Aggressive marketing has made Pepcid AC the third-most popular OTC drug for heartburn, and Tagamet and Zantac are big sellers as well. While heartburn is characterized by excess stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, its actual cause can be an undiagnosed food allergy or sensitivity. Eating fewer processed foods and taking time to eat slowly can often eliminate heartburn. Also, consider taking a small amount of buffered VITAMIN C, which will temporarily lower your stomach acidity. In addition, several studies have reported that LICORICE ROOT, rich in antioxidants, can relieve heartburn. If flatulence is a problem, reevaluate what you’re eating. Some foods, such as beans, contain gas-producing compounds. By eating beans on a regular basis, though, people start producing enzymes needed to break down these compounds. Fermented foods, such as yogurt or kefir, or probiotic capsules, contain beneficial bacteria that control the gas-producing bad ones.

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