Natural Relief From Indigestion, Heartburn and GERD!

John E. King, M.D., editor-in-chief of Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health, recently estimated that some form of digestive disorder affects more than 100 million Americans.¹ That’s a staggering 30% of the U.S. population! Sure, for some people it’s merely a temporary case of dyspepsia, or indigestion. But for others, chronic dyspepsia can eventually result in a serious illness … or in disease.

Let’s rephrase that: untreated and improperly treated dyspepsia, if left to become chronic, can cause serious illness and disease.

And while the world’s leading healthcare practitioners agree that poor digestive health is the root cause of disease, as a group we Americans choose to ignore it … until it’s too late. Why?

Because the human body can take a lot of abuse, and this we take for granted. “Disease happens to other people, not us,” we tell ourselves. Denial is a strong elixir … but a dangerous one!

Eating a Big Mac and fries for lunch, pepperoni pizza for dinner, and a pint of ice cream for dessert won’t kill you in the short-term. But a poor diet laden with saturated fat and little or no fiber can wreak havoc on your digestive system, decrease your overall health, and make you susceptible to disease. And that’s no joke.

Know this: medical doctors have identified DOZENS of diseases associated with poor nutrition and indigestion.

You may be experiencing them now … and just not know it. However, you can prevent illness and disease caused by poor nutrition and chronic indigestion. Read on …

Health & Disease: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Nutrition, digestion, absorption, and bacterial balance all play significant roles in the health of your gastrointestinal tract. That is, in your overall health. You see, efficient absorption of the nutrients in the food you eat is at the foundation of a strong immune system. Yet poor digestion and malabsorption of these same nutrients is at the foundation of pain, illness and disease.

According to Deepak Chopra, M.D., digestion allows the nutrients you ingest to be broken down, after which they are “combined again in such a way as to re-create every cell, every organ, every tissue of the human body.” ²

Why we become diseased is now self-evident: improper digestion causes improper re-creation of your cells, of your organs, of your tissues. That is: it causes disease!

And while it can take years for the consequences of poor digestion to manifest in serious illness or disease, you personally plant the roots every single day of your life by not taking the right action against it.

So how do you know if you are unknowingly leading yourself down that long dark path toward disease? The telltale signs are … ³

• joint pain
• headache
• fatigue
• indigestion
• heartburn
• stomach problems

The good news is that there is an efficient and effective way to reduce these symptoms and reverse the disease process. But before we discuss that, let’s look at the staggering complexity of the problem.

What is Dyspepsia?

Dyspepsia is the medical term used for indigestion … and indigestion is the term used to describe pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen or chest that usually develops after a meal. It may also be accompanied by nausea, abdominal bloating, belching, or even vomiting.

Dyspepsia is a complex set of symptoms, rather than an indication of a specific disease. And these symptoms include:

• Pain, which may be in the upper part of the abdomen or the chest (this may not always be related to eating)
• heartburn, a burning pain caused by reflux (regurgitation) of the stomach’s contents back up the esophagus
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flatulence, burping or belching
• Early feeling of satiation, loss of appetite
• Intolerance of eating fats, fatty and greasy foods
• Irregular bowel movements
• Bad breath

In other words: dyspepsia is a syndrome — a cluster of related symptoms or disorders.

Let’s be clear: while dyspepsia is not a disease, if left to become chronic it can lead to serious illness and eventually to disease.

Yes, everyone experiences some of these symptoms from time to time … But when a digestive disorder becomes chronic, it can interfere with the mere joy of eating. It can also make your life so miserable that it interferes with normal, everyday activity. If the symptoms continue for an extended period of time, they can result in other health problems.

Here’s the bottom line: if you have a digestive disorder, you’re not absorbing and assimilating nutrients. And far, far worse, your immune system is breaking down and your body is aging quickly.

But there is a way to get dyspepsia under control … and take back your health. And best of all – it’s a simple, healthy solution that doesn’t involve poisoning yourself with prescription and over-the-counter
drugs …

What Causes Dyspepsia?

Dyspepsia may be caused by disease or by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. It can also be the result of consuming high-fat foods and by eating too much or too fast—as we often do when feeling stressed.

What’s more, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using medications that irritate the stomach lining (such as anti-inflammatory drugs), fatigue, exercising with a full stomach, and chronic stress can also cause indigestion, or make it worse.

Some people have persistent indigestion that is unrelated to any of these factors. This type of indigestion—called functional or non-ulcer dyspepsia—may be caused by a problem in the muscular squeezing action of the stomach (motility), or by low stomach acid or low bile flow.

A short list of the disorders associated with poor stomach acid output include: Addison’s disease, asthma, celiac disease, chronic auto-immune disorders, depression, eczema, gallstones, gastric cancer, gastritis, hepatitis, osteoporosis, psoriasis, acne roseola, colitis, hair loss, and rheumatoid arthritis. ⁴

Isn’t that staggering? Of course it is!

This slow disease mechanism can literally sabotage your health for years before you even become aware of it.

It is estimated that more Americans are hospitalized for digestive disorders than for any other type of illness. It is therefore absolutely crucial to take action against the health risks of indigestion before they become chronic … that is, before they become life threatening!

“More Americans are hospitalized for digestive disorders than for any other type of illness”

Low Stomach Acid

Stomach acid (technically known as hydrochloric acid) is essential for proper functioning of the digestive system. But an estimated 30% of North Americans have low stomach acid—which helps explain the huge numbers of people suffering from dyspepsia. Natural aging, poor diet, chronic use of certain medications, and past infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria can impair the stomach’s ability to produce acid. (This is actually a case of “the chicken or the egg.” Are individuals susceptible to H. pylori because of low stomach acid, or does the bacteria cause the low stomach acid?)

In their book, Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You: Natural Relief for Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux & GERD (M. Evans & Co; 2001), Drs. Wright and Lenard state: “After 30, 40, or more years of digesting or attempting to digest everything we put in our stomachs—not just food, which the stomach is designed to handle, but also refined sugar, caffeine, distilled alcohol, grease and oxidized oils, fluoride and chlorine from water, chemical flavorings and colorings, pesticides, herbicides… Why would anyone except an antacid salesman or the average gastroenterologist imagine that our stomachs would make more acid, more pepsin, and digest things more efficiently as we get older? Common sense says that after 30 or 40 years, the stomach slows down, just like the rest of [our body], and makes less acid, less pepsin, and digests things less efficiently.”

The “chicken vs. egg” equation now becomes clear. The reality is …

If over-acidity were the cause of ulcers and dyspepsia, then teenagers who secrete plenty of hydrochloric acid would suffer from indigestion problems a lot more than their grandparents!

Yet, this is clearly not the case! “So why,” you ask, “would we want to take antacids or acid blockers when our stomachs are weak and not digesting adequately already?” The answer is obvious: most people want symptomatic relief.

And they get it by taking popular over-the counter antacids and prescription drugs. But there’s a price to pay, which we’ll discuss in a minute. But first, it’s important to know that studies show that the production of stomach acid decreases with age.

• At the Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan, researchers found that gastric acid decreases with age in older people who have H. pylori.⁵
• An American study found that more than 30% of men and women over 60 years of age suffer from atrophic gastritis: a condition in which there is little or no stomach acid secretion.⁶
• Another study found that up to 40% of postmenopausal women produce no gastric acid.⁷

The Importance of Digestive Enzymes

Inadequate digestive enzyme production may also be the cause of dyspepsia. Enzymes are catalysts that make metabolic functions within the body possible. In fact, nothing takes place in the body that doesn’t involve enzymes in some way.

Let us be clear: the way our brain thinks, our muscles move, and how our stomach digests food are all affected by the behavior of specific enzymes.

Like the production of digestive juices, as we age our body’s enzyme supply decreases. Enzyme production can also be over-taxed by poor diet, illness, environmental toxins, and stress. Enzymes found in raw, whole food can help the body degrade nutrients and lessen the burden of digestion on the body. Heating food through over cooking it, however, usually destroys these enzymes.

But there is something you can do to offset this … and that is simply taking enzymatic supplements.

Enzymatic supplementation taken with a meal can assist in the digestive process and help the body to better absorb and utilize nutrients, slow down the aging process, and improve overall health. It does this in five essential ways, by…

• promoting improved digestion
• delivering essential nutrients
• supporting elimination
• improving energy levels
• preventing the accumulation of undigested foods in the large intestine which are sources of toxicity

IMPORTANT: you can eat a whole food diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat, and you can still become ill or even diseased from the lack of digestive enzymes in your gastrointestinal tract.

Why Heartburn Hurts So Much

Normally, food travels from the mouth down to the esophagus and through a sphincter muscle to get to the stomach. But if you find yourself wishing you could douse the fire burning behind your sternum, it’s because the sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus has relaxed, allowing food, stomach acid, and other digestive juices to travel back up into the esophagus. When your stomach is full, there’s more of a chance of this happening because extra pressure is placed on the valve.

Many people get heartburn occasionally, especially after large meals. In fact, about one in 10 Americans have heartburn every day. But if it happens frequently or causes severe symptoms, it’s called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The sphincter muscle doesn’t work properly and relaxes more often than usual in people who have GERD, but it isn’t fully understood why this happens. And according to a new study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, eating too quickly may be a major cause of gastroesophageal reflux.⁸

The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. The stomach has a mucous lining to protect it from damage by stomach acid. However, there is no mucous lining in the esophagus, so stomach acid irritates it, causing a burning sensation. If severe, the pain can be hard to distinguish from a heart attack.

Sometimes food is even regurgitated from the stomach back into the mouth.

Severe cases of GERD can lead to inflammation of the esophagus which results in scarring and narrowing of the esophagus making it difficult to swallow.⁹

It’s important to get GERD under control because it can lead to other serious health problems, including:

• ulcers
• esophageal narrowing
• Barrett’s esophagus
• a cellular change in the tissue of the esophagus which can lead to cancer

Again, let’s be clear: If acute symptoms, like GERD, are left to become chronic, they can lead to serious illnesses and diseases.

But, like dyspepsia, there is something you can do now to stop GERD in its tracks!

How Nutrients are Absorbed

When levels of stomach acid, bile, or digestive enzymes fall below optimal levels, digestion suffers and food allergies and malabsorption increase.

Stomach acid activates digestive enzymes that break down food into small particles for absorption. Low acidity may result in only partial digestion of foods, leading to the plethora of symptoms we’ve been discussing.

A combination of low acidity and undigested food makes it easier for bacteria and parasites to colonize the stomach or small intestine, and interfere with the digestion, absorption of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Remember these important facts about digestion:

FACT: Stomach acid (Hydrochloric acid) stimulates the release of pancreatic enzymes and bile into the small intestine which digest and absorb carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

FACT: Hydrochloric acid converts pepsinogen into the enzyme pepsin which breaks proteins into smaller peptides that are absorbed by the small intestine.

FACT: Hydrochloric acid assists the absorption and assimilation of vitamins and minerals including ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, folic acid, and iron.

WARNING: Dr. Jonathan Wright has made the following observation:

Individuals who take acid-blocking drugs have a harder time absorbing calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, selenium, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, cobalt, and many other “micro-trace” elements.¹⁰

Don’t Choose a Cure That is Worse Than the Disease!

Digestive drugs (commonly known as ‘antacids’) can actually cause digestive distress!

There are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that neutralize or block gastric acid and provide quick, temporary relief—but they won’t cure your dyspepsia, and they may make it worse and lead to other health hazards. Here’s why:

Antacid medications disturb the normal feedback mechanism that controls stomach health … which is acid production!

Under normal circumstances, stomach acid secretion helps balance the growth of stomach cells, especially the acid-producing cells. But when we artificially block the production of stomach acid using drugs, the body responds by producing too much gastin—a stomach hormone normally blocked by our stomach acid production. This results in a condition known as Hypergastrinemia.

This excess gastin production causes changes in the stomach cells, notably a proliferation of acid-producing cells (causing a rebound ability of our stomach to produce acid).¹¹ It may also result in cancerous-like stomach growths.¹² The end result is an overproduction of acid after stopping these drugs—beyond what is normal and needed.

This sets up a vicious cycle because the drugs very effectively turn off stomach acid until we stop using them. However, they also stimulate the growth of acid-producing stomach cells giving us even more acid production once we stop.

Even worse … these drugs may actually promote stomach cancer because of the changes they cause!

Equally troubling, studies show that aged animals are much more susceptible to these adverse changes than young ones.¹³ All of these drugs were initially approved only for the short-term treatment of ulcers or gastric reflux. Problem is, they are now increasingly used as a daily, long-term quick fix with potentially disastrous long-term consequences.

Here’s the inside story:

• Calcium-based antacids can create an “acid rebound” which causes the stomach to produce more gastric acid after the antacid has worn off. They may also produce a mineral imbalance in the body by providing excess amounts of calcium without phosphorus which is needed to balance calcium metabolism.
• Magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate are also used in antacids, yet they both have a laxative effect! They are often combined with aluminum compounds which tend to be binding. Aluminum may be a culprit in other diseases and is something you definitely don’t want in your body.
• Antacids may also interfere with the absorption of other drugs. Since they lower stomach acid, they may cause some coated pills to release their active ingredients earlier than they should—in the stomach instead of the large intestine. Antacids also interfere with the absorption of prescription drugs in the bloodstream, speeding it up or slowing it down.¹⁵

There are two types of antacid drugs—H2 and PPI… BOTH have severe side effects… And the known side effects for the average American, like you and me, are frightful!

A natural remedy is the ONLY answer. Here’s why…

Prescription Heartburn Drugs Reduce the Production of Stomach Acid

Known as histamine (H2) blockers, these popular drugs (e.g., Tagamet®, Pepcid®, Axid®, and Zantac®) are available over the counter and by prescription. Not only do they take a while to work, but there is concern that they can mask the symptoms of an active ulcer and existing cancer of the stomach or esophagus.¹⁶

Many drugs interact with H2 blockers (particularly with Cimetidine—Tagamet). These drugs decrease the body’s ability to excrete caffeine. Those who consume large quantities of caffeine may experience tremors, insomnia, or heart palpitations. What’s more … Cimetidine may increase the likelihood of alcohol intoxication.¹⁷

H2 blockers also produce side effects such as dizziness, depression, and hallucinations in elderly individuals, or those who are unable to adequately excrete the drugs (i.e. people with kidney disease). High doses, taken over a long time, have caused breast enlargement and sexual dysfunction in men. H2 blockers can also cause liver toxicity or decreased platelet counts.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are stronger drugs used to treat acid-induced inflammation, ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). These drugs block acid production, and come with their own set of side effects. These commonly include:

• headache
• diarrhea
• stomach or abdominal pain
• increased gas or bloating
• vomiting
• rash
• dizziness

As if that weren’t enough, other frequently occurring side effects are nervousness, abnormal heartbeat, muscle pain, weakness, leg cramps, and water retention.¹⁸

“The Boston Globe Magazine reported that doctors jokingly refer to drugs such as Prilosec, Rapinex, and Nexium as “purple crack.” “It’s an expensive habit, about $4 for each daily pill, or $1,500 a year.” Once you get hooked, it’s hard to give it up!”

Despite the widely known and publicized negative side effects of antacids, they are huge business. Most people will do anything to avoid the heartburn that blazes after a favorite meal … even if relief is accompanied by headache, diarrhea, increased gas, or bloating … all common drug side effects.

Warning: Media promises are grounded in undocumented medical claims!

According to Dr. Jonathan Wright, “Multimillion dollar promotions to the public were launched to drive home the point that heartburn and indigestion are caused by too much acid, which can be ‘blocked’ (with these products, of course) at minimal risk. Oddly enough, the FDA has never required the companies advertising these products to document their claims that indigestion and heartburn are actually caused by over-acidity.” 19

Dr. Wright warns: the more we take these acid blockers, the more we accelerate our aging because they are also blocking the absorption of essential nutrients needed to repair and support cells, tissues, organs, and enzyme systems.

But there is hope, and it’s found in the oddest places. Read on to discover the …

5 Powerful Natural Solutions for Digestive Health

Artichoke Leaf Extract

Clinical studies show that the large basal leaves of Artichokes contain antioxidant, liver-protective, bile-enhancing, and lipid-lowering effects. The artichoke plant (Cynara scolymnus) is a relative of the well-known liver detoxifier, Milk Thistle, and is one of the oldest known cultivated plants in the world.

Used as a food and traditional remedy in the Mediterranean region since the 4th century B.C., the artichoke’s use as an aid for indigestion, insufficient liver function, and high cholesterol is now being proven in scientific studies.²⁰

Promotion of bile flow is the basis for the beneficial effects of Artichoke Leaf Extract on the gastrointestinal system. Bile is a thick, yellowish green fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. It is then released into the small intestine where it aids in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Good bile flow is also necessary for detoxification which is carried out by the liver. Bile serves as a carrier for the toxins that are excreted by the liver which are then sent to the intestine for their exit from the body. Cholesterol is also excreted in this way. Bile also helps keep the small intestine free of parasites. It promotes intestinal peristalsis and helps soften stool by promoting the incorporation of water which helps prevent constipation.²¹

Decreased bile flow—medically known as Cholestasis—is a major cause of dyspepsia.

The most common cause of cholestasis and impaired liver function is alcohol ingestion. In individuals who are especially sensitive, as little as one ounce of alcohol can damage the liver, which results in fat being deposited in the liver. On the other hand, gallstones are the most common cause of bile duct obstruction. Gallstones affect approximately 20 million people in the U.S. and are linked to a high-fat, low-fiber diet.²²

Cholestasis may also be caused by viral hepatitis, certain drugs and chemicals, pregnancy, hereditary disorders, or hyperthyroidism. Regardless of the cause, the consequence is that cholesterol and toxins remain in the liver which can injure liver cells and function.

Scientific Studies

A variety of clinical in vitro and in vivo studies on artichoke all confirm its traditional use to treat gastrointestinal complaints and protect the liver. Based on recent clinical studies, it also shows great promise as a treatment for high cholesterol.

In an early German study, participants were given a one-time dose of Artichoke extract or placebo, and their bile secretion was measured with special techniques over a several-hour period. The bile secretion was found to be significantly higher in the group that received the Artichoke extract. ²³

In another German study that included 553 patients with dyspeptic complaints and 279 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the patients took a recommended dose of 2 capsules each of 320 mg of Artichoke extract, three times per day with meals. All five IBS symptoms—abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, right-sided abdominal cramps, and constipation—along with general dyspepsia were significantly reduced after 6 weeks of treatment. The patients noticed improvement in their symptoms after an average of 10.4 days of treatment, and 84% of both patients and physicians rate the overall effectiveness of Artichoke extract as good or excellent.²⁴

A double-blind clinical trial that studied the impact of Artichoke extract on 44 healthy individuals with high cholesterol levels greater than 220 mg/dl found that it significantly decreased their cholesterol levels. In fact, the higher the initial cholesterol value, the more significant was the reduction in cholesterol levels. It was also observed that the protective HDL cholesterol levels showed a tendency to increase.²⁵

In vitro studies on rat liver cells found that Artichoke extract reduced the formation of cholesterol for several hours following exposure. 26 Artichoke Leaf Extract is well tolerated and has no significant side effects. Although no known allergic reactions have been reported, those with known sensitivities to Asteraceae (daisy family) plants should avoid it.

The verdict’s in: Artichoke Leaf Extract is an excellent digestive aid for dyspepsia… It is especially effective for combating bloating, constipation, flatulence, and diarrhea. It is also a general tonic used to improve liver function, including detoxification. Artichoke Leaf Extract does this by:

• increasing healthy bile secretion
• preventing fat infiltration in the liver
• inhibiting liver cell free radical damage
• inhibiting LDL oxidation
• inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis

Mastic Gum

Mastic gum is a natural substance derived from the sap of a variety of pistachio trees (Pistacia lentiscus) that grow in the Mediterranean. It has been used for centuries in Italy and Greece as a traditional remedy against stomach upset, ulcers, and heartburn.²⁷

Today, mastic is used primarily for gastrointestinal health and as a chewing gum base and flavoring additive. It is also especially effective for protecting the digestive system against duodenal and peptic ulcers, eradicating H. pylori and other gastrointestinal bacteria, and soothing dyspeptic complaints.28

“The H. pylori bacterium has been estimated to be present in 30% to 40% of the U.S. population. It is considered the world’s most common chronic infection.”

H. pylori is considered to be the world’s most common chronic infection.²⁹ It is believed to be acquired through consumption of contaminated food and water. It is also transmitted by intimate contact such as kissing, where there is an exchange of saliva. It is common for parents and children—and for lovers—to pass it back and forth!

Recent studies have shown that mastic is particularly effective against H. pylori. One study showed that mastic killed 50% of the 16 strains tested at a concentration of 125 mcg/ml and 90% of the 16 strains at a concentration of 500 mcg/ml. The researchers also noted that mastic produced alterations, abnormalities, and fragmentation in H. pylori cells, making it difficult for the bacterium to survive in the body.³⁰

Other studies showed that mastic can quickly heal gastric and even some duodenal ulcers.³¹ Endoscopic studies have shown that lesions heal within weeks with mastic therapy with healthy tissue regrowth over the formerly damaged tissue—all without the use of antibiotics.³²³³

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the oldest traditional remedies for gastric disorders. This flavorful herb has been used in many cultures because of its digestion enhancing and stomach protective properties. Ginger extract contains a variety of active compounds which have been studied for their effects on digestion and gastric health as well as many other beneficial medicinal properties.³⁴

Among the scientific validations of ginger’s traditional uses are anti-ulcer and anti-dyspeptic properties. Among its effects, Ginger has been shown to inhibit the growth of H. pylori bacteria.³⁵

Ginger has also been shown to prevent ulcers from both drugs and stress.³⁶ In the case of dyspepsia, Ginger has been proven to significantly relax the stomach, lessening the chance of an overactive stomach causing heartburn.³⁷

No question about it … Ginger extract is a powerful weapon in the battle for digestive peace.

DigeZyme®

DigeZyme® is a multi-enzyme complex from Aspergillus oryzae consisting of amylases (starch digesting enzymes), proteases (protein digesting enzymes) and lipases (fat digesting enzymes). Lactase, a carbohydrate digestive enzyme that digests lactose, is included especially for individuals who are lactose intolerant.

Unlike the commonly available enzyme products of animal origin, DigeZyme® is derived from the microbial fermentation of grain. This preparation is therefore free from the potential hazards of latent viruses such as bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE).

Aspergillis enzymes are unusually stable and active under a wide range of pH conditions, contrary to the once popular animal enzymes (e.g., pepsin, pancreatin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancrelipase, pancreatic amylase), which require special pH conditions, often lacking in a stomach ravaged by digestive problems.

Let’s be clear: cofactors such as vitamins and minerals are essential for the activity of many enzymes.

For instance, there are over 300 enzymes in the human body that require zinc in order to function properly. Other enzymes may require B vitamins, magnesium, iron, copper, and selenium. It is therefore essential to take an excellent vitamin/mineral supplement along with digestive enzymes for the best results.

Lactospore® (Lactobacillus sporogenes)

Probiotic (beneficial bacteria) therapy originated in the ancient Near and Middle East where physicians used fermented milk for the treatment of various diseases including gastrointestinal disorders. Scientists later discovered that the health benefits from fermented milk were derived from the indigenous lactobacilli, which also inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract, skin, and vaginal mucosa. It isn’t surprising, then, that the lactobacilli have been found to be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, vaginal infections, and even high cholesterol.

The problem is that lactobacillus—commonly called acidophilus—have a short shelf life and need refrigeration. They also do not survive the acidic environment of the stomach. In fact, most lactobacillus die in the stomach before they have a chance to reach the small intestine where they are most needed.

Lactobacillus sporogenes is a spore-forming probiotic that has been used in Japan successfully for more than 20 years. It represents a significant breakthrough in lactobacillus supplementation because it can survive the acidity of gastric and bile juices, and it produces L(+) lactic acid in the intestines which is fully metabolized to glycogen. Once in the small intestine, a spore will sporulate, meaning it will open up and grow. It also doesn’t require refrigeration.

Intestinal flora supplementation is highly recommended when an individual has dyspeptic complaints, or has:

• Taken antibiotics that kill bacteria, antifungal drugs that kill fungi and yeast, and antiprotozoal drugs that kill organisms such as Giardia and Malaria
• Chronic diarrhea
• Chronic constipation
• Malabsorption/malassimilation problems due to poor diet
• Colitis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Used drugs that inhibit the immune system

Clinical trials with Lactobacillus sporogenes have proven successful in the treatment of:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Non-specific vaginitis³⁸
• Antibiotic-induced diarrhea in children³⁹
• High cholesterol⁴⁰
• Constipation⁴¹
• Imbalance of intestinal microflora⁴²

For all these reasons, Lactobacillus sporogenes is considered to be an excellent supplement to aid in replenishing normal intestinal flora.

Experience the Amazing Power of 5

FACT: Stomach acid and bile flow help maintain normal health in the gastrointestinal tract.

FACT: Stomach acid supports digestion, helps the body absorb vital nutrients, digest protein by stimulating pepsin production, and helps prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth.

FACT: Bile flow also helps support normal gastrointestinal health by carrying toxins out of the liver, excreting cholesterol, and keeping the small intestine free of parasites … both essential factors in preventing premature aging.

Statistics show that you may be among the 100 million Americans who suffer severe illness or even disease caused from chronic dyspeptic complaints.

Forget about the pharmaceutical drugs that decrease the acid so vital to healthy digestion, overall health, and longevity. Consider instead, the natural route … Artichoke Leaf Extract, Mastic, Ginger, Digezyme® and Lactobacillus sporogenes. Add them to your daily health regimen and you’ll soon have what it takes to conquer digestive discomfort.

Let’s examine the statistics one more time:

• 30% of the population suffers from dyspeptic complaints!
• 20% suffer from heartburn at least once per week!
• 1% of Americans are chronically ill with upper GI tract disease every year!
• 40% of postmenopausal American women have low stomach acid, reports the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

You need not be a statistic. And you need not succumb to the perils of pharmaceuticals. The natural solution to dyspepsia is available to you now. Do yourself, and your health, a favor and act now before it is too late.

DigeZyme® and Lactospore® are registered trademarks of Sabinsa Corporation. 

References