Introduction to Digestion Problems
By Dr. Luke

We need to add quality to life instead of merely prolonging life aimlessly. I have heard it said, "It’s not how long we live, but how well we live as long as we live." I agree. I would much prefer a short productive life, instead of a long one with no ambition or quality. But so much of what we suffer with as a species could be prevented with a little education and effort on our own part. In the long run prevention is the cheapest and most effective way that we can spare ourselves of much of the ravages of disease.

One of the principal keys to good health is to supply good quality food substances to the digestive system and to avoid all substances, which may be harmful to us (e.g.- caffeine, colas, chocolates, refined sugars, processed foods, alcohol etc.) Few people ever take the time to study their own body and learn how it functions, thus how to take care of it for their proper health.

Eating and drinking play such a major role in our lives, socially and otherwise, that we should at least know the rudiments of the digestive process. In plain language, digestion is the process of breaking down food and other essential nutrients so that they may be absorbed into the blood and transplanted throughout the body, after poisons are neutralized by the liver. The exception to this is alcohol, which is directly absorbed and gets into the main circulation and nervous system.

One of the basic rules of health is to avoid eating concentrated carbohydrates and concentrated proteins at the same meal. The ordinary diet of meat, potatoes and bread is actually disastrous to the body. Many people may disagree with this statement, because that’s their main meal. Their parents and grandparents ate the same way. We are all creatures of habit, and most of us are uneasy with concepts that challenge our life style. As I said in my very first writing - It’s not my intention to convince anybody of anything. I am only expressing my views as a Holistic Practitioner. I’m only writing the guidelines for good health as I know them, and trying to educate the reader, in simple forms, as to how the body works – but in truth, "we are what we eat".

Nothing in this world is hard if we discipline ourselves to do it. We need to be motivated to accomplish anything. One of life’s greatest pleasures is food and drink. But for people who suffer from stomach problems, such an eating delight is a prelude to acid indigestion or gas, bloating pain, heartburn and in the end peptic ulcer. This is especially true as we age. The reasons for this, as explained in the December 1999 issue of ‘Good Times’ Magazine, are that as a person ages their digestive problems become more noticeable due to the natural decrease in the production and levels of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, which help to break down the foods and assure their proper digestion. This can be compounded by taking anti-inflammatory drugs for minor aches and pains, which may further contribute to a sluggish digestion, which can be aggravating and agonizing. This interferes with daily activities as well as sleep.

Digestion occurs in the stomach in a very particular Ph (acid-alkaline range). This can be disturbed due to many reasons, including, but not limited too: poor diet, a decrease in digestive enzymes and stomach acids, as well as because of the debilitating effects of stress which in effect can stop the normal flow of digestion all together. In that kind of environment the stomach is more prone to problems such as ulcers.

Next column I will discuss stomach ulcers and acid reflux in greater detail.

(The views of Dr. Luke are not meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness and are solely his views and not necessarily those of this newspaper or any other entity. Consult your family health provider for any health or medical issues)