Will the taking of enzymes help decrease the potential for acid reflux and if so, How?
Digestive enzymes will aid in the breakdown of your food which should help with acid reflux. There are other issues to explore though such as are you chewing you food thoroughly, do you have the correct balance of benificial bacteria in your digestive system, and is your hydrochloric acid production at a proper level. All of these factors as well as you stress and anxiety play a role in acid reflux. I know that I had answered your question with more questions but these factors need to be explored.
Good Health,
Glen ND
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. We are unable to address your medical illness and provide you with specific medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. We provide high quality supplements and recommend seeking advice from a qualified, nutritionally oriented health care provider who has researched your condition.
It would be recommended to start with a lower dose and to increase every few days if needed. Some of the symptoms that you would notice with low HCL would be getting too full with only a moderate amount of food, feelings of being bloated, and a slow transit time of your food leaving your stomach. If you feel that these symptoms have improved you may have an adaquete amount at that time. I would also note that as you are increasing your dose and you begin to feel a start burning sensation in your stomach, you have reached the maximum amount of HCL at that time. I would then be recommended to back off one capsule at that time.
Chronic stress, poor eating habits, nutrient deficiencies, impaired immune system, oxidative damage, and varying amount of enzyme activity could all contribute to the lack of HCL. You can get them from the health food store but I would suggest getting those that are designed for you MT. They are safe if taken as directed and if they are bothersome at all I would suggest taking them closer to your meal time. The burning sensation is what you would be looking for as you have hit your peak of supplementation. If you reach this always back down one because we want the body to start producing the HCL on its own. As time goes on you should start to feel the burn at the dose that you would be at and at that time you would back off one more. As time goes on it would be optimal to for you to feel the burn with one...then you should stop. I will add that the HCL will help with the B-vitamins also. Can anyone add their experience with HCL fro JCW?
Even though I am a proponent of utilizing HCL it is not for everyone and I do not see it as the long term option for most people. Our bodies produce HCL and there are times in our life when this production may drop based on stress, poor nutrition, lack of minerals, enzyme deficiencies, and aging. When these issues are addressed and you work with the HCL the ideal would be that your body will start to produce sufficient HCL. I would not put a number on the amount of HCL needed to handle a meal as it has even been noticed that different metabolic types will generally be producing HCL in individualized amounts. As far as your son is concerned if he is confident that the causes of HCL depletion that are listed above are not an issue I would actually suggest not taking the HCL and only taking the digestive enzyme at this time. I can also say that I am not familiar with NOW products and that I have always had good results with the enzigest from Ultra Life. Hopefully this is of help to you.
How definitive of a test is taking the capulses and waiting for a burn to check your HCl levels? I can take seven 200 mg HCL capsules and feel nothing, is this a sure sign I am low HCl? From a zinc tally taste test I am horribly deficient in zinc and have white fingernail spots so that may play a part.
Hello,
It is generally the best way to understand the need for HCL but my general recommendation is no more than 6 capsules per meal and this will play a role in the assimilation of your minerals.