Banish Indigestion Naturally

Indigestion, or upset stomach, affects nearly 30 percent of the population. If you’ve ever experienced excessive gas or bloating, burping, or nausea during or after eating, that’s what we’re talking about. The overall feeling is physical discomfort in the upper abdomen.

Indigestion is not a disease, but rather a set of symptoms that warn us when our digestive tract is not functioning optimally. Some people experience this discomfort frequently, while others only have an occasional occurrence. Sometimes, heartburn may accompany indigestion.

Most of the time, indigestion is the result of food, drink, poor eating habits, and lifestyle choices: smoking, stress, eating too fast, drinking too much alcohol, or consuming spicy, fatty, or greasy foods.

How is indigestion treated naturally?

Many nutritional supplements claim to relieve indigestion. Which ones work?

• Plant-derived enzymes. Papain from papaya, bromelain from pineapple, and combinations like protease, lipase, amylase, cellulose, and lactase are often promoted. However, no clinical studies validate the efficacy of plant-derived enzymes for indigestion.
• While probiotics are believed to support healthy digestion, most research has centered on occasional diarrhea and constipation, not occasional indigestion. The strain of Morinaga BB536 featured in QOL’s ProbioPure™ is one notable exception.
• Adding bulk to the stool is only helpful for occasional constipation and diarrhea. Increased fiber intake could actually cause indigestion.

Specific lifestyle and dietary changes can support relief from indigestion:

• Stress and indigestion are directly related. Adopt stress relievers that work for you like exercise, yoga, massage, journaling, and spending time in nature.
• Practice proper eating habits. Cut down on air being swallowed while eating. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and don’t talk and eat at the same time. Avoid eating late at night or just before retiring.
• Cut out common food triggers. Avoid spicy, greasy, fatty, and processed foods. Coffee, other acidic foods and lactose-heavy foods may also trigger indigestion.
• Raise the head of the bed at least six inches. Using wooden blocks or books, this helps encourage digestive juices to flow downward for digestion, rather than upward into the esophagus.
• Eliminate smoking and alcohol consumption. Both habits irritate the stomach lining and foster symptoms of indigestion.

FACT: Stomach acid production declines with age.

Ginger root and artichoke extract have demonstrated success in alleviating indigestion.* QOL Peptisol® is formulated with meaningful potencies of ginger root, artichoke extract, licorice root extract, and zinc carnosine. This supplement serves to relieve occasional indigestion, alleviate occasional heartburn, promote daily regularity, and strengthen the stomach lining.*
A look at Peptisol’s active ingredients:

• Ginger root extract has been used for centuries to soothe nausea.*
• PepZin GI®, a patented form of zinc carnosine, helps maintain the health of the GI system and stomach lining against effects of irritation without suppressing the production of stomach acid needed for healthy digestion.*
• Artichoke leaf extract relieves feelings of discomfort, bloating, and fullness.*
• GutGard® DGL is a proprietary extract of licorice root shown to be highly effective in reducing symptoms of occasional heartburn.*

Important caveat! Heart attacks and other serious health issues can mimic symptoms similar to indigestion. When there is any doubt, seek urgent medical care.

Indigestion is a common health problem that can be alleviated by making small habits and lifestyle changes. Living a mindful and relaxed life is key to success.