Underactive Stomach: What it is and 5 Ways to Manage it Naturally
Bloating, gas, and heartburn are the hallmarks of an underactive stomach. Most of us have experienced these symptoms and when we have we most likely reached for the antacids. It may have helped at first but long term use of antacids bring more gas, more bloating and excessive heartburn. In addition to reducing acid in the gut, antacids reduce digestive enzymes that help you break down the food you’re eating. Often when you experience these symptoms it's because your gut is not producing enough digestive enzymes to properly and effectively break down food. Food ends up sitting in your stomach for too long and when this happens it starts to putrefy and ferment, causing gas, bloating and heartburn. So before you reach for the antacids the next time you experience digestive upset consider what might be the root cause.
What is an Underactive Stomach?
An underactive stomach does not produce enough acid to adequately breakdown the food you are eating. There are many things that can cause an underactive stomach. Some of the most common culprits include:
Stress
Diet high in processed foods
eating on the run
high protein diet
The good news is, this doesn’t need to be the norm for you! There are some strategies you can use today to get that digestive fire back.
Reduce processed foods. These are the foods that come in boxes, bags and cans, they’ve been engineered to last a long time and have many food additives. They require energy to break down and provide little to no nutrients for your body. Processed food put a strain on your pancreas, the organ responsible for enzyme production. Enzymes are secreted in your stomach to help you break down the food you are eating.
Reduce sugar as much as possible. Sugars are digested in the small intestine and pass through the stomach quickly. This is compromised when there are already fats and proteins in the stomach. The sugar mixes with the protein and fats, fermentation can occur and the result is gas and bloating.
Practice mindfulness - If you are not in a state of rest and relaxation (parasympathetic mode) your digestion system will not be in an optimal state to digest the food you are eating. Blood flow is shunted away from the digestive system compromising its function.
Take 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice with water before eating - this helps stimulate the secretion of gastric juices and aids in the digestive process. It's important to choose unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the mother. This will ensure that the enzymes and friendly bacteria are intact to help with your digestive process.
Temporary use of supplements containing enzymes and HCL can be used to improve digestion and absorption. Work with a practitioner to figure out what type and amount are right for you.
Changing habits can be hard and introducing foods into your diet that are new to you can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Work with a practitioner to get you over this hurdle and to determine what's best for your unique health concerns.