Your Stomach, Food and Toxins

The symptoms that your stomach isn't functioning optimally are:

1. Nausea

2. Vomiting

3. Diarrhea

4. Heartburn

5. Indigestion

6. Belching

7. Gas

8. Bloat

9. Appetite

10. Ulcer

The stomach muscles make the stomach "churn" just the same as a washing machine does when in motion, so the stomach can create acid digestive juices to assimilate protein. Also, it creates mucous to protect the stomach from acidic fluid. An important part of the digestive process is your intestinal flora because it aids in the digestive process by making B vitamins and healing chemicals for the large intestine that delay bad bacteria from developing. Absorption and digestion of nutrients are improved as lactic acid is created. Intestinal flora help the intestine with peristalsis (intestine muscles involuntarily relax and constrict to create a movement that pushes feces along the canal). After intestinal flora die, they provide much of the bulk of the stool.

Symptoms that are associated with putrefaction toxins and fermentation in the bowels are:

1. Flatulence

2. Bloating

3. Burping

Putrefactions toxins and fermentation can be a result of constipation. The toxins from decay are released into the bloodstream and can effect every cell in the body. Autointoxication (poison by toxic substance) can lead to some forms of cirrhosis of the liver and arteriosclerosis. At this point, it is important to detox the body and then practice good digestive habits by chewing food to a paste before swallowing and refrain from drinking with meals. When I think back to my childhood, I was not allowed a drink with my meal because I would become full and not eat my food. Also, they insisted on chewing 20 times before I swallow. My parents has good intentions and actually helped me to have good digestion. Fast forward to my adult years where I would order a drink with my meal at a restaurant, this was the beginning of many complications in my gut.

Did you know that antibiotics and cortisone stop or prevent proper the growth of intestinal flora. The intestine becomes irritated and will respond by attempting to rid the irritants by developing diarrhea. There are other ways for the stomach to become physically irritated:

1. Ingesting certain foods

2. Ingesting non-foods like chemicals, food chemical preservatives etc.

3. Toxins leak from the liver or spill past the liver and make their way into the bloodstream, which makes all cells aggravated

The best way to avoid excess toxins in your diet is to eat organic by either growing your own food or buy organic at the grocery store or farmer's market. Make sure your food is whole (whole grain) and natural (fresh or frozen vs. canned fish). It is easier to control what you eat in comparison with inhaling environmental toxins. Take a probiotic if your microbiome (beneficial bacteria) count is low and incorporate fermented foods into your diet. A cucumber changes to a pickle with the help of good bacteria and then you consume this bacteria. Give your liver a gentle detox by drinking lemon water upon rising for a month or two.

Sources

Lectures on Autointoxication in Disease, or Self Poisoning of the Individual. California State Medical Journal. 1906 April. Vol. 4(4): 148. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1651326/pdf/calstatejmed00210-0058b.pdf

Matsen, John, N.D. Eating Alive: Prevention Thru Good Digestion. Crompton Books. Canada. 2013.