Indigestion normally happens when the food that you consume is improperly digested and therefore cannot be fully absorbed into the body cells.
The food you eat usually consists of carbohydrates, protein and fats.
Ideally, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars like glucose; proteins are broken down into amino acids while fats are broken down into its acids and glycerol.
The role of digestion is undertaken by the digestive enzymes.
Your body produces about ten liters of digestive juices daily.
However if these enzymes are insufficient, indigestion sets in.
The symptoms of indigestion include abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating or gas, heartburn, nausea and sometimes vomiting.
Other causes of indigestion are varied.
Sometimes indigestion can be due to ulcers and acid in the gullet but some people are eventually found to have a disorder affecting other parts of the digestive system, including the gallstones or the irritable bowel syndrome.
Gallstones are cholesterol or calcium salts deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts.
The presence of the deposits can also cause abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea or vomiting.
However, for most cases, indigestion is nothing to worry about.
The largest causes of indigestion still center on diet.
Most treatment of indigestion include the use of antacids medications aimed at removing the symptoms without action to treat the cause.
Sodium bicarbonate preparations are the most commonly used antacids.
However, their excessive use can cause an imbalance of the acid alkali equilibrium, creating the state of alkalosis.
If this condition is sustained with a substantial consumption of calcium in the form of milk or antacid, it can cause irreversible kidney damage.
To treat the dietary causes of indigestion, you need to take heed of the following: 1.
Stomach acid combines with pepsinogen to form the powerful enzyme called pepsin which breaks down protein into tiny particles for absorption.
However, the production of stomach acid is dependent on the sufficient intake of zinc.
Thus you need to take zinc supplement to help overcome indigestion.
2.
Take a digestive enzyme supplement to assist in the digestion of food.
You can take this supplement up to a month provided you also take a daily dose of a multi vitamins and minerals tablet.
Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the production of the digestive enzymes.
3.
Do not rush through your meals, and chew your food thoroughly.
Chewing will stimulate the secretion of salivary amylase, breaks down food into smaller particles for better exposure to enzymatic digestion.
4.
Avoid stress while eating.
Stress will inhibit part of the nervous system that is responsible for normal enzymatic activity and gastric motility.
5.
Avoid refined carbohydrates, strong spices, salt and sugar as these will cause a rapid secretion of gastric acid and irritate the delicate mucous membranes.
Add in green vegetables to your meals to maintain the acid alkali balance.
6.
Do not take any liquid with solid meals as the liquid will dilute the action of digestive enzymes.