Gut Health Restored | Protein Digestion 

Healthy Protein Digestion

Stomach acid is made up of powerful enzymes like pepsin and gastrin, along with hydrochloric acid (HCL) and intrinsic factor, making it the primary site for protein breakdown.

Stomach acid helps the following:

• Contains enzymes to support carbohydrate, fat, and protein digestion
• Contains HCL that lowers stomach pH needed to activate enzymes
• Stimulates peristalsis, leading to better bowel movements
• Helps Vitamin B12 to be fully released from protein food sources
• Provides an acidic environment for mineral absorption (including calcium) to take place

Insufficient levels of stomach acid can cause significant health issues.

Unfortunately, chronic stress, unhealthy food choices, medications, and aging can all contribute to low stomach acid levels. This can lead to significant problems, as low acid and enzyme deficiencies cause food to be only partially digested.

The result is undigested food, which can cause a whole host of problems including excess gas, bloating, bacterial overgrowth, and unresolved inflammation.

Don't let these negative consequences take over your life. Take action to improve your stomach acid levels and enzyme support today!

Low stomach acid causes the following:

• Enzymes do not get fully activated
• Lower digestive complications from undigested food occur lower in the intestines
• Peristalsis is not activated, leading to difficult bowel movements and constipation
• Vitamin B12 (used for energy, immune, and cardiovascular health) is not fully released

Common Undigested Protein Symptoms:

• Bad breath that is not resolved by oral hygiene support
• Constipation after eating a heavy protein meal
• Gas that smells really bad (silent but deadly)
• Heartburn or acid reflux often
• Prolonged burning before or after eating a meal

Do you experience gas, bloating and burning after eating protein-heavy meals?

If you have not been on long-term OTC use, but are experiencing really smelly gas and heartburn, then you may have stomach acid deficiencies.

You may be wondering how you can have stomach acid deficiencies—but it’s more common than you might think. Prolonged stress, diets low in B-Vitamins and chloride (Cl), excessive coffee and soda consumption, moderate to high alcohol consumption—as well as a lack of bitter herb supplements—can all lead to low stomach acid.

Lifestyle changes are always recommended which are the opposite of the above, but to fast-track your recovery, we recommend supplementing your meals with Zypan. Zypan is n effective 3-in-1 product to support upper digestion.

Zypan® provides betaine hydrocloride (HCL), pancreatic enzymes, and pepsin to support normal carbohydrate, protein, and fat digestion*

• Provides betaine hydrochloride to lower stomach pH that activates enzymes*
• Provides pancreatin that supports protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism*
• Provides pepsin needed for additional protein metabolism*

Caution: Chewing Zypan is not recommended. Please ask for alternative options if you currently having a gastric and/or duodenal ulcer.

Incorporate Bitters into Your Diet for Better Health

Bitters, which are a blend of various herbs and roots, have been used for centuries to promote digestive health. One of the most significant benefits of bitters is their ability to normalize stomach acid production.

When consumed before meals, bitters stimulate the production of digestive juices and enzymes, leading to better digestion, absorption of nutrients, and steady blood sugar levels.

The active compounds in bitters, such as Gentian, Ginger, Tangerine, Wormwood, work together to reduce inflammation and soothe the digestive tract, alleviating symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. Incorporating bitters into your diet can help to promote optimal digestive health and overall wellness.

We love DiGest Forte from Mediherb to support healthy digestion.

These herbs have been traditionally used in herbal preparations to:

• Stimulate gastric juice output and appetite*
• Support healthy digestion and intestinal function*
• Promote healthy gastrointestinal toneSupport the body’s natural toxin-elimination function*
• Increase bile flow as a cholagogue*
• Promote normal response to environmental stressors*

Digest Forte alleviates a wide range of digestive issues and is gentle enough to be used by people who are sensitive to other digestive aids. It is our go-to first step because it goes after the root cause of stomach acid and enzyme stimulation.

It is best to take this product in conjunction with a digestive multivitamin such as Gastrex, so that you don't over-stimulate organs (the stomach, pancreas, liver) that are already having problems.

Make protein putrefaction a thing of the past!

Are you ready to unlock the incredible potential of your stomach and experience better digestion and overall health?

We hope that this article sheds light on the importance of maintaining a healthy stomach acid level, which is crucial for breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and absorbing essential nutrients like Vitamin B12 and calcium.

The good news is that there are many natural ways to support stomach acid production, such as stress management, enzyme support, and incorporating bitter herbs into your diet.

Don't fall for the myth that too much stomach acid causes digestion problems - it's actually an unhealthy stomach environment that's the culprit. So take care of your stomach and watch as it powers your overall well-being to new heights.

Next up, part 3 - Fat Digestion!

Helpful links and references

1. Bessie Young, M.D., University of Washington; William McClellan, M.D., Emory University; Dr. Young. Harold Feldman, M.D., University of Pennsylvania, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work.
2. Eva Untersmayr, MD and Erika Jensen-Jarolim, MD, et al. The role of protein digestibility and antacids on food allergy outcomes. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Jun; 121(6): 1301–1310.
3. Daly JM, Reynolds J, Sigal RK, Shou J, Liberman MD. “Effect of dietary protein and amino acids on immune function.” Crit Care Med. 1990 Feb;18(2 Suppl):S86-93.
4. Stephen Welle. Human Protein Metabolism. Springer Science & Business Media, Dec 6, 2012.
5. Snijders T, Res PT, Smeets JS, et al. Protein Ingestion before Sleep Increases Muscle Mass and Strength Gains during Prolonged Resistance-Type Exercise Training in Healthy Young Men. J Nutr. 2015 Apr 29.
6. Atenodoro R. Ruiz, Jr., MD, Consultant, Section of Gastroenterology, and Head, Colon Cancer Screening Task Force, The Medical City, Pasig City, Metro-Manila, Philippines. Overview of Malabsorption.
7 Raffaele Pezzilli, Angelo Andriulli, Claudio Bassi, Gianpaolo Balzano, Maurizio Cantore, Gianfranco Delle Fave, Massimo Falconi, Luca Frulloni, and the Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency collaborative (EPIc) Group. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adults: A shared position statement of the Italian association for the study of the pancreas. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Nov 28; 19(44): 7930–7946. (PubMed).