According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, as many as 70 million people living in the United States (that’s more than 20% of the population) suffer from a digestive disorder [1]. And countless others experience periodic flatulence, acid reflux, heartburn, or indigestion – all potential signs of low stomach acid.
It’s a common misconception that low stomach acid symptoms are indicative of too much stomach acid. This misunderstanding is a key reason why the global market for antacid drugs is expected to top $18.7 billion by the year 2026 [2].
The reality of the situation is that folks who have trouble digesting their food in one way or another typically don’t have enough stomach acid, not too much. A lack of stomach acid means food festers there before eventually being passed on to the small intestine partially intact. (In case you haven’t guessed already, this is not a good thing).
Known clinically as hypochlorhydria, low stomach acid is a common health issue that afflicts upwards of 90% of the American population, according to health expert Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD [3]. In almost every instance where he’s tested patients over the age of 40 with reported symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, or gas, the culprit was usually inadequate acid production in the stomach.
Antacids & Proton Pump Inhibitors Can Make Low Stomach Acid Worse
What this means is that people who take antacids to eliminate their digestive woes are usually making the problem worse, even if symptoms seem to subside after taking them.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are even more egregious in that they inhibit the body’s normal production of stomach acid [4], creating a type of long-term low stomach acid syndrome where a person’s body is perpetually acid-deficient and thus ill-equipped for proper digestion.
Endlessly popping antacids or PPIs with meals can really do a number on the body’s ability to make and use hydrochloric acid, also known as HCl, the main form of gastric acid found in the stomach (alongside potassium chloride and sodium chloride).
Besides depriving the body of vital nutrients by inhibiting the complete breakdown of foods that contain them, these dangerous drugs – and especially PPIs – also come with an array of nasty side effects that end up triggering other potentially more severe health problems [5], as well as shut down the body’s natural production of HCl.
It’s a bit of a catch-22 because without antacids or PPIs, many chronic digestive sufferers are left to feel the burn. This burning sensation can come from:
- the acidic gas from failed digestion putting pressure on the stomach valve and burning its way into the esophagus, or
- the constant bloating from putrefied food blasting into the colon and wreaking digestive havoc.
It All Starts With Your Saliva
There has to be a better way, you’re probably thinking right about now – and the good news is… there is! As you’ve probably gathered, in order to effectively break down the foods you eat into smaller, more usable molecules, your stomach needs plenty of HCl, which has a pH level of zero [6]. This is considered baseline acidic, and it’s what’s required to really unpack everything you eat down to the molecular level, readying it for passage into the small intestine.
But this is only possible after your food has already been pre-digested by the saliva created in your mouth. As it turns out, saliva possesses a unique communications mechanism that tells your stomach in advance to start making more HCl before the food arrives.
If you’re not producing enough saliva, then you’re also not producing enough HCl – which consequently means your small intestine is not producing enough digestive enzymes to complete the process.
This cascading failure effect can manifest as any or all of the aforementioned symptoms, depending on your unique physiology and health state.
But it’s a lack of stomach acid that lies at the root of the problem, whether it’s caused by poor saliva production or some other trigger – we’ll get into this more later.
Your Stomach’s PH Needs to Be at the Right Level to Digest Your Food
The stomach’s resting pH level is ideally supposed to be somewhere in the range of 5.0 to 6.0, and this level has to drop to around or below 3.0 every time you eat – HCl being the primary functional mechanism for adjusting your stomach’s pH to that proper level.
When there’s a lack of HCl, the stomach’s pH level stays too high, and larger food particles sit there for too long and spoil, which can feel like the food you just ate is gurgling around for hours on end causing discomfort, pain, and bloating.
According to the Food Enzyme Institute [7], it takes about 45 minutes for a healthy stomach to drop from its resting pH range of 5.0-6.0 to 3.0 or below upon receiving food.
This means that whatever you eat needs to stay fresh for at least that amount of time in your stomach’s 98.6-degree environment in order to not go bad. Otherwise, your small intestine ends up receiving spoiled, partially intact, toxic food particles that cause problems rather than provide nutrition.
Stomach Acid Production Decreases With Age
Unfortunately, an unhealthy or older stomach takes even longer to digest food due to lower levels of HCl and other associated digestive enzymes. And when food repeatedly sits in this type of stomach for long periods of time, decaying and creating gaseous fumes that burn the esophagus and cause heartburn, as one prominent example, other more serious health conditions can emerge such as full-on esophagitis or irritable bowel syndrome.
Again, the medical establishment’s standard solutions – antacids or PPIs – only address the symptoms without getting to their root cause. And by reducing stomach acid even more (the exact opposite of what a digestive sufferer actually needs), these drugs can potentially cause more harm than good by allowing poorly digested food particles to enter the small intestine, where their noxious presence generates inflammation.
This inflammation often manifests symptomatically as bloating due to the membranes of the intestinal wall becoming inflamed and swollen. And as this swelling occurs, the intestinal wall becomes more permeable than normal, allowing inadequately digested food particles to enter into the body uninhibited – a dangerous phenomenon known as leaky gut (aka intestinal permeability).
Besides rotting food particles, other damaging substances such as chemical preservatives, pesticides and herbicides, and antibiotics also pass through the intestinal membrane, toxifying the body to an even greater degree.
But keep in mind that pretty much all of this can be avoided simply by supporting healthy stomach acid production.
The Most Common Stomach Acid “Killers”
How do you support healthy stomach acid production, you’re probably asking? It all starts with optimizing your lifestyle by ridding it as much as possible of stress, worry, and anxiety – three stomach acid killers.
Being in a constant state of “fight or flight” can wreak absolute havoc on your digestive system because it forces your body into survival mode. This means that vital resources are diverted away from creating the stomach acid necessary to digest your food, and towards mitigating the “emergency” situations that it thinks you constantly face.
If you’ve ever crammed down a meal while you were feeling stressed and then had it feel like you had a “rock” in your stomach all day… now you know why. Your food can’t digest properly when you’re stressed!
Learning how to remain calm and collected at all times, no matter the circumstances, will go a long way in keeping you healthier than you ever thought possible.
Training your mind to better adapt to unexpected or unpleasant situations will communicate to your body that it’s okay to spend its resources on nourishment, growth, and well-being rather than on terror, distress, and the felt need to constantly escape from the problems of life.
Adaptogens Create Balance in the Body
There are supplemental ways to enhance this process, one of them being adaptogens. Adaptogenic herbs directly counteract the negative physiological changes brought about by stress.
Because they naturally help to normalize the body and create homeostatic equilibrium, adaptogens have been scientifically shown to help protect your body against neurological, endocrine, and immune damage while balancing your hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands [8].
There are many adaptogens including ashwagandha, cordyceps mushrooms, l-theanine, lemon balm, chamomile, and cannabis sativa [9] to name just a few. When used properly, these plants can help to calm and balance your nervous system, ensuring that stress levels stay at a minimum.
Keep in mind that the bulk of your immune system – upwards of 70% [10] – lives inside your gut. Thus, if your stomach isn’t properly digesting your food, allowing toxic food particulates to constantly bombard your small intestine generating inflammation and a leaky gut, then you’re simply not going to be healthy no matter what else you try to do for your health.
3 Ways to Know If You Have Low Stomach Acid
Even if you don’t think you have low stomach acid or digestive problems, it’s important to keep in mind that symptoms aren’t always obvious. Sometimes they’re too subtle to be noticeably disruptive, or perhaps sufferers simply get used to them because of their constant presence in everyday life.
Look at Your Fingernails
If this sounds like you, try inspecting your fingernails to see if they have any white spots or vertical ridges – meaning ridges or lines that run from the cuticle to the tip of the finger. According to the Oriental medicine tradition [11], white spots on nails and vertical ridges on nails could be indicative of underlying gut dysbiosis or gut inflammation, as well as an associated nutrient deficiency.
The Baking Soda Test
There’s also the home baking soda test [12], which involves mixing a quarter teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) into about six ounces of water and drinking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
If your stomach acid levels are normal and healthy, you should start burping within the first 2-3 minutes. If five minutes elapse and you still haven’t burped, then you could have low stomach acid – even if symptoms aren’t noticeable (for the best results, conduct the home baking soda test multiple days in a row).
Ask Your Doctor for a Low Stomach Acid Test
If you’re still not sure where you stand or want a second opinion, you may want to consider opting for a practitioner-administered low stomach acid test [13], which may involve a doctor having you swallow a transmitter capsule that tracks and reports the amount of acid in your stomach.
Natural Remedies for Hypochloridria
If it turns out that you do have low stomach acid (hypochloridria), there are some steps you can take. (Note: always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner, especially if you have existing medical conditions.)
Supplemental HCl
One quick fix to these digestive woes would simply be to supplement with HCl, which can be easily and affordably purchased at pretty much any health food store.
The drawback with this approach is that it merely addresses the symptom of low stomach acid without getting to the root cause of why your body isn’t making enough of it in the first place.
Are You Making Enough Saliva?
Since it all starts with your saliva, an even better approach is to investigate whether your body is making enough of it – and if not, why?
- Are you thoroughly chewing your food before swallowing it?
- Are you eating the right foods at the right times, and in the right combinations?
- Are you staying properly hydrated?
Remember: your stomach’s HCl production is partially a factor of how much saliva your mouth is producing. Furthermore, the effectiveness of HCl in your stomach is largely dependent upon how effectively your saliva has already broken down the food it’s receiving – not to mention the fact that saliva protects the esophagus from being damaged by stomach acid [14].
Increase Your Natural Saliva Production
Bitter herbs have been scientifically shown to help naturally increase saliva production [15]. Some common examples of bitter herbs are:
- Andrographis
- artichoke
- barberry
- bitter melon
- bitter orange
- blessed thistle
- boldo
- centaury
- dandelion
- devil’s claw
- elecampane
- gentian
- ginger
- goldenseal
- greater celandine
- horehound
- juniper
- Oregon grape
- picrorhiza
- prickly ash
- vervain
- wormwood
- yarrow
- yellow dock
Mixing just a few drops of one or more of these bitter herbs into water and sipping them slowly 10-30 minutes before you eat could be all that it takes to give your digestion that optimization boost it needs.
Tip: many health food stores sell combination bitter herb tinctures that provide a maximum entourage effect, and there are also powerful recipes out there that you can make at home [16].
Other herbs and foods that are known to help increase saliva production include:
- cayenne pepper
- apple cider vinegar
- lemon juice
- iodine
- fulvic acid
- proteolytic enzymes (which unlike HCl won’t inhibit your body’s natural ability to produce its own enzymes, but will rather enhance it)
Closing Tips for Improving Digestion
You’ve now learned that too low stomach acid (versus too much acid) is a common problem and that constantly popping antacids can oftentimes be causing more harm than good.
The solution is to work with a qualified healthcare provider to determine if you have low stomach acid, and if so, what steps you should take to address it. Additionally, the following tips for optimizing digestion are beneficial for almost everyone:
- chewing your food thoroughly, meaning slowly and steadily until it’s lost its texture and is almost liquified before swallowing.
- consuming less processed food that lacks enzymes and eating more enzyme-rich foods.
- eating cultured and fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut that contain digestion-optimizing probiotics.
- avoiding known allergens like wheat and soy that can exacerbate digestive problems.
Organixx Enzyme 17 contains a whopping FIVE kinds of powerful protease enzymes in combination with one of the most advanced enzyme blends on the planet. It’s scientifically designed to help your body break down and process nutrients for better absorption, digestion, and overall health.
Tryptophan is a rather obscure substance that you don’t really hear that much about (except maybe when discussing turkey and that one episode of “Seinfeld”). But did you know that, without it, you wouldn’t be able to produce many of the healing hormones and other substances that both your brain and body need to survive? Tryptophan is also the “missing ingredient” in many collagen protein powder supplements. A collagen formula that doesn’t contain tryptophan is not a source of complete protein and doesn’t count toward the recommended Percent Daily Value for dietary protein.
What Is Tryptophan?
Tryptophan, also called L-tryptophan, is an essential amino acid. Amino acids form together in peptide chains to create proteins. Healthy proteins are a vital component of every cell in your body. They are the long-lasting, high-octane “building blocks” that keep the body flexible, strong, and healthy [1].
Too little tryptophan in the diet has an effect on health (as can too much). Low tryptophan has been connected to hormonal and reproductive system imbalance and slow growth rates in adolescence as well as an increase in the severity of mood disorders [2, 3].
Tryptophan and Niacin
In particular, L-tryptophan is used to make key nutrients for both brain and body. It’s essential for the creation of the B vitamin niacin (B3), for example, since it helps the liver synthesize this vital nutrient [4].
Vitamin B3 is important for skin and nerve health as well as digestion. Just the right amount can lower cholesterol, help with inflammatory conditions like arthritis, and boost brain function.
A 2005 report published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that out of five lipid-modifying agents given to over 8,000 men with a previous history of heart attack, only niacin significantly reduced the risk of another attack during a 6-year period [5]. Remember, B3 can only be produced with the help of L-tryptophan.
Tryptophan and Serotonin
We also need L-tryptophan to create the hormone serotonin [6]. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter, meaning that its job is to “transmit” messages between nerve cells. It’s often called the “happy chemical” because it plays a key role in regulating mood.
Adequate amounts of serotonin can create feelings of well-being, relaxation, and happiness. Research over the last 50 years has connected low serotonin levels to depression [7]. As a side note, this is a key reason why many common antidepressant drugs on the market these days are SSRIs, which stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. SSRIs treat depression by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain.
Serotonin is also necessary for the body to produce the hormone melatonin.
Melatonin Is Important for Good Sleep
Melatonin serves many purposes in the body, but the most important role is as the primary regulator of the sleep/wake cycle (also called the circadian rhythm). Sleep researchers at the Swiss Psychiatric University Clinic aptly describe the powerful hormone melatonin as the “internal sleep ‘facilitator’ in humans [8].”
As an essential amino acid, L-tryptophan is a foundational element. Since it helps in the creation of serotonin, it’s a vital component in the production of melatonin too.
You can think of these connected substances like parts of a house. The roof (melatonin) cannot be built without the walls (serotonin), and the walls cannot be built without first laying a solid foundation (L-tryptophan).
Where Do You Get L-Tryptophan? (It doesn’t just come from turkey)
L-tryptophan is one of those substances (like vitamin C) that the body can’t make on its own. You must get it from the foods you consume or as a supplement. Yes, turkey contains tryptophan, although more than likely that’s not the reason why you get sleepy after a big Thanksgiving meal. That probably has more to do with overeating than anything else (wink, wink).
Tryptophan is actually found in many different kinds of protein-rich foods, such as other types of poultry, beef, cheese, yogurt, eggs, and fish. Vegans and vegetarians are able to obtain tryptophan from plant-based sources such as:
- spinach
- tofu & other soy
- cooked beans
- quinoa
- buckwheat
- oat bran
- nuts
- seeds such as chia, hemp, and pumpkin
Complete Protein Includes L-Tryptophan
All of the animal-based foods listed above are examples of “complete proteins.” There are roughly 20 different kinds of amino acids found in nature. Some of these amino acids our bodies can produce. Others, it can’t. The specific amino acids that the human body can’t produce are referred to as essential amino acids. Therefore it’s “essential” that you get these amino acids from the foods you eat [9].
Complete proteins are foods that contain all nine essential amino acids, including L-tryptophan.
For meat-eaters, getting all your essential amino acids isn’t usually an issue as all animal proteins (i.e., meat, eggs, milk, cheese, dairy) are complete proteins. Beef is a particularly good source. According to studies that go back to the 1980s, red meat contains 18 of the 20 essential and non-essential amino acids as well as dozens of vitamins and minerals [10].
If you’re vegan, you’re hopefully very aware of the need to consume plant foods that are complete proteins (see list above) as well as knowing how to combine foods to provide your body with all the essential amino acids.
Most Collagen Supplements Are NOT Complete Proteins
Collagen is a protein since it is made up of amino acids. But it is NOT a complete protein source because it lacks adequate tryptophan. This is the case with the endogenous collagen that is created inside your body as well as the majority of collagen products on the market today. They can’t be relied on as a source of complete protein, no matter how many collagen types they contain.
A few high-quality collagen protein powders will contain added tryptophan to make it a complete protein and a better source of overall nutrition for you. Organixx Clean Sourced Collagens is such a product.
Not only does Clean Sourced Collagens contain collagen types I, II, III, V, and X, vitamin C, silica from horsetail extract, and zinc, it also contains 150 mg of L-tryptophan per serving, to give you a source of complete protein.
What’s more, Organixx Clean Sourced Collagen is non-GMO and made from the cleanest and best sources available. It’s free from artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, yeast, soy protein, added sodium, and starch.
If you’re searching for a complete protein collagen source that includes L-tryptophan, look no further. Organixx Clean Sourced Collagens is scientifically formulated to help you look and feel your best.
Organixx Clean Sourced Collagens blend contains five types of collagen from four sources. What’s more, it’s combined with targeted nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 which specifically enhance the bioavailability and potency of collagen. Clean Sourced Collagens is formulated from the ground up to enhance and support your body’s natural ability to heal and rebuild itself from the INSIDE out.
When you hear the word “marshmallow” you likely think of the sweet, fluffy concoction popular around campfires and used as a filling for candied yam casseroles at Thanksgiving. But in this article, we’re focusing on the benefits of the marshmallow plant (aka Althea officinalis or Althaea plant). This mucilage-producing perennial has provided powerful relief for digestive distress, respiratory infections, chronic inflammation, and more for hundreds (if not thousands) of years.
Marshmallow Plant vs. Marshmallows (the sugary treat): What’s the Difference?
Indeed, there was once a connection between the marshmallow plant and the confectionery. In antiquity, the squishy, sugary marshmallow was made from marshmallow plant root and honey. It was a treat that was consumed sparingly, and supposedly only by the upper class in Europe. It was also used as an effective throat soother, akin to our modern-day “cough drops.”
Nowadays, the gooey, puff-pillow variety of marshmallows we get at the grocery store is mostly developed in a lab with high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients that are too long to pronounce. In contrast, the marshmallow plant was created by Mother Nature and possesses a wide variety of medicinal qualities.
The Althaea plant was first possibly cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and came into its own in Greece. Its popularity as a food source and medicinal eventually expanded to include Rome, where marshmallow leaves were enjoyed as a delicacy. Eventually, marshmallow was eaten and used medicinally across all of Europe.
Where Marshmallow Plant Grows
Marshmallow plants tend to prefer wet, marshy environments. However, like all mallow plants, they’re a relatively hardy variety that’s flexible in terms of where it can take root. All mallows are related to the hibiscus flower as well as cotton and okra.
It’s not uncommon to see marshmallow plants and other mallows growing along fence lines, in abandoned fields, in sidewalk cracks, and even popping up as a weed in your neighbors’ (or maybe even your own) lawn.
Althaea Officinalis Medicinal Uses: A Quick Overview
Before we zero in on some exciting and specific conditions and situations that marshmallow can help with, here’s a brief overview of multiple medicinal uses that Althea officinalis is known for:
- bruises
- bleeding
- as a mild laxative for constipation
- for stomach aches
- to help relieve heartburn
- diarrhea
- to soothe the intestines
- to help clear up more serious gut-related issues, such as gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, and enteritis
- for respiratory infection, such as bronchitis
- soothing a sore throat
- clearing up congestion
- to help with “smoker’s cough”
- soothing irritated, rashy skin
- to help clean and heal cuts and other wounds
- healing abscesses and boils
- as an all-around antimicrobial
- for general immune strengthening
Looking at this list, it’s easy to see why the ancient Greeks and Romans considered the Althaea plant an all-around healing tonic!
Marshmallow Leaves Are Excellent in Salads
As an aside, marshmallow leaves are also a delightful addition to salads, as they contain many essential minerals such as iron, sodium, zinc, vitamin B, iodine, pantothenic acid, and more.
Experiment with the raw leaves and trade your ordinary salad greens like romaine or arugula for marshmallow leaves if you ever get the chance. You’ll be surprised by their refreshing, slightly sweet, nutty flavor.
Marshmallow Helps Your Body Detoxify in More Ways Than One
Marshmallow’s healing and detoxifying power for the gut, the respiratory tract, and other areas of the body, in large part, has to do with particular substances within both the root and leaf, which have a soothing effect on the body’s inner pathways.
Marshmallow Contains Mucilage
The roots of the marshmallow plant especially contain mucilage, which is a naturally gummy substance that doesn’t dissolve in water. When mucilage is released in the body, wherever it lands it will do its job of soothing, healing, and ultimately relaxing the tissues – whether that’s the inner tissues of the colon and stomach or the throat, esophagus, and lungs.
Althea and Inflammation
Inflammatory reactions are, in reality, part of the way in which the body rids itself of toxins. When tissues stay irritated and inflamed for longer than is healthy to do the job, however, is when chronic inflammation occurs.
This state can have the opposite effect than what the body was originally intending and can actually produce an environment that invites more infection, pathogens, and, ultimately, disease [1].
The mucilage effect of the Althaea plant helps to lower inflammation in specific tissues. In addition, the antioxidants in the plant leaves themselves help to lower inflammation systemwide.
The end result is that the body can relax and begin to flush out toxins naturally. This occurs wherever toxins need to be released, whether this is in the form of:
- harmful bacteria and other waste along the intestinal tract
- phlegm from inside the respiratory tract
- dead cells and other debris in the blood
Althea Officinalis Helps Suppress Coughs & Fight Deadly Bacteria
According to a 2007 study conducted at Comenius University in Slovakia in Eastern Europe, extracted polysaccharides from the Althaea officinalis leaf proved to be a stronger “antitussive” (cough suppressing) agent than most common drugs routinely given for cough or obtained over the counter [2].
Furthermore, a 2017 report in the Journal of Natural Products found that extracts of marshmallow contained substances that inhibited the enzymatic growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The researchers from the 2017 study deduced that this element alone was a significant reason why marshmallow extract may have such a profound effect against respiratory conditions such as bronchitis.
Certain Plants Help the Body Detoxify Through the Gut-Liver-Brain Axis
Another way that certain plants and herbs can help with detoxifying and healing the body is through what they can do for the gut. The connection isn’t always clear, but recent research has clearly spelled out the direct link between a healthy balance of microbiota within the gut and the overall health of the liver, in particular. One way that new research is making this connection is by focusing on what is called the “gut-liver-brain axis [3].”
Here’s one way of thinking about this connection: if, for whatever reason, your digestive system cannot break down and assimilate all the nutrients from food that it needs, one of the results will be an overabundance of “foreign particulars” in your system as a whole.
This is part of what’s known as “leaky gut” (aka intestinal permeability) and is also a factor for higher risk for chronic inflammation, autoimmune, a higher toxic load, and disease in general [4].
Marshmallow for Helping Your Organs with a Detoxification & Gut-Healing Routine
Marshmallow is currently listed on the British Herbal Compendium for use in helping with gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, enteritis, and colitis [5].
A 2015 study conducted by researchers at the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran found that “herbal extract of officinalis L. can be a great candidate for the treatment of gram-positive infections and merits further studies [6].”
A comprehensive review of the Althaea plant conducted in 2017 emphasized not only the antimicrobial, gut-healing, and respiratory system soothing effects of the plant, but its immunomodulatory (regulating immune function) and anti-inflammatory characteristics as well [7].
These recent findings (and more) conclude that there are literally dozens of ways that the marshmallow plant can be your ally for general health, and for supporting your body’s natural detoxification system, in particular.
Organic Marshmallow Root is one of six key ingredients in Organixx Daily Detox powder.
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How many times a day do you pass gas? They say the average person breaks wind (i.e., farts) about a dozen times per day. Flatulence, as it’s also called, is a universal part of the human condition. It’s a natural byproduct of our bodies working hard to digest the foods we eat and the beverages we drink… or is it?
Though normal, as in it’s a regular occurrence for most people, excessive flatulence certainly isn’t optimal. Farting is more often than not a sign that your body is having trouble converting the raw nutrition you’re giving it into the molecular components it actually needs in order to function – especially if you’re passing a lot of gas [1].
The occasional toot isn’t necessarily anything to worry about. But feeling like there’s a science experiment constantly brewing in your gut might be a sign that you need some serious digestive assistance.
If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from excessive flatulence, read on because there’s hope for you. You’re certainly not alone, and there are solutions that are simple and natural that won’t break the bank (or wind ;-)).
Common Reasons for Passing Excessive Amounts of Gas
When it comes to what causes farts, many health authorities will tell you that swallowing excess air while you’re eating or drinking is one common culprit.
Another is consuming too many carbohydrates, including sugars. But excessive flatulence can be bit more complicated than that.
Your Digestive Process Relies on Enzymes
Before they even reach your stomach, the foods you eat and the beverages you drink first interact with saliva in your mouth. Your saliva naturally contains enzymes that initiate the process of digestion.
Once in your stomach, these partially digested proteins, carbohydrates, and fats then interact with stomach acid before passing into your small intestine for the next round of enzymes, which are released by your pancreas [2].
As long as all the necessary enzymes and stomach acids are present in adequate amounts (i.e., you don’t have low stomach acid) to handle everything you consumed, your meal should pass without a hitch – meaning with minimal flatulence. If it doesn’t, then this could be a sign that you have an enzyme deficiency.
Where Do Digestive Enzymes Come From?
While your body is programmed to make many different types of enzymes, it also relies on additional enzymes naturally found in food for added support.
However, many of these food enzymes are missing due to cooking or heavy processing, which means your body has to work extra hard to handle this digestive load all on its own [3].
Over time, this huge burden can create enzyme deficits in your body that are linked to digestive issues such as constipation, bloating, and passing excessive amounts of gas that just won’t stop.
4 Food Groups That Can Contribute to Increased Flatulence
Certain foods tend to cause more flatulence than others, including:
- Fruits
High in fructose (a type of simple sugar), fruits are difficult to digest for many people. Some fructose might pass through the small intestine while the rest ferments in the colon, causing a continual release of hydrogen and methane gases that create flatulence [4].
- Beans
High in oligosaccharides (complex sugars), beans are troublesome for many people –unless they’re properly soaked before being cooked – because the human body can’t produce an enzyme known as alpha-galactosidase that’s necessary to fully digest them [5].
- Cruciferous vegetables
High in cellulose, a difficult-to-digest fiber, as well as raffinose, a complex carbohydrate, cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are notorious for causing people to pass a lot of gas. That’s because without the presence of the enzyme cellulase to break it down into glucose or a disaccharide, all that cellulose ends up ruminating in the digestive tract as it slowly and eventually gets eliminated. This is also true for raffinose, which similarly requires the enzyme alpha-galactosidase in order to fully digest [6].
- Meat, eggs, and dairy
Meat, eggs, and dairy products also tend to be fart-inducing, as they take much longer than fruits and vegetables to digest and pass through the digestive tract. As a result, these food items tend to marinate in digestive juices for hours on end, creating all sorts of gassy byproducts that have to be released – often with smelly consequences [7].
Keep in mind that some amount of gas associated with the above foods is considered normal and this doesn’t mean you need to avoid them. Cruciferous vegetables, in particular, offer a wealth of health benefits.
You may need to start with smaller servings while also helping the process along by preparing these foods with maximum digestion in mind. Think raw, fermented, or cultured, whenever possible. Eating plenty of enzyme-rich foods such as pineapples, bananas, kiwifruits, ginger, and avocados, can also help by providing your body with vital digestive enzymes.
When You Just Can’t Stop Passing Gas
It’s when seemingly everything you eat starts to cause digestive upset and corresponding “fart storms” that it might be time to evaluate what’s really going on inside your body. If your pipes are constantly backing up no matter what you seem to eat (releasing those ever-present foul odors and offending everyone around you), something is likely wrong and in need of fixing.
3 Strategies for Tackling Excessive Flatulence
If constantly passing gas is affecting your life and you want to learn how to fart less, the first thing you’ll want to do is take a careful inventory of your routine diet.
If you consume lots of processed, sugar-rich foods, these need to go if you hope to make any sort of noticeable headway in calming your excessive farting.
The second thing is to make sure you’re eating plenty of “living” foods that are naturally high both in enzymes and probiotic bacteria. Probiotics (aka “good bacteria”) pick up where enzymes leave off to ensure that the foods you eat are fully digested by the time they reach your intestinal villi. These little finger-like projections that line your small intestine are responsible for assimilating molecular nutrients from your digestive tract into your bloodstream.
Probiotics have also been shown to help stabilize the microbial environment within the gut, calming the digestive seas, so to speak, and keeping all those prolonged “science experiments” to a minimum [8].
The third, and perhaps most important, factor is to ensure that your body is well-stocked on enzymes. If you’ve been consuming enzyme-deficient foods for a substantial period of time, chances are your body has reached enzymatic exhaustion from having to work all that overtime just to keep up. In other words, your enzyme levels are suffering.
Beyond just consuming more enzyme-rich foods, another way you can really prime those digestive pumps is by adding in a powerful, full-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement into your regimen that covers all the bases in each enzymatic category.
The Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements Cover All the Bases
While proteolytic enzymes, as they’re sometimes called, primarily tackle proteins, a true full-spectrum enzyme formula will also cover carbohydrates and fats, ensuring they all get fully broken down into the smallest possible molecular components for maximum digestion.
By incorporating a digestive enzyme formula into your diet, your body won’t have to work as hard to extract the nutrition you need from the foods and beverages you consume.
Whatever nutrition is left over can be used by your body for systemic repair and maintenance, with potential benefits in other areas such as preventing autoimmune disease, viral infections, cancer and treatment-related symptoms, and chronic inflammation [9].
It’s important to remember that when your food isn’t being fully digested, your body can start to recognize it as a bombardment of allergens rather than nutrition. This is definitely something you want to avoid, and digestive enzymes can help with this, including with the “big three” types of enzymes:
- Amylase, which targets starches, or carbohydrates
- Protease, which targets proteins
- Lipase, which targets fats
Important Subcategories of Digestive Enzymes for Optimal Digestion
There are also various subcategories underneath the “big three” that deal with specific food components that some people may have trouble digesting. These include:
- Xylose isomerase, an enzyme that aids in the healthy digestion of fructose
- Lactase, which specifically breaks down milk lactose, helping to mitigate “lactose intolerance”
- Phytase, which deals with the “anti-nutrient” phytate, or phytic acid, which is found in beans, seeds, grains, and legumes
- Beta glucanase, which hydrolyzes, or enzymatically breaks down, the beta-glucans found in barley and other grains
Each unique variety of enzyme plays an important role in the digestive process, helping to stave off those embarrassing smelly farts that neither you nor anybody else wants to experience!
Organixx Enzyme 17 contains a whopping FIVE kinds of powerful protease enzymes in combination with one of the most advanced enzyme blends on the planet. It’s scientifically designed to help your body break down and process nutrients for better absorption, digestion, and overall health.
If you’re a fan of our Organixx Skin Restore Vitamin C Serum, you might have noticed that one of the ingredients is something called Skin Tightener ST2™. But what exactly is Skin Tightener ST2 and why has it earned a place in what we believe is the best natural vitamin C serum on the market? Read on to find out.
What Is Skin Tightener ST2?
When it comes to how your skin looks, there are certain substances that can work together synergistically to increase collagen production naturally – with no undesirable side effects. Two such substances are sea kelp and vitamin C.
Skin Tightener ST2 is a kelp-based product made by European-based Croda Corp and is designed to boost collagen fast and effectively to contribute to vibrant, younger-looking skin.
The Importance of Collagen for Skin
Before we “dive in” to the wonders of kelp and marine products in general for helping to naturally boost collagen production, let’s do a quick review of why collagen is so important for skin in the first place.
Collagen is one of the most abundant protein substances in the body. It’s what makes up your bones, the structure of all of your internal organs, your muscles, and the cartilage in your joints. It’s also the primary component of skin, which is the most important detoxification organ besides the liver [1].
In a nutshell, your skin is what keeps your physical body intact. Likewise, collagen is the literal “glue” that holds your skin together!
But here’s the sad part that we likely all wish we could get around…
Research has confirmed that collagen production decreases significantly as we age. In fact, it starts slowing down in our 20s! Individuals eating the standard American diet and living a normal modern lifestyle can expect their collagen levels to reduce by two percent every year after age 30, according to a 2006 study at the University of Michigan [2].
This lack of collagen is the main reason why skin sags and wrinkles become more pronounced as we age. This is also why most studies rely on the analysis of collagen production to understand the aging process [3].
Although we can’t do anything about the aging process as a whole, we can take steps to slow it down. One way is to use key substances that can up your collagen levels and help your skin look amazing no matter what your age. As mentioned above, one of these substances is kelp.
What’s in Skin Tightener ST2?
Many experts agree that Skin Tightener ST2 works fast to build collagen stores in the skin and to improve signs of aging such as bags under the eyes and wrinkles. The basis for its success lies in the way it utilizes kelp in a unique and very effective way [4].
Skin Tightening ST2 is specifically designed to rapidly tighten sagging skin using the power of marine substances. According to the manufacturer Croda Corp, Skin Tightener ST2™ is a:
“(c)ombination of marine and botanical polymers” as well as “vegetable protein hydrolysate with polymannuronate from Giant Kelp [5].”
These are likely some unfamiliar terms, so let’s break it down a little.
- Polymers are substances that have large molecular structures which are bonded together in a pattern.
- Protein hydrolysate refers to hydrolysis, or protein absorption in the body. Protein hydrolysates are often consumed by athletes, for example, to help with nutrient and amino acid absorption and to help increase muscle mass.
- Finally, a polymannuronate is a type of protein hydrolysate that comes with many health benefits. For example, a 2015 Chinese animal study discovered that consumption of polymannuronates may have “the potential to improve…immune status, antioxidant capacity, and performance [6].”
Kelp Benefits for Skin
All of these benefits and more come as part of the unique way that Skin Tightener ST2 utilizes the properties of kelp. Dozens of studies have already demonstrated the vast benefits of kelp for many mechanisms in the body, including increasing collagen stores on all levels.
Kelp is part of the brown algae family. It’s a very common type of seaweed that has been around for millions of years. You may have seen sea kelp growing in underwater ocean “forests” or have found it in the grocery aisle as an edible food or supplement.
What you might not know is the amazing effect sea kelp can have on collagen production and on the skin in particular. Science has confirmed this link in recent years.
A 2019 French study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that an unlabeled mostly kelp-based skin gel applied to human skin explants (removed skin tissue) helped to regulate dozens of proteins involved in cellular health, inflammatory mechanisms, gene expression, and the initial production of keratin in skin.
Based on these positive results, the researchers determined that kelp may help to “prevent visible signs of aging.”
Kelp has also been shown to help with dry skin and calm acne as well as skin rash breakouts. Because of its high iodine content, kelp contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties while at the same time being able to “lock in” moisture and increase hydration.
Antioxidants in Kelp Protect Against UV & Pollution
Aging skin happens in large part in response to outside stressors. Kelp is rich in antioxidants, so it can help protect the skin from harmful UV rays and air pollution.
A 2017 study published in the journal Food Chemistry found that brown seaweed species is a considerable source of compounds that can protect against oxidative stress [7]. Other studies have indicated that kelp can be beneficial for:
- balancing gut flora
- brain health
- balancing hormones
All of these internal effects can also have indirect benefits for skin health.
The Benefits of Kelp Polymers in Organixx’s Skin Restore Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is an amazing substance for skin health in its own right because collagen needs vitamin C as a catalyzer for its production in the dermis layer [8].
In fact, part of the reason kelp is such a boon for collagen production is because it contains high amounts of vitamin C. Other healing vitamins and minerals that are typically found in kelp include:
- vitamin A
- vitamin K
- vitamin E
- choline
- niacin
- magnesium
- selenium
- potassium
- zinc
- manganese [9]
Kelp is also a significant source of iodine, containing 500 to 8,000 mcg typically per tablespoon [10].
Research has proven that using a topical vitamin C face serum can not only help diminish wrinkles but can also provide you with extra protection from oxidative stress. The objective of a 2002 study sponsored by the Dermatology Associates of San Diego County was to find out if topically applied vitamin C could repair photodamaged skin.
The researchers discovered that application resulted in “clinically visible and statistically significant improvement in wrinkling when used topically for 12 weeks” and deduced that the improvements were directly related to “new collagen formation [11].”
Finding the Best Natural Vitamin C Serum
As you can see, there is a lot more to selecting a quality vitamin C serum than just buying any old vitamin C. Choosing a product that contains additional high-quality ingredients that are able to work together synergistically is absolutely essential.
Organixx Skin Restore Vitamin C Serum not only contains organic vitamin C (in the form of super-absorbable ascorbyl phosphate) and Skin Tightener ST2™, it also benefits from:
- Matrixyl 3000™
- Macrocystis Pyrifera (Giant Kelp) extract
- Cassia Angustifolia Seed polysaccharides
- MSM
The combination of these super-powerful, naturally based substances makes Organixx Skin Restore Vitamin C Serum a product like no other for achieving amazingly vibrant, younger-looking skin!
Discover Restore Vitamin C Serum… the most scientifically advanced topical vitamin C on earth, designed to keep your skin youthful, radiant, and healthy for the long term!
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to your digestive system except when you’re experiencing a tummy ache or other issues such as gas, constipation, and diarrhea. In this article, we’ll delve into ways to keep your digestion humming along including using essential oils for digestion when things aren’t running smoothly.
Why a Healthy Digestive System Matters
Did you know that not only is your digestive tract important for breaking down food for nourishment, it also plays an important role in immunity, brain health, and cognition!
The Link Between Digestive Health and the Brain
There is an increasing number of scientific studies that have identified a direct link between digestive health and the brain and emotions. Studies consistently show that gut health (or lack thereof) can have an enormous effect on mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and even autism [1-4].
Hippocrates (460-370 BC), known as the Father of Medicine, believed that all disease processes began in the gut. Although the digestive system is often thought to comprise only the stomach and intestines, it is actually much more inclusive than that. In order to function at optimally, the digestive system requires peak performance from the stomach and intestines, as well as the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder.
7 Ways to Improve Gut Health
There are many steps we can take to better care for our digestion. These include:
- eating lots of fresh, organic, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables
- focusing on the consumption of nutrient-dense foods
- taking probiotics
- reducing stress (which has an enormous impact on the gut)
- getting better sleep
- exercising
- using essential oils
Millions of American Suffer from Gut Issues
When the digestive tract is compromised, it can make you feel over-tired, suffer from lowered immunity, gain weight, and experience gastrointestinal discomfort.
Sometimes you experience stomach pain or cramping, as well as belching, gas, and bad breath. At other times you may feel bloated, nauseous, or have other issues.
In the United States alone, the National Institutes of Health advise that 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [5].
The Problem With Over-the-Counter Medications
For years, people have relied upon over-the-counter medications for digestive complaints. These products often contain bismuth subsalicylate, which comes from the aspirin family and has anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and acid-reducing action.
The potential problem with these sorts of medications is that they are only recommended for use for a couple of days. This means people who have problems that last longer than that (e.g., IBS, chronic heartburn, or acid reflux from GERD) aren’t supposed to use these products for more than two days. It’s also not advisable for children to take them, nor anyone with the flu, because bismuth subsalicylate is contraindicated on the label for anyone with:
- the flu
- a virus
- chickenpox
Taking this medication increases the risk for the development of Reye’s syndrome, a potentially life-threatening illness.
Are Essential Oils for Digestion a Good Alternative?
Certain essential oils and blends can greatly benefit digestive health due to their anti-inflammatory, calming, anti-spasmodic, and cell-protective benefits.
The next time digestive distress strikes, try any or all of the following four essential oils for digestion and/or create your own blend. The simplest recipe is just to use equal parts of each or try different ratios and see what works best for you.
4 Key Essential Oils for Digestive Problems
1. Ginger Essential Oil
A 2014 meta-analysis [6] of medical studies investigated the efficacy of ginger for early pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Researchers found that at least four days of taking ginger was associated with a five-fold likelihood of improvement in morning sickness symptoms.
A small 2016 study [7] with post-surgical patients found that inhalation of ginger essential oil significantly decreased nausea and vomiting during the first six hours after inhalation of ginger. Ginger has also been found to be beneficial for travel/motion sickness. A small 1988 double-blind randomized placebo trial [8] found ginger to be helpful for vomiting, nausea, cold sweats, and vertigo for Danish naval cadets not accustomed to sailing on heavy seas.
Another small 2013 clinical trial [9] of 13 volunteers with a history of motion sickness found that pre-treating with ginger reduced nausea, quieted stomach activity, and prolonged the period between attacks of nausea. A 2005 study [10] investigated how ginger actually works on the digestive tract. Researchers found that ginger helped relieve intestinal spasms, and also had direct effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, which is active during the digestive process. They found that ginger assisted with hyperactive states of the gut as is found with diarrhea and colic.
A 2015 animal study [11] found that ginger essential oil inhibited the formation of gastric ulcers by 85%. Ginger also increased antioxidant enzymes and reduced the erosion, hemorrhaging, and necrosis (untimely cell death) of cells of the stomach wall, thus providing a protective effect. Ginger may also be beneficial in cases of ulcerative colitis, a painful inflammatory condition that can cause rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
A 2018 animal study [12] found that 6-gingerol, an ingredient in ginger, increased important antioxidants and inhibited the inflammatory pathways that contribute to this disease.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is well known for the assistance it can provide for our tummies. If you have over-indulged in your favorite food, are feeling nauseous with a virus, or suffer with more chronic problems of the digestive tract, peppermint can be incredibly soothing.
It is a beautifully cooling aromatic oil that is also:
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-spasmodic
• analgesic (pain relieving)
There are many studies that reflect the benefits of peppermint oil for the digestive system. For instance, a 2007 study [13] found a 50% reduction in the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in 75% of patients who tried peppermint oil for their symptoms.
Indeed, a 2019 review [14] of a dozen randomized trials including over 800 patients using peppermint oil for IBS symptoms found that peppermint oil was safe and effective.
2013 research [15] found that both peppermint and spearmint reduced the intensity and frequency of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
An older 2008 study [16] investigated the use of peppermint for dyspepsia (pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, also known as indigestion). Researchers found that peppermint oil was safe and effective for dyspepsia, and also for reducing the abdominal pain, flatulence, and diarrhea for those with IBS.
Studies have found that peppermint oil is good for children, too. In a 2014 review [17] of 14 clinical trials involving nearly 2,000 children, peppermint oil was found to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of abdominal pain. [Caution: only use essential oil with children under the direct supervision of a qualified practitioner.]
3. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon (Citrus limon) has an uplifting fresh citrus aroma. Lemons have a long history of use by traditional Ayurvedic doctors as an aid for many ailments, including digestion. Modern research is starting to catch up, and it shows that lemon oil relieves nausea and vomiting and is:
• anti-inflammatory
• antimicrobial
• anti-parasitic
• anti-fungal
A 2014 clinical trial [18] found that inhaling lemon oil significantly relieved nausea and vomiting in 100 pregnant women. A 2020 study [19] investigated the phytochemicals in lemons with regard to their potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers found that lemons had anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, and anti-cancer benefits. All of these properties combined have benefits for overall digestive health.
A difficult-to-eradicate yeast known as Candida albicans can cause major trouble for the digestive tract. When C. albicans invades the digestive tract, it can cause oral thrush (a burning sensation in the gut after eating certain foods), recurring genital and urinary tract infections, even ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
Candida overgrowth is especially rampant among immunocompromised people, the elderly, those on broad-spectrum antibiotics, overstressed people with a high intake of sugar, carbs, and alcohol, and individuals hospitalized in intensive care units.
A 2019 study [20] found that lemon oil (among other essential oils tested) had strong anti-Candida activity against several lines of Candida species.
4. Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has a long history of use as a medicine and especially for digestive difficulties. Studies [14] indicate fennel is:
• antioxidative
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-ulcer
• anti-viral
• anti-spasmodic
• antimicrobial
• DNA protective
• has blood-sugar-lowering and cholesterol-lowering properties
A 2018 animal study [22] found that administering fennel oil significantly improved antioxidative status, reduced inflammation, and reduced blood sugar levels in rats with dyslipidemia (an abnormal amount of fats such as triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood).
A 2011 study [23] investigated the effects of the phytochemicals in fennel on rats with gastric ulcers. Researchers found fennel to have significant anti-ulcer activity and may help to prevent ulcers.
3 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Digestive Problems
Editor’s Note: Organixx used to carry an essential blend called Digest that was a blend of ginger, peppermint, lemon, and fennel essential oils. If you have any Organixx Digest Essential Oil, these are some ways you can use it.
#1. Apply a few drops of oil across the abdomen and/or low back, massaging it in gently but thoroughly. To improve absorption, place a warm compress across the belly and/or low back after applying. Dilute first with an organic carrier oil such as almond, coconut, hemp, or avocado oil. Try using 3-5 drops of essential oil(s) per teaspoon of carrier oil.
#2. Place a couple drops of oils into your palms, rub them together, and tent hands over your nose and mouth, being cautious to avoid eyes. Breathe the oils in deeply for a few moments, holding the essential oil vapor in your lungs for 5-10 seconds (or for as long as you can). This helps get the essential oils into your lungs and bloodstream and working quickly to relieve digestive difficulties.
#3. If you are suffering from nausea or motion sickness, using the oils on an acupressure point known as “Heavenly Appearance” (aka SI 17) can be quite beneficial. To locate this acupressure point, place a fingertip on the outside of the face, just below the earlobe in the indentation between the earlobe and the upper tip of the jawbone (on both sides of the face). Place a drop or two of diluted oil on your fingertips and gently massage this point. It can be tender, so go gently.
Considerations When Using Essential Oils for Digestive Problems
While the four essential oils listed above are all derived from plants that are also foods/spices, essential oils are highly concentrated and should only be ingested under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. For any persistent pain or digestive difficulties, be sure to consult your doctor.
Essential oils should not be used as replacements for medicine but to support overall health.
Never apply essential oils anywhere near eyes, the inside of the ears, or to other sensitive regions of the body. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children should always seek their doctor’s advice prior to using essential oils.
Be aware that essential oil products vary greatly between makers in purity, strength, and quality. Only purchase pure, organic essential oils from companies you trust.
The powerhouse trio of herbs in Magi-Complexx Essential Oil provides the strongest, most synergistic healing effect, helping sufferers of arthritis pain, constant muscle aches and pains, neuropathy, systemic inflammation, slowed wound healing, circulatory challenges, as well as skin irritations like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
