Most people are familiar with antacid medication for heartburn or indigestion, and assume that stomach acidity is therefore bad for you and must be decreased. The opposite is actually true and, in the majority of cases, most people with digestive problems have low hydrochloric acid or HCl. In fact, I’ve seen a number of patients with chronic gastritis or reflux completely resolve their symptoms by increasing their stomach acid.

What is the function of hydrochloric acid?

HCl is secreted by the stomach walls and it is essential for proper digestion. It activates enzymes that digest protein, it stimulates bile production by the liver and digestive enzymes by the pancreas as well as killing off bacteria and pathogens in food. It is also essential for the absorption of specific minerals and vitamins.

What are the symptoms of low hydrochloric acid?

Bloating, especially soon after meals Heartburn or reflux Undigested food in stool Constipation or diarrhoea Bacterial or parasitic infections Low energy Food intolerances Bad breath B12, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc deficiency Poor hair, teeth and nails

What causes low hydrochloric acid?

• Ageing
• High sugar diet
• Poor protein intake
• Low zinc status
• Stress
• Proton pump inhibitors
• H2 blockers (antacid medications)
• Over the counter antacid medication

How do I find out if I have low hydrochloric acid?

If you have one or more of the symptoms listed above, it is very likely that your levels of HCl are suboptimal.

Why?

Our spines were made to move, and in turn so were the rest of our bodies. Exercise, or simply put, movement, can help with many different things- increasing strength, reducing back pain, improving flexibility in muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints, helping heart, lung and even bone health. If we sit for too long each and every day, our bodies adapt to that and start to decrease in strength, stamina and a whole array of other problems can start to occur. In fact, you can start to lose quality of life and find many things difficult to do.

Just get going!

So whether you have exercised before or are a regular at it, consider all the health benefits you’re receiving by simply getting up and moving that spine! Look at taking a brisk 15-20 minute walk a day if you have never exercised before and slowly build that up to around 30 min per day (this is a guideline and not an upper limit- you can do more!) And if you’re an old hand at exercise, look at the types of exercise you’re doing and whether you are pushing yourself to your optimum, or whether you have more than one type in your program (endurance, strengthening, toning, flexibility etc).

For more information look out for our upcoming “Chiro Tips” each week on our Facebook page, with a link at the end of the month to a blog with further information.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Contagious Enthusiasm on

9502 0650 to speak to Dr Jess or make a time to see her with any health concerns.

Look forward to a new, healthier, happier you as you continue moving and being motivated!

So, it’s holiday time again and your off for a well deserved break! Make sure that, regardless of how long or how little you’re away for, your precious time off doesn’t effect you and your family by becoming a pain!

Read through some of the tips below (and even take them with you to remember!) so that you can have some well deserved and “pain” free time off.

Travelling by Car/Bus:

 have regular breaks (every 1-2 hours) where you can stretch and walk around

 make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water

 put your chin towards your chest and roll your shoulders back to help keep you muscles loose

 place a rolled up towel/jacket in the small of your back and also between your shoulder blades, alternating so to give your back some support.

 Sit up straight with your head back when you adjust your mirrors so that they remind you to not slouch

• Make sure your seat is adjusted to the upright position and your tail bone is far back in the seat, with your head and shoulders supported by the seat as much as possible.

Travelling by Plane:

•  Have a least one of your travelling party on an aisle seat so that you can all have a stretch and walk at some point, especially on long flights (every 1-2 hours)
• Roll up a small towel or jacket to give yourself some low back support and take an inflatable travel pillow for your neck.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Be mindful of how you’re lifting your luggage and be sure to bend at the knees at all times * Roll your ankles and point/flex your feet regularly to help with circulation and so your muscles don’t cramp
• Before you take off, set your watch/phone to the time zone you are travelling to (if applicable) and try to eat, drink and sleep within that time zone so that you have time to adjust to it.
• Sleeping in a different bed:
• Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach, instead stay on your back or side
• If the bed feels “saggy”, consider placing the mattress on the floor
• If any dips are found in the mattress, place a rolled up towel under your side to help support your spine
• Try not to have blasts of cold air from air conditioning on your neck whilst you sleep, instead use a ceiling fan where possible
• Make sure you always stretch after sleeping and as always, keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water!
• Enjoy your holidays and for any further information or to book an appointment with Dr Jess to make sure your spine is in great alignment before and after your holiday, please contact us here at Contagious Enthusiasm.