Rest & Digest; When Acid is a Good Thing

Nearly everybody suffers from tummy problems at times and an inability to digest food (and life experiences) efficiently. These physical manifestations are caused by low levels of hydrochloric acid in the gut. Yes. LOW LEVELS. Digestive problems are always the result of stress. It doesn’t really matter whether the source of this stress is an allergy, food intolerance and infection/illness or some kind of emotional upset or anger issue. The body perceives it as stress. And stress diminishes the secretion of hydrochloric acid in our gut which alters the Ph of the stomach and its ability to combat bacteria properly.

Many annoying problems ensue, including indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, bloating and general IBS symptoms.

It’s easy to see how a snowball can become an avalanche because low hydrochloric acid also results in symptoms of heartburn – which has many of us constantly reaching for antacids; prescription or otherwise*. But this means that in the long run, we are only making things worse since these medications further reduces hydrochloric acid and could lead to a far more serious health condition over time. (*Same with Bicarbonate soda).

In other words, less acid in the gut leaves us prone to serious illness and infection since it is an important part of our immune defence system.

It may be hard to believe, but at their essence, most yoga postures are about maximising the health of our internal organs. For example, provided we are relaxed, a pose like this one will massage the kidney area while the spinal twist is akin to putting the digestive and endocrine system into a washing machine. It flushes out all the toxic matter including that stale, sticky blood that creates the feeling of stiffness in our muscles, and replenishes the internal organs with a fresh supply of blood, energy and information – otherwise known at prana or qi.