Indigestion

Also known as:  Dyspepsia;  Gastric Indigestion;  Stomach Upset;  Upset Stomach

Indigestion is a general term for impaired Gastric function and various unpleasant symptoms (especially abdominal Pain centred in the upper abdomen, rumbling noises and a feeling of fullness or bloating) that occur approximately one to two hours after eating.

 It is estimated that 33% of the population of the Western world are afflicted with chronic Indigestion.

Amino Acids

 Threonine is claimed to alleviate Indigestion. 

Enzymes

 Supplemental Digestive Enzymes may alleviate Indigestion (by facilitating the digestion of undigested food in the Stomach that may be causing Indigestion).  ^[1]

The principal Digestive Enzymes used to treat Indigestion include:

 Salivary Amylase (which digest Polysaccharides)

 Cellulase (which digests Cellulose)

 Lipases (which digest dietary Fats)

 Supplemental Pancreatic Enzymes are a useful treatment for Indigestion (many people who suffer from Indigestion produce insufficient quantities of Pancreatic Enzymes).  ^[2]

 Proteolytic Enzymes - Dietary (which digest dietary Proteins)

Hormones

 Melatonin may be useful for the treatment of Indigestion (especially the ulcerlike dyspepsia form of Indigestion).  ^[3]

Prescribed Medications

 Antacids are too often used for the wrong reason by many people.  Antacids are used to negate the Stomach’s Hydrochloric Acid in the belief that excessive Hydrochloric Acid (Hyperchlorhydria) is the underlying cause of Indigestion.  In fact insufficient production of Hydrochloric Acid (Hypochlorhydria) may be a far more common underlying cause of Indigestion than excessive production of Hydrochloric Acid.  In such cases the use of Pharmaceutical/Commercial Antacids may exacerbate the underlying cause of Indigestion (by further depleting Hydrochloric Acid).  ^[4]

Herbs

 Artichoke Leaf (extract) may alleviate Indigestion.  ^[5]

 Asafetida may alleviate Indigestion. 

 Lemon Balm (tea consumed with meals or 9 - 15 ml of Balm fluid extract/tincture per day) may alleviate Indigestion.  ^[6]