Hypchlorhydria Update

Geez, it's a good thing I'm writing this blog. Or I wouldn't even know how long I've been dealing with this hypochlorhydria! It's May 1, and I haven't written in two months! Sorry about that.

Here's the update: I've been forgetting to take the pills. But Dr. Beaty says that's okay, it means they're working and I'm needing less of them.

My energy has been up and down. A lot of it has to do with the weather though.

I plan to get more conscientious about taking the pills though.

Or maybe I need to ask Dr. Beaty about my forgetfulness! ;-)

I'll keep you "posted" - literally! In fact, I'd better get more conscientious about this blog.

Next up: Skin care products for people with Rosacea

Diagnosis: Hypochlorhydria

Sorry for the long delay between posts. Being a single mom keeps me very busy!

Yes, I do have hypochlorhydria, and I find that when I remember to take my hydrochloric acid pills I feel better and have less gas.

I also learned that my fear of salt has been creating a health problem for me. Dr. Beaty, the naturopathic physician I've been seeing, suspected I had hypothyroidism. My main symptom was intolerance to cold. I took the blood test and was borderline.

She recommended that I first try adding iodized salt to my diet, as an iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. I had been avoiding it as I had heard salt leaches calcium from the body. And "they" say we all get enough salt because there is so much in processed foods. But I've been avoiding processed foods.

Think all salt has iodine? Think again. Be sure to use some salt if you're not eating salted foods. And be sure that the label states that the salt contains iodine.

That means some of us natural food fans may want to get some good old-fashioned Morton's.

Nutrition sure is confusing.

Anything you want me to write about on this blog? Let me know by posting a comment.

Namaste,

Janet

Hypochlorhydria: The most common, most debilitating health disorder you’ve never heard of

It’s amazing that doctors don’t tell us about Hypochlorhydria. In fact, if you want to be treated for it, you’d better see a naturopathic physician, or a holistic M.D., because the traditional health care system just doesn’t care about this condition.

This is odd, because Hypochlorhydria is said to affect 10 to 15% of the population in general and as many as 50% of those in their fifties and older!

You’re probably thinking it must be no big deal if it’s that common, yet doctors don’t care about it.

Not so. Hypochlorhydria means low stomach acid. This lack of stomach acid impairs digestion. In turn, the body doesn’t absorb all the nutrients from the food you eat.

This can result in a number of health disorders, including diabetes mellitus, asthma, chronic hepatitis, food allergies, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypoglycemia, autoimmune disorders, gallbladder disease, dry skin, weak adrenals, lupus erythematosis, rheumatic arthritis, poor night vision, dry skin, weak nails, chronic fatigue, vitiligo, rosacea, acne, eczema, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anemia, osteoporosis, psoriasis, candida yeast infection, multiple sclerosis, and stomach carcinoma.

Quite a list, huh? If you suffer from symptoms of several of these disorders, you should consider seeing a naturopathic physician to find out of you have the condition.

I found out about it when I read Green for Life, a book about green smoothies, by Victoria Boutenko. Ironically, my digestive system can’t handle the green smoothies, possibly because of the hypochlorhydria that I would never have know about if I hadn’t read this very informative and thoughtful book.

You can find out more about hypochlorhydria by Googling it. The sites I used to write this article are:

http://www.medical-library.net/sites/framer.html?/sites/_hypochlorhydria.html

http://altmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/bl_quiz_hypochlorhydria.htm

I’m now seeing a naturopath for this condition. I’m taking hydrochloric Acid capsules. You can find a qualified naturopathic physician in your area at the “Find an ND” section of the website of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP):

http://naturopathic.lv0.net/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=51&tabid=59

Here’s the URL for their home page:

http://www.naturopathic.org/

This is getting pretty long, so I’ll tell you a little more about my own experience with this disorder next time. Until then…

Namaste,

Janet