Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition

1. Eat a low-fat diet. Losing excess pounds corrects many cases of chronic heartburn because it reduces the pressure on your abdomen that contributes to digestive discomfort. This diet also steers you clear of the most common heartburn "trigger foods" to avoid: fried or fatty foods, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, citrus juices, nuts, chocolate and caffeinated beverages.
2. To allow your gastrointestinal tract sufficient time to digest your food properly, wait at least an hour after meals before exercising and at least three hours before lying down.
3. Take licorice Extract. It works to protect your gastrointestinal tract to prevent conditions like hyperacidity and acid reflux (GERD) which can lead to gastritis and ulcers. It enhances normal defense mechanisms that prevent ulcer formation. It increases the number of mucosal cells, thus increasing the amount of protective mucus that covers the gastrointestinal tract cells. It also improves the quality of mucus production, seems to increase the lifespan of the intestinal cells, and enhances the microcirculation of blood through the gastrointestinal tract lining. However, the glycyrrhizin -a compound within licorice extract can cause high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and lower testosterone level in men. Therefore it is recommended to use Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Extract (DGL) chewable tablets 20 minutes before each meal three times a day. Continue for 4-6 weeks. In test tubes, the flavonoids in DGL have been shown to kill Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes most ulcers and stomach inflammation.
4. Take digestive pancreatic enzymes Bio-Zyme before each meal will help break down fats, protein and carbohydrates, improve digestion and maintain optimum intestinal health.
5. GINGER is thought to aid digestion and absorption of important food constituents and to protect and soothe the digestive system as a whole. In addition, ginger has notable antioxidant and enzyme activity. it works well as a treatment for nausea and motion sickness.
6. Soothe your stomach with Aloe Vera. Aloe seems to be particularly beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract. Some claim it helps their irritable bowel symptoms and constipation. Aloe also seems to enhance the digestion and absorption of food, and reduces bacterial putrefaction in the gut. Take one capsule with a full glass of water 2- 3 times a day. Alternatively, take Aloe Vera juice if you can tolerate the taste of it. Stop if developed diarrhea. Aloe Vera is not recommended during pregnancy.
7. Belching, heartburn and bloating are most likely caused by inadequate supply of stomach acid, especially if you're over 60 and have no ulcer problems. This notion runs counter to the media assault of over-the-counter antacids. You need hydrochloric acid for the activation of pepsin, the stomach enzyme required for almost all protein breakdown. It is estimated that only 40% of Americans produce adequate hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach, where protein digestion takes place, and as we age, our production of hydrochloric acid declines. Fewer than half of men and women over 60 actually have enough HCl to initiate protein digestion. If you do not have a history of ulcer, you may want to try supplemental HCl to alleviate your symptoms. Take betaine hydrochloric acid (HCl). Here's what to do: At your next meal, take one HCl capsule. Increase the dose by one capsule with each subsequent meal until you experience a warm sensation in the upper part of your stomach. This is an indication that you have a slight excess of HCl, and is a signal to cut your HCl dose by one capsule. For example, if at four capsules you get the warm sensation, your HCl dose per meal should be three capsules. Do not take more than five capsules per meal under any circumstance. If the HCl makes your symptoms worse, stop taking it immediately and see your physician.
8. Drink at least 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of clean water per day. Drink one to two glasses half an hour before meals and upon rising.
9. Another common complaint, acid reflux (GERD or reflux esophagitis), is a process where your digestive juices flow in the wrong direction-out of the stomach and back up the esophagus. Overeating is the usual cause of acid reflux, as well as eating certain foods, such as fried foods, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, alcohol and caffeine.
10. Eliminate all stomach irritants such as tobacco and NSAIDs (Aspirin, ibuprofen etc)

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