Hi Marsha and All!
I have been thinking about the role of stomach acid and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). I ordered a copy of Dr. Wright's book on why stomach acid is good for us and read the first half of it. (Unfortunately, most of the second half was missing so I've ordered a new book).
Anyway, apparently stomach acid begins to decline about age 35 and by 70 or so can be reduced dramatically (like 3-4 times). The theory is that this can cause a number of problems such as incomplete digestion of food, malabsorption of vitamin B-12 and calcium (both need acid for adequate absorption), etc.
However, another important role of the acid is to kill off bacteria that constantly enter the body through the respiratory tract or mouth and are swallowed into the stomach. By killing off these invaders, the normal bacterial balance in the colon is preserved and protected. If there is not enough acid, these invading bacteria can travel all the way into the large intestine (colon) and create havoc and even colonize the small intestine ( causing SIBO), where there should be little to no bacteria.
I was surfing the net about this, and there are medical skeptics who believe that digestion continues just fine with reduced stomach acid (after all, the majority of digestion occurs because of pancreatic enzymes and the "washing machine" action of the bile salts and not the stomach). HOWEVER, even the skeptics talk about the importance of acid in killing off invading bacteria that are swallowed. It is well known that those with reduced stomach acid are much more prone to serious intestinal infections such as cholera, salmonella, etc.
I think this is all so interesting. Perhaps SIBO can occur either way - from bacteria in the colon backing up into the small intestine or from swallowed bacteria not killed off by stomach acid going forward to the small intestine.
Whew - it's too early to be thinking about all of this on a Sat. morning. Y'all sure keep my mind hoppin'!
Love,
Polly
Marsha and all - on SIBO
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Marsha and all - on SIBO
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
Obviously, I totally agree with you.
Jean,
I think I mentioned that in a post or two a few days ago. I'll see if I can find that topoic.
Love,
Tex
Obviously, I totally agree with you.
Jean,
I think I mentioned that in a post or two a few days ago. I'll see if I can find that topoic.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Jean,
Here is the one I was thinking about:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... light=gerd
Here's another topic with some GERD posts, (I think that post number 5 in this thread is quite significant for most of us):
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... light=gerd
Love,
Tex
Here is the one I was thinking about:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... light=gerd
Here's another topic with some GERD posts, (I think that post number 5 in this thread is quite significant for most of us):
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... light=gerd
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I find this subject very interesting.
When my youngest daughter was born, she was born with chalacia, gastric reflux in infants. It was explained to me after a long 6 months of testing and finally diagnosed by the nuclear medicine department at Childrens Hospital in Columbus.
They explained it in this manner:
The muscle/valve between the esophagus and the stomach was not fully developed and when she ate, the food along with acid from her stomach would erupt into her esophagus. The muscle/valve would quiver and up everything would come (including projectile vomiting and screaming for hours).
As she got older, her description was "vomiting into her mouth". Gross but a good description of what was happening to her.
Now that she is older, she still has a "nervous stomach" and GERD. When she is stressed or upset, the acid flows more frequently and with a vengance.
For a long time, I felt that her underdeveloped "muscle" was my fault since I smoked throughout my pregnancy. I now wonder if she was predisposed to have the problems due to genetics.
Love,
Mars
When my youngest daughter was born, she was born with chalacia, gastric reflux in infants. It was explained to me after a long 6 months of testing and finally diagnosed by the nuclear medicine department at Childrens Hospital in Columbus.
They explained it in this manner:
The muscle/valve between the esophagus and the stomach was not fully developed and when she ate, the food along with acid from her stomach would erupt into her esophagus. The muscle/valve would quiver and up everything would come (including projectile vomiting and screaming for hours).
As she got older, her description was "vomiting into her mouth". Gross but a good description of what was happening to her.
Now that she is older, she still has a "nervous stomach" and GERD. When she is stressed or upset, the acid flows more frequently and with a vengance.
For a long time, I felt that her underdeveloped "muscle" was my fault since I smoked throughout my pregnancy. I now wonder if she was predisposed to have the problems due to genetics.
Love,
Mars
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
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Thanks, Polly,
I didn't think of SIBO as being possible in reverse, as you described it, but it makes sense. We have been reading about the importance of a correct acid/alkaline balance in the body. It sure seems that staying hydrated has to be one of the most important things you can do, to help your body have the fluids it needs to wash it's mucous membranes, and keep the river flowing so things don't get stagnant and bacteria laden.
I better keep reading, I keep getting behind on my posts. Our summer is so wonderful, but the social life with the kids and grandkids will be the death of me! Todey I got to go to "Over the Hedge" with daughter's in law, another grandma, and 4 grandkids. We have such a great family.
Love,
Marsha
I didn't think of SIBO as being possible in reverse, as you described it, but it makes sense. We have been reading about the importance of a correct acid/alkaline balance in the body. It sure seems that staying hydrated has to be one of the most important things you can do, to help your body have the fluids it needs to wash it's mucous membranes, and keep the river flowing so things don't get stagnant and bacteria laden.
I better keep reading, I keep getting behind on my posts. Our summer is so wonderful, but the social life with the kids and grandkids will be the death of me! Todey I got to go to "Over the Hedge" with daughter's in law, another grandma, and 4 grandkids. We have such a great family.
Love,
Marsha