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CHAPTERDigestive Ailments
A
cid waste, under ideal conditions, is nothing more than the by-
product of all the physical and chemical processes that go on in
the body. Such acid waste is easily neutralized and removed by way of
sweat, urine, and stool. But when there is—in addition to this naturally
occurring acid waste in the body—acidic waste from the breakdown of
undigested food, the body can’t dispose of all of it. In this situation, acid
waste causes health problems. The fi rst to show up is usually acid indi-
gestion, most particularly, acid refl ux.Acid Refl ux
Acid refl ux, characterized by a burning in the throat and chest, occurs
when the acidic waste from undigested food fl ows from the stomach
into the esophagus (throat). Unlike the stomach, the esophagus doesn’t
have a thick mucous lining to protect it from the harsh acid crystals of
the debris. If acid refl ux is chronic, it causes swelling and redness in the
esophageal tissues. This can lead to the erosion of the esophagus and
eventually to cancer. High levels of acid waste in the stomach can trig-
ger such gastric problems as a spastic stomach, duodenal ulcers, and
intestinal infl ammation. (The duodenum, the uppermost part of the
small intestine, is attached at the bottom of the stomach.)
Symptoms of acid indigestion can be a lifesaver because they provide
evidence that acidic waste in the digestive tract is reaching dangerous
levels and therefore accumulating in other parts of the body as well.