Digestive Enzymes causing stomach pain

[StaceeN]

I have been working with a client that has many digestive issues.  GERD, constant stomach issues, gas, irregular bowel movements, and general indigestion.  One of the first suggestions I gave was to take digestive enzymes - Enzymedica Gold.  She did this for about one week and got bad stomach pains.  When she stopped taking the enzymes, the pain went away. 
I am not sure why she would get pains from taking a digestive enzyme.... any thoughts?

[RamyaR]

Perhaps it is too much too soon...as always you can consider starting with foods and herbs. Digestive teas with fennel or cumin will help with the gas. What is her current diet like? Identifying and eliminating the problem causing foods is the first step, then foods that are soothing to the tummy with gentle digestive support in the form of ginger etc. could help. Soaked and sprouted fenugreek is excellent for helping with gas and indigestion issues. Licorice and slippery elm are very soothing for the gut. Low HCL may also be causing GERD and indigestion. Have you asked her to do one of the home tests to check for hypochlorhydria?

For now avoiding raw foods or partially cooked beans, and even cruciferous (gas causing!) and keeping it simple with ample note taking in the form of a diet journal will help a lot.

Enzymedica Gold is a broad spectrum blend and quite potent too from what I remember.  She may need to focus on eliminating the bandits and switching to a E4H with digestive support teas and herbs.

Ramya Ramakrishnanramya M.A., N.C.
Holistic Nutrition Consultant

[StaceeN]

Hello Ramya,
She is an executive and extremely busy, not a person who cooks.  However, her food choices are pretty good (chicken w/ steamed veggies, salad w/ salmon and oil/vinegar, nuts and fruit for snacks).  She is also taking care of her mother who is ill.  Stress reduction is priority on our list!
We did do the home test for low HCL and it was not too low.
I will suggest the teas.
Thanks!

[jodi f.]

Stacee, what "home test" did you do for HCl? If you're referring to the beet juice test, it's not accurate and has been removed from our recommendations.

I agree with Ramya that there may have been too much too soon. Enzymedica's products are excellent but pretty strong.

From all that you've said in your posts, it may really end up being stress reduction techniques, and finding ways to eat in peace (does she chew well?), that are key to her issues. Stress severely reduces digestive capability and messes with immune function, making us more easily sensitive to irritants, such as gluten. When we get sensitive to gluten, dairy often seems to be not far behind.

Also, a question: Is she taking any prescription medications? Some medications are able to disrupt the digestive process. Ambien, especially (commonly used by stressed people), can cause severe GERD. So, always know what your clients are being prescribed and how much and how often they're taking them.

[StaceeN]

Hello Jodi,

Thank you for your follow up!

I actually did the apple cider "home test" for the HCL testing.

She is not taking any medications, this was one of the first things I checked when we began working together.

It seems that stress is definitely one of the root causes of her digestive disorders, but she claims that even before she was so "stressed" she had these issues.  

We are currently working on getting more alkalizing and fermented foods and beverages into her diet and calming herbal teas, along with deep breathing exercises and other stress reduction techniques (that she can fit in!).

Thank you for your guidance!  If you have any other suggestions, they are greatly appreciated!