mcb
The Living Force
Re: Mitochondrial DNA, ketogenic diet and pathogenesis of Macular degeneration
I am finding that I need a combination of betaine HCL/pepsin and a digestive enzyme supplement to deal with the problem. I stopped the digestive enzymes after a scare in which the particular batch of the product I was using was recalled for possible contamination with antibiotics, and some of the more apparent symptoms of poor digestion (gurgling, belching, and so forth) returned in spite of continuing the betaine HCL.
I don't think I have macular degeneration, but I do have deteriorating eyesight, and I don't know what it is. It wouldn't surprise me if that were in some way related to poor digestion. The main symptoms, though, that I have identified are low energy, poor cognitive functioning, and lower GI tract issues (as undigested material makes its way down where it doesn't belong).
Poor digestion is probably not a root cause itself but once it is established, managing it with supplements (and sometimes medication, if there is an infection) can be critical to recovery. I consider what I am doing as a workaround to keep me going while I search for further causes. I am working with an alternative health practitioner to perform comprehensive testing and to try to understand everything that is going on, while propping myself up with a wide variety of supplements.
The good news in all of this is that my energy levels are up dramatically, I am on my feet and out of the house (and offline) more and more, and I am involved with other people again. I am starting to face the issue of over-commitment to volunteer work again, but I would rather have to deal with that again than sit around the house and be a hermit. And the trigger for this change was boosting my stomach acid using betaine HCL!
My regular MD is of no help because she doesn't understand how poor digestion affects health (she wants me to take a fiber supplement, and have a colonoscopy). None of my MDs ever has, so far as I know. Every MD I see asks me if I have had a colonoscopy, because I am over 60 and they are apparently required to do that, whether they think it is important or not. They are not required to have an understanding of how the body works as a whole.
I understand that one factor that is not uncommon when stomach acid is low is an H Pylori infection, and that is one of the tests I am doing. You really need to take a comprehensive approach, though, rather than just testing for this and then that (as you hear about it) because it might be a factor. Some people might be able to work through the process on their own, but if you have a lot of issues (and I do) then that might not be practical.
I am finding that I need a combination of betaine HCL/pepsin and a digestive enzyme supplement to deal with the problem. I stopped the digestive enzymes after a scare in which the particular batch of the product I was using was recalled for possible contamination with antibiotics, and some of the more apparent symptoms of poor digestion (gurgling, belching, and so forth) returned in spite of continuing the betaine HCL.
I don't think I have macular degeneration, but I do have deteriorating eyesight, and I don't know what it is. It wouldn't surprise me if that were in some way related to poor digestion. The main symptoms, though, that I have identified are low energy, poor cognitive functioning, and lower GI tract issues (as undigested material makes its way down where it doesn't belong).
Poor digestion is probably not a root cause itself but once it is established, managing it with supplements (and sometimes medication, if there is an infection) can be critical to recovery. I consider what I am doing as a workaround to keep me going while I search for further causes. I am working with an alternative health practitioner to perform comprehensive testing and to try to understand everything that is going on, while propping myself up with a wide variety of supplements.
The good news in all of this is that my energy levels are up dramatically, I am on my feet and out of the house (and offline) more and more, and I am involved with other people again. I am starting to face the issue of over-commitment to volunteer work again, but I would rather have to deal with that again than sit around the house and be a hermit. And the trigger for this change was boosting my stomach acid using betaine HCL!
My regular MD is of no help because she doesn't understand how poor digestion affects health (she wants me to take a fiber supplement, and have a colonoscopy). None of my MDs ever has, so far as I know. Every MD I see asks me if I have had a colonoscopy, because I am over 60 and they are apparently required to do that, whether they think it is important or not. They are not required to have an understanding of how the body works as a whole.
I understand that one factor that is not uncommon when stomach acid is low is an H Pylori infection, and that is one of the tests I am doing. You really need to take a comprehensive approach, though, rather than just testing for this and then that (as you hear about it) because it might be a factor. Some people might be able to work through the process on their own, but if you have a lot of issues (and I do) then that might not be practical.