The stomach is an important part of our anatomy. Food entering our mouths must be properly prepared for digestion. After being chewed and masticated by the mouth, the food is now sent to the stomach for further processing. The stomach mixes the food in an acid bath for further break-up of the nutrients. When the acid shifts alkaline to about 5.5 ph the pylorus valve at the base of the stomach opens and the food is passed along to the primary digestive organ the small intestine.
Nature has provided us with a nerval system that regulates this process. This nervous system is designed to prefer muscle action over digestion. So if a threat or stress comes to us after a meal, such as a lion attack, our body will shift it’s energy from digestion to the muscles and we can survive by running away. In our present society we have few lions, but our nerves can still stop digestion just as easily.
When we allow the stomach to empty it’s contents prematurely the small intestine is over burdened. The food is not properly prepared for digestion. Then we get an increase in large undigested proteins and large undigested fats that can be absorbed into the lymphatic system. This will enter the free fatty acid and amino acid pool and either clog up the lymphatic system or be used to make cells. Cells which will now be made of poor quality parts. It is not much of a problem if we circumvent the stomach just now and then, but for some the patients, this becomes a way of life.
They constantly use antacids, too much liquid with meals, coffee, milk, or a variety of ways to empty the stomach too early. When the stomach empties there is a release of CCK, a hormone, which has a slight anti depression or euphoria. This, and the release of the stuffy stomach feeling, intensifies the addictive quality of the effect. But the long term effects on nutrition are very detrimental. There are rules of the stomach that can maximize nutrition.
The majority of our patients are partially sick because they violate the rules of the stomach. This is the key to weight loss and the healing of a host of other disease. We are seeing more and more evidence of what good nutrition can do. But it is not just what we eat that is important, but what we absorb. Even the best meal or nutrition can result in inappropriate nutrition if we violate the rules of the stomach. Food combining is just part of the answer. As that different foods have different times for stomach digestion. So the stomach can open prematurely from that.

Rules of the Stomach

1. Fluids alone, (no more than 4oz. Of fluid with a meal, or for two hours after a meal)

2. No coffee at meals, (wait for 1.5 to 2 hours after, or 1 hour before eating)

3. No milk with meals, (wait for 1.5 to 2 hours after, or 1 hour before eating)

4. Fruits alone, (wait for 1.5 to 2 hours after, or 1 hour before eating)

5. Melons alone. (wait for 1.5 to 2 hours after, or 1 hour before eating)

6. Small meal is better Quality of nutrition, not quantity.

7. Slow meals. Savor, enjoy, rejoice, and celebrate the meal.

8. Eat for nutrition not for stimulation, Eat when hungry, not when bored.

9. Rest comfortably after eating for at least 35 to 45 minutes, to maximize stomach function.

10. Make and eat food with love and kindness, no violent or negative emotions.

11. No ant-acids.

12. Do not sleep for 3 hours after eating.
When the stomach is weak the signs will be craving fluids with a meal, bloating after a meal, itching skin especially rectum, belching, and gas. The patient will have a difficult time digesting raw vegetables. They will complain that raw vegetables can not be digested. This is not a fluke of their digestion or an inherited weakness. This is a sign of a weak stomach.

Sometimes our children come home from school and say, “Daddy I don’t want to go to school any more, it makes my head hurt“. We must say back “I know it is hard, but you must develop slowly and work to become better“. This is what we must say to those with weak stomachs. You must work slowly, day by day building up the stomach by taking some vegetables as juice. Maybe even very dilute juice and slowly increasing the amount till your stomach develops the strength to process your food properly. The nutrient content of fruits and vegetables is immense, and being able to break up the nutrients and stimulate absorption is needed for complete health and recovery.

The addictive quality of this problem is seen as our society more and more allows for breaking the rules of the stomach. The greater your disease or especially if your disease is critical the more you will need to observe the rules of the stomach. This is a must for proper healing.

Lifestyle Changes.

Stress reduction must be worked into the lifestyle. Everyone needs to first realize to celebrate each meal and relax afterward to maximize nutritional absorption. This shift to the parasympathetic system will allow the body to use the enzymatic capacity of the body to the max. Stress reduction should be worked into the rest of the life as well. The fast-paced life in modern society is so stressful that a release valve is needed. The vacation is designed as a time to relax. Often times the vacation becomes a further source of stress, as when people travel they sometimes become even more obsessed with seeing things or going places. A time that could be spent relaxing can be changed into further stress. Affirmations, meditation, exercise, music, a hobby can all help with stress reduction.

But for highly charged executive types start with relaxing after meals. Avoid high fat content foods. Fat has nine times more calories than other components of food. So even a food that is 50% fat can be overcharged with empty calories. The fat collects into the arteries and lymphatics as well as excess adipose tissue. All of these put undue stress on the body.
The conditioning of the patient is also important. The body is designed to chop wood and carry water. An exercise program is essential for health. Yoga and stretching of the body is also important.

The natural switch book from the International Journal of the Medical art of Homeopathy will outline more detail on exercise and nutrition. Obeying the rules of the stomach is very important.