Question 1:
"Can you explain what you know about hyperacidity, hiatal hernias, belching, flatulence, bloating, and why chewing gum is confusing to the body?"
Answer 1:
The reason all of these symptoms are grouped together in one question is for the reason that they are all connected to one or two sets of circuitry. The explanation below is based on the assumption that one has a good diet according to the food combining approaches suggested in my book/this website. it also assumes that they have discontinued eating on the run, chew thoroughly, and have worked through any significant emotional life stresses.
The cranium, the jaw, and the digestive process all work together.
There is a circuit in the neurology of the jaw muscles that relates to the digestive process. When one open’s the mouth for food to enter, the reflexes in the jaw muscles communicate to the brain which then commands the cardiac valve (the valve between the esophagus and stomach) to open. When one bites, the stomach releases some acid in preparation for the first morsel of food to arrive in the stomach. During the action of chewing, the brain commands the intestinal muscles to contract (peristalsis), a churning action similar to chewing. Side grinding (an action required for high fibrous foods), stimulates the release of certain digestive enzymes needed to digest the high fibrous material. Finally, the action of swallowing stimulates the opening and closure of the one-way valves between the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.
The above-mentioned circuit works in a specific sequence like a factory line to break the food from large pieces into small pieces that are usable and absorbable by the body.
If one has had a cranial injury as explained in Answer 1, had any dental work, teeth pulled, etc, or had a trauma to the jaw, this circuit will likely be disorganized. Food will now be improperly broken down on its way through the body. The result will be that the food or acids regurgitates back out of the stomach (hiatal hernia and hyperacidity symptoms) since the command to the valve is weak. The food will be broken down improperly leading to fermentation, gas and bloating, and the immune system will have to spend much more energy digesting or even attacking unrecognizable partially broken-down food particles (food sensitivities/allergies). One could be eating very healthy yet still have this process occurring.
One can now understand how chewing gum would confuse the body. The digestive system, based on the commands it is receiving from the jaw, believes that food is arriving any second, when really after some minutes of chewing, nothing has arrived. What is worse is that after fatiguing and confusing the digestive system by chewing gum for 10 or 15 minutes, one may remove the gum to actually eat a meal. The tired digestive system now sluggishly digests the food. Since the food now stays longer in the bowel tract, there is more time for fermentation resulting in belching, bloating, and flatulence.
N.O. T protocols are very helpful with many digestive problems.