Sweat Has a Strong Odor

Sweat having a strong odor is a sign of need for liver or kidney support. It is also a sign of possible magnesium deficiency. The sweat glans are another excretory organ, and the more toxic the body, the more toxic the sweat is likely to be. With adequate live detoxification and kidney excretion, it is less likely that the sweat gland and the skin in general will act as a primary excretory organ.

Another possible cause is bowel toxemia. Bowel toxemia normally starts with the pre-existing hypo chlorhydria. Proteins that are not digested and broken down adequately in the stomach from the substrate for bacteria and yeast to proliferate, which produce excess amounts of toxic metabolites. The liver detoxifies toxins produced from the gut. If the liver is not functioning optimally or if the amount of toxin production overwhelms its metabolic capacities, the toxin can enter systemic circulation. The sweat serves a major excretory function and if the kidney or liver is dysfunctional the body will use the skin as a route of elimination. The toxic metabolites usually have a strong odor that can be smelt on the breath and the urine as well as in the sweat.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Belching or Gas One Hour After a Meal

Belching or gas one hour after a meal is a strong indication of digestive dysfunction with either hypochlorhydria or pancreatic insufficiency. The delayed nature of the belching or gas may point to a pancreatic insufficiency over hypochlorhydria. Lack of pancreatic secretions in the small intestine can lead to purification of proteins or fermentation of carbohydrates, giving off gas as by-product.  You may also complain of bloating in the mid to lower abdomen.

Clinical experience has shown that these two conditions ar often linked and share a common etiology:

• Sympathetic dominance
• Antacid drug use
• Excess sugar and refined foods
• Chronic overeating
• Constant snaking between meals
• Excess carbohydrate, and alcohol consumption
• Nutrient defieciencies, especially zinc and thiamin
• H-Pylori infection

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Sleepy After Meals

Being sleepy after meals is a sign of blood sugar dysregulation, or inadequate digestion, which leaves a heavy amount of food in the digestive system that needs to be digested. An increased carbohydrate load in a meal, without adequate protein and fat to provide a balance, will lead to an increase in insulin. Increased insulin will lower the blood sugar very rapidly, leading to a concomitant lowering of the blood glucose. This causes post-prandial sleepiness. This is a common complaint after lunch, which tends to be a meal heavily weighted towards carbohydrates. Having the correct protein carbohydrate ratio in each meal will increase energy after the meal and ensure that the energy is long lasting.

People with digestion dysfunction also complain of being sleepy after meals. This is due to a large amount of energy being used up by the body to digest food in an environment that is lacking the necessary gastric juices and enzymes. It is important to remember that the symtom of being sleepy after meals is not just a problem with blood sugar dysregulation. Consider that people with this symptom may also be suffering from hypochlorhydria, which is a very common problem and leads to a number of digestive complaints including H. Pylori infection, bowel toxemia, dysbiosis, pancreatic insufficiency and leaky gut syndrome.

Hypochlorhydria has number of possible causes that include:

• Sympathetic dominance
• Antacid drug use
• Excess sugar and refined foods
• Chronic overeating
• Constant snacking between meals
• Excess carbohydrate and alcohol consumtion
• Nutrient deficiencies, especially zinc and thiamin
• H-Pylori infection

Zinc defieciency has also been associated with hypochlorhydria and should therefore be assessed.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Anemia Unresponsive to Iron

An anemia that is not responsive to iron may be a sign of digestion and / or absorption problems. The person may not be absorbing the supplemental iron due to a low amount of stomach acid. Also, many doctors may give iron for an anemia before considering its true cause. An anemia that is unresponsive to iron may be due to some other nutritiional defieciency, especially B12 and folic acid. Vitamin B12 required adequate stomach acid for its absorption. Zinc defieciency has been associated with hydrochlorhydri and should therefor be assessed.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Diarrhea Shortly After Meals

Diarrhea shortly after meal is most often and indication of food intolerance. The body will often attempt to remove an intolerant or irritation food by causing diarrhea. It is also a sign of biliary insufficiency, especially if there is fat in the stool, a condition called steatorrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by loose stools shortly after meals.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Do You Feel Like Skipping Breakfast?

This is a sign of HCL or pancreatic enzyme need. This is a pattern seen in clients who eat a larger dinner very fat without chewing it properly. Unfortunately this causes the food to stay in the digestive system for a longer period of time, and in the morning they are still digesting and do not feel hungry. Encouragement of clients to break this habit by eating a smallish breakfast, having regular meals throughout the day and encouraging an earlier lighter dinner.
Zinc deficiency has been associated with hypochlorhydria and should therefor be assessed.

Enzymes break down food into compounds for absorption into the bloodstream. Food Enzymes has Betaine HCl, bile salt, bromelain, lipase, alpha amylase, pancreatin, papain and pepsin. Click here to see what else it can do for you.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Black or Tarry Stools

Black or tarry stools are usually a result of bleeding into the upper GI tract. This is a serious sign and needs immediate investigation to rule out pathology (ulcer, Crohn's disease, colitis, cancer etc). Also need to ask whether there has been an ingestion of iron, charcoal, or bismuth products. Bismuth is found in over the counter medication, such as Pepto-Bismol and other nutritional supplements. When bismuth oxidizes in the GI tract it turns black, and could therefore stain the stool. A heavy meat diet can also cause black stools.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Stomach Upset by Taking Vitamins

This is a clear sign of hydrochorhydria and a need for supplemental HCL. Low stomach acid can cause discomfort when taking supplemental vitamins. Hydrochlorhydria is a very common problem and leads to a number of digestive complaints including H. Pylori infection, bowel toxemia, dysbiosis, pancreatic insufficiency and leaky gut syndrome.

Hydrochlorhydria has a number of possible etiologies that include:

• Sympathetic dominance
• Antacid drug use
• Excess sugar and refined foods
• Chronic overeating
• Excess carbohydrate and alcohol consumption
• Nutrient deficiencies, especially zinc and thiamin
• H-Pylori infection

Many of the above can lead to irritation of the gatric mucosa causing a decreases output of acid from the parietal cells. Sensitivity to supplements is one of the potential side effects of this process.

Clinically many people with hydrochlorhydria are sensitive to zinc and feel nauseated taking supplemental zinc. Zinc deficiency is strongly associated with hydrochlorhydria because zinc is an essential nutrient in the production of HCL from the parietal cells. We need to assess for zinc levels in all clients suffering from swallowing their supplements, they maybe in need of supplemental HCL.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Are You a Vegan (No dairy, meat, fish, or eggs)?

Vegans tend to be deficient in B12, an essential nutrient that is difficult to obtain with a vegan diet. Many vegans consume a large portion of their calories from carbohydrates. A high intake of carbohydrate has been linked with an increased risk of developing hypochlorhydria. Adequate stomach acid is essential for the proper absorption of vitamin B12. Vegans are therefore compromised on the supply end and the digestion end of the B12 issue.

A through assessment of the upper digestive tract is essential in the vegan client to ensure that the correct mechanism for adquate B12 digestion and absorption is in place. ZInc deficiency has been associated with hypochlorhydria and should also be assessed.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

66. Stomach Pains or Cramps

Stomach pains or cramps can be an indication of an acute abdomen, which needs to be thoroughly assesssed. If pathology is ruled out consider the following causes of generalized inflammation: food allergies, upper GI bleeding, gastritis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Also consider that you may be suffering from dysbiotic bowel, a possible parasitic infection, or that you may be allergic to certain foods. A person that is allergic to gluten will complain of stomach cramps and pain, as will a person that is lactose intolerant.

Supplemental Support
1. Betaine HCL, Pepsin, pancreatic
2. Pancreatic enzymes
3. Nutritional zinc
4. Bromelain, cellulose, lipase, and amylase
5. Beet juice, taurine, vitamin C and pancreolipase

Check out Stomach Comfort from Nature's Sunshine - Click here for more information.

Lifestyle Changes
Look at handout located here for a Diet to Aid Digestion


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.