The Symptoms
A full-time working mother of two came to us experiencing sudden digestive changes that were significantly impacting her daily life. After several months of increased family stress, she began noticing:
- Significant bloating
- Slowed digestion
- New onset heartburn and reflux (occurring daily, especially by end of day)
- Increased gas
- Undigested food visible during colonic sessions
- Inconsistent bowel movements
These symptoms were new for her and concerning, particularly the heartburn which she’d never experienced before.
What She Had Tried
Before working with us, she had attempted to manage her symptoms with Tums, which provided some relief but wasn’t a solution she wanted to continue long-term. She was also aware that her eating habits had changed—she found herself eating very quickly due to her busy schedule juggling work, children, and additional family stressors.
The Underlying Condition
Through our assessment, it became clear that her digestive system was struggling to keep up with the demands being placed on it. The combination of stress, rushed eating, and inadequate digestive support meant that food wasn’t being properly broken down. This led to food sitting in her digestive tract, causing bloating and gas, and eventually pushing back up her esophagus as reflux. The undigested food found during her colonic confirmed that her body needed additional digestive support to properly process meals.
The Treatment Plan
We started her on Temple Total Digest, our comprehensive digestive support supplement containing both enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The protocol was straightforward and tailored to her eating patterns:
- Two capsules with larger meals, especially those containing protein
- One capsule with smaller meals
- None with light snacks (like an apple)
She was able to maintain consistency, typically taking the supplement twice daily with her two larger meals. We also encouraged her to work on chewing her food more thoroughly and eating more mindfully when possible.
The Results
The results were significant and multifaceted:
- Substantial reduction in gas and bloating
- Complete elimination of heartburn and reflux—the food was now breaking down and moving through her system properly instead of sitting and creating pressure
- More consistent bowel movements
- Notably less undigested food at her follow-up colonic session
When asked about her experience, she acknowledged that while she had made some improvements to chewing her food more consciously (rating her efforts as “okay”), she could definitively feel the difference from the Temple Total Digest. The impact was most noticeable when she was consistent about taking it with her larger meals twice a day.
For this busy mother, addressing her digestive insufficiency with targeted enzyme and HCl support made the difference between daily discomfort and getting back to feeling like herself—all without relying on antacids for symptom management.
Heidi Ochsner, MS, RD, is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Specialist at Temple Natural Health. She supports clients with chronic and complex health concerns through personalized nutrition, detoxification, and gut health strategies. With a passion for education and a deep belief in the mind-body connection, Heidi helps clients make lasting lifestyle changes that promote true healing.
