Many people find that the use of a good quality digestive enzyme product such as Biocare's 'Digestaid' helps boost their tolerance to food, but some are unable to tolerate these products. Experimentation with different products can sometimes identify a tolerable product, but I find it best to use only the following technique, which has the advantage of being free!

Stimulating the 'digestive enzyme point' encourages the production of our own digestive enzymes. This is located on the front of the ribcage, just to the left of the bottom of the sternum.

To find the correct spot, run your fingers down the sternum (breast bone) from the central hollow at the base of your throat to where the bone ends and the bottom ribs attach to it. The DE point is located slightly to the left of the bottom of the sternum, a cemtimetre or two along the lower edge of the bottom left hand side rib.

In someone whose enzyme production is under par, this spot may be slightly sensitive or sore, but rubbing it for thirty seconds or so will usually ease the soreness and will stimulate the body to produce its own digestive enzymes.

Some years ago, I became intolerant to digestive enzyme supplements, and a kinesiologist recommended that try this technique. Subsequent kinesiological testing established that, in my case, stimulating the DE point produces the same digestive effect as taking four high quality digestive enzyme capsules.

I have used the technique ever since, gently rubbing the DE point whenever I eat, and have found it produces excellent results. It has also saved me a small fortune, because good quality digestive enzyme supplements are expensive.

In addition to rubbing the DE point, I have found that occasionally massaging all the way along the lower edge of the bottom rib on both left and right sides has a generally beneficial effect on my digestion, which is perhaps not surprising because the whole of the front bottom rib margin is linked to the small intestine. I often find tender spots along this margin, and a few minutes of gentle massage always eases these and improves my digestion.

First published in September 2009

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