You may want to think twice before grabbing that antacid.
Isn't there a more natural approach that works in harmony with
the body? After all, what is stomach acid for? You need stomach
acid for digestion of protein and absorption of minerals like
calcium and iron. Stomach acid is also essential for preventing
the growth of bacteria and yeast in your stomach.
Drugs that reduce stomach acid are among the most frequently
prescribed drugs in the U.S. Although these drugs can be
effective at relieving symptoms like heartburn and abdominal
pain, they may have serious long-term side effects. In addition,
heartburn is almost never caused by an excess of stomach acid.
The problem occurs when the stomach acid ends up in the wrong
place, coming up into the esophagus instead of remaining in the
stomach.
Regular use of acid-suppressing drugs is associated with
increased risk of hip fractures, probably because of impaired
calcium absorption. Taking acid-suppressors may increase the
risk of acquiring a food-borne intestinal infection or lead to
the overgrowth of bacteria in the stomach and small intestine.
Understanding GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), causes inflammation of the
esophagus(esophagit
flow backward up the esophagus and may reach all the way to the
mouth. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation of food, sore
throat, hoarse voice and cough. Although acid suppressors are
commonly prescribed, GERD is not caused by excess production of
acid. It is caused by failure of the valve that separates the
esophagus from the stomach (the LES or lower esophageal
sphincter valve).
This valve is usually closed and opens only for swallowing, so
that it keeps the stomach contents out of the esophagus. Because
acid is among the most irritating components of stomach juice,
reducing the acid may reduce the irritation. But acid
suppression doesn't prevent reflux, it merely converts acid
reflux into non-acid reflux.
Nutritional Alternatives
The cause of reflux is the inappropriate opening of the LES and
the usual cause of that is excessive fullness or distension of
the stomach. The following may help reduce GERD:
- Eat relatively small meals, frequently. This decreases
stomach distension.
- Avoid very high fat foods. They directly weaken the LES.
- Avoid cigarette smoking and limit coffee, chocolate and
alcohol. These directly weaken the LES.
- Don't eat for 3 hours before lying down. When you're upright,
gravity works with you.
- Lose weight. Being overweight increases your risk of GERD.
- Don't eat just before strenuous exercise. Strenuous exercise
increases the tendency to GERD.
- Avoid foods that you know cause symptoms, until you're
better. So-called "acid" foods, like oranges and tomatoes, do
not cause GERD, but they may irritate an already inflamed
esophagus.
There are two natural products that we reach for when heartburn
strikes. The first is a digestive enzyme, Absorbaid, which helps
speed digestion, allowing the stomach to feel less full. The
second is Calcium Citrate, which can help soothe the burning
feeling associated with heartburn. We have personally found
these products to be helpful and make sure to keep them on hand
for relief after meal times.
About The Author: Director of The Foundation For Integrated
Medicine, Leo Galland M.D.is an award-winning lecturer and
author. Jonathan Galland is a health writer for newspapers and
magazines. They are authors of the Fat Resistance Diet. For a
free one-day meal plan and recipes, visit
http://www.fatresis
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