Panama Naturopath.com

Heartburn and indigestion are very common problems these days, as the huge sales of antacids will confirm. They are one of the biggest selling over-the-counter medications.

There are certain foods and drinks that can increase the likelihood of acid reflux from the stomach up to the oesophagus, including too much fat, alcohol, large meals, coffee (even de-caffeinated), tea, cokes, orange, and chocolate, all aid in lowering the pressure of the sphincter muscle. The same is true of certain medication. There are a vast number of people using antacids of one description or another on a regular basis to help counteract acidity. The majority of these foods listed above can also encourage too much acid.

What do antacids do? Some antacids reduce stomach acid acidity so it burns less. Others reduce stomach acid secretion so there is less in the stomach to cause problems. The problem is we need normal amounts of strong stomach acid to digest food properly. So the situation of lowering secretion or reducing stomach acidity on a regular basis could impair digestion in the long run, setting up all sorts of problems for the future. I am not referring to the very occasional use at Christmas or other holidays when you eat far too much.

According to Henry D Janowitz MD formerly Head of the Division of Gastroenterology, now Clinical Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Taking regular substantial amounts of aluminium containing antacids can negatively influence the calcium in our bones.

So what are the alternatives?

Experiment: maybe only one or two of these foods are affecting you personally. Avoid all of the above foods for a few days and then gradually introduce them one at a time and wait at least 24 hours to see what happens before introducing another food from the above list.

Being over weight increases physical pressure on the stomach, and can force acid up into the oesophagus. That is why heartburn is so common among pregnant women. If you are over weight it is worth considering losing weight for many health reasons.

Smoking not only relaxes the valve at the top of the stomach but also increases stomach acids secretions.

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