Post 106

Battling Heartburn, GERD, and Acid Reflux

About 20 million prescriptions each month are now being written for acid pump inhibitors making Nexium the 3rd most prescribed pharmaceutical drug. Recent studies have found those who take heartburn medications double their risks of dying of a heart attack. This is a multi billion dollar industry.

What does stomach acid do besides help you to digest protein? Stomach acid helps to kill bad bacteria in the stomach. Gastric acid is the leader which starts an entire digestive process. If this is out of balance, digestive capacity is damaged. The stomach needs stomach acid and when its work is accomplished, it passes into the duodenum. When bacteria is not killed as it should be in the stomach, and it passes into the small intestine, a person will likely develop duodenitis or gastritis, both quite painful. As the acid passes from your stomach into your small intestines and duodenum, it is met by the digestive agents from your pancreas and liver; these are alkaline. The perfect next step.

Drug manufacturers lead you to believe that you have too much acid, too much gastric juice. This over-abundance is your problem and you need an acid pump inhibitor or PPI to reduce the acid. But what if this is not true?

There is a cancer known as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. This cancer is the only medical diagnosis known involving excessive stomach acid and it is rare. GERD is described as a digestive disease that a PPI is required in order to correct your imbalance. GERD is NOT a condition of excessive acid but rather a condition of LOW STOMACH ACID. This is why taking vinegar before meals helps people with GERD.

PPI’s Long Term Use Risks
1. Increases esophageal cancer by 340%
2. Increases overall cancer risk
3. Magnesium deficiency
5. Bone fractures, bone spurs
6. Gastritis and Duodenitis
7. Intestinal bacterial infections including H Pylori and Clostridium bacterial infections
8. Excessive need for antibiotics for bacterial infections

What Contributes to Acid Indigestion?
1. Obesity- pressure is created which leads to hiatal hernia
2. Sugar
3. Coffee
4. Dairy
5. Getting Older (unfortunate since we cannot fix this) As you age, the production of HCL (acid) reduces and digestive enzymes greatly diminish. After the age of 50, you have very little digestive powder.

What Diet is the Best for Acid Disorders?
1. Mediterranean
2. Paleo

Take a Free Home Test
If you have been diagnosed with any of these acid related disorders, try this simple test.

Take 1 tablespoon in 8 oz. of water (not less) 10-15 minutes before a meal. If this improves your problem, you may conclude you have low stomach acid, not too much. If you immediately have an acid attack, have an antiacid liquid handy to stop the response. It is very rare to find anyone who needs the antiacid.

The problem is with this discovery, who wants to take all of this vinegar before meals? And, what other digestive failtures are occurring?

SOLUTIONS TO WEANING OFF PPI’S

Try these and find natural help to ending your discomfort.

1. You can take vinegar before every meal. This will establish the acid environment your stomach needs to begin the digestive process. You will still need enzymes to add digestive power to overcome acid imbalances.

2. Take the enzyme O-1 HCL 10 minutes before meals to re-establish stomach acid balance and begin the digestive processes.

3. Take a full spectrum additional enzyme to help all the digestive processes from the stomach to the duodenum through the small intestines. An example of these include; O-3, O-45, Chymotrypsin High Potency Formula, or Pancreatin Formula

4. Do not drink liquids with meals or just before meals in order to keep digestive juices more concentrated. Chew your food better. Did you know 47% of your starch digestion occurs in your mouth when food is thoroughly chewed?

5. Try taking 1 drop of essential oil of lemon in 4 oz. of water or seed milk, 4 x per day between meals. For some, this fixes the problem

6. If you have dairy or gluten intolerances, instead of using the enzymes listed in number 3, use the enzyme complex which is specific to these intolerances– O-DG

7. Take melatonin + magnesium 1 hour before bed each evening

8. Instead of O-1 HCL, take a single HCL supplement about 15 minutes before eating.

A Word About Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate is the active ingredient in OTC anti-acids. This is not an acid pump inhibitor but an instant acid reducer. Don’t confuse baking soda with the 24 hour type antiacid products such as omeprasole, protonix, prevacid, and the rest– all are acid pump inhibitors. Tums and Rolaids for example reduce acid instantly for immediate relief, but have no staying power for the 24 hour period.

For indigestion and to reduce an acid attack, you can use baking soda for instant acid.

To take baking soda, use 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon in water.
You can also take Vitamin C when it is combined with baking soda if generally Vitamin C bothers your stomach because when combined, this converts the acid to sodium ascorbate. This is an alkalizing form of C.

To make and take Sodium Ascorbate;  mix this, take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda + 1/3 to 1 teaspoon of C powder and add water– use a glass and use just a little. This will foam up as it processes and overflow your glass if too full. Let it finish fizzing, THEN add more water to = an 8 oz glass. Stir and drink.

Which one of these will help you individually can only be determined by you. It is not recommended to suddenly stop taking PPI medications but rather to wean off after you begin finding relief with the right supplements and diet. Your body needs to adjust. You should speak to your doctor and ask for their advise on a taper schedule if you are a long time user of PPI’s.