I have quite a number of friends who chew Tums like they're candy.
They wake up, pop a Tums.
Have breakfast - pop another Tums.
Mid-morning .... oohhhh ... burnies .... in goes another Tums.
And so on.
The doctor will say, "Acid Reflux." and prescribe Zantac, Prevacid, Nexium, Pepcid etc., etc.
But will your acid go away? Not likely. And I know why.
Because you don't have Acid Reflux.
NOTE: I will from now one write "acid" & "acid reflux" because I personally believe there are very few people who legitimately suffer from these disorders. I believe it's a blanket "cure-all" diagnosis to which the "cure" is a medication that merely hides the symptoms and does not "cure" a friggin' thing.
Now I'm going to make my disclaimer right away, so nobody sues me. I'm not a doctor, and if your doctor has prescribed any of the above medications do not stop taking them. Do not take my word as a doctor's. Do not start saying "I read it on this site, so it must be from God's mouth."
Don't be stupid - is what I'm saying. Take this advice from a person who has had MUCH experience, reads a lot, and won't tout something unless she's done a crap-load of research.
Onward ...
I have several family members who also suffer from "acid reflux".
Myself included.
Until my chiropractor/homeopath suggested something else might be amiss with my digestion, not over active acid.
So let's see exactly what these two mean ...
Digestion is the breakdown of food
into smaller components that can be more easily absorbed and
assimilated by the body. In certain organisms, these smaller substances
are absorbed through the small intestine into the blood stream. Digestion is a form of catabolism that is often divided into two processes based on how food is broken down: mechanical and chemical digestion.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is a chronic symptom of mucosal damage caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus.[1]
GERD is usually caused by changes in the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, including abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally holds the top of the stomach closed, impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatal hernia. These changes may be permanent or temporary.
There are a few reasons you should not be taking antacids, short term, long term or unless under extreme circumstances.
Their ingredients:
- aluminum - which prevents your body from absorbing magnesium, calcium, zinc, absorption, and function. (Fun, eh?)
- aluminum hydroxide, or calcium carbonate who can weaken digestion and cause constipation.
- magnesium hydroxide, or sodium bicarbonate which may cause diarrhea. (Ahh, ok, great.)
- The ones who don't contain aluminum, they may contain dairy, sugar, or other sweeteners, and animal products. They may contain also traces of lead. (Lead candy - mmmmm!)
Their Risks:
- Antacids stop the production of the very stomach acid you want working to digest your foods. Seems a bit counter-active doesn't it?
- Longterm Antacid use has also been linked to hair-loss, low blood pressure, Irritable Bowel Disease, Vitamin B deficiency which leads to nervous disorders including dementia, spinal cord degradation & anemia. All of these are irriversible.
- No antacid is recommended for longer than a 2 year use, because of the above risks. Prescription or otherwise.
I don't like to be long winded, I enjoy getting to the point.
So let's ask 2 questions:
1. Do you get "acid" when your stomach is really empty, or right after you've eaten?
2. Or, do you get acid bubbling up your throat?
If your answer was "YES" the latter, chances are it is a legitimate case of GERD.
If your answer was "YES" to the former, chances are you don't need any antacids, you need to consider an alternative: Your body is not digesting your food properly or correctly, therefore creating more acid to help break that shit down. (no pun intended)
Meet your new best friend the Digestive Enzyme.
Digestive enzymes are enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules into their smaller building blocks, in order to facilitate their absorption by the body. Digestive enzymes are found in the digestive tracts of animals (including humans) and in the traps of carnivorous plants, where they aid in the digestion of food, as well as inside cells, especially in their lysosomes, where they function to maintain cellular survival. Digestive enzymes are diverse and are found in the saliva secreted by the salivary glands, in the stomach secreted by cells lining the stomach, in the pancreatic juice secreted by pancreatic exocrine cells, and in the intestinal (small and large) secretions, or as part of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
There are 2 Types of digestive enzymes:
1. Proteolytic - which digest proteins (meats, cheeses). Usually come in a swallow with liquid form.
2. Amylases - which digest carbohydrates, sugars and starch. Usually come in a chewable form.
The nice thing about digestive enzymes, is you body already has them! You may just need an little 'amping up' of what you've already got.
Here are the benefits of using digestive enzymes
(c/o GrowYouthful.com)
- Digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, depending on the enzyme. Better digestion means improved absorption of the nutrients in those foods. Enzymes also help with a range of digestive ailments, such as bile problems and poor fat digestion
- Cleaning your lymphatic system using lymphatic enzymes
- Weight gain. If you have had difficulty putting on weight, particularly muscle bulk, the improved digestion of proteins and other nutrients will help
- Weight loss. A processed food or other low-nutrient diet leads to obesity. One of the reasons is the body's hunger for the nutrients it is missing. Taking enzymes along with a varied, high-nutrient diet ensures that a wide array of nutrients are actually digested and become available
- Longevity and good health. If your digestive system is working well (as in most young people) you absorb the nutrients from your food efficiently, and feel satisfied with smaller quantities of food. Reducing your calorie intake is one of the few methods which scientists widely agree can extend your life
Here are the risks:
None that I could find. Seriously. None. Only "Please consult your doctor" phrases: people and doctors speaking about how one should be cautious if you have allergies, food intolerances and any other health issues such as diabetes, Crones, IBS, or the like. And in these cases speak with your doctor before taking any enzymes to be sure they will not effect current medications or disturbs your already hyper-sensitive system.
But that is common sense, yes?
So before you go popping a few Tums, Zantac or Prevacid ... please, talk to your doctor.
The risks of using these tpyes of medications are NOT worth it.
If your doctor is not one who will entertain alternative forms of health - ONE you need to find a new doctor. And TWO (ask you doctor for a referral to a) speak with a licensed homeopath, chiropractor, herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner.
In conclusion .....
And as an aside so you don't think I'm just blowing smoke up your butt; I, my husband, mother, father, friends (who I've converted) and kids all use digestive enzymes.
None of us have "acid". None of us have constipation, diarrhea, nervous disorders etc.
And additionally, I do have friends who were diagnosed with "Acid Reflux", who have switched to enzymes supplements and have never once suffered again from acid.
Proof is in the pudding, so-to-speak, and if you are skeptical I challenge you to try it. There is nothing to lose but your "Acid Reflux".
Resources:
Wikipedia
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