Natural treatment for heartburn / acid reflux

Posted by Nikki Young

May 10, 2008

Heartburn (acid reflux) is very common and affects around one in five people, some may experience an attack of heartburn every day, and some may experience an attack once or twice a week.

Many people, not understanding the cause of heartburn will go to their GP and will be prescribed antacid medication. Unfortunately, these antacid tablets won’t act in treating or curing the problem, but rather will just suppress the symptoms and alleviate the pain.

With any illness or disease, it’s first important to understand what has caused the problem, or what is causing the problem to occur. In the case of heartburn, the problem begins within the stomach; before food travels from the stomach into the small intestines, hydrochloric acid and other digestive enzymes are released. If not enough hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes are produced, the food will sit in the stomach in a partially digested state, it will begin to rot and become acidic. It’s this rotting of food within the stomach which causes acid reflux to occur; the food will become acidic and make its way back into the esophagus.

In order to ensure food is digested and assimilated efficiently in the stomach, it’s important to have adequate amounts of digestive enzymes, while simultaneously eating a healthy diet rich in alkaline fruits and vegetables and low in refined and processed foods to assist in the functioning of a healthy body, the growth of good bacteria and the constant stream of digestive enzymes.

Being deficient in digestive enzymes can lead to many serious health issues, in which taking medications for heartburn will never fix. There are three different classes of enzymes and all of them within the body are needed to assist in the healthy function of organs, tissues, metabolism, digestion and chemical reactions which take place. If these normal body functions are compromised due to the lack of essential enzymes within the body, many illnesses, diseases and health related problems can and probably will occur.

Some food sources rich in digestive enzymes include;

Apple cider vinegar (raw, un-filtered and with the mother)
Probiotics (good bacteria)
Vegetables (especially dark green vegetables)
Fruits (i.e. pawpaw, pineapple)
Nuts and seeds
Raw foods

Implementing a natural approach to treating heartburn can cure and prevent future attacks, medication alone will only continue to suppress symptoms and make matters worse.

Consuming refined and over processed foods will not fuel the body of beneficial nutrients and enzymes, and will only assist in feeding bad bacteria growth and decreasing the state of your health. Significantly reducing or eliminating these food sources while consuming a diet rich in raw foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, will keep your body alive with essential nutrients and enzymes.

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