Suffer from heartburn? You are not alone. Millions of Americans deal with it everyday! Heartburn hurts. Doctors call this problem gastroesophageal reflux which occurs when a valve at the bottom of the esophagus, the tube that leads to the stomach, weakens. This allows stomach acid to reflux or flow back into the esophagus, causing the burning of heartburn.
Some take OTC medicines for it (tums, etc) and some are taking prescription medicines for it. My husband has tried both & unfortunately still suffers on a daily basis. You know the symptoms, bloating, belching and even stomach pain. Enough is Enough! I am tired of seeing him suffer. There has to be a better way to treat this problem, right?
YES it is!
After doing some research on the matter this is what I found…
First of all I checked in with Dr. Oz (of course!) and he did a segment suggesting Aloe Vera Juice for FAST relief (fast is good!).
Aloe Vera Juice is a natural acid buffer.
He also spoke about Apple Cider Vinegar as a natural remedy for acid reflux (not for people who have ulcers).
Next, I checked out some info from a naturopathic point of view and found out the following….
Some doctors claim that antacids may interfere with your body’s natural digestive process. Taking antacids on a daily basis can also interfere with digestion in the small intestine and the entire length of the digestive tract. This will cause your body to have problems with the natural ability to absorb nutrients. If your body can’t absorb nutrients then your health could decline (Whew! That’s all anyone needs, more problems!)
Okay, so back to the naturopathic point of view… Recommendation of the Aloe Vera Juice &
Apple Cider Vinegar (just like Dr. Oz said) and other alternatives were Licorice and Slippery Elm.
Licorice is simply a natural antacid. It may also protect against the possible formation of some ulcers.
Slippery Elm heals the mucous membranes. This is a pretty cool thing! Slippery Elm helps relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion because it heals the mucous membranes that have been irritated or injured by acid reflux. Suggested dosage – take one capsule before each meal.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is the supplement that strengthens the lining of the esophagus, protecting it from stomach acid.
Always check with your doctor first.
As for my hubby, he is ready to try the Apple Cider Vinegar remedy! (He isn’t a pill/supplement kind of person!)
