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An estimated 40 million Americans have heartburn at least once a week.' And heartburn remedies are among the biggest
selling drugs of all time.' But you should think long and hard before you pop that Pepcid.
Taking certain types of
medication to deal with heartburn and excess stomach acid may increase the risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly, according
to a report in the August issue of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. The drugs in question, called histamine-2
receptor antagonists or H2As, include popular medicines such as Zantac and Pepcid.
While an occasional bout of heartburn
may indeed be the price of indulgence, up to 15 million people have a more serious condition called GERD, or gastroesophageal
reflux disease. GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, a kind of trap door into the stomach, doesn't close properly.
Stomach contents leak back into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation called heartburn. Heartburn that occurs more
than twice a week may be considered GERD and can eventually lead to more serious health problems.
For a long time
now those in nutritional and complementary medicine have had serious concerns about long-term use of antacids and H2 blockers
to treat GERD. Those drugs only treat the symptom, not the cause.
Despite what the commercials say, GERD is not caused
by too much stomach acid.' It's caused by acid in the wrong place -- your esophagus.
Paradoxically, 90 percent of
people who experience heartburn don't have enough acid. Their stomach will churn the food relentlessly, trying to spread the
little bit of acid that's there around so the food can be digested, but all that churning increases the risk of the trap door
to the esophagus opening and some acid getting to the wrong place. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, these people need more
acid.
A better solution for people that suffer from occasional heartburn or GERD is a supplement containing digestive
enzymes and hydrochloric acid (HCl) to support the digestive system.
Anyone with chronic heartburn symptoms that occur
at least twice a week should consult with a health professional trained in complementary or nutritional medicine.
[Ed.
note: Dr. Bowden is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health. He's a board certified nutrition specialist
with a Master's degree in psychology. Dr. Bowden is also a life coach, motivational speaker, former personal trainer and author
of the award-winning book, Living the Low Carb Life. For more information, click here.]
"This article appears courtesy
of Early to Rise's Total Health Breakthroughs, offering alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary
subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com"
These pages are for information only and are not medical
advice. They do not purport to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a physician before taking any
supplement or undergoing any procedure described here.
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