Many Problems Can Cause Heartburn
Nirala Jacobi ND

Q. Can you suggest anything natural for heartburn?

A. Heartburn can have many causes and to properly treat it, it must be diagnosed correctly. For instance, if the problem

is a leaky sphincter (lower esophageal sphincter, LES), acid will reflux into your esophagus and cause burning. If this occurs

often, over time this can cause tissue changes in your esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) that can become precancerous.

Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) this is often medicated with newer drugs called proton pump

inhibitors (Prilosec, Prevacid) that stop the production of stomach acid. These drugs are intended for short term use only,

and should not be used for maintenance. Non-drug intervention includes eating smaller meals to prevent back flow,

avoidance of LES relaxants such as alcohol, caffeine (including chocolate) and peppermint, so no after-dinner mints!

Smoking can irritate the lining of the esophagus and weaken the LES. Elevating the head of your bed to prevent reflux

 can also be helpful.

Lack of stomach acid

Another reason for heartburn, believe it or not, can be the lack of stomach acid. This is actually more common than not.

Often the reason is a stressful lifestyle. We all know the familiar feeling of an acid stomach when we are experiencing a

stressful situation. Acute stress stimulates your stomach to produce stomach acid, chronic stress does just the opposite.

 When you are eating, your stomach acidity is supposed to be the same as car battery acid (pH of 2). In other words,

were you to put your finger in it, it would get dissolved down to the bone. That is to insure that you can start the process

of protein digestion, and it also acts as a natural antibiotic, killing bacteria in foods.

To protect yourself from digesting yourself, the inside of your stomach is lined with a mucous layer that acts as a barrier.

 When the body decreases stomach acid output, the body reads that as a signal that the mucous barrier can also be

 reduced. When you eat foods that are high in natural acids (tomatoes, coffee, spicy foods) they are now allowed to

touch the bare lining of your stomach where they can cause irritation and burning.

Also, the stomach contents have to reach a certain acidity before the sphincter than connects your stomach to the

small intestines will open. Once that happens, food is passed into the first part of your small intestine and pancreatic

 enzymes can now continue with the process of digestion.

Essential for digestion

All that is altered when stomach acid isn't appropriate. Stomach acid is absolutely essential for digestion as well as

proper absorption of minerals. We have treated many people with mild to moderate heartburn with proper supplementation

 of hydrochloric acid (stomach acid).

Sometimes it is first necessary to stimulate the rebuilding of the mucous barrier. Deglycerrhizinated Licorice (DOE) can

be of tremendous help. It increases the life span of mucous secreting cells and enhances their ability to secrete the

 protective mucous. Chewing the tablets or the powder 20 minutes before a meal or when having heartburn can be very

soothing to the stomach lining as well as the esophagus. Other helpful herbs include slippery elm, marshmallow, and

 chamomile. Switch from coffee to chamomile tea for a couple of weeks and see what happens!

Identifying certain food allergies or irritants is also important. Refined carbohydrates like candy, pastries, and ice cream

seem to be a big culprit for some people. Avoid the suspected food for at least 2-3 weeks and reintroduce to check for

symptoms.

In conclusion, the proper diagnosis is important when treating heartburn especially ruling out more serious conditions

such as GERD. Testing for low stomach acid can be helpful. Supplementation of stomach acid should be done under

 the supervision of a physician as it is contraindicated in certain conditions. Proper digestion depends on adequate

levels of acid. Therefore, overuse of antacids can lead to maldigestion and mineral deficiencies.

Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic
720 N. 30th St.
Billings, MT 59101
PHONE 406·259·5096/FAX 406·248·5655

ync@180com.net

Dispensary
406·254·9682

dispensary@yncnaturally.com