Heartburn - Cautions and Solutions
Heartburn (and/or GERD) is miserable and a huge block of the population suffers
from it including those who try to live a healthy lifestyle. It can be
distracting and even incapacitating for many, many guys.
Most of us never stop to think what might be behind the issue and immediately
reach for a pill to help. This can be a dangerous appoach as lowered
stomach acid levels are associated with an increased risk of dementia. [5]
This may be because stomach acid, interestingly enough, wards off infections,
especially in the lungs. And science has recently discovered how hard
infections are on the heart and, therefore, likely the brain. (See the PPI
item below for even more reasons.)
Instead of immediately popping a pill, I recommend examining the mountain
of material that researchers have uncovered, mostly in the last decade, as to
what can cause and resolve these issues. Of course, work with your doctor if you have GERD and/or
heartburn as they can be a sign of ulcers, hiatal hernias, gall bladder issues
and other nasty health problems.
Again, though, discuss these items with your doctor, including some of the
natural solutions I mention below:
1. Nexium, Prilosec and PPI's: Nexium is the very latest
PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) and it is very expensive, especially when compared
to Prilosec which is over-the-counter. Considerable caution should be
exercised in taking PPI's long term: they have been linked to fractures,
pneumonia, Clostridium difficile and stomach nodules. Discuss with your
doctor.
2. Antacids. Many people pop these like candy, but extreme caution is
in order here as well. Many antacids have aluminum in them.
Manufacturers claim that the aluminum in their antacid products is largely
non-bioavailable. However, I urge extreme caution here as aluminum is a
definite neuron destroyer and has been linked with Alzheimer-like symptoms at
even low consumption levels.
3. NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc.). All of these are notoriously
hard on the GI tract. Long term users of NSAIDs almost invariably have GI
problems of one sort of another that can lead to stomach upset, heartburn and
even ulcers.
4. Dark Chocolate and Cacao. I can't say enough good things about
these two nutritional giants. (See my links on
Dark Chocolate and the
Kuna.) Unfortunately, in sensitive people (like
me), they relax the valve between the stomach and throat and allow stomach acids
to enter the espophagus. I actually suffer with this issue and solve it by
eating only one square of dark chocolate. This does not distress me,
because the latest research shows that it only takes a small amount of dark
chocolate - about one square - to dramatically reduce inflammation levels.
5. H. Pylori. Almost all of us are infected with this gut bacteria
but for some of us it goes out of control and leads potentially to heartburn,
ulcers and stomach cancer. Broccoli sprouts help keep these critters at
bay [1] as does cranberry juice. [2]
Do you know the foods and drinks that increase erection-boosting
Nitric Oxide? Check out the
Peak Erectile Strength Diet where I show
you how to dramatically and naturally improve your erectile strength.
6. Stress. Webmd reports what we all know instinctively: job
stress aggravates and may cause GERD in some cases. [3] And, of course,
undoubtedly any stress can produce the same result. See my link on
Stress
Management for practical solutions.
7. Lifestyle "Sins". Gorging, being overweight and smoking are
all risk factors for heartburn and GERD.
8. Foods. Many people are sensitive to certain foods. Many guys
find that fatty or greasy foods trigger this problem, yet another reason to
consider a Low Fat Diet. Diary bothers still others as can acidic foods
such as tomatoes.
9. Ginger. Ginger has several studies showing its anti-nausea powers.
[4]
10. Vinegar. This is counterintutive but powerful solution for many, as it
provides an immediate, albeit suprising, relief from heartburn.
11. Chamomile and Peppermint. I could not find the studies for these
two natural "antacids", but they have a long-standing reputation for providing
heartburn relief. A little goes a long ways in the case of these two
pwerhouses.
2) J of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 23(2):S175-S180, Special Issue:
Proceedings of the 12th Taishotoyama International Symposium on
Gastroenterology, April 27-April 28, 2007, Shimoda, Japan, published Online: 1
Dec 2008, "Growth inhibitory action of cranberry on Helicobacter pylori"
4) Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004, 103(4):639-45, "A randomized controlled
trial of ginger to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy."
5) J of the Amer Geriatrics Society, Aug 2007, 55:1253, "The Association Between
Cognition and Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists in African Americans"
