This week's focus will address the problems caused by improper digestion such as heartburn and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Heartburn is a symptom that is considered mild, if experienced once a month. If you have heartburn once a week, it's moderate. It is when you have it daily that it's considered to be severe. Heartburn is caused when stomach acid refluxes--backs up--into the esophagus. This can occur for a number of reasons:
- When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach, is weakened or relaxed and does not do its job properly.
- Certain foods, such as chocolate, fried and fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, alcohol, and sugars can weaken or relax the LES.
- Eating large meals or shortly before bedtime
- A hiatal hernia
- Pressure on the stomach, including frequent bending over, tight clothes, lifting, and obesity
- Certain medications
- Smoking
- Stress can increase acid production and slow down the emptying of the stomach.
An important concern if you suffer from GERD is scarring of the esophagus, which narrows the esophagus and makes it difficult to swallow. It can also lead to Barrett's Esophagus, a condition where cells similar to those of the stomach lining develop in the lower esophagus. This severe damage to the esophagus increases your risk of developing cancer of the esophagus.
What To Do?
The over production of stomach acid into the esophagus (throat) is a digestive disorder that must be corrected at the source. Proper digestion takes a balance of acids and enzymes. When food is not properly digested, undigested food particles reach the colon causing irritation and in turn cause the body to send a signal to the stomach demanding the production of more stomach acids in a desperate attempt to break down the food material. As mentioned last week, Digestin is important in the proper breakdown of foods. In addition, sodium and potassium play an important role in proper digestion. Naturally occurring sodium is not to be confused with the sodium from common table salt, which is processed with extreme heat using many chemical and bleaching agents. The stomach and many other bodily functions are in constant need of sodium. If it were not for the presence of sodium making the tissue in the stomach highly alkaline, the lining would be destroyed by the hydrochloric acid normally produced in the stomach. Potassium neutralizes acid wastes and in combination with sodium helps maintain a healthy acid/ alkaline balance. Second only to breathing and maintaining a heartbeat, the most important metabolic function our body performs is to maintain a balanced pH. Växa's Buffer-pH+ has the correct balance of sodium and potassium and much more to help the body's critical metabolic functions.
A few additional tips:
- Eat frequent, smaller meals instead of three larger ones: This will help prevent excessive production of stomach acid.
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly: One way to help you slow down while eating is to put your fork or spoon down between bites.
- Don't go to bed with a full stomach: Stay up at least three hours after eating your last meal or large snack before going to bed.
Sources: New York Times; St. Pete Times; Dr. Ronald Drucker
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