Heart burn

I remember my dad talking about "heartburn" and taking some drug for it. It wasn't until I entered Chiropractic College that I understood heart burn is another name for acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The statistics show acid reflux affects 50% of Americans. When food, acid contents, bilious material or pancreatic juices travel back up into your esophagus causing trouble more than twice a week, then the diagnosis is acid reflux.

Often a hiatel hernia has formed and once that is corrected much relief is obtained. If this is not corrected, over time, the stomach or intestines will form an ulcer. Because of my father's discomfort, I learned how to correct acid reflux and hiatel hernia naturally without drugs or surgery. Here is an overview of what I learned.

• Lose weight. Studies show losing 10% of your body fat can improve acid reflux symptoms.

• Make a note of what foods provoke the acid reflux – milk, chocolate, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and greasy, spicy and fatty foods-and avoid them.

• Eat raw almonds. They are an alkaline producing food that can balance PH because they are a good source of calcium.

• Drink two ounces of unprocessed aloe vera juice daily.

• A cup of warm water and fresh lemon juice on an empty stomach 15 -20 minutes before eating anything also balances out acid levels.

• Try a tablespoon of baking soda in a half cup of water.

• Apple cider vinegar in 1-2 teaspoon portions daily mixed with honey in tea form is soothing.

• Many people mistakenly believe acid reflux and indigestion is caused by an over production of acid. Research shows this is NOT the case. Actually the opposite is true –there is too much alkaline and not enough acid.

• Eat a red delicious apple after problematic meals

• Take a supplement with a probiotic for the small intestine called saccharomyces boulardii

• Slipper Elm in herbal supplement soothes the irritated tissues of the digestive tract.

• Sip chamomile, mint or fenugreek tea throughout the day.

• Chewing a stick of gum after meals to increases saliva production reduces acid levels

• Sleep on your left side

Above all don't smoke, wear tight clothing, exercise directly after a meal, lie down right after eating or eat three hours before bedtime. Isn't it wonderful to know you can control acid a reflux with a change in lifestyle and how you think?! For more information call 440-3118 or check the website www.quantumleapdr. com