ADVERTISING: Advertorial — HOLLY CARLING: What are we doing about heartburn and reflux
It is estimated that almost 50% of the U.S. population has heartburn, with 7% reporting it daily. The typical solution is to take a medication: antacids, or acid-inhibitors (PPI’s) to counteract the symptom of heartburn or reflux. Most people are unaware of the dangers of these medications.
According to a recent report, women who take acid-inhibiting medications (PPI’s) have a 44% increased risk of hip fracture. With longer use, the risk increased to 245%. Why? Hydrochloric acid (the primary acid enzyme normally found in the stomach) is supposed to be acid. There are several reasons for this. First, one function of hydrochloric acid (HCl) is to digest minerals. When you take PPI’s, you create an overly-alkaline environment which inhibits digestion of calcium and other vital mineral co-factors. This then interferes with many vital functions that are mineral-activated. But instead of handling the nutritional deficiency caused by these medications, we add more poisons to cover up the symptoms so we can live with it. Not a very good solution!
In addition to digesting food, HCl also kills unwanted parasites, yeasts, molds, fungus and bacteria that get into our stomach from food. It takes quite an acid environment to do that. Antacids and PPI’s interfere with this mechanism, thwarting this important function.
All the while, what is not getting addressed is “what went wrong in the first place?” “WHY do I have heartburn and reflux?” Mostly the answer given is “acid excess,” without regard to what kind of acid. Most people today (mostly because of stress and poor eating habits) are hydrochloric acid deficient! HCl is not the damaging acid it’s made out to be. Acids that are the byproduct of putrefaction of food (food rotting in the stomach due to a deficiency in acid enzymes), are the cause. This decaying food, not only causes organic acids that burn, but also releases gases that bubble up and weaken the esophageal sphincter (the valve between the stomach and esophagus), allowing these acids to travel up the esophagus and even into the mouth. Yuck! This is more than just distasteful, it is dangerous. Allowing reflux to continue can eventually result in esophageal cancer.
So what is the solution? FIX THE PROBLEM! Finding the cause (not just a rote “too much acid” answer), is really not that difficult. The problem is mostly HCl deficiency, but can also be a structural problem such as a hiatal hernia, gastro paresis, and others. Sometimes it is poor food combining (resulting in an excess of rotting foods), eating the wrong foods, weakening of the diaphragm, stress and anxiety, and many medications can cause gastric distress as well.
The solutions for remedying digestive distress are as plentiful as the causes. If you prefer to take care of the cause, and do something different, there is help. See a natural health care practitioner skilled in identifying and handling the root cause of the problem, not just masking symptoms.
Learn more, attend our upcoming webinar, “Beyond Tums: Drug Free Solutions for Heartburn, Reflux, Indigestion & Upset Stomach,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 (https://bit.ly/VHDigestionClass).
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Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over four decades of experience. Carling is a “Health Detective.”
She looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic.
Visit Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.