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Acid Reflux

Health Tips for Acid Reflux

As we age, our stomach acid production declines.  Stomach acid is necessary for digestion.

Most indigestion symptoms occur when stomach acid refluxes (squirts) back up into the esophagus. This causes it to burn.  As a result, people often take antacids, which do stop the burning. But instead of giving your body what it needs to heal, it just blocks the production of stomach acid.

Unfortunately, using antacid medications such as Prilosec, Nexium, Zantac and other antacids for an extended period causes a number of problems. First of all, with low stomach acid, your body is not able to optimally digest food and you become nutritionally deficient. This makes it even harder for your stomach to make the mucous lining it needs to protect itself and can set you up for even more reflux. Secondly, in your body’s attempt to make stomach acid when you take meds, it makes huge amounts of a hormone called gastrin to stimulate stomach acid production. Because of this, as soon as you stop your antacids, the stomach makes massive amounts of acid– which it cannot protect against. And you become addicted to the antacids.

If you have indigestion or acid reflux, I highly recommend that you do things that are healing rather than taking meds. Here are some things you can do right away:

1.  Improve your digestion by taking enzymes such as Ness Formula #416.

2.  Take DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) 380 mg; chew 2 tablets 20 minutes before your meal. Or mix 1/4 tsp. licorice syrup in water. The DGL form of licorice extract can be safely used by itself to alleviate symptoms of acid reflux. (Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is made from licorice from which the glycyrrhizin (the substance that affects blood pressure) has been removed.

3. Mastic gum.  Some research suggests that it can help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, it’s used in supplements for heartburn, usually in combination with DGL.

Recipe of the Week

Mood Mender

Fennel juice aids digestion and relieves gas.

  • 3 fennel stalks; include leaves and flowers
  • 3 carrots, scrubbed well, tops removed, ends trimmed
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 1/2 pear
  • 1/2 inch chunk ginger root, scrubbed or peeled if old

Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube.  Juice ingredients and stir.  Pour into a glass and drink as soon as possible.

Serves 1-2

From The Juice Lady’s Guide to Juicing for Health

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