Ditch the Purple Pill and Improve Your HeartBurn and Acid Reflux Naturally

Digestion Problems Anyone? Millions of Americans over 50 take this anti-acid blocking drug hoping it will same them from the discomfort of heart burn and acid reflux. For years the purple pill was the best selling prescription drug in the world! But how many people would take this if they knew that it was

Hallowing out their bones?

Unfortunately Drug companies may eliminate some of the results as their products go to market. This covered up proof: In a randomize double-blind study, the GOLD standard” of medical research, this hugely hyped drug was found to cause a 41% to 61% DROP IN CALCIUM ABSORPTION.

What this means for the end user of these types of products is that you can faithfully taking your calcium supplements and end up with crippling osteoporosis. The results of this study are sited from JAMA or the American Journal of Medicine.

This really should come as no surprise said Dr. James Balch

“You need acid in our stomach to digest your calcium This means that even taking TUMS for calcium is a bad idea.

 

The Connection of Anti –Acid Drugs and Heart Problems

Earlier in this year, the FDA warned that prescription PPI drugs (this is proton pump inhibitor drugs such Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, etc.) can deplete magnesium levels.) The FDA stated that:

“PPI drugs result in Low serum magnesium levels can result in serious adverse events including

•  muscle spasm (tetany),
•  irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias),
• and convulsions (seizures)

(A personal note: when my 90 year old mother checked into the hospital I was told that they automatically give these anti-acid drugs to ALL patients- Why? I asked so they don’t have problems with any medication they give them. Honestly the hospital is the last place you want to be to be healthy.

             Great News from Dr. Allan Spreen, M.D. on How to deal with  Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Dr. Allen Spreen, M.D. recently sent an eye-opening article from the Boston Globe Magazine with an overview of marketing of the prescription heartburn drug, Prilosec, warning people of it health risks. Here is a quote from his article:

That drug stripped misery from the lives of millions and became the world’s best-selling prescription drug and the number one medication prescribed or seniors- taking in $6 Billion a year. Prilosec is so good, and patients so attached to it, that doctors jokingly call it “purple crack.”

Dr. Spreen went on to say that the solution to Acid Reflux and Heart burn is “ridiculously simple (and cheap) Using readily available supplements that work in 2/3 ‘s of the cases.

These two supplements are a good Pre and Pro Biotic (we are not talking about Activia Yogurt here okay- not effective in delivering enough friendly bacteria to lower gut)

Shaklee Corporation makes one the best probiotics with a 2 part system called Optiflora, consisting of a Pre-biotic (this is comprised of a FOS the food that those little friendly bacteria eat) If you do not take this part you are diminishing the results of the friendly bacteria. My suggestion is that you start slowly with the pre biotic. The label suggests 1 t. This may cause gas with some who start with that much. Probably a better level is ¼ t. and gradually works up to a full teaspoon over a couple of weeks.

The 2nd part of the Optiflora system is a Pro-biotic that delivers guaranteed live probiotics to the lower colon where they need to be. Most probiotics are ineffective because either they are destroyed by the stomach acid or the product simply does not have what is stated on the label.

The other recommended product is a Digestive Enzyme. A very good product that has all the needed Enzymes for good digestion is called     EZ Gest. • Supports complete digestion of fat, protein, and carbohydrates* • Contains enzymes like those found in Lactaid® and Beano®*** • Alleviates discomfort such as gas and bloating* • Helps digest “problem foods” including dairy and gas-producing vegetables such as beans and broccoli, proteins, starchy carbohydrates, and fats* •  in a vegetarian capsule

Tips of Foods to Avoid if you have Acid Reflux

Here are some foods you may want to avoid while you are clearing  up your Acid Reflux issues:

Though heartburn triggers can vary from person to person, certain food and drinks are more prone to allowing stomach acid to splash up into your esophagus, including:

• Meats. Ground beef, marbled sirloin, chicken nugget-style, and chicken/buffalo wings.
• Fats, Oils & Sweets. Chocolate, regular corn and potato chips, high-fat butter cookies, brownies, doughnuts, creamy and oily salad dressings, fried or fatty food in general.
• Fruits, Vegetables & Juice. Orange juice, lemon, lemonade, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, tomato, mashed potatoes, French fries, raw onion, potato salad.
• Other Beverages. Liquor, wine, coffee, and tea.
• Grains. Macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with marinara sauce.
• Dairy. Sour cream, milk shake, ice cream, regular cottage cheese.