Indigestion - Are the antacids helping or hurting?

A chiropractor friend of mine just posted this article. I have wanted to share something like this, especially with some of my pregnant friends, for quite a while. This gives some food for thought for all of us before popping Tums or other antacids for indigestion problems. With anything like that always remember, you're just piling medication on top of symptoms. Don't we want to address what's really going on in our bodies so we can fix it?

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Should You Feel the Burn?

Written by Dr. Cindy

Ever eaten something and worried before you ate it or complained after you ate it that you had “heartburn”? Wished you didn’t have so much acid in your stomach causing so much discomfort? Did you know that 90% of people who experience heartburn and think they need an antacid to calm down all the acid upsetting their stomach actually don’t have enough acid in their stomach? Yes, most of the time that problem of “too much acid” is in reality a problem of not enough acid. And, taking an antacid will in reality, usually, make the problem much worse.

See, the stomach is perfectly designed. When you eat, there is supposed to be enough acid produced in the stomach to start digestion. Enough acid causes the stomach to close off, keep the food down and start digesting it. It should only allow it to move downward, not up. If there isn’t enough acid in the stomach, it may not close tightly and keep food in nor start digesting it. Then, the food may sit and rot or it may allow the food and little bit of acid that is there to move back up and burn (causing that “heartburn”/”indigestion” complaint).

Why not take an antacid and alleviate the burning? Antacids do take away the acidic environment and the burn. But, the problem is that they make the problem worse, while taking away the symptoms. You think you are doing great because you feel good, all the while your health is deteriorating. In many instances, this is the beginning of major digestive disorders, not to mention the start of the development of major health problems. It is like turning off the smoke alarm and not putting out the fire.

It is worth noting that when acid stopping prescription medications (like Nexium and Prilosec and Prevacid) first hit the market, they were only to be taken for six weeks at the most. They were mainly used for reflux and ulcers. Now, not only are they used for many different digestive problems, but most are available over the counter and used for months and years.

Vitamins and minerals require an acid environment in order to be absorbed. Therefore, when antacids are used, not only is food left to sit and rot but key nutrients are not absorbed. Yes, the Tums commercial promoting all the Calcium benefits lied! Sorry. Over time, these medications will not only leave you malnourished (you can’t absorb the good from food) and toxic (food that sits around rots). Also, because the stomach acid helps to kill off bad things that shouldn’t be left in our bodies, when you neutralize this you leave the body susceptible to things like parasites. Eventually, these medications and poor digestion can lead to breakdown of the digestive system too.

Special consideration to this issue should be taken if pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Indigestion/heartburn is a very common complaint in pregnant moms. And, the problems mentioned above with antacids are of a much greater concern when two (mom and baby) are involved. The minerals/vitamins that are being absorbed from food that mom eats need to be properly digested and absorbed because not only is the mom’s body in need of these, but these are helping to form and grow baby. Baby is in dire need of all of these! Also, research has shown that antacid use in pregnant moms increases the baby’s chances of developing asthma. Remember to check the ingredients of what you are taking too, many of these meds contain aluminum, sugar, artificial flavors and colors.

What then is a better solution for heartburn and/or digestive problems? Start with a probiotic. You will be amazed at how beneficial putting good bacteria into your digestive system can be. Also, consider taking a digestive enzyme- like Zypan- or using apple cider vinegar. Do not drink with meals, liquid will dilute the acid that is in your stomach, and remember you want that acid there to be strong for good digestion. Take time to enjoy your meals, fast paced, stressful lifestyles decrease digestive ability and make the heartburn issue much worse. Take time to chew your food well, this will start the digestive process off well. One of the best programs to heal this problem, especially if you have taken antacids for some time, is a purification program. Detox programs turn your eating habits around help to heal your body.