Many
people routinely use antacids for relief of heartburn or as a calcium aupplement.
The truth is that both of these choices are usually nutritionally unsound. THE
BOTTOM LINE
Stomach acid is required for good digestion. Poor digestion
produces heartburn. People with heart-burn take antacids. Antacids reduce stomach
acid. OOPS-more heartburn. Stomach acid is required for good mineral absorption,
including calcium & magnesium. Calcium carbonate antacids neutralize the stomach
acid needed for their absorption. The
stomach's job is to produce and hold digestive acid and enzymes. When antacids
are used regularly, the stomach senses this and, over time, increases its acid
production rate set point. Taking antacids to reduce acid can lead to the production
of excessive acid and more discomfort. INDIGESTION
Often,
it is a LACK of stomach acid, not an excess that creates symptoms of indigestion.
Naturopathic physicians have found that supplementary digestive acid and enzyme
supplements can improve digestion and thus eliminate symptoms of indigestion.
Lack of stomach acid can also result in food allergies, nausea after taking supplements
and rectal itching. It can be indicated by weak fingernails, anemia, chronic parasites,
fungal infections, and acne. HEARTBURN
AND GASTRIC REFLUX
Most digestive discomfort is a feeling of gaseous bloated
fullness. The pain feels like burning that radiates upward. Heartburn is most
often the result of gastric juices refluxing up into the esophagus above the stomach.
The discomfort of heartburn usually gets worse if you lie down because this makes
it easier for gastric juices to back up. What
could make normal stomach digestive fluids flow up where they don't belong? Usually
overeating or factors such as obesity or pregnancy act to displace the contents
of the stomach. Also smoking, alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, fried foods, etc.,
can weaken the sphincter muscle between the stomach and the esophagus. But, most
commonly, it is poorly digested food fermenting and causing gas that blows the
stomach up and weakens the one-way valve that prevents gastric reflux. Once again,
digestive enzymes may be the solution. THE
PROBLEM OF GASTRIC ULCERS
The stomach contains both hydrochloric acid and
an enzyme called pepsin which are required for digestion of proteins. These are
both normal and desirable but are also capable of digesting the stomach, which
is made mostly of protein. The stomach normally produces a mucus coating that
lines the inside to protect it from being digested. The best healing approach
is to help the stomach to produce a healthy protective coating by using an herbal
combination such as Intestinal Soothe and
Build. A
common bacteria called h-pylori will begin to destroy this protective lining if
left unchecked. To kill this bacteria, use an herbal combination such as Gastro
Health over a 3 month period to kill this bacteria and do not share food or
drinks with anyone who has not been treated for this bacteria. This patented formula
will kill the h-pylori but not destroy the good protective strains of acidophilus
in your system. DISEASES
RELATED TO LOW STOMACH ACID
When food, especially protein, is insufficiently
digested, the larger, partially digested, molecules can be absorbed by the body.
These "foreign invaders" trigger the immune system and produce food
allergies. When a person doesn't get full benefit from their foods, even the best
diet can be inadequate. You can't assimilate nutrients until they have been adequately
broken down by digestion. WHAT
DO ANTACIDS DO?
Antacids reduce the acidity of the stomach by chemically
absorbing or neutralizing some of the hydrochloric acid. Reducing stomach acid
can temporarily relieve irritation of a weakened or exposed stomach lining. It
can also reduce the acidity of stomach contents which become refluxed into the
esophagus. WHAT
ABOUT ANTACIDS AS CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS TO AVOID OSTEOPOROSIS?
Some antacids
contain calcium carbonate, a rock, and are advertised as calcium supplements.
Calcium carbonate is an insoluble salt that must be ionized by stomach acid before
it can be absorbed. About 40 percent of post-menopausal women (who are often concerned
about osteoporosis) are severely deficient in stomach acid and can only absorb
about 4% of the calcium in this form. Calcium carbonate greatly increases the
risk of kidney stones, particularly when milk is also used regularly. Although
calcium citrate is also an antacid, it is already in a form that the body can
use and is absorbed much more effectively.
Article Continued In
Next Column
Your
Health Freedom May Be At Risk! Check Our CODEX/Activism
Section | Main
Articles Page |
Back To Top | COMMON
PROBLEMS WITH COMMON ANTACIDS CALCIUM
CARBONATE AND ACID REBOUND
Calcium carbonate is especially fast-acting.
Within a few hours, however, the body will overcompensate by producing an extra
surge of acid. PROBLEMS
WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE
When used for long periods of time, sodium bicarbonate
can cause increased acidity throughout the body. Highly acidic body chemistries
(systemic alkalosis) are involved in health problems such as arthritis, kidney
stones, nausea and mental confusion. ALUMINUM
HYDROXIDE AND BONE LOSS
Antacids containing aluminum can contribute to
phosphate deficiency when used for long periods of time. This is because the phosphate
in food reacts with the aluminum in the antacid to form a solid material that
is simply passed in the stool. In order to keep enough phosphorus in the blood,
the body will take it out of bones. Bone demineralization is especially a problem
for the older people who tend to use these products regularly. ALUMINUM
AND IMPAIRED MENTAL FUNCTION
Although the FDA and manufacturers say that
aluminum in antacids is not absorbed, studies since 1986 have shown that it is,
especially in cases of kidney problems and in the presence of acidic foods such
as citrus fruits or soda pop. There is increasing evidence that aluminum is involved
in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and some other
nervous system problems. MAGNESIUM
IN ANTACIDS
Magnesium salts such as magnesium-oxide, magnesium-hydroxide
and magnesium-carbonate are often used as antacids. Although they are milder,
they are also laxative and can cause diarrhea. OTHER
SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTACIDS
Use of antacids can cause bowel irregularities
including constipation, nausea and diarrhea with occasional vomiting. They can
lead to kidney stones, demineralization of bones, bone pain and muscle weakness
with cramping. They can be counted on to produce malabsorption of minerals. The
list of diseases that have been associated with low gastric acidity include, but
are not limited to: Anemia, arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases, celiac disease,
dermatitis, diabetes, eczema, gallbladder problems, hepatitis, lupus, osteoporosis,
psoriasis and problems with over- and under-active thyroid glands. To
avoid these and other low stomach acidity problems, utilize digestive enzymes
such as PDA and Food
Enzymes with each meal. Originally
published in the The H. E. L. P., Natural Health Newsletter and edited by Kay
Lubecke, B.A., M.S. Certified Herbalist and Nutritional Counselor Products
Mentioned: Intestinal Soothe and Build,
Gastro Health, PDA,
Food
Enzymes
Your
Health Freedom May Be At Risk! Check Our CODEX/Activism
Section | Main
Articles Page |
Back To Top |
