Heartburn&Gerd- foods and tips that help reduce digestive Issues.

HEARTBURN is what notifies you that you’ve just eaten something that disagrees with your stomach.

GERD: Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease – or acid reflux – as it is more commonly called, is when the acid contents of food – or even pancreatic liquids – travel back up into your esophagus, causing you discomfort and even harm.

Many people mistakenly believe all acid reflux and indigestion is caused by an overproduction of acid. The latest research shows it’s actually the opposite for many people: There is too little acid produced to adequately digest the food eaten.

The acid causes inflammation, irritation, and scarring which can narrow the size of your esophagus. The most common symptoms are hoarseness, burning of the throat, irritation, nausea, coughing, wheezing, asthma-like symptoms, food getting stuck in your throat, and eroded tooth enamel.

Being overweight may cause to contribute to the problem as abdominal fat may interfere with esophagus function. The esophageal sphincter weakens with age, as well as with a number of other things like chocolate, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, greasy, spicy, and fatty foods.

Suggestions –

•  chew well
• eat slowly and mindfully
• aim to be at a healthy weight
• changing your diet will make a difference for about 30 percent of people. Probably those eating too many processed foods
• eat raw almonds, an alkaline-producing food that will help to balance your pH levels
• drink 30mls @enjoylifestream aloe vera juice daily twice daily, on an empty tummy
• take digestive enzymes (vegan) before your meals. Available from health food stores and pharmacies
• try the herbal medicine gentian before your main protein meals. Available from most health food stores
• Room temperature and clean water and lemon. Drink this on an empty stomach 15 to 20 minutes before a meal
• Avoid cold water as it tends to stress your stomach and intestines, and they constrict. Warmer water is milder on your esophagus, stomach, and body
• try a teaspoon of (aluminium-free) baking soda in a half cup warm water
• Apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut and other highly acidic foods also work well to help stimulate acid
• take a practitioner-only, multi strained probiotic. Available form your health food store
• slippery elm is another herbal supplement you can try in capsule, powder, or lozenge form. It will soothe the irritated tissues of your digestive tract

• chamomile, peppermint (after meals) or fenugreek tea may help reduce acid reflux symptoms
• try sleeping on your left side. Studies found that sleeping on your stomach or right side causes undue pressure on your intestines and increases GERD symptoms. ‪