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Dangers Of Antacids
Recently, I have had several discussions with people about heartburn, acid reflux & antacids. I thought I'd take the time to share some information on this topic as a whopping 30% of people in the US suffer from this painful and frustrating problem. As a result, acid blocking medications are the third, top selling type of drug in America today.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest area, that is caused by the regurgitation of gastric acid. More commonly known as acid reflux. One of the major reasons people suffer from heartburn is poor diet. Pretty much everything in the Standard American Diet (SAD) can be a culprit. One of the best ways to figure out what disagrees with you is to start a food journal. Keep track of everything you eat & pay attention to when you suffer from heartburn.
Common triggers:
-Lifestyle-smoking, alcohol, stress, obesity, poor posture
-Diet-fast food, sugar, fried foods, junk food, drinks that contain caffeine, processed foods
-Eating Habits-eating before bedtime, eating large meals, eating too fast
-Certain Medications-blood pressure medications, nitrates, antihistamines
-Medical Conditions-pregnancy, hernia, diabetes
Why are antacid medications dangerous?
There is a good reason why the stomach is the only acidic organ in the digestive track... The enzymes that are present in the stomach that help digest our food, require an acidic pH in order to do their job. HCL (hydrochloric acid) is secreted to create this acidic environment and is necessary to break down & digest food properly. It also works as a "disinfectant" to keep unwanted germs, viruses & bad bacteria from growing in your small intestine which can lead to increased infections. If you take an antacid, the pH balance is changed to be less acidic which is not creating a good place for proper digestion & absorption There are even side effects printed as a warning on the labels of antacids for fun things like gas, bloating, & diarrhea which can all be a result of that overgrowth of bad bacteria & germs in the small intestine.
Without the proper digestion & absorption of healthy nutrients & vitamins, a person can easily develop deficiencies. These deficiencies can cause many problems such as low immunity, depression, fatigue, anemia, dementia, hip fractures & even nerve damage. These drugs were never intended for long term use, & today so many Americans depend on them on a daily basis.
Conclusion
Health really does start in the digestive tract. Our basis for eating food is to give us life, energy & support. Without proper digestion, the risk of disease greatly increases. Your health is in your hands. Do not shun the responsibility.
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