You might find it surprising that excess stomach
acid is not presented as the first or primary cause of heartburn
in this series discussing the Seven Causes of Heartburn.
Certainly you would be hard pressed to convince anyone in the midst
of a fiery attack that too much acid is not the culprit. And, the
definitive relief provided by antacids and acid suppressors serves
to confirm that acid itself, and its excesses, is THE problem.
However, the solutions to heartburn presented in the first four
causes of heartburn of this series, do not involve neutralizing
or suppressing stomach acid. And, these remedies, singularly or
in combination, in most situations obviate the need to neutralize
or suppress stomach acid. The remedies to heartburn presented in
the first four causes are:
Now it will become apparent that even heartburn caused by excess
stomach acid does not necessitate the neutralization or suppression
of stomach acid. And soon, solutions discussed in the forthcoming
sixth and seventh causes of heartburn - structural/functional and
stomach/tissue alkalinity - will reveal that stomach acid neutralization
or suppression will seldom, if ever, be necessary.
The three causes of excess stomach acid are histamine, histamine
and histamine. The first cause of excess histamine release is overactive
parasympathetic nerves relative to the activity of the counterbalancing
sympathetic nerves. The second cause of histamine release is poor
bowel ecology. The third cause of excess histamine release is inflammation,
often the result of toxins released by poor bowel ecology.
Parasympathetic dominance is quieted by the supplement phosphoric
acid, Standard Process' Phosfood. Potassium turns the parasympathetics
"on". The phosphorous supplied by Phosfood is a potassium antagonist.
Be certain there is adequate calcium lest the addition of phosphorous
will draw calcium from the bones and teeth. The ideal ratio of Ca
to P in the blood is 2.5.
Standard Process' Zymex II, an enzyme complex, is recommended
between meals to rid the gastrointestinal tract of unwanted organisms.
Enzymes are specific in their action, that is, an enzyme that digests
insect tissue does not harm human tissue. The enzymes from the fig
and almond in Zymex II are the plants' defense against insects,
including worms, and kill parasites in the G.I. tract. Moreover,
the high protease content in this formula 'aggravates' worms so
they leave the body.
Next acidify the gastrointestinal tract so favorable organisms
can thrive and unfavorable organisms cannot. This is best done with
Standard Process' Lactic Acid Yeast, 3 tablets per meal initially.
Lastly consider Cholacol II, also Standard Process, a highly adsorbent
clay to which toxins readily adhere. The clay is not absorbed into
the blood but rather eliminated in the stool with toxins attached.
Cholacol II is particularly useful in the treatment of diarrhea
due to toxicity.
Like high cholesterol, excess stomach acid is a 'warning light
on the dash'. Drugs that merely turn off the warning do not address
the problem. More problems become inevitable if the cause is not
addressed. Additionally, drugs that neutralize or suppress stomach
acid not only ignore the cause, they result in low or absent acid.
The consequences of low or absent stomach acid are vast, from contributing
to food allergies, asthma, arthritis and diabetes, to vitamin and
mineral deficiencies resulting in heart disease, osteoporosis, dementias
and more.
NOTE: Heartburn can have multiple causes. And
heartburn is indicative of failing digestion, which can cascade
into a host of health problems. The
Health Equations Blood Test Evaluation is recommended
for a thorough evaluation and correction of heartburn.
© Health Equations 2008
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