Avoid Heartburn With Natural Remedies
In december, we put a terrible strain on our stomachs. Holiday parties and family feasts mean overindulgence: rich food, and too much of it.
For millions of people this means heartburn. The newfangled term is acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
The most popular solution is to pop a pill. The manufacturers of acid-suppressing medicines like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium (the purple pill) reinforce this approach.
There are other ways to reduce heartburn without potent medications. Diet does matter. Some people find that cutting back on carbohydrates helps. We have heard from readers of this column that the Atkins diet was surprisingly beneficial in reducing chronic reflux: “I lost my heartburn, even before the weight came off. I no longer need to take antacids.”
Some people find that particular foods give them grief. Tomatoes, salsa, soft drinks, coffee (even decaf), tea and orange juice are common culprits. Using a product like Prelief (calcium glycerophosphate) can reduce the acid in the foods without affecting stomach acid.
Others find that simple antacids relieve their discomfort. Old-fashioned calcium carbonate (Chooz, Maalox Quick Dissolve or Tums) usually works quite well for occasional indigestion. So does baking soda, for that matter. Half a teaspoon in 4 ounces of water is a time-honored recipe for heartburn.
Some people find home remedies do the trick. Chewing on gum or sucking on hard candy can stimulate the flow of saliva.