Heartburn/GERD

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Health Protocols

Diet

The goal of managing this condition is to decrease symptoms and prevent the progression of this condition to Barret’s Esophagus and ultimately to esophageal cancer.

Eat smaller meals. Large meals cause the stomach to swell which can stretch the opening between the stomach and esophagus which would not allow the doorway to close fully.
Food sensitivities can result in heartburn. Common irritational foods include garlic, peppermint, chocolate, citrus and coffee. Any food can cause reactional reflux and thus each person must determine the foods that cause a problem for them.
Fatty foods are known to trigger reflux in many people.
Do not chew gum or eat hard candy as this increases the amount of oxygen swallowed which can result in belching and reflux
Lower cholesterol, lower fat diet has been shown to decrease the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Higher fruit and vegetable intake has been shown to protect against esophageal cancer
Numerous studies have shown that drinking green tea is protective against esophageal cancer
Fatty foods are known to trigger reflux in many people.

Lifestyle

Lose weight! Excess weight causes a increase on abdominal pressure which can lead to reflux.
Stop smoking. Smoking increases reflux significantly.
Limit the use of anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, etc. These compounds decrease the production of protective prostaglandins which heal and defend the lining of the stomach and esophagus.
Do not eat within 3 hours of bedtime
Elevate the upper body when sleeping to prevent the stomach juices from flowing into the esophagus.

Supplements

Heartburn Free by Phytopharmica - 1 capsule every other day one hour before or after a meal for 20 days.
Digestive Enzyme Ultra - 1 capsule with each meal.
DGL Ultra 90 Chewable Tabs - Chew 1 tablet before each main meal. DGL, an extremely safe form of licorice extract, helps to coat the stomach and esophagus and stimulate healing and protection.
Betaine HCl - 1-4 Capsules before each main meal. Please read the discussion on betain HCl prior to supplementing.