Dr. Mercola: How to Get Rid of Heartburn

How to Get Rid of Heartburn

    6,014 views Edition: English

heartburn
Story at-a-glance

    Heartburn, which is a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid moves up into your esophagus because of a hiatal hernia or a Helicobacter pylori infection
    Ginger actually has a gastroprotective effect that suppresses H. pylori bacteria, and is anti-inflammatory. It also tightens your lower esophageal sphincter, thus preventing acid from refluxing

Have you ever experienced a burning feeling in your chest (just behind your breastbone) that lasts for a few minutes or extends to several hours? Does this symptom manifest whenever you finish a meal? Watch out: It may be chronic heartburn.

Heartburn, which is a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid moves up into your esophagus because of a hiatal hernia or a Helicobacter pylori infection. It can bring a lot of discomfort to those who experience it. It may also come with other symptoms, such as sore throat, long-term cough and voice hoarseness.1

The good news is that chronic heartburn can be addressed with simple home remedies – allowing you to avoid the need for pharmaceutical interventions. Below is an exhaustive list of tips that you can use to help get rid of heartburn – try them to see which one will work best for you.2,3,4,5
How to Get Rid of Heartburn: Natural Solutions That May Work for You

If you want to get rid of heartburn fast, the remedy may be sitting in your kitchen cabinet all along. Here are some effective methods that may help relieve heartburn quickly or even prevent it from occurring at all.

• Try organic raw apple cider vinegar (ACV). Because acid reflux actually occurs due to having very small amounts of acid in your stomach, ACV may actually help keep it from occurring. Simply dissolve a tablespoon of it in a glass of water and drink it to improve your acid levels.

• Use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). While this is not recommended as a regular solution, it may come in handy whenever you're experiencing extreme pain due to heartburn. Simply dissolve half or a full teaspoon of baking soda in an eight-ounce glass of water and drink it. This will help neutralize stomach acid and ease the burning sensation heartburn brings.

• Sip on aloe vera juice. Drinking half a cup of aloe vera juice before mealtimes may ease heartburn, as it actually helps reduce inflammation. Aloe vera juice has a laxative component, however, so make sure the brand you use has removed this effect.

• Enjoy a cup of fresh ginger root tea. If you know that you're going to be consuming a huge meal, it may be helpful if you drink a cup of ginger tea at least 20 minutes before you start eating. Simply let steep two to three slices of the root in two cups of hot water for half an hour.

Ginger actually has a gastroprotective effect that suppresses H. pylori bacteria, and is anti-inflammatory. It also tightens your lower esophageal sphincter, thus preventing acid from refluxing.6,7 Certain foods and herbs may also help with acid reflux and ease heartburn if you incorporate them in your diet. Here are some examples:

Fennel: This crunchy vegetable with a mild, licorice-like flavor may help improve stomach function, thus making it ideal for people with acid reflux. Try mixing it in vegetable salads or snack on it raw.
   

Papaya: The enzyme papain may help break down carbohydrates and protein, promoting better digestion.

Pineapple: The bromelain in pineapples acts as a proteolytic enzyme that has anti-inflammatory properties. A bromelain supplement may be an efficient alternative, too.
   

Fermented foods like cultured vegetables: These will help reseed your gut with good bacteria, to help balance your bowel flora, aid in good digestion and naturally eliminate helicobacter bacteria.

A high-quality probiotic supplement is also a viable option.

Licorice root: Licorice may provide some benefit as it can actually block inflammatory prostaglandins. However, use this with caution, because it contains the active metabolite glycyrrhiza.

Large amounts of glycyrrhiza can lead to hyperaldosteronism, a condition that affects the adrenal glands, producing symptoms like high blood pressure, numbness and muscle weakness.

As an alternative, try deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which eliminates this problem ingredient. If you're on diuretics or taking stimulant laxatives, refrain from using licorice.

Take note that it may also reduce your potassium level, and has estrogenic activity, making it ill-advisable for women on hormone therapy, or who have estrogen-dependent cancers, endometriosis and other reproductive conditions.8,9
   

Slippery elm: It has antioxidants that may help ease inflammatory bowel problems.

Slippery elm also coats and soothes your mouth, throat, stomach and intestines, as well as stimulates nerve endings located in your gastrointestinal tract.

This helps produce more mucus, which then keeps your gastrointestinal tract protected against ulcers and excess acidity.

Chamomile: Try drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime, and see if it can help alleviate heartburn, Chamomile can help soothe stomach inflammation and help you sleep better.

Finally, you can optimize your intake of certain nutrients to help address this health issue. Some of the best nutrients for relieving heartburn include:

• Astaxanthin: This marine carotenoid was found to help better reduce acid reflux symptoms as compared to a placebo, especially in patients with severe H. pylori infection. The best results were seen when patients took a daily dose of 40 milligrams.10

• Glutamine: H. pylori can lead to gastrointestinal damage, and this is where glutamine proves useful. This amino acid, found in many animal food products, as well as some fruits and vegetables, may actually help heal the damage.11

• Folate or folic acid, and other B vitamins: Getting enough of these nutrients may help reduce your chances of getting acid reflux.12 You can get these from foods like asparagus, liver, spinach and okra.

• Vitamin D: Optimizing your levels of this crucial nutrient via sun exposure can help improve your production of over 200 antimicrobial peptides that may help eliminate infections, including H. pylori.
How to Relieve Heartburn Through Lifestyle Changes

Heartburn may sometimes be triggered by certain habits. Simple changes to your routine may be essential in alleviating it as well. Here are some lifestyle tips to help get rid of heartburn:13

Maintain a healthy weight. If you are obese or overweight, consider losing weight. Extra pounds can place pressure on your stomach, causing more acid to forcefully move into your esophagus.
   

Wear loose clothing. Clothes that are too tight can put pressure on your stomach and trigger heartburn.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals at intervals. This allows your stomach to digest food more efficiently, and may help regulate digestive enzyme production.

Excessive food in the stomach causes the LES to open as well, so this is a good strategy.
   

If possible, avoid taking unnecessary medications. Some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can trigger heartburn.

These include antidepressants, anxiety medications, blood pressure drugs, antibiotics, osteoporosis drugs, nitroglycerin and pain relievers.

Sleep on your left side. This causes acid to pool farther away from the esophageal sphincter, reducing the risk of it going back up.
   

Stay upright, especially after meals. This will help prevent digestive acids from moving up and out of your stomach.

Quit smoking. The LES relaxes and opens up when you smoke, causing acid to reflux. It may also affect stomach acid production.
   

Identify your food triggers: Certain foods may trigger acid reflux. Try keeping a food diary to help you figure out which ones are yours, so you can actively avoid them.
What Causes Heartburn in the First Place?

As mentioned above, acid reflux typically occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter irregularly relaxes, causing acid to move backward into the esophagus. This is what causes painful heartburn.

While most people think that reflux occurs because of an overproduction in stomach acid, it’s actually the contrary – it’s low amounts of stomach acid that leads to this problem. It’s only in rare cases when heartburn occurs because of excessive stomach acid, particularly when you have Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. However, there are other possible causes of acid reflux aside from low acid, such as:

• Hiatal hernia – This is when a part of your stomach protrudes upward through the hiatus, an opening located in your diaphragm.

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection – While this type of bacteria can be part of your normal healthy microbiome, unpleasant symptoms may manifest if there is an overproduction of it. Oftentimes, this H. pylori overgrowth is caused by poor food choices. What's more, if you decrease your stomach acid levels, your body's ability to eliminate H. pylori become impaired.

• Food allergies – They may play a role in the occurrence of acid reflux. Hence, eliminate common culprits such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
Heartburn Can Be Painful, but It Is Manageable

Heartburn can be a bothersome and painful condition, but take note that resorting to pharmaceutical interventions is not a viable solution. Rather, the answer lies in restoring the natural gastric balance and function of your gut.

Making eating real, wholesome food a top priority is the best way to address gut health. Remember that processed foods contain sugar that can alter your microbiome, hence promoting overgrowth of harmful microbes like H. pylori. By being more proactive in eating a healthy diet, you may be able to alleviate this condition – or even keep it from happening to you.
+ Sources and References
Most Popular

    GMO Awareness Week
    Black Cohosh
    Emu Oil
    GMO Foods Ebook

Post your comment
Click Here and be the first to comment on this article
Subscribe to Dr. Mercola's Natural Health Newsletter

Thank you! Your purchases help us support these charities and organizations.

    Inside Mercola.com
    About Dr. Mercola
    Contact Us
    Employment Opportunities
    En Espanol
    Health Articles
    Health Videos
    Media Inquiries
    Mercola Community FAQ
    Mercola Social Responsibility
    Press Room
    Special Reports
    Terms & Conditions
    Updated Privacy Policy

    Special Info Sites
    Aspartame
    Cancer
    Fitness
    Fluoride
    Fructose/Sugar
    GMO
    Mercury
    Nutritional Typing
    Pets
    Vaccines
    Vitamin D

    Shopping
    Autoship Program
    California Supply Chains Act
    FAQs
    GMO-Free Products
    Healthy Rewards Program
    Low Price Guarantee
    Online Product Guide
    Online Shopping

    
    Our Service Commitment
    Premium Products
    Product Badge Glossary
    Return Policy
    Shipping Policy (Domestic)
    Shipping Policy (International)
    Store Locator
    Wholesale Program

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.

Terms & Conditions | Updated Privacy Policy | Sitemap

© Copyright 1997-2018 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.

    Mercola Health Resources, LLC BBB Business Review
    McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
    TRUSTe online privacy certification
    Click to Verify - This site has chosen a GeoTrust SSL Certificate to improve Web site security
    Privacy Policy

Mercola.com

Call Toll Free: 877-985-2695

    Tweet
    15Save
    Email
    Copy Link