Practical Practitioner

Digestive Health: Natural Remedies For Heartburn and Indigestion

JUNE 12, 2008

Dear Pam,

Do you have any natural remedies for heartburn & indigestion? I’ve been on prescription medications for 2 years but recently read that they interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

This is the million dollar question as I could go on for days with regards to this topic. The Gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is the largest blood supply in the body. The transit time from the time you eat to the time it’s eliminated from your rectum should be 24 – 30 hours. Did you know that 80% lymph nodes in the body are around the GI tract or that the GI tract has immune function? Many women who can’t lose weight have issues with their GI tract since it has a massive amount of influence on your metabolism. The metabolic activity is greater than the liver.

Some signs of poor digestion include: less than one bowel movement a day, undigested food in stools, foul smelling stools, feel better if don’t eat, chronic indigestion after eating, poor sleeping habits, frequently cold for no reason, depressed with no reason, frequent burping, passing gas, bloating, stressed, need to loosen belt after eating, increased pulse after eating, chronically coated tongue.

On the other hand, signs of Optimal Digestion include: two bowel movements a day, no undigested food in stools, stools do not smell, feel good after eating, warm extremities, good energy level, no extreme food cravings, feel better after exercising, no frequent mood swings, shakiness, anxiety, depression without reason.

So one may ask, what leads to intestinal dysfunction? Being low in B vitamins can promote maldigestion. Excess alcohol intake stresses the body’s ability to digest. Emotional trauma can affect digestion negatively.

Now to answer your question, it is true that half of American adults have used antacids. People often self medicate for heartburn and reflux-like symptoms sometimes missing more serious conditions like bleeding ulcers or H. Pyloric infection that can lead to stomach cancer.

It is also true that your stomach needs digestive acid/hypochorhydria in order to absorb nutrients from foods and supplements. Long term chronic use of medications that alkalinize your stomach contents can cause small bowel overgrowth, dysbiosis, chronic yeast infections, mineral deficiencies including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, chromium, manganese, copper, molybdenum, & B12 deficiency.

So what can you do to relieve your symptoms or prevent gastric distress? Avoid food allergies, limit amount of liquids and avoid ice-cold liquids. Eat more fresh vegetables, whole grains (if not allergic), beans, organic lean turkey, chicken, and fish. Eliminate refined sugar, refined carbohydrates, colas, caffeine, and alcoholic drinks. Avoid chocolate, citrus, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and foods containing peppermint and caffeine. Add cultured products or supplements to your diet (probiotics). Lose weight if needed. Avoid milk, it may make heartburn worse.

Some supplements for chronic heartburn and reflux while you’re waiting to see a GI Specialist include: Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL): Chew one or two tablets (380mg) on an empty stomach several times a day. Take Probiotics 2 – 8 a day or a pharmaceutical grade. Aloe vera liquid: Take several Tbsp. to ½ cup twice a day. You can drink this straight or dilute with water or diluted fruit juice. If none of the above relieves your symptoms, then take: Choline (1 gram three times a day), pantothenic acid (500mg three times a day), manganese citrate (25 mg a day), and vitamin B1 (250mg twice a day).

Also See:

Pamela Egan, FNP-C, CDE is a board certified Adult & Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Educator & Clinical Specialist in Mental Health. She practices in Women’s Health with Kathy Posey, MD & can be reached at 985-867-1700 or www.pamelaegan.com.

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