Best Heartburn Supplements

10 Best Supplements for
Heartburn & Acid Re ux
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NATURAL ACID REDUCERS
If you have heartburn or acid re ux, either occasional or chronic, here are 10
supplements you should know about that can help you nd relief without
taking the standard antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
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BEST HEARTBURN SUPPLEMENTS
What to Know about Antacids and Proton Pump Inhibitors
To treat heartburn and acid re ux, you may turn towards di erent types of
medications.
Some of the most common types of medications for heartburn symptoms
are antacids (like Mylanta, Rolaids, and Tums) which neutralize the acid that
has traveled back up the esophagus and causes the uncomfortable burning
sensation.
These antacids work quickly but do not last very long, and they do not help
address the underlying causes of heartburn or acid re ux.
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SUPPLEMENTS FOR GERD
The other common medications used for heartburn and acid re ux include
Pepcid (famotidine) and Tagamet (cimetidine).
The are considered antacids but belong to a particular group of medications
called histamine blockers (sometimes abbreviated as H2 blockers). These
medications work by blocking the signal which causes cells in the digestive
tract to secrete stomach acid.
Generally, these histamine blockers provide 12 hours of relief from
symptoms.
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HEARTBURN RELIEF SUPPLEMENTS
If you aren’t getting any relief from antacids, you may be prescribed
medications like Prilosec, Nexium, Dexilant, or Prevacid.
These medications are called Proton Pump Inhibitors (abbreviated PPIs) and
are popular because they provide relief for up to 72 hours. This class of
medications treats heartburn and acid re ux symptoms by shutting down the
pumps which regulates the secretion of acid altogether.
PPIs are so e ective at shutting down the acid production in the stomach
that they also shut down acid production in other parts of the body. The cells
rely on acid to remove waste, so the systemic e ects of taking PPIs should
also be taken into consideration.
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BEST HEARTBURN SUPPLEMENTS
Nutrient De ciencies Caused by Histamine Blockers and PPIs
One of the problems with chronic use of PPIs and Histamine Blockers is
nutrient depletion. H2 blockers inhibit the absorption of zinc, and PPIs inhibit
the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Zinc is necessary for stomach and intestinal health: zinc heals the layers
of mucous membranes in the stomach and protects the mucosal layers
from the caustic e ects of stomach acid, while also regulating and
keeping just the right amount of acid secretion.
Magnesium is so a ected by the use of long-term PPIs that the FDA
issued a warning in 2011 recommending that serum magnesium levels
should be checked before starting long-term administration of PPIs.
PPIs deplete magnesium on their own, and the FDA is particularly
concerned with patients who are also taking other medications known to
deplete magnesium and recommends close monitoring in those cases.
Common mag-depleting medications include the heart medication
digoxin, and it even extends to people who have had stents placed in
their hearts or experienced any percutaneous cardiovascular events. A
quarter of the people who experience extreme magnesium de ciency
while taking PPIs could not resolve the de ciency with just taking
supplemental magnesium—they had to stop the PPI altogether in order
to correct the de ciency.
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NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ACID REFLUX
Calcium can be depleted by PPIs because they block the production of
stomach acid. This means that less calcium is available in the intestinal
tract for absorption. PPIs have also been implicated in atrophying
parathyroid glands which means that calcium begins to be leached from
the bones instead.
The FDA recommended in 2011 that PPIs should be used for 2-week time
periods only and just 3 intervals per year after bone loss was implicated in
connection with more fractures in patients on PPIs.
Risk of Dementia & PPIs
A study found that people who regularly took PPIs had a 44% increase in their
risk of developing dementia.
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HEARTBURN RELIEF SUPPLEMENTS
10 Alternative Remedies and Supplements for Heartburn
& Acid Re ux
1) D-Limonene neutralizes gastric acid and forms a barrier on the top of the
stomach acid because it oats, preventing the acid from causing discomfort
in the esophagus.
D-limonene neutralizes acids the same way it’s been used to dissolve the
cholesterol contained in gallstones.
D-Limonene can be found with #2 on this list, seabuckthorn seed oil, in this
product.
2) Seabuckthorn Seed Oil heals stomach ulcers better than H2 blockers or
PPIs in preliminary animal studies. This product combines D-limonene and
Seabuckthorn Seed Oil.
3) Melatonin is secreted by the gastrointestinal tract and is produced 400
times more there than in the pituitary gland.
People with GERD and acid re ux often have lower levels of
melatonin. Melatonin inhibits the synthesis of nitric oxide which is tied to
lower esophageal sphincter tone. A common PPI, omeprazole, is almost
structurally identical to melatonin .
4) Zinc Carnosine supplementation resulted in a 61% improvement in
heartburn and acid re ux symptoms after 4 weeks of use and a 75%
improvement by week 8.
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BEST HEARTBURN SUPPLEMENTS
5) Marshmallow Root is a demulcent herb, meaning it coats and forms a
physical protective barrier in the esophagus and stomach which guards
against damage from acid.
6) 6) Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) worked better in a clinical study than
conventional antacids (11). This product combines DGL with the herbs
marshmallow root, slippery elm, and aloe vera.
7) Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple which has been included in
digestive enzymes which may provide relief for heartburn su erers.
8) Ginger is an age-old remedy for stomach complaints and nausea and may
provide relief against nausea and pressure from symptoms of heartburn or
acid re ux.
9) Apple Cider Vinegar is anecdotally used to treat acid re ux. Though many
people swear by it, the scienti c evidence is scarce; but it may work for you.
10) Fennel is an herb that has been used in traditional folk medicines to
relieve stomach discomfort and heartburn.
With so many alternatives to try, you may be able to nd something which
provides relief without the undesired side e ects that antacids, histamine
blockers, and PPIs can cause.
Remember to address the lifestyle issues that can contribute to heartburn for
a comprehensive approach. For a deeper read about heartburn and acid
re ux, how these supplements work, and the risk factors that contribute to
heartburn and acid re ux .
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