Did you know that despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart? Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus - the tube that connects your throat and stomach. The most common cause is consuming food that's acidic or high in fat, spicy foods or large meals. Other sources of heartburn include medications like antibiotics that irritate your esophagus and lead to a burning discomfort in your upper belly or below your breastbone.
Acid reflux is what happens when some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus. Heartburn is the burning feeling a person gets when they have acid reflux. Although people may use the terms interchangeably, heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, also knownTrusted Source as gastroesophageal reflux.
WHY ARE YOU EXPERIENCING ACID REFLUX & HEARTBURN?
The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, which is a component of the gastric acid in the digestive systems of humans. This is a strong acid that breaks down food and protects our internal systems against pathogens such as bacteria. The lining of the stomach is particularly adapted to protect itself from this powerful acid, but on the other hand, the esophagus is not protected.
We know that the stomach is the portion of the digestive system mostly responsible for breaking down food. The lower esophageal sphincter at the top of the stomach regulates food passing from the esophagus into the stomach, and prevents the contents of the stomach from reentering the esophagus. When this valve fails to work correctly, the stomach content regurgitates back into the esophagus. This is acid reflux. A person that feels a burning sensation in their esophagus as the acid rises up experiences heartburn.
SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN & ACID REFLUX
heartburn
- A burning feeling in your chest that can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours
- Pain in your chest when you bend over or lay down
- A burning feeling in your throat
- A hot, sour, acidic or salty taste in the back of your throat
- Difficulty swallowing
acid reflux
- Heartburn, usually after eating, which might be worse at night
- Backwash of food or sour liquid
- Upper abdominal pain
- Trouble swallowing
- Sensation of a lump in your throat
While there is not much we can do about the mechanical functioning of our esophageal sphincter, there are things we can do to limit the amount of acidity in our gut without medications or major lifestyle changes.
HOW TO REDUCE HEARTBURN & ACID REFLUX NATURALLY
Try grazing
When the stomach is very full, there can be more reflux into the esophagus. If it fits into your schedule, you may want to try ‘grazing’- eating small meals more frequently rather than three large meals daily.
Avoid certain foods
Some foods are serious heartburn triggers cause the esophageal sphincter to relax and delay the digestive process, letting food sit in the stomach longer, so avoid these if you can:
- Fried food
- Fast food
- Pizza
- Processed snacks
- Chili powder and pepper
- Fatty meats
- Processed Cheese
- Tomato-based sauces
- Citrus fruits
- Chocolate
- Peppermint
- Fizzy drinks
- Alcohol
Eat high fibre & alkaline foods
Fibrous foods make you feel full so you're less likely to overeat, which may contribute to heartburn. All foods also fall somewhere along the pH scale. Those that have a low pH are acidic and more likely to cause reflux. Those with higher pH are alkaline and can help offset strong stomach acid. Incorporate these foods into your diet:
✔Bananas
✔Melons
✔Cauliflower
✔Fennel
✔Nuts
✔Whole grains
✔Root vegetables
✔Green vegetables
Step 1: Klean+ Prebiotic Gut Powder
Prebiotics support a healthy gut and offer better digestive health because they are the best food source for probiotics which are natural antacids and relieve heartburn and acid reflux. Klean+ Gut Powder also includes ingredients like cinnamon (which is a natural antacid for stomach acidity and can settle your stomach, by improving digestion and absorption) as well as Ginger ( which helps neutralise stomach acids).
Step 2: Nourish Probiotic Capsules
Nourish is a premium blend of 20 billion beneficial probiotic species combined in perfect synchronicity for reconditioning your gut, boosting immunity, stimulating a healthy metabolism, and promoting balance throughout your body. Research also suggests that probiotics may help ease symptoms of acid reflux. Probiotics improve gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, belching or intestinal gurgling.
Step 3: Revive Capsules
Revive is a powerful blend of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support your body from inside out. This combination of immune boosting, digestion supporting and health stabilizing actives provides your body with a robust set of tools to maintain a healthy digestive tract and immune system. Some of these ingredients include Aloe, Dandelion Root, Slippery Elm and Bladderwrack which are soothing agents that treat reflux and heartburn.
Nature is truly the best healer. Small, conscious changes in your lifestyle as well as using Klean’s premium gut health supplements will ensure a balanced and functioning gut.