Acid Reflux Remedies
For a Happier, Healthier Life
Part 1
Before applying acid reflux remedies, understanding the causes and effects of heartburn will take you a long way toward a happier, heartburn-free life – so please read all intro sections first.
Whichever way you look at it, heartburn and the complications associated with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) are all caused by digestive acid escaping upward into the food pipe or "gullet" (also know as the "esophagus").
Therefore, the root cause of this malady is a weakened or malfunctioning valve that allows nourishment to enter the stomach, while at the same time, preventing digestive acids from escaping upward into the esophagus.
This valve consists of a ring of muscle called a “sphincter” – similar to the sphincter in the anus that controls bowel movement and prevents accidental defecation.
It is called the lower esophageal sphincter, (usually shortened to “LES”).
However the pharmaceutical giants or "Big Pharma" out there aren’t interested in curing you. They need a steady cash flow from never-ending repeat orders to stay in business.
So the trick is to produce drugs that mask your symptoms and ease your pain for a while – and when the pain returns, keep you coming back for more.
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The Proton Pump
Understanding the mechanics of the proton pump is an essential part of incorporating acid reflux remedies.
Proton pumps are located in parietal cells forming part of the membrane lining the stomach walls. Proton pumps produce hydrogen ions that combine with other substances, including potassium and histamine-2 enzymes, to produce digestive hydrochloric acid.
Next, with the help of an energy producing enzyme called “ATP,” the acid passes through the parietal cells’ mitochondrial membrane transport system, and is pumped directly into the stomach.
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Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors simply put corks in the outlet ports of the parietal cells' transport system, thereby preventing acid from being pumped into the stomach.
This reduces the stomach’s acid content and stops acid reflux; but it also slows down or halts the digestive process.
In addition, when the carefully timed corks work loose or dissolve, the proton pumps are forced to work overtime to produce enough acid for the stomach to digest food – and since Mother Nature is generous, the pumps produce excess amounts of acid as a safety measure.
Eventually, some of the excess acid forces its way past the LES and into the esophagus, causing heartburn -- and this is where money-making antacids come into play.
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H2 Blockers
As with the proton pump, understanding how h2 blockers work is also needed before incorporating acid reflux remedies.
The use of H2 receptor antagonists, also known as “H2 blockers,” is a somewhat outdated approach that tackles the problem from the opposite end.
They simply block production by disabling the H2 receptors situated in the parietal cells. Consequently, without histamine 2 enzymes, hydrogen ions cannot be converted into digestive acid.
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Conclusion:
Proton Pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and antacid are all designed to mask the symptoms of acid reflux, and not to treat the root cause of the disease.
As a result, this carefully contrived chase-your-tale cycle produces billions of dollars annually for Big Pharma, but it overrides one inescapable fact:
If you strengthen the LES, you will cure your Acid Reflux Disease!
Have questions? Need advice? Click Here
Next: Acid Reflux Remedies part 2: What Causes a Weakened Lower Esophageal Sphincter?
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References
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