Heartburn has become such a common condition that people think it’s a normal part of life and they just pop some pills and keep eating. Your body reacts when there is something wrong. It’s your body’s way of saying “HEY! I’m missing something and can’t digest this food properly”! You don’t have to live with discomfort. Your body is equipped with everything it needs to function.
Your food gives it fuel to keep working and absorbs essential nutrients and vitamins from it. Heart burn is caused by the fluids in your stomach that ooze up into your esophagus. Hydrochloric acid is the liquid in your stomach that helps digest your food. It kills bacteria from food and prevents it entering the intestines. It’s also responsible for helping the body absorb nutrients and vitamins. It is a very acidic liquid that’s corrosive but the mucous lining on your stomach protects your stomach from the acidity.
The LES is the gatekeeper from your stomach to the Esophagus. It uses pressure to open and close, it’s the lower esophageal sphincter. Sometimes it opens at the wrong time which allows the acid to splash up to the esophagus. Since the esophagus doesn’t have any protective lining the result is pain and burning. A stomach ulcer on the other hand is a sore or erosion in the stomach lining. Chronic use of aspirin and bacterial infections are usually the causes behind stomach ulcers. Gastro esophageal reflux disease also known as GERD is when you have persistent heart burn as often as 2 or more days a week.
GERD can erode teeth and cause scar tissue around the esophagus making it hard to swallow food and may cause some respiratory problems. Being overweight usually causes heartburn due to abdominal fat that puts pressure on the abdomen. Overeating can also cause it since your stomach is over filled and causes the acid force through the LES. Taking anti-acids makes your body prone to food poisoning.
Orange peel extract has been shown to stop heartburn. Orange peel aids food through the stomach and also works as a surfactant. Surfactants reduce tension from liquids keeping the stomach acid from splashing up to the esophagus. Orange peel also has cancer preventative properties. If you have an ulcer you shouldn’t take orange peel extract. Orange peel extract is a great alternative and natural remedy for heartburn. Stay away from antacids. They will make other conditions worse… Make sure you don’t over eat, drink lots of water and take some probiotics and enzymes to help digest your food better.