Alison Odey

Heart burn, otherwise known as reflux, refers to the rise of the stomach acids into the oesophagus, which irritates and burns its lining. It would be more apt to happen if you bent down after a meal, especially a large meal. If there is large amounts of gas formed in the stomach during and/or after a meal it is more likely to cause this rise in stomach acids.

Whenever there is ‘wind’ or gas/bloating in the stomach (upper abdominal
area) you must improve the ability of the stomach to digest foods properly.

Digestion starts in the mouth, with the production while you are chewing of salivary amylase which breaks down starch. Therefore the very first improvement you can make is to thoroughly chew your food.

The second stage of digestion is in the stomach where the cells of the stomach lining produce Hydrochloric acid which provide the right conditions for the enzyme pepsin to start the breakdown of proteins.

The food in the stomach must also be adequately acidified prior to it moving on into the
duodenum as with out this acidity the further output of enzymes from the pancreas will not occur.
This is why the use of anti-acid preparations are not going to improve your condition in the long term, in fact they will most probably worsen it as they prevent the adequate production of hydrochloric acid and in turn the adequate production of digestive
enzymes.

Where digestive enzyme levels are already inadequate, a better method of treatment is to try and increase the amount of digestive enzymes your body is receiving and producing, naturally.

To do this it is necessary to greatly increase the amount of raw foods in your
diet. (Enzymes are found in all raw foods but are destroyed by heat, therefore all cooked and processed foods are devoid of enzymes). Ideally enzyme levels need to be increased prior to meals, so salads are best eaten prior to the main meal. Another idea is to have 2-3 kiwifruit (which are very high in protease) or a piece of paw paw or pineapple prior to meals.
See page on ‘Enzymes – facts’.

Alternatively, take digestive enzymes in capsulated or tableted form, with every meal. These will immediately provide all the enzymes necessary for better digestion.
I usually recommend a product which is entirely plant derived, contains an effective doseage of digestive enzymes and are extremely well tolerated.
Go to the on-line shop to order enzymes.

If after meals there is still discomfort try using slippery elm powder, ½ tsp after each meal or Nat Phos celloids or cell salts.

Ginger or Peppermint tea will also calm mild indigestion.

Make sure you take time to eat. Don’t eat ‘on the run’. Don’t skip meals.

If these efforts are made in the long term the ability to digest adequately
will naturally gradually improve and the feeling of ‘heartburn’ will diminish.
(The exception to this, can be in the situation where reflux has been present
and untreated for many years allowing the hiatus sphincter to become irreparably
scared or otherwise damaged).