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ZooScape Health Newsletter
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Reduce Heartburn & Indigestion and Avoid Reflux Disease.
At one time or another, most of us have experienced that burning feeling in our lower chest called heartburn. Although it has nothing at all to do with the heart, heartburn is painful, irritating, and, when left untreated, can cause irreversible damage. The purpose of today's newsletter is to help everyone better understand what is happening inside of us when that burning pain occurs, and how this misunderstood condition - or symptom - can be corrected. I will suggest some immediate actions we can take to help reduce the pain, and let you know of some tried and true herbal remedies that are recommended specifically for the natural treatment of heartburn.
Heartburn, commonly referred to as acid indigestion, is a burning pain behind the breastbone, associated with a spasm or irritation of the lower end of the esophagus or upper stomach. This burning pain may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, bloating, belching, or a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. Usually heartburn occurs while you are lying down or after you eat a large meal. Heartburn may also be a symptom of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that causes heartburn and indigestion. 'Gastroesophageal' refers to the stomach and esophagus, and 'reflux' means 'to return.' GERD is the return of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. GERD occurs when the muscle connecting the esophagus with the stomach weakens or does not work properly. As a result, the muscle cannot keep the contents of the stomach from going up into the esophagus. Long-standing GERD can lead to esophageal damage that usually would mean a break in the lining of the esophagus where, in some cases, ulcers may develop and swallowing can be difficult or even painful.
The difference between heartburn and GERD is that GERD is a disease whereas heartburn is a common symptom of that disease. Almost every person afflicted with GERD will suffer from heartburn. Heartburn that often disrupts and interferes with one's normal and usual lifestyle is the most common symptom leading to a diagnosis of GERD.
Recent statistics from the US Department of Health and Human Services indicate that about seven million people in the US alone suffer from GERD. GERD affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. However, the incidence of GERD does seem to increase substantially for those over the age of 40 with more than 50 percent of sufferers between the ages of 45 - 64.
On the positive side, GERD and the pain of associated heartburn, while not reversible, is entirely manageable. At the other end of the spectrum, when left untreated, GERD does have the ability to damage the esophagus and cause a condition known as Barrett's Esophagus. With Barrett's Esophagus, the normal esophageal lining is replaced by a lining similar to that found in the stomach or intestine. Experts believe that this is the body's way of making an attempt at protecting the esophagus from further damage caused by stomach acid. The risk of esophageal cancer does increase significantly with Barrett's Esophagus.
There are many possible causes of GERD and while you may never be able to determine exactly what the cause of your specific case is, there are some steps that you can take right away in an effort to help reduce the pain and discomfort you have been experiencing. These steps are as follows:
* Avoid foods and beverages that can affect the LES or irritate the lining of the esophagus. Examples include fried or fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, citrus fruit and citrus fruit juices, and tomato products.
* Lose weight if you are overweight. Your body mass index, BMI, should be less than 25.
* Stop smoking.
* Raise the head of your bed 6 inches. Use blocks or bricks to elevate the legs of the bed rather than using pillows to prop up your head.
* Avoid large meals. Instead, eat smaller, more frequent meals.
* Avoid lying down right after eating and avoid eating within 4 hours of bedtime.
There are several herbal products that are recommended for the treatment of GERD and its associated symptoms. The latter part of this newsletter will provide you with my top product recommendation for naturally treating this condition.
Peppermint is a favorite remedy for relaxing the intestinal tract and relieving gas pains. The herb is effective for easing nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, heartburn, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colitis. Peppermint tea is also recommended for common cold, fevers, and headaches.
Germany's Commission E authorizes the use of oral peppermint oil for treating colicky pain in the digestive tract. Some preliminary evidence suggests that peppermint oil may indeed be effective for digestive disorders.
The active ingredient of peppermint oil for this purpose is thought to be menthol. This substance relaxes the muscles of the small intestine in dilutions as low as 1:20,000, and has been found to counter the effect of drugs that cause intestinal spasm. Peppermint oil may also be helpful for dyspepsia (a catch-all term that includes a variety of digestive problems such as stomach discomfort, gas, bloating, belching, appetite loss, and nausea), as well as pain caused by medical examinations of the colon and stomach.
Peppermint is often used in combination with other herbs to treat indigestion. A double blind, placebo-controlled study including 39 individuals found that peppermint taken three times daily for 4 weeks significantly reduced dyspepsia pain as compared to the placebo. Of the treatment group, 63.2% was pain free after 4 weeks, compared to 25% of the placebo group.
You can view all of the peppermint products available at ZooScape.com by following this link:
Peppermint products
Ancient Grecians and Romans used asparagus for its diuretic properties. Hippocrates highly regarded asparagus as a medicinal plant that was used for treating all kinds of conditions from toothaches to healing certain types of cancer.
Most people are acquainted with this vegetable and its green stalks and tender sweet tips; however, it is the underground roots and rhizomes of asparagus that are dried and used medicinally. Research supports the use of asparagus root primarily for conditions of the urinary tract and kidneys, largely on the basis of animal studies that indicate it functions as a mild diuretic. This means it draws fluid out of the body by increasing urination. Because of this action, asparagus root may be beneficial in several conditions associated with the kidneys and urinary tract. Asparagus is also often recommended for dyspepsia and gastric ulcers, and aqueous extracts of asparagus have been shown to improve digestion by increasing the levels of amylase and lipase-two very important digestive enzymes in the body.
Asparagus contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and folic acid, and it has been used to treat conditions such as gout, dropsy and rheumatism. In India, it is used to promote fertility, reduce menstrual cramping, and increase milk production in nursing mothers. Chinese pharmacists save the best asparagus roots for their families and friends, believing that it will increase feelings of compassion and love.
All of the asparagus products can be viewed at ZooScape.com by following this link:
Asparagus products
Turmeric is a widely used tropical herb in the ginger family. Its stalk is used both in food and medicine, yielding the familiar yellow ingredient that colors and adds flavor to curry. In the traditional Indian system of herbal medicine known as Ayurveda, turmeric is believed to strengthen the overall energy of the body, relieve gas, dispel worms, improve digestion, regulate menstruation, dissolve gallstones, and relieve arthritis, among other uses.
Modern interest in turmeric began in 1971 when Indian researchers found evidence suggesting that turmeric may possess anti-inflammatory properties. Much of this observed activity appeared to be due to the presence of a constituent called curcumin. Curcumin is also an antioxidant.
Turmeric, too, has been proposed as a treatment for dyspepsia. In Europe, dyspepsia is commonly attributed to inadequate bile flow from the gallbladder. While this has not been scientifically proven, turmeric does appear to stimulate the gallbladder. More importantly, one double blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that turmeric does reduce dyspepsia symptoms. This study, performed in Thailand, compared the effects of curcumin 4 times daily against a placebo, as well as against a locally popular over-the-counter treatment. A total of 116 people were enrolled in the study. After 7 days, 87% percent of the curcumin group experienced full or partial symptoms of relief from dyspepsia as compared to 53% of the placebo group, and this difference was statistically significant.
Turmeric can be found at ZooScape.com by following this link:
Turmeric products
Horehound has been used since Roman times as a treatment for coughs and other respiratory problems, as well as rabies. It was popular among Native North Americans as well. Teas and syrups of horehound continued to be used through the nineteenth century for coughs and lung complaints, as well as for menstrual problems. Although the herb itself has a strong bitter taste, horehound candy is considered pleasant by some, and it is still available in traditional candy stores. It is used widely in cough remedies, but is also used as a tonic for the respiratory system and stomach.
Horehound boosts the immune system and can also help reduce the symptoms of hay fever, sinusitis, and other respiratory ailments. This herb also works for indigestion, bloating, and loss of appetite. It is also used to treat liver and gallbladder complaints, dyspepsia, and intestinal worms.
Horehound can be found at ZooScape.com by following this link:
Horehound products
And finally, if you are looking for one product that would help with the natural treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and heartburn, that one product should be GERD and Heartburn Support. This product contains all of the ingredients you have read about today and is specifically designed to target the symptoms of GERD!
Third-Party Research References:
1. Andrew D. Jenkinson, S. Mark Scott, Etsuro Yazaki, Giuseppe Fusai, Sharon M. Walker, Sritharan S. Kadirkamanathan and David F. Evans. Compliance Measurement of Lower Esophageal Sphincter and Esophageal Body in Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Springer Netherlands Volume 46, Number 9/ September, 2001.
2. Digestive Diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact, National Digestive Diseases Data Working Group, James E. Everhart, MD, MPH, Editor, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, NIH Publication No. 94-1447, May 19943. Kiso Y, Suzuki Y, Watanbe N, et al. Antihepatotoxic principles of Curcuma longa rhizomes. Planta Med 1983;49:185-7.
3. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:297-303.
4. Gunn JW. The carminative action of volatile oils. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1920;16:39-47.
5. Taylor BA, Luscombe DK, Duthie HL. Inhibitory effect of peppermint on gastrointestinal smooth muscle [abstract]. Gut. 1983;24:A992.
6. Hawthorn M, Ferrante J, Luchowski E, et al. The actions of peppermint oil and menthol on calcium channel dependent processes in intestinal, neuronal and cardiac preparations. Aliment Pharmcol Ther. 1988;2:101-118.
7. May B, Kuntz H-D, Kieser M, et al. Efficacy of a fixed peppermint oil/caraway oil combination in non-ulcer dyspepsia. Arzneimittelforschung. 1996;46:1149-1153.
8. Ammon HPT, Wahl MA. Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Med. 1991;57:1-7.
9. Sreejayan N, Rao MNA. Free radical scavenging activity of curcuminoids. Arzneimittelforschung. 1996;46:169-171.
10. Rasyid A, Lelo A. The effect of curcumin and placebo on human gall-bladder function: an ultrasound study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999;13:245-249.
11. Thamlikitkul V, Bunyapraphatsara N, Dechatiwongse T, et al. Randomized double blind study of Curcuma domestica Val. for dyspepsia. J Med Assoc Thai. 1989;72:613-620.
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