Heartburn and Vitamins

Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if sufferers make a few lifestyle changes. Many people can significantly reduce the occurrence of symptoms by avoiding heartburn triggers and behaviors that contribute to acid reflux flare-ups. Not everyone suffers from heartburn, even when they eat spicy foods. For millions of people, however, heartburn is a chronic condition. There are several reasons an individual's heartburn will occur. While these things can cause heartburn in people who only have occasional episodes, they can be big triggers for those suffering from chronic heartburn.

It isn't just food that can cause heartburn. Sometimes it's the medications we take to treat other conditions that can be the culprit. Some medications can cause heartburn by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus. For those who suffer from heartburn the symptoms can be unbearable at times. For some, prescription medication is necessary to treat heartburn. There are also vitamins that can be taken along with prescription medications to help provide some relief of the symptoms of heartburn.

Before discussing any vitamins and supplements that can be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of heartburn, I must stress that you talk to your doctor before adding anything new to your diet. Although it is rare, certain vitamins, supplements and herbs can react adversely with prescription medications. It is also important to research the vitamins you are interested in taking, as some are not well tolerated by those with stomach disorders and can be more harmful than good.

Below is a list of some of the most common vitamins, herbs and supplements that can be used to help relieve and manage the symptoms of heartburn.

Vitamin C: (250 mg to 500 mg twice per day) useful in temporarily reducing your stomach acidity.

B Vitamins: are essential for proper digestion and energy production. Choline, pantothenic acid, and thiamin are B-complex vitamins tha! t can ha ve long-term digestive benefits. Choline is an important element of the fat-digesting substance known as bile. Having too little choline in the body can interfere with the body's ability to produce bile and digest fats properly, and increases the risk of developing gallstones Vitamin B-complex includes several different components, each of which has the potential to interact with drugs. It is recommended that you discuss the use of vitamin B-complex and your current medication(s) with your doctor or pharmacist.

Folic Acid: (400mcg per day) is a B vitamin needed for cell replication and growth.

Vitamin D: serves to maintain mineral homeostasis by regulation of calcium absorption in the gut.

Zinc: (30mg per day) is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, synthesize protein, help cells reproduce, boost immunity, and protect against free radicals, among other functions.

Sodium helps maintain a healthy acid/ alkaline balance

Calcium: supplements can provide quick relief from heartburn. Calcium may also help the body in the long term: Calcium is not just stored in bones, but circulates the body in the bloodstream and helps to produce the hormones and enzymes that the body needs for regulate energy release, proper digestion, and metabolism.

Aloe Vera: is another fast-acting supplement that acts as an anti-inflammatory, and frequently helps soothe the irritation in the esophagus that can be caused by heartburn. Aloe Vera has been used in Europe and Japan to relieve heartburn and ulcers for many years.

Copyright (c) 2006 PillFreeVitamins.com

Steven Godlewski is currently working with a Liquid Vitamins company PillFreeVitamins.com They are the #1 distributor for Life Force International products. He has an extensive background in nutrition as well as other health related fields. For more health-related articles see their website at: www.pillfreevitamins.com

Preventing Heart Attacks

Prevention is better than cure. This adage holds true especially for heart disease. It is better to give attention to your cardiac health after your teenage years. Identifying risk factors and striving to keep them low is an important first step in preventing heart attacks. It is noteworthy that the American Heart Association recommends preventive measures for heart attacks to start by age 20.

The first occurrences of heart attacks can be fatal. Hence, it is advisable to identify the possible cause of heart attacks and steer clear of them. Preventing a second heart attack is also possible if proper medication and follow-ups are in place.

Medical professionals advise the following preventive measures:

Decrease blood pressure levels. High blood pressure causes stroke. This leads to disability that is often permanent. To reduce blood pressure, reduce the salt level in food and consume medication as per doctor?s orders.

Stop habits like smoking and drinking.

Improve blood cholesterol levels. It is important to increase the percentage of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in blood. At the same time, reduce bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol in the form of fat triggers heart attacks. It is advisable to reduce intake of saturated fats. Diet and exercise need to be combined with medication to improve blood cholesterol levels.

Maintain a proper height/weight ratio. Obesity is a cause of heart attacks. Eating at the right time and in small quantities reduces weight and improves the health of the heart. Pay attention to your body mass index.

Remain physically active. Performing routine activities, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, playing with kids, and running errands keep you physically active all day.

Control diabetes. When diabetes goes out of control, there are chances of silent ischemia or heart attacks. Diabetics are prone to having cardiovascular diseases due to factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, o! besity a nd reduced physical activity.

Eat healthy in combination with exercise. It is important to eat foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The in take of omega-3 fatty acids reduces the chances of sudden death. It is also important to eat on time and in small portions. Skipping meals leads to heartburn, which causes unnecessary complications. A low amount of spice, salt and fatty substances ensures a healthier heart. You need to combine this diet with a meditation and exercise regime to stay fit.

Take medicine as prescribed by physicians. ACE inhibitors, aspirin, multivitamins and beta blockers are prescribed by physicians to prevent recurrent heart attacks. All of these reduce atherosclerosis, and improve survival of the patients. Continue consultation with heart specialist.

Lastly, undergo follow-up testing to see if additional therapy is required.

Heart Attacks provides detailed information on Heart Attacks, Heart Attack Symptoms, Preventing Heart Attacks, Treatments For Heart Attacks and more. Heart Attacks is affiliated with Congenital Heart Disease.

Overactive Immunity Syndrome X and Diet: Two New Studies

The latest data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) shows that an unhealthy diet causes inflammation, which in turn causes heart attacks (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2006). Doctors can measure how active your immunity is with blood tests such as CRP, homocysteine, and IL-6. MESA showed that a diet high in fatty and processed meats, flour, high-fat diary products, fried potatoes, salty snacks or desserts is associated with high levels of blood markers for inflammation. In contrast, whole grains, fruits, nuts, green vegetables and fish were associated with very low levels of these markers.

When a germ gets into your body, your immunity is supposed to make proteins called antibodies that attach to the germs and paralyze them and cells that gobble them up. However if your immunity stays active, these same antibodies and cells start to destroy your body. An overactive immunity is called inflammation, and it increases your risk for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and many other diseases and conditions. Here is more evidence that eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other seeds reduces inflammation, for a longer and more healthful life.

Another study from Brussels, Belgium found that people who suffer from the metabolic syndrome should increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood, seeds and many vegetables. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2006). Metabolic syndrome, or syndrome X, means you have any three of the following: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood sugar or high blood pressure.

Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce the amount of fat in the liver and muscles. Excess fat in the liver prevents the liver from removing insulin from your bloodstream, causing high blood insulin levels and leading to diabetes. Omega-3 fatty acids lower blood levels of triglycerides, and lowering triglycerides raises blood levels of the good HDL cholester! ol. Ome ga-3s also lower the fraction of heart attack causing small, dense LDL cholesterol. They also reduce inflammation and clotting, widen arteries and lower high blood pressure. That's why most doctors recommend a Mediterranean type of diet that includes plenty of fish, vegetables, beans, nuts and other seeds.

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Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports -- and the FREE Good Food Book -- at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Natural Cures for Indigestion Heartburn and Nausea

When I think of indigestion, heartburn and nausea, the popular ad campaign for Pepto Bismol with the dancing symptoms starts playing in my head. Then the pink chalky residue comes to mind, ew. So what is a natural health girl to do when she has a stomach ache? Consult the herbalists and alternative medicine gurus, of course.

The main symptoms of indigestion include abdominal pain, a burning feeling in the upper abdomen, nausea, heartburn, bloating, belching, vomiting and flatulence. Sounds like a good time, eh? Please do consult with your alternative medicine practitioner if you have a chronic problem, but if it is just the occasional malady, here are a few natural remedies that may help:

Indigestion Prevention ? Drink a mixture of one teaspoon ginger and two tablespoons baking soda in cold water before eating to avoid indigestion altogether.

Bananas ? Ripe bananas are actually natural antacids that help to soothe the lining of your stomach. I guess that is why pediatricians often recommend them when the little ones are not feeling well.

Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice ? Add either of these to hot water and drink to alkalize the acid in your stomach if you do not have a banana handy.

Tea ? The following teas are excellent for indigestion: ginger, peppermint, fennel, lemon balm, cinnamon, slippery elm powder.

Why water=bad with a meal ? Yes, the glass is on the table at dinner, but you shouldn?t drink while eating according to experts. Water can dilute the gastric acid in your stomach which causes indigestion.

Victoria Jerman Dravneek, a.k.a. The Office Coach began her corporate career as an Administrative Assistant for children's book publisher, Scholastic Inc. in 1994. Within six years, she was the Vice President of the NYC-based web developer Affinity Online. She is Director of Editorial and Marketing on Modern Sage, a Women's Natural Health Magazine.

Looking for more articles by Victoria? Visit her blog at Fresh Contents.Com now, where she is authoring m! ore arti cles like this.

The Healing Arts: A Firetender's Lesson Part Three Holding A Sacred Trust

Nobody knows how far back the Chips' lineage goes. It's fair to surmise that it went way back, perhaps thousands of unbroken years along with the Sioux. The records start in the early 1800s with two boys from different families who were orphaned at an early age. They were adopted by a Grandmother, who raised them as brothers. One's name was Woptura (Wo-p-tuch-ha). The other one's name was Curly, who, as he got older became known as Crazy Horse.

Woptura was recognized early on as carrying the Medicine. Some say he is one of the Immortals. It was he who made the medicine bundle that Crazy Horse wore in his hair that kept him impervious to bullets in war. (Crazy Horse did have his jaw shot through by the jealous husband of a lover, but that was the only such wound he suffered in his time, and never in war.)

The day that Crazy Horse was lured into a nearby fort and held captive, family legend has it that Woptura rode behind him, furiously trying to catch him to give him back the bundle upon which he had been making repairs. He was too late. Crazy Horse, unprotected for perhaps the first time in many years, had been killed.

Woptura lived in very turbulent times. Around the turn of the century, all the Sioux children were taken from their families and put into Missionary Schools. Speaking the Native languages was forbidden, and all practicing of the medicine ways, songs, ceremonies, and rituals was banned at the risk of heavy punishment by the government.

An old man by now, Woptura went underground and kept the medicine ways alive. John Fire Lame Deer states that all Lakota Medicine people today trace their lineage back to Woptura. It was Woptura, most believe, who originated the Yuwipi ceremony.

Woptura had a son who inherited his Medicine. He was named Charles Horn Chips. Chips was the best the government agents could do when the family tried to explain that woptura was the thin, fine particulate film that lies on the very top of pond water. Others described it as the very fi! ne powde r from ground buffalo horn. Even today, some members of the family spell their name Chipps to distinguish themselves from the government designation.

Charles Horn Chips had a son named Ellis. Ellis did not inherit the powers yet he was a tremendously accomplished Singer who went on to create the Sioux National Anthem. Ellis, living on the Pine Ridge Reservation, married a woman named Victoria from the Rosebud Reservation, about 75 miles East, and they had three sons.

When it was found that the youngest, Godfrey, would talk to the Spirits during Yuwipi Ceremonies (as offered by Horn Chips), Ellis obtained government permission to remove him from Grammar School and take on the full-time duty of training him in the Medicine ways. To the best of my knowledge, Godfrey was the last Medicine Man to have been granted that privilege. The edict, which I saw, stated that if father and son, or Godfrey alone were found in town on a school day, they would both be jailed. Ellis brought his son from Medicine Man to Medicine Man for his trainings, while also teaching him all that he himself had learned while assisting his Father.

It was quite a while before I became familiar with this history. For the longest time, all I knew was that this family, whom I was quickly learning to love, carried something very powerful and special when their intent was focused on the good of others, and it was in their blood.

I had been brought to some people to be shown an example of Spirit in action. They allowed me to learn and participate with them in the sacred ceremony and ritual of their people. They were extremely controversial amongst their people. Ellis had been told by Spirit in the 1980's that the Cannunpa was for everyone. They were the only Traditionals at the time who welcomed seekers of all colors and orientations into what had once been almost exclusive territory to people with Native American blood. By way of explanation, Charles offered, There's a lot of Indian spirits around, and not enough indian ! bodies t o come back to.

Not once was I told what or how to believe. I was always directed to continue to cultivate my own relationship with Spirit, to build my own medicine, to find how Spirit spoke to me so that I could then help others. If I ran into their Lakota spirits in the process, well then, it wasn't for me to swallow what I was told about them, it was my challenge to build a relationship with what was really there.

And this was why, when I was asked about Sundance, even at that early juncture in my relationship with the Chips, I knew it wasn't Godfrey's request.

Next: A brutal reality.

Russ Reina shares over 35 years of experience in the healing arts through his web site http://mauihealingartist.com. It is a potent resource for those wishing to deepen their abilities in connection and develop their powers as healers. For a powerful free tool to explore your inner world, please check out his adjunct site http://thestoryofthis.net

(Permission is granted to reprint this article, unedited, provided proper attribution is made and the signature line -- the above resource paragraph -- is kept intact)

Listen to Your Heart

If I were your (sweet) heart I would most likely be yearning for your attention right now. To make my point, I invite you to take this allegorical trek with me. Pretend that your heart - your one and only sweet heart that lives inside your chest - could actually talk to you. What would it have on its mind right now?

The heart of the problem

We treat our hearts like the wheels on a Daytona 500 racecar. But when it wears out we can't pull into the pitstop and snap on another one. We've only got one. Like other internal organs, we often ignore our hearts. We live our lives satisfying our desires, and forming habits that endanger the health of our heart, and our lives as well.

Unhealthy heart habits you can avoid

Now I speak to you from the heart (literally). You pretend you do not realize how your actions hurt me day by day. You neglect to exercise. Haven't you seen the volumes of scientific evidence that tell you how much I benefit from aerobic exercise?

Will you wait until you feel that burning in your chest, then you go for an aspirin? That might be too late. And how about all those chemical stimulants you subject me to every day? The caffeine in your coffee makes you feel good, but it makes me work harder. And the alcohol. That affects me too. Narcotic drugs... oh, those are even worse. You don't even go there.

From the first time you tried smoking, I knew you were not thinking about me. Don't you know that I suffer whenever your other organs are damaged. It's more difficult to pump blood through damaged lungs and clogged arteries. You are killing me. When will you cut down on your animal fat and cholesterol intake? You're killing me, and you need to realize this fact: When I die, so do you.

Help change the statistics - Exercise

Research is showing that approximately 1,200,000 new and recurrent coronary attacks occur per year. Don't you realize that heart disease (696,947) is the leading cause of deaths in America. And most of this could be prevented b! y regula r physical exercise.

Compare this to the number of deaths from cancer (557,271), stroke (162,672), chronic lower respiratory diseases (124,816), accidents or unintentional injuries (106,742), and diabetes (73,249). And I (your heart) suffer whenever any of those other conditions happen as well... I die from strokes too (cry, cry, cry).

Tell me, can't you control your blood pressure and lose some weight? I don't want it to have to end like Nellie did. She grew up a beautiful young girl of normal weight. Then she became lax in her eating habits and did not exercise. For years I overworked myself pumping blood past body fat and through partially clogged arteries.

She thought about her weight and how she looked, but never about me. Her main concern was how she could fit into her favorite dress again. I couldn't take the neglect anymore. I attacked her one morning. She died at age 45.

Now, I don't want to have to fail you that way. I am your one and only sweet heart. I've been working for you from before you were born. I have been taking care of you even while you sleep. Take care of me, please. Won't you?

Ple-e-e-ease... just listen to your heart, now!

References:
Das, S.R., et. al., (2006). Increased Cardiovascular Risk Associated With Diabetes in Dallas County. American Heart Journal, May; 151(5);1094-1100.
Luddington, A., Diehl, H., (2002). Health Power. Hagerstown: Review & Herald
National Center for Health Statistics; Deaths-Leading Causes, URL: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

Copyright ? 2006 by Bentley Thompson

Bentley writes about lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. He advocates the anti-diabetes diet which he describes on his website. You may visit his website and blog using the following URLs: http://www.anti-diabetes-diet-supplements.com/ and http://choosehealthtoday.blogspot.com

Breaking the Cholesterol Myth

Have you seen the latest drug commercial? You know, the one where the guy is walking down a spiral stair case with numbers printed on each step gradually going lower. He?s talking about how your doctors have told you that now you need to get your cholesterol even lower than you did before. It?s a myth; and a dangerous one at that.

Let?s start with just a bit of very basic biology.

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is part of a group of compounds called sterols. Cholesterol is primarily produced by the liver, however, every cell in the human body is also capable of making cholesterol.

What is the role of cholesterol? Cholesterol is used by the body to form cholic acid which is then used to make bile salts. Bile salts are necessary to digest fat. In addition, cholesterol is necessary for the production of adrenal and reproductive hormones such as DHEA, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, aldosterone and cortisol. Cholesterol is also used to make the skin impervious to water and other substances that may be harmful to the body as well as to bind with toxins in the blood which will then reduce inflammation protecting the nerves, brain tissue and heart.

Biology lesson over. We can now understand why cholesterol is important. So why has it been give such a bad rap?

The myth started when scientists determined that there was a correlation between cholesterol in the blood and heart disease. If you had the wonderful opportunity to take any sort of research classes in school, you might remember that a correlation doesn?t mean anything. It simply means two things are present at the same time. This is like circumstantial evidence, just because someone is found holding the gun, doesn?t mean they pulled the trigger.

Working to lower cholesterol as a way to treat heart disease is kind of like getting a bunion removed because you have a headache.

It?s important to note that cholesterol levels that are too high should be addressed. But what is too ! high? I t used to be that what were considered normal were readings between 0 and 200. Anything above 200 was said to indicate heart disease. This was recently lowered to 0 to 169. But why was it lowered? Statistics show that heart disease rates are not improving. Despite statin drugs that are designed to lower cholesterol, people are still dying of heart attacks and more and more individuals are being diagnosed with some form of heart disease. The drug manufacturers certainly don?t want to admit that their drugs aren?t working as intended (even though they are somewhat successful at lowering cholesterol), so they decide that it?s because the cholesterol levels are not low enough. If they drop the normal ranges, then they can sell more drugs and pass the buck for the continuing trend of heart disease.

The natural health experts are still out but there seems to be an unwritten agreement that levels between 175 and 230 are ideal. Levels below 150 or above 250 may indicate the need for more attention but do not necessarily indicate heart disease. There are better methods for determining the risk of heart disease; the ratio between LDL and HDL for example. Better yet is a test gaining popularity and much media attention for something called C-reactive Protein. While it isn?t healthy to have extremely high cholesterol, it also isn?t healthy to have very low cholesterol.

A short word about statin drugs
Despite no scientific evidence showing that statin drugs reduce the risk of heart disease and despite evidence that they are not as successful in the real world for treating cholesterol as they had shown to be in the studies, statin drugs are one of the most commonly over-prescribed drugs in the US. Statins have many side effects, including increasing the risk for heart disease. Statins deplete CoQ10, an important co-enzyme for cardiac health. In addition they lower antioxidant levels, cause headaches, fatigue, memory loss, difficulty sleeping, and, of course, liver damage.

It?s impor! tant to be proactive with your health. Don?t let your doctors be the complete authority just as you wouldn?t trust the salesman to give you all the details when making a large purchase. Do your own homework.

Nicole Bandes is a Certified Herb Specialist that has been helping others to regain their health and vitality since 1999. Nicole?s weekly column allows her to share her knowledge to simple questions regarding the use of natural supplements and keep her readers educated on the latest news regarding natural supplements.