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.