No over the counter antacids for me, here’s why

I’ve learned if I’m getting indigestion or heartburn on a regular basis, that doesn’t mean stock up on the Tums and Prilosec.   Antacids weaken stomach acids for about an hour, which relieves the symptoms.  They often cause rebound heartburn  as the stomach works overtime to try to make up for the stomach acid it doesn’t have. In the long run, antacids will make heartburn and indigestion worse. They can contain trace elements that block mineral absorption and can cause harm to the nervous system.  They can produce vitamin and mineral deficiencies and irreparable harm to your organs and bones.  The good news is there are many natural remedies for indigestion and heartburn.  The first is changing your diet to eliminate problem foods.  Period.  Yep, you have to do it.  In the meantime, take 2 tablespoons of organic, unpasturized apple cider vinegar (with the Mother) added to 8oz of water thirty minutes before meals.  I take one Vitacost Mega Digestive Enzymes with Pancreatin 10X before every meal I eat.

After I changed my diet 5 years ago, I had not had heartburn until October 2010.  I had also not eaten meat cooked with canned tomatoes until then.  Instant heartburn.  That was all the signal I needed.  No matter how much I enjoy the taste and the flavor of that combination of foods — and it was the biggest favorite my whole life — if I want a healthy digestive system, I have to cut them out.

I figure digestive fire is like any other kind of fire.  If I use clean, crisp, dry logs I’ll get a good, long lasting fire for fuel.  If I toss on damp logs, I get a sputtering mess that has a hard time keeping itself going.

I want my inner fires to keep my system working well so I can enjoy another healthy 58 years on this merry go round.  and it would be cool if you were around also.

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