Inside Health Magazine: A Better You Starts With What's Inside May. 2016 | Page 16

Heartburn? Choose Natural Solutions
over common drug store meds

A recent study shows users of proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole (Prilosec) and others could be at risk for heart complications.
More than 20 million Americans each year seek digestive relief from over-the-counter heartburn medicines,
also known as Proton-Pump Inhibitors or PPIs. For years, an increasing number of studies have uncovered negative side effects from long-term use
of PPIs—from increasing food allergies and fractures to dementia. Now a massive Stanford study funded by the NIH has uncovered a link between
long-term PPI use and heart attacks. The study underscores the need for caution and concern regarding OTC heartburn relief drugs. Fortunately,
there may be all-natural options available for many of these individuals experiencing occasional heartburn or indigestion.

Belly Smart

Be gentle to your digestive system,
as it may not react well to certain
foods. Hold the sriracha, put down
the fried foods and make an effort
to add healthy alternatives into
your diet. Tomatoes and acidic
foods are the worst, as well as
alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

Heartburn Buster

Occasional heartburn and acid
discomfort after a meal are often
symptoms of impaired digestion
resulting from a variety of factors
including lifestyle and diet. Reach
for a natural dietary supplement
like an enzyme, papaya leaf and
other botanicals.

Chew Well

The enzymes in your mouth
and grinding action present the
stomach with a pre-digested
mush rather than large chunks of
undigested food.

Elevate Yourself

A simple change you can make
right away is to elevate your head
and upper body while sleeping--helping prevent gravity from
allowing backflow of acid into your
esophagus. This small step can
make all the difference in helping
the flow of your digestive system.

Even though your grill may be
overflowing with food for your
summer bbq, be careful how much
you overindulge. Your stomach will
thank you.

16  •  INSIDE HEALTH

While sometimes it is tempting
to take a nap or lie down after
eating, it is important to stay active.
A healthy body is one that gets
plenty of exercise and sleep.

Say Hi to Fiber

From eating plenty of fruits and
vegetables, to high grain cereals
and nuts, fiber is the engine that
keeps everything in your digestive
system moving.

Know When to Say
When

Get Up and Move

Get Off the Booze
Cruise

You know that too much alcohol
is not good for you, but few
understand the havoc it can have
on digestion. Heartburn is often
a result of over-indulgence; too
much drinking can cause excess
stomach acid and inflammation.
Digestive issues are extremely common, and through these simple tips,
natural solutions may provide you with the relief you’ve been looking for.