Acid Reflux Ruining Your Festivities?

Many of us have regretted overeating at the buffet, overindulging at the fish and chippie, or having one too many celebratory drinks, as it can often come with a night of belching, bloating and acid reflux. We know that a healthy digestive system will break down this food and have it head off into all the right places, but at times we may just need a helping hand to keep this system operating smoothly.

Acid reflux is a common condition that happens when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. A ring of muscle, the gastroesophageal sphincter, normally acts as a valve that lets food into the stomach but not back up into the esophagus. When this valve fails, and stomach contents are regurgitated into the esophagus, the symptoms of acid reflux are felt, such as heartburn. This causes an internal burning sensation in the area beneath your chest and may be accompanied by a sour taste in the back of the throat or a feeling of food being stuck in the throat.

Foods that can cause or aggravate acid reflux vary for different people. Other factors that can cause or make reflux worse include being overweight, smoking, stress and anxiety, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pregnancy.

For those of us who experience reflux or indigestion occasionally, treatments to reduce the acidity of the stomach are available. Antacids like Gaviscon, Mylanta and Quick Eze help neutralise and reduce the amount of stomach acids  - but do not help to heal existing damage to the oesophagus or prevent future episodes of heartburn. They can also come with side effects,  including constipation, diarrhea, allergic reaction or food sensitivity. Large amounts of antacids that contain aluminum may also cause a risk of calcium loss, which can lead to osteoporosis.

Nature’s Sunshine Stomach Comfort has been specifically designed with herbs and nutrients known to provide rapid support for indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and upset or sour stomach.  And unlike over the counter medications, Stomach Comfort contains no aluminum or other potentially harmful ingredients.

Another product that may assist with acid reflux is the Enzymedica Acid Soothe contains natural digestive enzymes that work with your body to soothe indigestion and enhance your body's natural digestive process. Acid Soothe contains Zinc Carnosine which can help to rebuild the digestive lining, plus soothing herbs for digestive irritation and digestive enzymes to help break down problem foods and increase nutrient absorption. 

 You can view our range of natural digesting supporting supplements here