Secrets to upper GI Health: Heartburn and Indigestion When your digestive system doesn’t work, you don’t work. Did you know most heartburn comes from too little digestion, and taking anti-acids prolongs the problem? Here are five tips on how to improve digestion and get rid of heartburn 1. Eat healthily: Put the healthiest food possible in your stomach. The closer the food is to the earth, the healthier it is. If the food is picked out of your garden, it's way healthier than food that comes from a bag, box, or wrapper. 2. Chew more: Chew your food well and don’t eat too fast. 3. Water: Get enough hydration. Your digestive system needs water to function properly. 4. Acid Levels: Do you have too much acid or the wrong kind of acid? Proteolytic enzymes or apple cigar vinegar can help break down the food. If the stomach needs help breaking the food down faster this will help, and it means you have the wrong kind of acid. If enzymes or vinegar make it worse, it's an indication you have too much acid. Too much acid means there is an overstimulation of the vagus nerve. Phosphorus is the magic mineral to help down-regulate this nerve and solve the overproduction of acid. 5. Stomach Protector: Heal and soothe irritated GI tissue with Vitamins A, D, E, & K. Nutritional Recommendations: Fat-soluble vitamins ADE&K help soothe irritated GI tissue, probiotics help when there is a bacterial problem, slippery elm and okra can help clean out the GI system, and magnesium or vitamin c can help with constipation. If you haven't already, hit the subscribe button for more health tips from Dr. J and the West Clinic Team.
