Natural Remedies for Holiday Heartburn

When we eat, food normally enters the stomach and a band of muscle at the end of the esophagus (called the lower esophageal spincter) closes off the esophagus. Heartburn can occur when this muscle doesn’t properly close and the acidic contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus causing irritation and pain.

There are several reasons why the holiday season is an especially bad time for heartburn:

* Holiday foods are fatty, which increases acid secretion and slows stomach emptying.
* The stress of Christmas shopping can contribute to heartburn.
* Eggnog, fruitcake, butter cookies, and other carb-laden holiday foods also increase our production of tryptophan, the amino acid that makes us feel sleepy. People get stuffed and they go lie down, allowing stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus.

If you simply must indulge, here are some natural remedies that can help ease heartburn:

Digestive Enzymes
A full stomach can put extra pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the chances that food will reflux and cause heartburn. Digestive enzyme supplements contain enzymes that help break down food and aid digestion. Digestive enzyme supplements taken before holiday meals, prevent heartburn and that sluggish, stuffed, just-want-to-lie-down feeling.

Digestive enzyme supplements are usually a combination of enzymes that break down protein (protease), break down carbohydrates (amylase), and break down fats (lipase). Some suggestions on what to look for in an enzyme supplement:

* Ratios of the different enzymes vary. For holiday heartburn, a supplement with the highest ratio of lipase might be most effective.
* Avoid supplements that only contain proteases. Too much protease can break down lipase, impairing fat digestion.
* Steer clear of formulas that contain hydrochloric acid, betaine hydrochloride, or ox bile. The extra acidity can worsen symptoms.
* Look for capsule form.
* Digestive enzymes must be taken approximately 15 minutes before meals with a glass of water.

People taking blood thinners such as warfarin should avoid digestive enzymes. Pregnant or nursing women, or people with ulcers, cystic fibrosis, liver or kidney disease should only take digestive enzymes under the supervision of a health care professional.

Chewable DGL
DGL, short for deglycyrrhizinated licorice, is licorice with the glycyrrhizin portion removed, because glycyrrhyzin can raise blood pressure and promote water retention.

DGL is considered to be an antacid alternative. But instead of blocking acid production, DGL stimulates the production of mucin, which coats and protects the esophagus, stomach and intestinal lining. DGL also improves blood flow to the lining of the digestive tract and helps form new protective cells. Some studies have also shown that it can help inhibit the growth of potentially harmful stomach bacteria, such as helicobacter pylori (although it shouldn’t be used alone to treat H. pylori infections.)

The best form of DGL for heartburn is the chewable tablets. Typically 1 to 2 tablets are taken 15 minutes prior to meals, and they should be chewed thoroughly to be effective.

Aloe Vera Juice
The juice from the aloe vera plant is another natural home remedy that is used to soothe an irritated esophagus. It has a long history of use in Europe as a natural home remedy to relive heartburn.

A typical dose is 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice approximately 20 minutes before a meal.

It should NOT contain any aloe latex, aloin, or aloe-emoin compounds, substances in the aloe plant that are very powerful laxatives. Aloe gel should not be taken directly from the plant as a home remedy, as the gel can be contaminated with the latex. Only gel/juice preparations specifically for internal use should be used.

If heartburn persists or if you experience it frequently, call your doctor. Heartburn may be a symptom of a more serious digestive condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease. A burning sensation in the chest can also be a sign of a heart attack. If you’re not sure, go to the emergency room immediately, especially if you experience shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, cold sweat, nausea, or pain in your shoulders or neck.