Heartburn is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium, do not cure acid reflux. The only thing they do is mask your symptoms.
These drugs stop the pain by neutralizing your stomach acid. This allows you to ignore the warning signal that something has to change or you are going to get very sick. It’s like ignoring the warning lights in your car. You can ignore the light telling you there’s engine trouble and just keep driving until you need to be towed, or you can fix the problem before it becomes a catastrophe.
Most people don’t take acid reflux very seriously.
Many think it’s a normal part of life. There is a reason for that. The drug companies spend millions convincing you that the burn of acid reflux is just a nuisance. They encourage you to eat whatever you want, whenever you want and enjoy the good life…. just don’t forget to take their pill along with you or you will suffer.
Their campaign is working. When we ask people about their health, we get comments like: “I’m okay. I’ve had a sensitive stomach since I was a teenager. I just pop Tums all day long.” Or “I’ve had acid reflux for years. I don’t think about it much. Everybody gets heartburn.”
Until you get diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition caused by prolonged acid reflux. Over time, acid reflux produces cellular changes, which can lead to adenocarcinoma, a type of esophageal cancer. Adenocarcinoma is now diagnosed in 80 percent of all esophageal cancers. In 1975, 4 people per million were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, and in 2001 it rose to 23 people per million, making it the fastest growing cancer in the U.S. according to the National Cancer Institute.
If caught early Barrett’s esophagus is treatable, but in spite of some significant medical and surgical advances, the survival rate of esophageal cancer is still grim.
Only one in five people diagnosed with esophageal cancer will survive five years.
YIKES! How scary is that?
Your antacid may be quieting the burn of acid reflux, but it will do nothing to prevent Barrett’s esophagus.
Researchers theorized PPIs would protect people with Barrett’s Esophagus from adenocarcinoma, but found the reverse to be true. Not only did PPIs not protect the esophagus, but instead there was a dramatic increase in the risk of this deadly cancer.
Being overweight and drinking alcohol regularly will increase your odds of this happening to you.
What can you do to prevent the development of Barrett’s esophagus?
You need to make the dietary and lifestyle changes that will stop the acid reflux. It is common knowledge that fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol and tobacco are triggers for reflux, but what about some of the “healthy” foods you are eating. Could they be triggers too?
You may have food intolerances that you are unaware of.
If you are continually frustrated because you can’t figure out what foods are making you sick, we have a solution.
Our Signature 28 –Day Elimination and Detoxification Program gently guides you through the process of eliminating the most common food triggers, allowing you to experience for yourself how profoundly your diet is affecting every aspect of your life. We replace these problem foods with delicious, satisfying foods that deeply nourish your body. Many of our clients have been stunned by the results.
It’s great when you figure out what delicious foods CAN eat without suffering in pain.
Do you remember the last time you had a day like that?
You could pay for pills every month for the rest of your life and end up sicker than you were before, or you can decide to take your life back.
I know which one I would pick.
