Notwithstanding the many popular texts that point to aspects of lifestyle and eating particular foods, the real underlying reasons for heartburn encompass a larger selection of factors with genetic, lifestyle and dietary elements. Just like other chronic illnesses, heartburn is a result of overlapping and multiple causes.



Although people in good health may experience heartburn once per week or less, if heartburn happens twice per week or more, this may indicate a graver medical condition known as acid reflux disease, and also referred to as GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease). Heartburn can be identified as the sensation of burning or searing in the area of the chest or throat. This feeling often comes after having eaten.

GERD comes about because of two physiological problems: the first is excess acidity in the stomach; and the second is a weakened sphincter (LES, Lower Esophageal Sphincter) which no longer acts properly to block off the stomach from the esophagus. Normally, the LES only opens to let food and drink flow into the intestinal system and should not let gastric juices escape backwards. Nevertheless, in reflux situations, the LES is debilitated and stomach contents can reflux or splash back to the esophagus, corroding the lining and causing the feeling of pain.

As mentioned above, several related factors result in a weakened LES or too high a level of stomach acidity. Amongst these factors are:

1. Genetically inherited characteristics.

2. Lifestyles, where stress from lack of sleep, emotional pressure or excess of work provoke problems, as does smoking. This plays havoc with the digestion, attacks the immune system and favors Candida multiplication, which then contributes to acid reflux disease.

3. Infections from Candida. In certain circumstances, Candida microbes grow fast and spread throughout the body. These microorganisms then ferment and cause stomach contents to be rejected back into the esophagus, where inflammation and degradation of the esophageal cells then takes place. Note that Candida is normally present anyway in the human body, including the intestinal and genital areas. Under normal conditions, Candida is balanced out by friendly bacteria with no negative impact to the body.

4. Diet patterns, intake of foods that are fatty or spicy and that debilitate the LES, or nutritive components that make digestion difficult can all boost existing acid reflux. Similarly, the regular and frequent ingestion of foods triggering acid production or levels, such as chocolate, peppermint, citrus fruits and tomatoes, also makes acid reflux more likely.

Whereas conventional medicine only acts at a superficial level and is only concerned with the symptoms, a holistic, all-natural solution attacks the fundamental reasons to provide the only real secure and workable remedy for acid refluxes. To cut out heartburn and prevent its recurrence, the root causes must be addressed and this is what the holistic approach does.