According to the National Institutes of Health, between 60 - 70 million people in the US have some type of digestive condition, with 20 million of those suffering from chronic or long-standing GI issues.

Among the most common problems are heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, burping and belching.

Now, the begging question here is: Why? Why are so many of us walking around with our chests on fire and our stomachs revolting?

To answer that question, a good place to start would be to look at what someone is eating or drinking as a possible underlying factor, wouldn’t you think?

Sadly, that’s not the typical focus when someone consults a healthcare practitioner for digestive complaints. Instead symptomatic relief is the primary goal.

So if you’ve got digestive difficulties, you’re going to get the prescription slip, my friend.

Not only is this a disservice because dietary changes can be a huge help in most cases, but also the popular medications are not sweet and innocent! On the contrary, they come with a serious list of possible side effects that can be far worse than your heartburn.

Here’s what I mean—let’s start by looking at...

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)—such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid—are the gold star treatment for a variety of digestive issues including acid reflux, GERD, indigestion, heartburn, and ulcers. 

PPIs “work” by raising your stomach’s pH and shutting down its acid production. With less acid in the stomach to shoot up in your throat, you may feel relief from reflux and other digestive symptoms.

What could possibly go wrong?

A lot.

Crippling your stomach’s ability to produce acid like it is designed to can have these consequences:

1- Chronic kidney disease 

PPIs can cause kidney inflammation (called acute interstitial nephritis) which can progress to chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease and ultimately kidney failure.

2- Heart attack

PPIs reduce the acid activity of “lysosomes”—cells that break down proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. They also impact cellular functions, including those related to blood clotting. And they damage the inner lining of your arteries.

All of which raises your risk of heart attack.

3- Weakened immune function

PPIs cause poor digestion (because stomach acid is needed to properly digest proteins), which leads to imbalances in your gut microbiome.

Since your gut houses 80 percent of your immune system, unhealthy changes in the makeup of the microbiome can lead to weakened immune function, which increases your risk of sickness and disease.

4- Dementia and Alzheimer’s

In the course of thwarting your digestion and absoprtion of nutrients, PPIs also increase your risk of dementia and Alzhemier’s due to reduced absorption of essential brain nutrients (especially Vitamin B12).

5- Increased death risk

A study conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine and published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) showed that long-term use of PPIs increases overall death risk by a whopping 50 percent.

6- Even more problems

PPIs also cause gas, bloating and constipation (because of ruined digestion), increase your risk of fractures (due to reduced absorption of bone-building vitamins and minerals), lead to low energy levels and metabolism (a result of impaired Vitamin B12 absorption), and make you more susceptible to food poisoning (since stomach acid kills dangerous microbes in your food).

What about OTC options?

You may be wondering if over the counter medications are any better.

Well, just because a drug doesn’t require a prescription doesn’t make it safe.

For example, Maalox can cause constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. So you trade the fire in your chest for a fire in your gut.

Tums can cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, eructation (belching), gastric pain, abdominal pain/discomfort and vomiting.

And before you ask, Rolaids are even worse. Their side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle weakness, bone pain, increased urination, confusion, tiredness, trouble breathing, lightheadedness and slowed heart rate.

Stop digestive issues NATURALLY!

If you take digestive medications, it’s time to talk with your doctor about alternatives.

If he asks why, show him this blog.

And DO YOUR PART to naturally help stop digestive issues! Here’s how:

Start with your diet

Change your diet to include more nutritious REAL foods—stuff that doesn’t come with a bar code and ingredients you can’t pronounce. Drive by the drive-thru and lay off the soda and beer too while you’re at it. 

Make your meals easier for your system to tackle by keeping them simpler—pair proteins OR starches with vegetables and a tossed salad.

This way, only one type of enzyme (acid or alkaline) is present in the stomach during a meal and that paves the way for your stomach to be better able to carry out its job.

If you need some meal suggestions or more information, check out my Great Taste No Pain system. 

Relax!

Digestion is a parasympathetic process, meaning your body must be in a relaxed, non-stressed state for it to be accomplished efficiently. 

But instead, if you eat when your sympathetic nervous system is in gear (such as when you're working, driving, emotionally upset, stressed, rushing, etc.) that can have a devastating impact on your digestion.

So slow down and relax! Make time for meals and don't eat on the run. 

Quit smoking

Nothing impacts your digestion like smoking.

So, add this to the list of reasons that you should put that deadly habit behind you for good. There are many stop smoking aids and programs out there—get the help you need.

Try a safe, natural remedy

Our outstanding Gastro BeCalm Blend is truly a revolutionary remedy for heartburn and indigestion. 

Why? Because it’s all-natural, safe and VERY effective!

It combines four of Nature’s precious herbs (mastic gum, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, ginger and marshmallow root) that have a proven, longstanding history of easing occasional digestive distress, heartburn and indigestion.

What many people don’t realize is that herbs and nutrients have been used as remedies for centuries. However, once pharmaceuticals hit the scene over the last 100 years or so, these safe, natural substances have been unjustly cast aside and poo-pooed in favor of synthetic drugs.

Think about this—7 out of 10 of us take at least one prescription medication every single day, yet our chronic disease rates continue to skyrocket. I don’t find that much of a success story for medications, do you? 

Time to get back to Nature

See how the power of Nature’s herbs can help ease YOUR tummy troubles safely and quickly. 

Give Gastro BeCalm Blend a try—you will be so extremely glad you did! 

To your health,

Sherry Brescia