Faced with excessive production of gastric acid, otherwise known as heartburn, many people resort to symptomatic treatment. Some may take a teaspoon of baking soda, otherwise known as an innocuous natural remedy, while others gobble pills hoping to get rid of the burning sensation in their chests. Still, the results of these practices tend to be short-lived as the problem itself remains unresolved. If we want get rid of acid reflux for good, the first thing we have to understand is why the condition develops.
What causes heartburn?
The interior of the stomach is a highly acidic environment due to the production of hydrochloric acid (HCI). HCI plays a big part in breaking down food, proteins in particular. However, it takes a large amount of acid to adequately digest the contents of the stomach. In young people, the stomach is usually a reliably functioning organ that produces 3 to 4 quarts of HCI every day. Over time, bad eating habits and natural ageing processes may lead to the less consistent production of HCI. Protein digestion is no longer as efficient and food begins to sit in the stomach longer than it should, triggering a process known as food rotting. Rotting food produces lactic acid, which inflames the stomach. Lactic acid may rise up the gullet to cause the effect of heartburn. This occurs either due to poor production of hydrochloric acid or weak functioning of the sphincter.
The sphincter is situated between the gullet and the stomach. It opens up when we swallow foods and liquids or need to belch. Otherwise it remains shut, protecting the delicate epithelium of the gullet from acid damage. The sphincter also makes sure that the partially digested food goes to the duodenum, but prevents bile from passing from the latter to the stomach. However, in cases of inflammation, the sphincter doesn’t perform its function as it should, and the bile – a strong alkali – finds its way into the stomach. The stomach, defending itself against the alkaline environment, tries to isolate the bile and backs HCI up into the gullet. The upward moving acid causes the burning sensation in the chest that is known as acid reflux or heartburn.
The first thing to do in the case of heartburn is to neutralise the alkaline environment in the stomach. Drinking ionized alkaline water may be a good solution. Ionised water counteracts the rising pH level in the stomach and activates the production of hydrochloric acid. This way the work of the stomach is brought back to normal and the cause of heartburn is eliminated. However, do not drink too much, as increasing the volume of content in the stomach may lead to further acid reflux.
Acidification of the body at the root
These days, various medications for the regulation of gastric acid secretion are very popular. However, one has to bear in mind that increased acidity in the stomach is inextricably linked to the acidification of the body itself. Therefore, it is important to tackle the problem on a global level before taking any local measures. This is where ionized alkaline water comes into play. Let’s see how it works.
During the production of gastric acid another important agent – sodium bicarbonate – is released into the bloodstream. This bicarbonate acts as an alkaline buffer, increasing the blood’s ability to neutralise excess acid in the body. The more gastric acid is produced, the more bicarbonates are released into the blood, increasing the blood’s ability to neutralise acids. Acidification of the body is thus brought to a halt.
Neither food supplements, nor baking soda dissolved in water will increase the amount of bicarbonates (alkaline buffers) in the blood. Only high alkaline water (with a pH ranging from 8.5 to 9.5) can do this. Drinking 2-2.5 l of alkaline water daily ensures the maintenance of an alkaline buffer level and the elimination of acidic waste.
This is incredibly important, as with the passing years the alkaline buffer in our bodies tends to weaken and the accumulation of acidic waste accelerates the aging process. By our mid-forties the symptoms of lifestyle diseases typically start to show. This includes high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, degenerative changes of all kinds, etc.
Silvered water for treating an inflamed sphincter
A couple of words need to be said about the inflammation of the lining of the sphincter, otherwise known as oesophagitis – one of the causes of acid reflux. Different gastric or duodenal ulcers and mucosal wounds occur due to the activity of bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori. At first, as bacteria eat away at the mucosa. As a result, it begins to erode and ulcers that are difficult to treat develop. In fact, Helicobacter pylori are at the root of 90 percent of gastric ulcer cases. Therefore, it is essential that they are dealt with.
Silvered water can serve as an excellent antibacterial remedy in this case. You can prepare it at home, using your water ioniser, which is equipped with a special water silvering function. Preparing silvered water on the basis of alkaline water is recommended, in other words, make the alkaline water first and then fill it with silver ions. Silver kills the bacteria, while alkaline water stimulates epithelialization: mucosa and ulcers begin to heal, and the process of erosion is reversed.