An Antacid A Day: Risks of taking antacids
If not some 50% of our population, it is sure that near about this percentage- people are taking Antacids in regularity and for some of us it has become so regular and usual that this seems to be a routine. Is it really so? Are these Antacids good? Are there any side effects of these simple-looking pills? Isn’t there any other way to get rid of the problem of Hyperacidity? These are simple questions about the antacids, but our physicians have no time to explain the “cause & effect” theory about these “cooling pills”. You ask and they tell you- keep on taking these, and once you are trapped then you have no choice left.
Let’s have a critical look and analyze the Antacids from a modern point of view. This is not because the author or website is related to Ayurveda and we just want to condemn the modern medicines, there are certain things that a common man should know about, this is the effort for the same.
What are the antacids?
The drugs which neutralize the acidity of the stomach are known as Antacids!
It sounds simple, yes it is simple and very easy to understand because we know and have read the relation between Acid & Alkali. Once these two- acid and alkali comes together- they neutralize each other and leave a different effect on the body. But in this process- these antacids change the natural activity and decorum of the body.
The acid, what is oozed by some chief cells of the Stomach is not bad always. This Hydrochloric Acid is meant for the digestion of the food easily in the body but anyhow when this HCL attacks the stomach, duodenum or esophagus- it makes scars on these and none can bear it that pain, easily. The first option we seek for is Antacids and we thank to the government of the country that these Antacids are now just over-the-counter products so there will be no pain to buy these.
Before we use something to neutralize this Acid inside the body, we should have a look on the usefulness of this acid. This is important too, otherwise why the body will produce it.
Uses of the HCl:
1) Hydrochloric acid denatures proteins. Essentially, HCL slices the bonds and basically “melts” the proteins. This is what it is generally thought to do, but there is more. [By the way, undigested proteins tend to result in allergic reactions, as the body can’t recognize the substance (when undigested), and the immune system then “attacks” it causing the reaction]
2) Hydrochloric acid also activates a substance called pepsin, via its conversion from a substance called pepsinogen. It is pepsin that mainly digests the protein we eat.
3) Indirectly HCl assists digestion further down the gastrointestinal tract by acting as an antiseptic in the stomach. This occurs by literally killing microorganisms that exist in the food we eat. These organisms can come from the handling of food, natural organisms that may be present on raw food, and the unfortunate result of spoiled, semi-spoiled or uncooked meat and fish.
4) Lastly, HCl allows for proper mineral absorption as it assists in ionizing minerals, like calcium and magnesium to name a few. Minerals are necessary for many functions in the body, especially as catalysts to enzymes that run the important biochemical reactions that take place every second in our body. Additionally, they contribute to the structural formation, as in bone.
These are common uses of HCl for the body.
Common Symptoms of Low Hydrochloric Acid
- Bloating or belching, especially after eating
- Burning in the stomach, especially after eating
- Fullness or heaviness in the stomach after eating
- Nausea after eating or taking supplements
- Intestinal gas
- Indigestion
- Bad breath
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Food allergies
- Itching around the rectum
- Weak or cracked fingernails
- Dilated blood vessels in the cheeks or nose
- Skin break-outs or acne
- Iron deficiency
- Chronic intestinal parasites
- Undigested food in the stool
- Chronic Candida infection
Diseases Associated With Low Hydrochloric Acid
Here are the diseases which occur because of the low levels of the HCL in the body, because of the regular use of the antacids.
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Hepatitis
- Eczema
- Acne rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Gallbladder disease
- Herpes
- Hives
- Hyperthyroid
- Hypothyroid
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Autoimmune disorders
- Lupus erythematosus
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pernicious anemia
- Celiac disease
- Sjogren ’s Syndrome
So reducing this secretion of the HCl is never healthy for the body and Ayurveda suggests the same, according to Ayurveda, the main purpose of the treatment should be the normalization of the natural processes of the body. So next time when you are buying an antacid, seek a better alternative for yourself. Your theory for an antacid a day might drag you to numerous diseases, so this is your choice now, what are you planning for. For the maintenance of your health, you should be serious enough about the use of these so-called over-the-counter medicines. You better plan for the health of years, not for quick and temporary relief. This is the truth that “momentary” things never last long. What lasts long is health, because health is eternal and universal.
Home remedies for Hyperacidity
Don’t put yourself in bad position
I know your question is what should you do to get rid of the excessive production of HCl from your stomach. For this main thing is the Dietary Regulations, what you should follow, because in most of the cases this is the irregularity in taking the meals and secondly taking the wrong food materials for use. Once you can command these two, you will be back to the normalcy of the acid level in your stomach. Ayurvedic treatment for heartburn and Acid reflux can help you better for this condition.
The second big cause for this is stress and stress-related uses of tobacco and alcohol. Find out the stress busters around you and find out the way to solve the condition, properly. Escapism and skipping are never the solutions and good options for anyone. In some cases, this is the weakness of the mucosal lining of the stomach, which gives us the signs and symptoms of pain and acidity and we always think that the main culprit is the HCl, which is causing the problem. For this you should find the root cause of the disease, only then treatment of the hyperacidity will be possible.
How does diet help with Hyperacidity
Ayurveda has its own solutions for hyperacidity. Ayurvedic Treatment of Hyperacidity is very simple and clear- Ayurveda says to train the stomach, naturally for better health and this approach is far better for the treatment of the condition, instead of suppression of the condition by using some of the Antacids.
Better avoid An Antacid a Day!
