Hippocrates, the ancient Greek who is considered today to be the Father of Western medicine said, “Let your food be medicine and your medicine be food.”

So today I thought I could share some helpful cookbook remedies for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and more.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is almost exclusively thought of as a problem caused from an over production of gastric, or digestive acids in the stomach. Whether it’s from too much or not enough gastric acid, either way this nasty stuff eventually erupts into the throat, or esophagus, eroding away normal throat, sinus and mouth tissues.

This chemical erosion actually mutates the throat cells to become more like the stomach cells, transforming your throat into a literal extension of your stomach lining, which can lead to throat cancer and sometimes death.

Left uncured the gastroesophageal acid reflux disease (GERD) often ends up as throat cancer.

Despite the fact that advertisers for drug companies would have you believe it’s just a common nuisance and that only “treating the symptoms” of heartburn, indigestion and GERD is enough. The truth is heartburn, acid indigestion or gastroesophageal acid reflux diseases (GERD) are all very serious problems that can be helped through proper nutrition.

There are two cookbook approaches to naturally healing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). One is based on knowing you are making too much stomach acid, which is actually very rare. The other approach is to address the root cause of a stomach acid deficiency, which is extremely common.

Unfortunately, if you are treating “the symptoms” of your gastroesophageal acid reflux disease (GERD), it will only get worse anyway.

That’s why natural alternative and integrative medicine which use food as medicine is so very successful compared to allopathic or orthodox (Westernized) medicine these days. ?Natural cures come from eliminating the true cause of the dis-ease, which any good GERD cookbook will tell you is from under-nutrition and poor eating habits.

The idea of eating properly is to prevent any mineral, enzyme or nutrient deficiencies.

As I already mentioned, if you are suffering from heartburn, you are in danger of developing esophageal cancer, if you allow the cause to go unaddressed.

According to a new study a single mineral may make a significant difference in whether your heartburn will become GERD and your GERD, then cancer.

A GERD cookbook will give you the dietary wisdom you need to replenish this and other critical factors to help your body prevent, treat and eventually cure itself of all gastro intestinal diseases, such as GERD and throat cancer.

A good GERD cookbook will encourage you to eat plenty of raw or steamed vegetables to help provide a high level of nutrients, minerals and enzymes needed to fight the root cause of GERD.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied biopsies from 130 people with GERD related cancer using an X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy that detects toxins as well as nutritional factors.

The missing ingredient to preventing heartburn, GERD and throat cancer turned out to be zinc.

Zinc is an essential mineral you need to have a sense of smell, a strong immune system, build proteins, activate digestive enzymes, and create DNA. Zinc also helps the cells in your body communicate by functioning as a neurotransmitter.

A deficiency in zinc can lead to stunted growth, diarrhea, impotence, hair loss, eye and skin lesions, impaired appetite, depressed immunity and GERD related cancer.

So to help you find a GERD cookbook with the best recipes to prevent heartburn, acid indigestion and GERD related cancer . . . I’ve included a list of the top 10 foods highest in zinc.

Oysters: a 100 gram serving can provide 110 to 1200% of the RDA of zinc.

Wheat germ: 100 grams of properly processed wheat germ can offer 112% of the RDA of zinc.

Veal liver: 100 grams can provide more than 80% of the RDA of zinc.

Tahini (Sesame butter): Contains 10 mg of zinc per 100 gram serving, that’s about 70% of the RDA.

Grass fed beef: A lower fat source of beef contains about 70% per 100 gram serving.

Pumpkin seeds: Again this super food contains about 70% of your RDA for zinc per 100 grams.

Dried water melon seeds: A Middle Eastern delight, eaten raw can provide 70% of the RDA per 100 grams.

Cacao beans: Nature’s source of dark chocolate provides 64% of the RDA for zinc per 100 grams.

Lamb: Provides up to 58% of the RDA per 100 grams.

Peanuts: per 100 grams peanuts provide about 22% of the RDA for zinc

So when you’re looking through all the GERD related cookbooks out there, keep these healing ingredients in mind.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

Severe chronic heartburn can be diagnosed as a condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It happens when the lower esophageal sphincter – the muscle at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach – becomes too relaxed.? Normally, the sphincter only allows things like food and liquids to flow one direction – into the stomach.? A sphincter that isn’t functioning properly allows stomach acids to enter into the esophagus causing damage and pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of GERD generally occur when lying down after eating, when lifting or bending over to get an object, or after consuming a large meal.? Symptoms include:

• Heartburn: A burning pain in your chest or throat
• Regurgitation: Acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Often accompanied by burping and a bitter taste.

Causes

Medications: Certain medications can aggravate GERD.? They include:

• NSAID pain relievers (ibuprofen and aspirin)
• Dietary supplements (potassium, calcium, iron tablets)

Hormonal Changes: Often, pregnant women suffer from heart burn as a result of changes in the balance of hormones.? The sphincter is partially controlled by hormones, and when there is a change it can disrupt the contraction of the muscle.

Foods: ?Though no one food can be pointed to as a definitive cause of GERD or heartburn, certain foods have a higher occurrence rate than others.? Things like caffeine, alcohol, garlic, onion and mint cause reflux frequently.? However everyone has their own specific food triggers and should avoid those that cause heartburn or contribute to GERD.

Health Issues: Some diabetes sufferers have been known to also have GERD.? It comes as a result of a condition called gastroparesis, in which the stomach delays in emptying itself causing a pressure build up, which results in reflux.? Obesity can also lead to GERD as extra weight puts added pressure on the abdomen, causing reflux.? Also, a condition called Hiatal Hernia is known to worsen the symptoms of GERD, but is not directly connected to causing GERD.? It occurs when a portion of the stomach becomes displaced, either forced into the esophagus or up next to it.

Habits:? Certain day to day habits can cause or exacerbate GERD.? Smoking slows the lower esophageal sphincter down, causing acid to back up from the stomach.? Wearing tight fitting clothes can place too much pressure on the stomach, causing reflux.? Even eating or lying down too close to bed time can cause heartburn.

Treatments

The majority of GERD sufferers can manage the condition with medication and simple diet changes.? Over the counter antacids or prescription drugs can help diminish the symptoms of GERD.? Keeping a food journal and eliminating foods that cause heartburn can also help.? Even changing daily habits like quitting smoking can change the condition dramatically.

In severe cases where none of these approaches are successful surgery can be beneficial.? Most people can do the procedure laparoscopically, which is minimally invasive.? It involves suturing a portion of the stomach around the esophagus, tightening around the sphincter and preventing acid from backing up.? However, not everyone with GERD is a candidate for laparoscopic surgery.? Some will require a laparotomy, which involves opening the abdomen, and others will need a thoracotomy, which involves opening the chest.

For more on GERD and some holisitic solutions, please read our Reflux Remedy Report.

If you have heartburn more than twice a week, you may have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD.? The chronic heartburn condition is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions.? When operating normally, the sphincter only allows food and liquids to flow one direction – into the stomach.? GERD occurs when stomach acid is allowed to flow the opposite way, and up into the lower esophagus. ?This results in pain and irritation of the esophagus.

What causes GERD?

GERD has several causes ranging from health and hormonal abnormalities, to daily habits.

• Medicines: Certain medications can be pointed to as causes for, and irritants of, GERD. Over the counter pain medicines called NSAIDS like aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as vitamin supplements like iron, potassium and calcium.
• Health: Hormones help control the contractions of the lower esophageal sphincter, so pregnant women often find they suffer from frequent heartburn. Additionally, a small percentage of people with Type 1 Diabetes have a digestive disorder (called gastroparesis). It delays food passage out of the stomach, causing pressure to build and leading to GERD. There is also a condition called Hiatal Hernia that is thought to worsen the symptoms of GERD. This happens when a part of the stomach is displaced and either forced into the lower esophagus, or beside it.
• Foods: It’s difficult to point to one certain food that causes heartburn, but some foods can cause it more frequently than others. Things like garlic, citrus, caffeine, alcohol and onions can make heartburn worse. But, everyone has their own triggers – something that may cause heartburn in one person, someone else with GERD may not react to at all.
• Habits: Daily routines can also cause GERD. Things like wearing clothes that are too tight and smoking can cause acid build up. Even if you’re just a little overweight, that added pressure on your abdomen can trigger heartburn.

What are the symptoms?

GERD presents with a few symptoms.? They include:

• Frequent heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Difficulty swallowing

These symptoms can be exacerbated if you lay down to soon after eating, eat a large meal, or even bend down to lift something heavy.

What can you do?

If you have GERD, there are many options for treatment.? If you’re a smoker, quit.? If you’re overweight, loose a few pounds.? You should also use caution with medicines known to aggravate GERD.

Even a change in diet can have a profound effect.? Try keeping a food journal and track what foods set off your heartburn, then avoid them.? Also, wait 2 to 3 hours after eating to go to bed, and eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid pressure build up in the stomach.

Over the counter antacids or prescription medications can also be helpful.

If all else fails, your doctor may recommend surgery.? The procedure involves attaching the stomach around the lower esophagus, tightening the muscles there and blocking acid from making its way up.? However, this is generally a last resort.

For more on this condition and coping with its symptoms without surgery, read our Reflux Remedy Report.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is generally characterized by the onset of heartburn more than twice a week. Its symptoms can be very bothersome and painful, including heartburn, nausea and regurgitation.

Heartburn occurs when acid makes its way back into the esophagus, irritating the nerves found there. GERD sufferers most commonly feel this irritation as pain. The pain of heartburn is generally described as burning in the center of the chest that can start high and move up to the throat.

Regurgitation is when the feeling of acid coming back into the mouth occurs. It can be characterized by a bitter our sour taste accompanied by a wet burp.

Dyspepsia happens to many people with GERD. It is just a general way of defining an upset stomach. It includes burping, nausea, excessive hiccups and an overall feeling of discomfort in the stomach.

Symptoms occur as a result of many day to day things.

? Eating too much results in pressure buildup in the stomach, causing reflux.

? Eating right before bed can also cause heartburn.

? Smoking can aggravate GERD symptoms.

? Certain over the counter medications can also exacerbate GERD. NSAID pain relievers ? such as ibuprofen and aspirin ? as well as vitamins ? like potassium, calcium and iron ? can cause acid build up.

? Some people with certain health problems are more likely to experience symptoms of GERD. Those with Type 1 Diabetes may have a digestive condition that slows the flow of food through the stomach causing pressure to build and acid to move into the esophagus. Pregnant women may also experience a high volume of heartburn. Additionally, there is a link between Hiatal Hernia and symptoms of GERD. A Hiatal Hernia happens when part of the stomach is displaced ? either into the esophagus or up next to it. This condition can cause acid flow and production to be disrupted causing heartburn.

? People who are overweight may experience heartburn simply as a result of the added weight on their chest and abdomen. The weight puts pressure on the stomach, causing reflux.

? Certain foods can also aggravate GERD and bring the symptoms on. Foods like citrus, caffeine, alcohol, garlic and onion are common ones, however GERD sufferers all have their own unique food triggers for heart burn.

If you experience chest pain associated with arm numbness and shortness of breath, please see a doctor immediately. It can be a sign of a heart attack, and not simply heartburn.

For more information on the symptoms of GERD, please reference our Reflux Remedy Report.