Acid Test
Is it just me, or does it seem that nearly every commercial break on network TV carries at least one ad for heartburn medicine? Judging by the frequency of these ads, you couldn’t be blamed for assuming that nine out of 10 people must suffer from either heartburn or acid reflux. (And given the way many people eat these days, I wouldn’t be surprised.)
Those who are coping with heartburn need to be aware that they may be in danger of developing esophageal cancer if their symptoms are chronic. In these cases there are two steps that patients should discuss with their doctors: 1) aggressively address the heartburn problem (more on that in
a moment), and 2) according to a new study, supplementation with one mineral may provide a measure of prevention against esophageal cancer.
Mineral need
Previous animal studies have shown that a deficiency of zinc may promote the development of cancer in the esophagus. Based on these studies, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) examined esophageal tissue biopsy specimens that were collected from more than
130 subjects. Specimens were assessed with a technique called X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy that can detect disease and toxic elements, as well as nutritional factors.
Sixty of the subjects eventually developed esophageal cancer over a period of 16 years. Analysis of the data showed that subjects with the highest levels of zinc were nearly 80 percent less likely to develop esophageal cancer compared to subjects who had the lowest zinc levels.
This study was conducted with subjects who lived in China where zinc intake is generally low and esophageal cancer rates fairly high. The NIH team hopes to conduct a similar study using subjects in the U.S. where zinc intakes are higher.
In the e-Alert “Double Blind” (7/9/03), I told you how zinc has been shown to enhance the immune system, inhibit abnormal clotting that contributes to cardiovascular disease, and is one of the key nutrients needed for DNA reproduction and repair. In addition, zinc also promotes healthy vision. Researchers for the National Eye Institute recommend a daily intake of 80 mg of zinc for anyone in a high-risk group for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Round and round
As for heartburn, it’s time to check in with HSI Panelist Allan Spreen,M.D., again.
Two years ago I sent you the e-Alert “Fire Down Below” (12/23/02), which detailed Dr. Spreen’s easy and inexpensive regimen for treating heartburn and other conditions such as acid reflux that are grouped
together under the umbrella term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
To begin with, Dr. Spreen notes that optimal gastroesophageal function requires a healthy sphincter at the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach. He explains that if you kill off stomach acids with antacid
drugs, the body doesn’t work as hard to protect the esophagus from stomach acids. This loosens the sphincter and allows small amounts of stomach acid to slip past and irritate the esophagus. For many people, this sets off a degenerative cycle in which the esophagus is irritated,
antacids are used, the sphincter is relaxed, the esophagus becomes irritated, etc.
The best defense
Dr. Spreen’s solution to GERD calls for three natural agents, which can be found in health food stores or through Internet sources:
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Acidophilus supplements
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Potter’s acidosis
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Digestive enzymes
According to Dr. Spreen, acidophilus supplements stop GERD pain almost immediately, while protecting the esophagus without killing the acid. Dr. Spreen recommends the powder form of acidophilus, and adds this note on the best way to take it: “Open the capsule and let the saliva carry
it down the throat to the stomach. Dose is no problem, as the supplement represents a sample of the billions of ‘good guy’ bacteria that you want in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract (and in which most people are woefully deficient). Look for caps measuring at least 1 billion (with a ‘B’) cfu (colony forming units).”
If acidophilus doesn’t take care of the problem, the next step is Potter’s acidosis, which tightens the sphincter junction, but in Dr.Spreen’s words, “requires a bit more effort.”
Then it’s enzyme time: “When the stomach is low on acid it tends to also be low on digestive enzymes. Believe it or not, the solution (along with acidophilus protection) is to ADD acid and digestive enzymes at the same time. Remember, it isn’t acid that’s the problem (you need it desperately for digestion); it’s acid reaching the esophagus.
“Proper digestion allows for higher concentration of acid while tightening the GE junction and protecting the esophagus. I do that using Super Enzymes by TwinLab, two capsules at mid-meal. I hate to push just one company, but it’s one of the few enzymes that includes betaine hydrochloride, a plant-based form of acid.”
Contrary to what virtually every television advertisement about heartburn tells you, Dr. Spreen emphasizes that neutralizing stomach acid is a serious mistake with adverse consequences if pursued overtime.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
