Healing Heartburn

The best traditional and natural remedies to turn down the heat

You can stop that burning sensation in its tracks, and even prevent it from happening in the first place. First go-to: Antacids like Tums stop attacks in progress; other drugs, such as Pepcid AC and Tagamet, can also head off the agony before it starts. But some simple strategies can work just as effectively--and you won't have to pop a pill.


David Peura, MD, professor of medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA


Slim Down "Excess weight--especially around your middle--puts extra pressure on your belly that can push acid upward. A recent study found that losing weight can cut the risk of heartburn. Many of my patients have noticed that their symptoms significantly improve after dropping just a few pounds."


Medical Rx Calculate your body mass index to find out if you exceed a healthy weight. Losing just 10 pounds may help.


Eat frequent, small meals--this habit keeps hunger in check and curbs acid production.

Integrative Physician

Charles Gerson, MD, codirector of the Mind-Body Digestive Center in New York City


Hypnosis "Visualization exercises focused on the stomach can actually help calm an irritated digestive tract. Also, hypnotherapy can ease anxiety: The throat muscle that blocks stomach acid functions better when you're relaxed."


Natural Rx Try a daily visualization exercise: Sit and close your eyes for 5 to 10 minutes and imagine that water is flowing from your throat to your stomach.


Attend hypnotherapy sessions twice a month. Find a practitioner at hypnosis.edu/hypnotherapists.


Pat Baird, RD, fellow of the American Dietetic Association and author of Be Good to Your Gut


Nix Surprising Triggers "Spicy foods, citrus fruits, and coffee are known to cause heartburn, but people may not realize that high-fat foods are also among the biggest culprits. They take longer to digest and spend more time in your stomach, increasing the chances acid will creep up into your esophagus."


Nutritional Rx Cut back on cheese, fried foods, and other fatty fare. Instead, favor lean meats and plant-based proteins.


Keep a diary of what you eat and drink--3 days is long enough to help you identify what foods might be problematic.


(Posted April 2007)
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