Heartburn ~ Supplements that Ease the Burn

Foods to consume if you suffer from indigestion include complex carbohydrates, grains, and legumes. Eat small meals and try to eat slowly to digest food properly. Foods high in choline,pantothenic acid, bromelaine, and thiaminmay help with digestion.

Mega-Recipes
We believe that it's possible to manage and/or improve certain conditions through what you eat. When we create "Mega-Recipes" for an ailment, we strive to include the maximum number of the nutrients that are shown to have benefit for that ailment. See the list of recipes that have met our criteria for this ailment.

What You Should Eat & Why

bromelain
Bromelain can enhance the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepsin. When heartburn is caused by the failure of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of these enzymes, bromelain has been shown to help.
Leading Food Sources of bromelain: Pineapple

complex carbohydrates
If you suffer from heartburn, consuming complex carbohydrates, foods that are "mild" or "bland," are less likely to increase acidity or relax the sphincter muscle, which can cause stomach acid to wash back into the esophagus.
Leading Food Sources of complex carbohydrates:Broccoli, Rice, brown, Squash, winter, Pasta, wheat, Potatoes, Blackberries

pantothenic acid
The discomforts of heartburn may respond to the effects of pantothenic acid, particularly when combined with two other B vitamins-choline and thiamin. Also known as Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid is essential for many basic bodily functions, including the continual breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food. It helps converts these substances into usable compounds.
Leading Food Sources of pantothenic acid:Avocados, Yogurt, Sunflower seeds, Salmon,Mushrooms

thiamin (vitamin B₁)
Thiamin may be beneficial for heartburn because thiamin is involved in the central nervous system's control of digestion.
Leading Food Sources of thiamin (vitamin B₁):Asparagus, Mussels, Sunflower seeds, Tuna, Brazil nuts, Salmon, Pork, fresh, Avocados, Oats, Rice, white, Pasta, wheat, Wheat, Soy milk, Barley

Mega-Recipes

• Broiled Chicken with Fresh Pineapple-Fennel Salsa
• Chicken Salad with Cantaloupe & Avocado
• Pumpkin Cheesecake with Oat-Walnut Crust
• Spinach Pasta with Avocado-Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Courtesy of: Whole Health MD

Date Published: 5/4/2005
Date Reviewed: 11/17/2008

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