Heartburn, one of the most commonly reported symptoms in the US, can be helped by looking at one's lifestyle choices. The relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the reason the majority of people are experiencing reflux. The job of the LES is to insure that stomach contents do not move up the esophagus. The underlying cause of LES relaxation is not known. We do know that many factors contribute, such as:
- Cigarette Smoking
- Increased intake of saturated fat
- Increased intake of alcohol
- Eating large portions at one meal
- Eating late at night
- Hurried eating which creates a lack of complete chewing
- Food that is void of nutrients
Naturopathic medicine does a great job at addressing the underlying behaviors which lead to reflux.
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