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Acidity – its symptoms and Prevention

Home-Remedies-To-Treat-Heartburn

Acidity is one of the most common problems that most individuals face. This is largely due to wrong eating habits and sometimes even stress. Bad eating, stress in a way is all connected. One leads to another and that, in turn, leads to unhealthy living and problems such as acidity.

But, to find a solution to the problem it is first important to understand what is Acidity?

Acidity is a term used for a set of symptoms caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. The stomach normally secretes hydrochloric acid which is required for the breakdown and digestion of food that we eat. Acidity causes symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn gastric inflammation, and ulcers in the stomach.

Now, there are some factors which cause acidity such as eating habits, fad diets, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, irregularity in eating pattern, consumption of oily and spicy foods. Apart from these certain medicines are too responsible for the cause of acidity.

Some of the symptoms which can be felt as a result of acidity can be:

  1. Burning session in the stomach
  2. Burning session in the throat
  3. Restlessness
  4. Belching
  5. Nausea
  6. Sour taste
  7. Indigestion
  8. Constipation

As correctly said, “Prevention is better than cure”

So let us look at some of the parameters to prevent acidity.

  1. Don’t consume spicy food or fried foods too often.
  2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. One should be taking at least 2 servings of fruits and 3-4 servings of vegetables. Green leafy vegetables would be a really good choice to go for.
  3. Eat small, regular meals. Try to reduce the gap between meals to not more than 3 hours.
  4. Consume your last meal at least a few hours before sleeping.
  5. Chew tulsi leaves, cloves, saunf (Aniseed), etc.
  6. Avoid medications like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and steroids
  7. Reduce stress. Deep breathing, going for a walk and being in nature are some of the activities which can help in reducing stress.

However, if you are already suffering from acidity, I am discussing below some of the home remedies of acidity which really work. So before you start with antacids for the treatment, do try these home remedies and you may get rid of the problem.

  1. Basil leaves: Eat basil leaves thoroughly at first sign of acidity. Can also boil 4-5 leaves in a cup of water for 15 minutes.
  2. Cinnamon: Add half spoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of water, boil for few minutes and drink this 2-3 times a day.
  3. Buttermilk:
  • Grind half to one teaspoon of methi seeds with little water to make a paste. Mix it in a glass of buttermilk and have it.
  • Add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of buttermilk and keep it for 5 minutes before drinking.
  • Mix a pinch of black pepper in a glass of buttermilk.
  • Mix a tablespoon of coriander leaf juice in a glass of buttermilk.
  1. Apple Cider vinegar:
  • Mix 1-2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in half a cup of water and drink.
  • Mix 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon of organic honey and drink before eating a spicy meal.
  1. Cloves: Chew 2-3 cloves thoroughly.
  2. Jaggery: Jaggery is high in potassium. After each meal, take a small piece.
  3. Ginger:
  • Can take 2-3 teaspoon of ginger juice in a day for combating acidity.
  • Can boil ginger in water and drink the water twice a day.
  1. Cumin seeds:
  • Crush roasted cumin seeds and stir in a glass of water. Drink after each meal.
  • Boil seeds in water, strain and drink.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon of coriander seed powder, a teaspoon of cumin seed powder and a teaspoon of fennel seed powder and some sugar in half cup of water and drink empty stomach.
  1. Aniseed: Soak a teaspoon of aniseed in a cup of boiled water overnight. In the morning, strain the water add a teaspoon of organic honey and sip it at least 3 times during the day.
  2. Cold milk: After a meal, drink a glass of cold milk, not iced milk.
  3. Lemon and ginger juice 15 minutes post meal, zaps acidity quickly.

If eating right and proper preventive measures are adhered to, Acidity can be averted.

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GUIDE TO A HAPPY GUT: Say bye to bloating, acidity and heartburn!

                                                          

TBC-gut-health-circle-3

Do you know? body is constantly communicating with you…..

Very small episodes of acidity, bloating, indigestion, etc. says a lot about your lifestyle and overall health. Are you paying attention?

It is important for us to know that about 70% of immune system is located in our gut and the gut absorbs nutrients that support body functions from energy production to hormone balance, skin health to mental health and toxin & waste elimination too.

Here are some easy ways to stay away from bloating, acidity and heartburn, and how to improve overall health by improving gut health.

  1. Fennel Seeds or Saunf: These seeds have antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory properties and promote the production of gastric enzymes. It works wonderfully in indigestion, bloating, acidity, heartburn post meals and constipation too. Just add 1 tbsp of raw seeds to the water bottle you carry in office. Or have 1 glass of fennel seed water post meals to take care of such symptoms.
  2. Basil Seeds: They work well in relieving constipation, bloating, naturally detox your body and regulates smooth bowel movements. It works as a natural coolant. You can have a glass of milk with basil seeds few hours before bed time, or make a drink with water, honey and Sabja seeds and have it in mid-morning, or just make a habit of soaking it for 2-3 hours and drinking the water in the morning.
  3. Fenugreek Seeds: These are rich in fibre and antioxidants, and helps in enhances bowel movement. Take a tsp of fenugreek seed and soak it in 1 cup of water at night and have it in the morning with a glass of lukewarm water if you have long term problems of constipation, indigestion or heartburn. *People experiencing severe acidity should avoid this.
  4. Lemon Ginger water: This will help strengthen the digestive system and prevent indigestion, nausea, heartburn and bloating. Take a glass of lukewarm water, add 1 tsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp of ginger juice in it, this will work best for bloating post meals or occasional bloating post heavy meals.
  5. Apple Cider Vinegar: The unfiltered, unpasteurized and raw mother Apple Cider Vinegar has live micro-organisms and help to work towards heartburn & GI stress. A dilution of Apple Cider Vinegar before a meal can help you stimulate acid secretion and reduce gut symptoms. Also, having a tbsp of ACV in 300 ml water in the morning can also help in the same.
  6. Chewing Gum: Chewing gum after a heavy meal may not only freshen your breath, but it could help fight acid reflux and heartburn because of bi-carbonates in it. Research studies show that chewing gum after a big meal can reduce acid levels in the oesophagus to get rid of heaviness. It will really work.
  7. Water: Is the body’s basic requirement! A constant supply of water is necessary to replenish the fluids lost through activities such as respiration, perspiration, urination, regulating body temperature, digest food, etc. Try to drink above 2-2.5 L of water throughout the day and it is the answer to all your digestive issues.
  8. Vegetables & Fruits: Have 1 portion of vegetables in every meal is the best way to help your gut digest the food well and have enough nutrients. Plus the fibre from them helps to ease bowel movement and act as food for micro-organisms. Fruits are best to go for in mid meals to add more soluble fibre and get rid of acidity and bloating.
  9. Physical Activity: No escape here. Being physically active for 30-45 min is the answer to good health and happy gut. Exercise gets your heart pumping and increases blood flow and oxygen circulation throughout the body. Blood and oxygen are necessary to aid digestion and keep the intestinal muscles healthy. So for constipation, bloating, acidity, heartburn, etc. including some walking, cycling, yoga, etc. will give you better results along with good diet early.
  10. NO to Sugar, refined flour, fried and processed food, as they are not hosting to good little beings in your gut meaning microbes.

Make sure you follow these simple tips and keep your gut healthy because……

A Happy GUT = A Happy YOU!

 

 

 

 

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Best Home Remedies for Ailments

natural-home-made-remedies

In my career as a nutritionist, I have come across three main issues that most people suffer from and these are Diabetes, Hypothyroid, and Acidity.

The reason for these issues to develop is only one—Unhealthy Lifestyle. But, unfortunately, while most are aware of this close to 90% are unable to make lifestyle changes and thus end up getting medicines as recommended by their doctors.

Popping pills seem easier than to bring about a lifestyle change and arrest the issue at the initial stages. Things get difficult when the results are not as expected and are slow. This is precisely when one starts searching for some natural remedies from natural foods.

I am listing down certain good home remedies which actually use natural food and cure your issues, help you get fit with proper healthy lifestyle.

Best home remedies for treating diabetes

  1. Mix 1/2tsp Turmeric + 1tsp Aamla (Gooseberry) powder+1/2tbsp Methi (Fenugreek) seeds powder in a half glass of water and take daily morning on empty stomach. (good for retinopathy)
  2. 1tbsp Methi (Fenugreek) seeds soaked overnight in ½ cup water and chew it next day in the morning empty stomach.
  3. Dry seed powder of Jamun (Balck Berry) fruits have to be used -1tsp twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water
  4. Take 40-80ml of decoction of banyan tree bark. Boil 20gm of bark in 4 cups of water, reduce till 1 cup and then drink daily.
  5. Using Tejpatta (Bay Leaf) in food helps to bring sugar levels under control.
  6. Juice of Karela (Bitter gourd) -20ml daily should be taken in morning. Bittergourd help diabetics with insulin secretion, glucose oxidation and other processes.
  7. Soak Ladyfingers (Okra) in water overnight and then drink that water on an empty stomach to control diabetes.
  8. Paneer Ka Phool” is also known as Rennet, is a kind of Indian flower very effective to control diabetes. You have to put 8-10 pieces of flower in a glass of water and soak it the whole night. In the morning squeeze the flower & filter it & and then have it. Its taste is not so good but effective. Regular use will give you the best results. First, try only 5 flowers, then gradually increase to 8-12.

Home remedies for thyroid

  1. Use cold pressed coconut oil as it contains medium chain TG, which improves thyroid function.
  2. Take 2 tbsp of Apple Cider vinegar, mix little honey and drink this solution daily.
  3. Omega 3 rich compounds like fish oil, fish oil supplements, flaxseeds, chia seeds reduce thyroid.
  4. Licorice Herb: The use of Licorice herb helps to promote balance within the thyroid gland and also promote more energy levels in the body –keeping fatigue at bay. It contains triterpenoid glycyrrhetinic acid which may aid in stopping the growth of more invasive thyroid cancer cells.
  5. Evening Primrose oil: This herb is full of Amino acids and these acids are critical for optimal thyroid health. They aid in improving thyroid function and alleviate the symptoms of an underactive thyroid, such as heavy menstrual periods and hair loss. Just a tablespoon a day is the general recommendation to decrease inflammation and promote thyroid health.
  6. Ginseng: This herb helps to improve underactive thyroid and it can also address the fatigue that is associated with it. It is best to take one dose prior to lunch and another prior to breakfast–about 100-200mg each time.
  7. Black walnut: This contains a high dose of iodine which is helpful for an underactive thyroid. You can have one –two of this nut.

Home remedies for acidity

  1. Mix one tsp of baking soda in a glass of fresh water and drink.
  2. After a meal pops up a piece of chewing gum for 30 min to relieve heartburn.
  • Natural antacid—full ripen banana acts as a buffer against acid reflux
  1. Sipping a cup of ginger water lukewarm, soothes your tummy and acts as an acid buffer.
  2. Being alkaline in nature, chewing 1 tsp of good quality yellow mustard helps to relieve acidity.
  3. Chamomile tea flavoured with honey or lemon is a very good remedy.
  • 1tbsp of Apple cider vinegar with a glass of water acts as a great antacid.

NOTE: These all remedies can be used with your current medications.

Let’s bring our natural food remedy into practice and keep levels under control along with practising a healthy lifestyle.

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