Some drug makers say their antacids function as calcium supplements, too, because they contain a form of calcium. Osteoporosis, they say, is a lack of calcium, so you should take their antacid products as a dietary 'supplement'.

Things We Know About Antacids:

• No antacid, including Tums®, is a nutritional source of calcium. Antacids should not be used as a dietary supplement for calcium.

• Antacids work to neutralize stomach acid - they should be used only as directed for occasional upset stomach.

• Continued daily use for the wrong reasons has other hazards; but right now we don't know what they are. "The long-term effects of inhibiting stomach acid production are unknown."

• 'Anti-acids' do not support normal healthy digestive processes.

• 'Anti-acids' interfere with normal healthy digestive processes.

• Interrupting normal, healthy processes take us further from health.

• Supporting normal, healthy processes bring us closer to health.

• We are able to prevent this 'osteoporosis epidemic' without fear, using natural methods.

• There are better, safer, more natural ways reduce the occasional symptoms of heartburn and to get your calcium needs filled.

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Common Instructions for Antacid Use

It appears that all antacids include the following instructions, or something similar:

"If your acid problems persist or worsen after you have used this product for 1 week, or if you think you have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention. If you are using this medication regularly on a daily basis for more than 2 weeks, you may have a medical problem that needs different treatment. Ask your doctor whether this is the right medication for you."

Key points are the short-term use; 1 to 2 weeks only, then see your doctor.

And daily use of antacid as a so-called 'dietary supplement' is not safe.

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Acid indigestion or gastric reflux may be related to a
digestive system that is clogged and doesn't work right.

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A Problem With Tums

The manufacturers recommend using this as a calcium supplement, just because it contains calcium.

The calcium in the product is the antacid; the calcium neutralizes the stomach acid that must be present for the calcium to be absorbed.

In other words, yes, it contains calcium; and no, none of the calcium is absorbed, because it neutralizes itself.

Tums is NOT a dietary supplement.

Tums is an antacid, and should not be used on a daily basis for more than two weeks.

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Severe GERD? MUST DO!
Sensitive Digestion Formula
Help your gut begin to function normally,
from the first bite of food to the efficient elimination of waste,
as nature intended.

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Interesting Antacid Factoids

• In Graham DY & Patterson DJ: Double-blind comparison liquid antacid and placebo in the treatment of symptomatic reflux esophagitis. Dig Dis Sci 1983; 28:559-563. and other clinical studies like this one, when antacids were compared to placebo (sugar pill), improvement of GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) symptoms was not always greater with antacid use versus placebo use.

• Antacids are not as effective for treating more moderate or severe forms of GERD (where symptoms occur more frequently and are more problematic).

• Problematic means this:
  • If you feel heartburn after a meal, it may be GERD (gastric reflux) or simple stomach upset.
  • If your heartburn is after every meal, or you have more than 3 or 4 episodes a week, or if it lasts longer than two weeks, there may be something more serious going on, and you should see your doctor.

  • If you feel heartburn before a meal, you may have an ulcer, and you should see your doctor.

• Most antacid products will effectively relieve mild short-term symptoms if taken in the appropriate doses. Most antacid labels instruct they are not to be used for more than two weeks.

• Potency differs between antacid products. This means that one teaspoonful of "Antacid A" may not equal one teaspoonful of "Antacid B." The neutralizing capacities of antacid products vary considerably, depending on the product's ingredient(s) amounts, formulation, and manufacturer.

• For example, to obtain an equal neutralizing effect, you might have to take 3 teaspoonfuls of Maalox versus 10 teaspoonfuls of Gaviscon.

• Antacids used at higher-than-recommended doses can cause serious side effects. The common advice is that you should seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist to find an appropriate product and dose for you if label-recommended doses don't adequately control your symptoms.

• Aluminum is toxic to the human body. Aluminum compounds are not safe for humans consumption.

• Aluminum-containing antacids in the elderly are not recommended in those with bone problems or Alzheimer's disease. Aluminum toxicity is related to other health problems, as well. Primary source of aluminum consumed by humans seems to come from aluminum cookware and antiacids.

• Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest day of food consumption behind Thanksgiving; antacid sales increase 20 percent the day after the Super Bowl.

• Here is a great at-home do-at-home antacid experiment.

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Natural Alternatives to Antacids

• Eat a banana. Bananas contribute to several areas of healthy digestive system function:

• Heartburn - Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

• Constipation - High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

• Ulcers - The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten by almost everyone with an irritated stomach lining. It also neutralizes over-acidity with all-natural ingredients, and it reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

• Apple cider vinegar. Outside the herb family, an oft-touted remedy for heartburn is 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 1/2 glass of water sipped during a meal.

• Gingeroot. Take it in capsule form just after you eat, one or two capsules.

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The conclusions are simple:

• We require stomach acid for digestion in preparation for the absorption process.
• Antacids neutralize the stomach acid, stopping the digestive process.
• The ability of the body to absorb nutrients from the meal that is interrupted by the antacid - including whatever calcium was in the antacid itself.
• Calcium in the body is depleted by antacid
• Osteoporosis is a common result of using products that deplete calcium other minerals.
• Antacids neutralize the normal stomach acid, creating an abnormal condition where
• we are more susceptible to infection,
• we decrease our ability to absorb the nutrients from our food,
• we can create serious kidney and other organ damage.

By eating differently you can reduce the occasional heartburn. And by giving your body what it needs, it will function more normally. These changes can be so simple, and can make such a difference with your health and energy.

A simple addition to your daily routine can make a difference for your digestion within days. This is what my wife and I do this for ourselves, and it can safely be recommended for everyone: Buy and take powdered veggies and fruits in a capsule. Concentrated powders of simple plants can help you get nutrients you have been missing, may improve your digestion and elimination.

Dr. Martin McIntosh

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Osteoporosis-People Home Page

Learn More about Powdered Fruits and Veggies
Dr. Martin McIntosh

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Types of Antacids,
Common Antacid Brands and Names,
Antacid Primary Active Ingredient:

• Magnesium Gluconate (Almora, Magonate, Magtrate)
• Magnesium Hydroxide (Known as Milk of Magnesia (Phillips Milk of Magnesia, etc.)
• Aluminum Hydroxide (AlternaGEL, Alu-Cap, Alu-Tab, Amphojel,)
• Sodium Bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer, Bell-Ans, Soda Mint)
• Aluminum and Magnesium Hydroxide Oral Suspension (Alamag, Maalox, Magnalox, Magnox, Mintox)
• Aluminum and Magnesium Hydroxide (Alamag, Di-Gel, Maalox, Magnalox, Mylanta, Rulox)
• Calcium Carbonate Antacid Tablet Tablets (Caltrate 600, Dicarbosil, Equilet, Gavoscon, Mallamint, Rolaids, Titralac, Tums)
• Calcium Carbonate Chewable Tablets for Kids (Mylanta Bubble Gum Flavored)
• Sodium Bicarbonate Powder (Baking Soda, Citrocarbonate)
• Magaldrate (Iosopan, Riopan)
• Aluminum Hydroxide Oral Liquid (AlternaGEL Liquid, Amphojel Suspension)

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