The variety of foods eaten at one sitting offers a challenge to the digestive system, and often it is called upon to work harder than usual. Often, it works more slowly as a result, causing bloating and general discomfort.

Occasionally, a specific type of indigestion called 'heartburn' occurs. This usually happens after an unusually spicy meal, or again, after eating a wide variety as described above.

It can happen when snacking over a long period of time, such as during the Super Bowl football games. The stomach is busy digesting food we had already, and before it has completed the job, we add more to the process.

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The most popular use of antacids - heartburn. It is called 'heartburn' because it causes a sharp pain behind the breastbone, in the proximity of the heart, and which might feel like a heart attack.

In addition, it may produce acid reflux, in which the valve between the esophagus and the stomach opens enough to allow some stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. It isn't supposed to be in the esophogus, and it is very uncomfortable.

I have seen this described as the feeling of 'a leap of vomit, in which a burp is associated with the rise of burning, foul-tasting bile through the esophagus;' you may had had this experience yourself. This would be 'heartburn'.

Eating too quickly, too much, high-fat foods, or and combining to many foods can cause this. And of course, if you have this, you want relief.

Over-The-Counter Antacids

Relief is sold as tablets, liquids, powders and gels. They all share a similar goal, to buffer, offset, or neutralize the stomach acid. Chemically, the opposite of an acid is a base (alakali). When combined, an acid and a base will buffer or weaken each other.

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All antacids work because the bases in the product react with the acids in the stomach. This chemical and base cancel out each other, producing water and a salt in the process. Thanks to this process, acid in the stomach of a heartburn sufferer is neutralized, and relief is provided.

Neutralizing the stomach acid with antacids gives relief. In neutralizing the normal acid, though, we destroy the stomach's ability to absorb the nutrients in the food we had eaten. Minerals we need for normal function, such as calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium, require stomach acid for them to be absorbed.

We need stomach acid in order to dissolve proteins so our body can have the building blocks to repair our cells and give us the energy we need.

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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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Problems Associated With Antacids

Occasional use of antacids is fine... it is when whe are told to take them after every meal that problems associated with antacids appear.

For example, one popular antacid is being described as a 'calcium supplement', because the active igredient is calcium carbonate. The label says 'antacids'; 'calcium supplement' is misleading and wrong.

The truth is, a calcium carbonate antacid neutralizes the acid required to absorb the calcium - so yes, it has calcium; but no, the body can't use it. The calcium carbonate's only purpose is to neutralize the acid; when that job is finished, the body has to get rid of it, including the neutralized calcium.

By interfering with the normal process of digestion, antacids interfere with the normal absorption of our daily food.

One of the antacid side effects is osteoporosis. Our bodies need calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and other minerals in order to build strong, healthy bones.

If we cannot absorb calcium, for example, we cannot rebuild bone. We can develop other health problems, from colon malfunction, the bone loss of osteoporosis and osteopenia, nerve system and muscle disorders, etc.

So antacids reduce calcium intake, contribute to bone loss, and are a major cause of osteoporosis.

Another of the side effects of antacids may be an increase in stomach acid, as the body tries harder to produce more of the acid it knows it needs.

We should try to avoid antacids. Natural methods are better, and the best antacid is to not need one. It is better to eat wisely, not too much at once, not too many different foods at once, and prevent the problem from happening.

The science of antacids is simple, and the affect on the body is predictable. Occassional use as directed will not cause long-term damage. Prolonged use of antacids - long-term, regular use - is harmful to humans.

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