Heartburn Can Be Caused by Delayed Emptying of the Stomach by Dr. Lynne August

Six Causes of Heartburn #3: Delayed Emptying of the Stomach

Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion or GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), can result from failure of the stomach to empty. This creates back pressure, resulting in regurgitation of some of the acid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus.

There is a valve at the end of the stomach known as the pyloric valve. This outlet valve regulates the passage of the acid stomach contents into the small intestines. When this valve is too tight stomach contents do not leave the stomach when they should. Pressure builds and stomach contents move backwards.

All functions of the entire digestive system, including the opening and closing of the pyloric valve, are regulated by the autonomic or involuntary nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is composed of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, whose activities are opposite and hence balance each other. For example, whereas sympathetic nerves may tell a muscle to relax the parasympathetic nerves will tell that same muscle to contract.

The pyloric valve may be tight because there is too much activity of the parasympathetic nervous system relative to the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Or the pyloric valve may be tight because there is a deficiency of nutrients necessary to ‘turn off’ the messenger chemical sent from the parasympathetic nerve endings that tighten the pyloric valve muscle.

To rebalance the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves Standard Process’ Organically Bound Minerals is recommended. To provide the nutrients necessary to ‘turn off’ the chemical messenger from the parasympathetic nerve endings that tighten the pyloric valve muscle the Standard Process’ Cataplex G is recommended. Both products are taken two per meal, preferably chewed.

NOTE: Heartburn can have multiple causes. And heartburn is indicative of failing digestion, which can cascade into a host of health problems. A Health Equations Blood Test Evaluation is recommended for thorough evaluation and correction of heartburn.

Dr. Lynne August, of Greenfield NH, is the founder and director of Health Equations. She received her Medical Degree from Washington University School of Medicine in 1973. She combined conventional and holistic medicines in private practice for ten years and soon after, founded Health Equations. For almost thirty years, Dr. August has been researching significant influences on health… diet, soil, water, agriculture, food processing and environmental exposures. The inspiration in Lynne’s clinical practice and research comes largely from her experience as a Clinical Researcher at the Institute of Applied Biology in New York. There, Dr. August assisted Scientific Director Emanuel Revici M.D. in research on non-toxic therapeutic lipids. She also draws upon her training and practice in Ayurveda. Prior to her work at the Institute of Applied Biology, Lynne served on the board of the American Holistic Medical Association, researched hyperinsulinism and diabetes and served as the staff physician at a multi-disciplinary research center for children with developmental needs. Dr. August has been widely published. She lectures at physician seminars throughout North America and Europe and hosts seminars for clinical health professionals.