We are back again with our ongoing series of Healthy Living A to Z, in which we are inching our way through the alphabet. This gives us a chance to bring to your attention natural remedies and the conditions they can help treat, some of which you probably haven’t heard much of for a while.
This time we stop on the letter “H” as we tell you about a very effective natural remedy (hyaluronic acid) that rarely makes the headlines, followed by a condition (heartburn) that can be an annoyance or worse for a sufferer, but which can be prevented or treated with the help of several supplements.
Natural Remedy – Hyaluronic acid
Just the name, , conjures up thoughts of “ewww” as it rolls off the tongue. An even better description might be “icky,” which isn’t actually far off from the truth. Hyaluronic acid has in fact been described as a “gooey, slippery substance,” which your body produces naturally and is beneficial to your body in several ways.
Hyaluronic acid is found throughout much of your body, most notably in your eyes, joints, and skin, which covers a lot of territory. In fact, and you might have heard this before (it has previously been reported on this website) your skin is officially classified as the largest organ in your body. Try that on for size, right?
As you might have surmised based on the above description and where it is found naturally, hyaluronic acid is great at retaining water (a quarter-teaspoon can hold a gallon and a half of water). This helps explain why it assists your joints like a well-lubricated machine, thwarting the pain and injury associated with bones grinding together.
Got dry eyes that need treatment? Hyaluronic can help alleviate that problem. No wonder it is also used in moisturizing creams, lotions and ointments, helping to make your skin flexible while reducing wrinkles and lines. In short, you might consider it an anti-aging wonder supplement. Hyaluronic acid can also be manufactured through a fermentation process involving particular types of bacteria. Another known source are rooster combs, referring to the red, spiky growth atop a rooster’s noggin.
Following are five of the specific health benefits, among others, linked to hyaluronic acid:
- Enhance the suppleness and health of your skin, thanks largely to its knack for retaining water.
- Help heal wounds by helping your skin retain moisture, thus boosting the tissue-regeneration process.
- Diminish dermatitis. For instance, hyaluronic acid can reduce the aggravating symptoms of mild to moderate eczema.
- Protect bone strength. Animal studies have demonstrated that hyaluronic acid supplements can reduce the rate of bone loss.
- Treat vaginal pain. Using hyaluronic acid in tandem with an estrogen cream has been shown to aid in diminishing the discomfort of vaginal dryness.
Condition – Heartburn
Also known as “acid reflux,” heartburn is that burning sensation you get up in your chest, such as when you are lying down after consuming a big meal. In short, it is the expulsion of stomach contents back into the esophagus. It is estimated that about one in five adults (roughly 60 million Americans) have recurring heartburn/acid reflux, putting a damper on their everyday quality of life.
What causes heartburn? Health experts espouse various theories, two of which seem to contradict one another. One common theory points to an excess of stomach acid present in your body being the culprit; another school of thought suggests an insufficient presence of stomach acid, which proponents say will result in food and acid lingering in the stomach not fully digested, slowing the stomach’s emptying and therefore increasing the risk of stomach irritation attributed to heartburn.
Natural Remedies for Heartburn
Before we get into natural remedies such as supplements, here are some practical strategies for dealing with heartburn: 1. Don’t eat within three hours of bedtime, and stay upright during that time; 2. Avoid constricting your stomach (beware too-tight clothes and poor posture), and 3. If possible, sleep with an elevated head and chest to expedite the flow of digestion.
Okay, now that you know that, here are some remedies to help prevent or at least alleviate heartburn. As always, discuss your use of any of these with your physician first:
- Melatonin. True. The sleep hormone presumably can reduce actions of the esophageal sphincter that might help increase reflux events.
- Ginger. The root of this plant has been used for centuries as a heartburn folk remedy.
- Licorice (deglycyrrhizinated). Not the packaged-candy version, though. This type of licorice is believed to bolster the mucous coating of the esophageal lining, thus assisting in the thwarting of stomach acid’s undesirous effects.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. This is recommended by the same source above that attributed heartburn to insufficient stomach acid in your gut. Reportedly, apple cider vinegar is “a gentle acid-producing drink” capable of ramping up stomach-acid levels if need be.
We trust this presentation featuring hyaluronic acid and heartburn (acid reflux) has made you better informed about guarding your health and quality of life. Next time this series will take us to “I” (not to be confused with me).