Heartburn can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful. It affects so many of us. There are heartburn remedies available that will help to ease the pain, but are they effective over the long term?

Let's look at the options available:

Antacids - neutralize acid in the stomach with aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate. These remedies for heartburn control the overflow of acid into the esophagus. Used over the long term, they will lower levels of stomach acid which will prevent proper digestion of food. Improper digestion is the cause of so many chronic health issues. When the stomach does not have enough acid for digestion, it produces more which will then require more antacid to lower it again. It is a vicious cycle that you are better to avoid as over time, this will cause damage to the stomach.

Another type of remedy for heartburn is H2 Blockers. Their method of effectiveness is to block the histamine present in the stomach. This is another short-term fix but over the long term not a good idea. Histamine stimulates the production of stomach acid so that we can digest our food. Taking an H2 Blocker will help in lowering the stomach acid but lead to the same vicious cycle as antacids. When your stomach does not have enough acid for digestion, it produces more – again requiring it to produce more acid, prompting more H2 Blocker use.

Proton Pump Inhibitors are another heartburn remedy. Like H2 Blockers, they block the production of acid in the stomach, but are more effective. Sometimes it is recommended that you take H2 Blockers along with Proton Pump Inhibitors for maximum results. But, as with antacids and H2 Blockers, they will help in the short term, but over the long term they will leave you susceptible to harmful side effects such as osteoporosis, cancer and high blood pressure - to name a few. They also slow your metabolism, damage your liver and leave your system unbalanced.

Short term use of antacids and H2 Blockers are not harmful, but they do nothing to address the inflammation in the esophagus which is the cause of the heartburn problem.  In order to permanently resolve your discomfort, you need to both reduce the acid levels while healing the inflammation.

Where does that leave you and your heartburn? Well, for short term relief, yes, use an antacid, as it is the gentlest of the options listed above. But, over the long term you need to get to the bottom of your problem to stop the inflammation. Natural heartburn remedies are really the way to go for a long term cure. Of course, now you are waiting for the magic cure. And, guess what, it is right there in the produce section of your supermarket. For it is true, the best heartburn home remedy is to eat the right foods and use natural supplements. Using the right supplementation can heal the inflammation in your stomach. Avoiding the junk food will keep you from overproducing stomach acid. Consuming processed, fatty foods is so hard on our digestive systems causing your stomach to require more acid for their digestion. Easily digestible foods do not cause your system the same strain.

Adding exercise to your routine is always a good way to strengthen your body and get your digestion on track.

It is a good idea to consult with a naturopath or homeopathic physician who can address your individual needs and make recommendations based on your personal situation.