Can an Acid Reflux Diet plan help?
A growing number of people suffer the pain and discomfort of heartburn or reflux on a regular basis. It has been estimated that up to twenty percent of the population are affected at least once a week. Acid reflux and heartburn occur when the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) allows the acid content of the stomach to flow back up into the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube like structure that connects the mouth and throat to the stomach. The LES is a valve which naturally protects the delicate esophagus from harmful acids. It is almost like a trapdoor, which opens up to allow the food we eat to enter the gut. Hydrochloric acid is then produced by the body to help break these substances down. When heartburn strikes it is an indication of the LES temporarily relaxing, or in more serious cases, of it not functioning properly. If a person suffers from more regular or even constant reflux, it may be a symptom of a far more serious condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease.) The
