Research from the National Heartburn Alliance shows that roughly 25 million adults experience heartburn on a daily basis. Heartburn is essentially reflux esophagitis, a condition wherein gastric juices back up into the esophagus and create a burning sensation that eventually radiates upward. It is usually part of a larger symptom complex known as dyspepsia or indigestion, and the medical term for chronic or frequent heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that connects the esophagus to the upper portion of the stomach, malfunctions, allowing the contents of the stomach to flow backward into the esophagus. Normally, the LES opens to allow food from the esophagus into the stomach. It then closes immediately to prevent that food and digestive secretions from the stomach from entering the esophagus. In GERD, the LES malfunctions, staying open after food has entered the stomach.

A malfunctioning LES can be caused by a variety of dietary factors, including overeating, eating too quickly, eating spicy foods, eating fatty and fried foods, drinking caffeinated beverages, insufficient water intake, and not taking the time to adequately chew food. It may also be caused by stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medications that relax the muscles, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

When heartburn does occur, the following tips may provide natural relief in lieu of the antacids and prescription medications recommended by many of today's physicians:

• Drink a glass of room-temperature water.

• Drink a glass of tea made from ginger or slippery elm.

• Chew deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), an extract of the root of true licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

• Incorporate a probiotic formula into your daily diet. Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in the digestive tract and help digest proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

• Drink aloe vera juice or syrup (about 5 ounces) between meals daily. Aloe vera has been used traditionally to soothe the esophagus.

For natural heartburn prevention, the following recommendations may prove helpful:

• Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.

• Chew your food thoroughly.

• Take your time while eating. This will prevent the stomach from becoming distended and allowing food to push against the top of the stomach where it can force open the LES.

• Do not drink cold liquids with meals, and drink no more than a half glass of room-temperature water with meals.

• Adding a hydrochloric acid (HCl) supplement to your diet supports healthy digestion by ensuring that the stomach has enough HCl to begin the breakdown of foods.

• Follow a good digestive care diet that focuses on proper food combining, as well as what foods to avoid and what to consume in moderation.