These days, the attractive option of providing an antacid that can immediately neutralize stomach acidity together with a drug that can have a delayed and later effect on reducing acid secretion has become quite popular. This initial neutralization of acid with a more prolonged delayed effect has been referred to as a biphasic or twophase mode of action. This dual action may provide initial relief of upper digestive upset with more prolonged relief.
Modern dietary supplement technology has evolved to present natural substances that may both act like an antacid by immediately neutralizing stomach acidity and inhibition of acid secretion. Some natural substances may actually reduce acid secretion for more prolonged periods of time. Certainly, animal studies support this viewpoint.
There are disadvantages and limitations with the use of standard antacids. For example, calcium containing antacids may cause constipation and magnesium used in some antacids may cause diarrhea. I have argued that the complete abolition of stomach acid with powerful drugs may not result in a healthy circumstance especially when this occurs over the long term.
Zanasec™ is truly a revolutionary natural dietary supplement which provides nutritional support to change the normal body functions of acid secretion by the stomach. This supplement contains components with immediate acid neutralizing functions including the completely natural component of Fava bean. Fava bean flour has been shown in the laboratory to neutralize stomach acidity, in a similar manner to standard antacids that are available for over-thecounter use. Zanasec™ also contains friendly amounts ot calcium and magnesium in a balance to avoid side effects.
Many people have learned the importance of infection with the bacterial organism Helicobacter pylon in the cause of ulcers and gastritis. The management of upper digestive function and disorders may often involve the treatment of an infection with this organism which has been associated with the development of peptic ulceration, dyspepsia and even gastric cancer.
A number of natural substances have been proposed as adjuncts, or "helpers," in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection; but research on these natural substances has not been undertaken to the same degree as it has been with prescription drugs and antibiotic combinations that are used to eradicate this infection.
Modern research has shown that Helicobacter pylori exerts much of its damage on the upper gastrointestinal tract by causing oxidative stress. The new product Zanasec™ contains powerful antioxidants, including ellagic acid with green tea, carnitine and turmeric. All of these antioxidants may help prevent oxidative stress to the lining of the upper digestive tract. Mastic gum was added to Zanasec™ because of favorable and viable reports on its nutritional effects against Helicobacter pylori.
In recent animal studies, certain antioxidants have been shown toalter acid secretion in the stomach by blocking the proton pumps in stomach that cause the production of stomach acid. Certainly, this mechanism is well described with the use of drugs such as Prilosec®, Prevacid®, and Nexium® but only recently have these stomach acid pump inhibitor effects been associated with natural substances, which can potentially be used in dietary supplements.
I stress that the description of the inhibitions of acid secretion may appear to be similar to the mechanism of actions of some drugs (eg. Prilosec®), but readers must understand that dietary supplements are not to be used to prevent or treat disease. That said, third party literature has been published that does suggest that there are natural proton pump inhibitors in nature that have a mechanism for action in the body somewhat similar to commonly used proton pump inhibitor drugs.
The real advantage of Zanasec™ is that it is a pleasant chewable tablet that can be taken with water as often as twice daily. This product was formulated to have both potentially immediate and delayed nutritional effects on the body function of stomach acid secretion. There is no doubt that Zanasec™ is a powerful antioxidant product with a complete natural formula that has been filed in a patent.
It is wrong to promote the use of any dietary supplement and even any drug as the complete treatment of unwanted alteration of upper digestive function. It is known that change of negative to positive lifestyle such as smoking cessation and correction of alcohol abuse play a major role in managing upper digestive complaints.
Lifestyle changes are very important in the management of heartburn and its associated digestive disorders. In fact, lifestyle changes and behavior modifications are first- line approaches to functional upper digestive problems and heartburn and dyspepsia.
I would like to provide some useful but simple hints on the management of heartburn. Heartburn is a burning sensation that occurs behind the breastbone and it affects about 45% of the American population over the age of 40 years on a recurrent basis. Heartburn can respond to dietary changes where multiple small meals are taken with the avoidance of eating heavy meals late at night. Sleeping propped up and wearing loose fitting garments are valuable ways of avoiding heartburn. The use of acid-fighting substances or substances that provide nutritional support for digestive health may be beneficial. Finally, it must be noted that serious gastrointestinal disease can present with very simple symptoms and individuals are not advised to self-medicate in case of doubt without checking with a health care practitioner, especially if symptoms are prolonged.
I emphasize that Zanasec™ has not received the same kind of controlled clinical scientific study as drug treatments for altering digestive function. However, good scientific agreement exists that its constituents may provide some help in the nutritional support of upper digestive function.