Antacids Do More Than Make You Feel Better – They Might Prevent Cancer
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Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Nearly one in five Americans suffers from acid indigestion, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, at least once a week, according to the National Institutes of Health. And while for most Americans acid reflux really is just a little heartburn, for those with frequent symptoms, it could mean more.
In a study out Thursday, which looked at more than 600 cancer patients, researchers found that people with frequent acid reflux had a 78-percent increased risk of throat or voice box cancer.
But, according to the study’s findings, paying attention to your heartburn may make a difference. Researchers also found that taking non-prescription antacids had a protective effect — lowering the risk of throat and vocal cord cancers by 41 percent.
And there are also a few simple things you can change in your lifestyle to help with reflux, such as avoiding late meals and eating a healthy diet without greasy and fatty foods. You can also try propping yourself up while sleeping, or try sleeping on your left side at night.
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