Of all the ridiculous ads on TV, the purple pill stands out. Old-fashioned heartburn is now called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for which the ”purple pill” is pushed like religion.

As you undoubtedly know, all drugs have complications called ”side effects. Folks, those are EFFECTS, if they happen to you! Here are a few of those for Nexium:

Arthritis aggravated, liver troubles; every imaginable stomach-intestinal disorder from hemorrhage to diarrhea to ulceration of the stomach; weight gain; high blood/urine sugar; fibromyalgia; nervousness; migraine; tremor; dizziness; confusion; depression; sinusitis; hives; loss of taste; fungal infections; many bladder/urinary problems; B 12 deficiency, etc, etc, etc. Indeed, I would expect all patients taking this drug eventually to develop all the problems associated with B 12 deficiency. The bottom line is —DON’T TAKE IT!

Incidentally, despite some fears about the development of esophageal cancer in patients with chronic esophageal reflux, the latest statistics following 66,965 patients with this diagnosis, there was no evidence to support an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

What are the safe alternatives?

First of all avoid:

•Fried and fatty foods

•Jalapeno and chili peppers

•Coffee

•Black pepper

•Garlic and onions

•Citrus fruits and juices (remember pineapple is also citrus)

•Tomatoes

•Tobacco

•Alcohol

And add these:

•Keep your Body Mass Index between 18 and 24

•Eat small amounts at each meal

•Take 3 to 4 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids daily

•Take a few blueberries or dark cherries after each meal

•Drink at least 2 quarts of non-chlorinated water each day

•Eat your evening meal at least 3 hours before bedtime

•Do deep relaxation at least 20 minutes per day

•Chew Xylitol gum after each meal

•If anything else is needed try Potassium bicarbonate capsules, 2 at onset of heartburn-available at 888-242-6105.

C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. is the father of holistic medicine. Register to receive his book 90 Days To Self-Health free.