Letters: Common sense on heartburn
Re “The no-pills, no-frills cure for heartburn,” Opinion, Oct. 20
I commend Dr. Michael P. Jones for his clear and upfront presentation of acid reflux, its causes and treatments. I found it particularly powerful that he himself has suffered from this problem and has found that the most effective, non-pharmaceutical way to deal with it is to put down the fork and exercise.
Just imagine if other medical problems were handled this way — less expensively yet effectively.
His closing paragraph says it all: “The healthcare crisis is largely self-inflicted.... You, me and the medical profession would do well to embrace that reality rather than the pills that temporarily hide” the symptoms that are harbingers of mortal events to come.
Sylvia Dohnal
Arcadia
Jones, a gastroenterologist with a history of disorderly eating habits, refers to a person such as himself as a “schmuck.” He suggests a cure: Look at normal, non-obese diners in the cafeteria and take notice of what’s on their plate.
Lots of luck these days.
My mother taught me by example during the Depression. She picked up on the advice at the time of the Department of Agriculture, which advised diners to eat one red, one white and one green.
Protein, carbohydrate and vitamin-rich veggies. Basic formula. Fruit for dessert. What could be more palatable and healthful than to follow that recommendation?
As for that six-slice pizza temptation he mentions: Eat three slices once a month at most, and only if the kitchen is closed for the night.
Jascha Kessler
Santa Monica
I realized there was a correlation between my bouts of heartburn and weight gain quite a few years ago. Now I understand that I was correct in my observation.
For me, a gain of only five to seven pounds seemed to be the threshold for acid reflux. If I’m at the proper weight, I find no effect from spicy or tomato-based foods.
John Harper
Carlsbad
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