Health
Frequent heartburn may be a warning sign of a more dangerous condition, doctor says
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
For most people, heartburn is an occasional annoyance and source of temporary discomfort. But for some, chronic heartburn can lead to more dangerous conditions — potentially even pre-cancerous ones.
About 10% of people with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) will develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition where the lining of the lower esophagus is replaced with abnormal cells that are more prone to cancer, according to medical experts.
Some studies have shown that among those with Barrett’s esophagus, between 3% and 13% will go on to develop cancer, but most will not.
POPULAR SLEEP POSITIONS COULD BE DAMAGING YOUR NERVES, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS
When acid reflux becomes dangerous
“Your stomach is designed to handle acid. Your esophagus is not,” Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a Florida-based gut health specialist and certified nutritionist, told Fox News Digital.
About 10% of people with chronic acid reflux will develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition where the lining of the lower esophagus is replaced with abnormal cells that are more prone to cancer. (iStock)
“With reflux, the danger is not the burn in the chest or throat — the real danger is the constant backflow of acid traveling the wrong way.”
In most people, the lower esophageal sphincter — which Gioffre refers to as the “acid gate” — keeps acid in the stomach, which is lined with thick mucus and specialized cells designed to protect it.
“With reflux, the danger is not the burn in the chest or throat — the real danger is the constant backflow of acid traveling the wrong way.”
“But when the gate gets weak, it relaxes or stays slightly open, and acid slips back up the wrong way,” he said. This “gate” can weaken with magnesium deficiency, high stress, alcohol, poor sleep, dehydration and late-night snacking, all of which can disrupt healthy digestion.
When acid hits the esophagus, it irritates tissue that was never designed to withstand it, according to the doctor.
“Every time acid comes back up the wrong way, it injures the lining like a slow chemical burn,” said Gioffre, who is also the author of “Get Off Your Acid” and “Get Off Your Sugar.” Over time, that irritation erodes the lining, drives inflammation and can change the cells.
NOT ALL FIBER IS CREATED EQUAL — DOCTORS SHARE WHICH KINDS TRULY SUPPORT LONGEVITY
“These new cells are no longer normal esophageal cells — they begin to shift into cells that look more like stomach lining, because those cells can tolerate the acid,” the doctor said. “That change is called metaplasia, or Barrett’s esophagus.”
Once the cells start changing, the risk of further mutation goes up. If that process continues, Gioffre warned, it can progress to dysplasia, which is the stage right before esophageal cancer.
Some studies have shown that among those with Barrett’s esophagus, between 3% and 13% will go on to develop cancer. (iStock)
“So the real danger is not the heartburn you feel,” he summarized. “It is the repeated acid exposure forcing the esophagus to adapt in ways it was never designed to. Fixing reflux at the root stops this entire cascade before those cellular changes begin.”
Men at higher risk
Men generally have a higher risk because they burn through magnesium faster, tend to carry more visceral fat pushing upward on the stomach, eat heavier meals and snack late at night, Gioffre cautioned. These activities all weaken the acid gate and shut down healthy digestion.
THE BREAD THAT KEEPS THINGS MOVING IN THE BATHROOM — AND DOCTORS SAY IT REALLY WORKS
“Eating within three hours of lying down almost guarantees the stomach does not empty, and that is one of the biggest drivers of nighttime reflux,” he said. “On top of that, men often ignore symptoms, or mask them with PPIs and antacids instead of fixing the root cause.”
All of these factors contribute to a “perfect storm” for chronic inflammation and long-term damage, according to Gioffre.
Warning signs
There are certain red flags that indicate when acid reflux has gone beyond an occasional annoyance and has progressed to constant and chronic.
“If that burn becomes more frequent or more intense, or starts showing up even when you have not eaten, your body is waving a giant warning flag,” Gioffre said.
Difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food is “stuck,” chronic hoarseness, a constant cough, throat clearing or the feeling of a lump in the throat are all indicators that the acid is moving upward into areas it should never reach. (iStock)
Difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food is “stuck,” chronic hoarseness, a constant cough, throat clearing or the feeling of a lump in the throat are all indicators that the acid is moving upward into areas it should never reach, according to the doctor.
EXPERT WARNS OF ‘SILENT EPIDEMIC’ THAT PUTS MEN’S HEALTH AT SERIOUS RISK
“Ulcers in your throat, or even in your mouth, are another sign that the acid is doing real damage,” he warned.
“Another major warning sign is when reflux goes from something you notice occasionally to something you feel every day or every night, or when PPIs and antacids stop helping,” Gioffre said. “That usually means the lining is irritated and eroded, and may already be changing on a cellular level.”
Nighttime reflux is the most dangerous because the acid sits on the esophagus for hours, causing deep inflammation and long-term cellular changes, the doctor said. (iStock)
Unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood and black stools are all serious symptoms that demand immediate attention, the doctor added.
“The bottom line: When reflux becomes consistent, chronic and starts impacting swallowing, your voice, or the tissues in your mouth or throat, it is no longer just a nuisance,” Gioffre told Fox News Digital. “That is the point where the esophagus may be moving toward a precancerous state, and men especially cannot afford to wait on it.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
3 key ways to prevent reflux
Gioffre shared the following essential steps to preventing acid reflux and improving digestive health.
No. 1: Follow the 3-hour rule
“Stop eating three hours before bed,” the doctor recommends. “When you eat late, the stomach does not empty, pressure builds and the acid gate relaxes, guaranteeing that acid travels upward into your esophagus while you sleep.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Nighttime reflux is the most dangerous because the acid sits on the esophagus for hours, causing deep inflammation and long-term cellular changes, he warned. “This one rule alone can dramatically lower acid reflux and cancer risk.”
No. 2: Strengthen the acid gate
When stomach acid is low, the lower esophageal sphincter loses its tone, allowing acid to travel upward instead of staying in the stomach, Gioffre said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“The fastest way to tighten that gate is to build your mineral reserves, especially magnesium,” he said.
The best way to do this is to load up on magnesium-rich foods like avocado, spinach, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, quinoa and almonds, and consider adding a clean magnesium supplement.
No. 3: Remove or neutralize daily triggers
The fastest way to protect your esophagus, according to Gioffre, is to eliminate or neutralize the foods and habits that weaken the acid gate and push acid the wrong way.
For people who can’t fully eliminate these triggers, certain habits can help neutralize their impact by reducing acid strength and pressure before it reaches the esophagus.
The doctor recommends cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, both of which relax the acid gate and increase the risk of acid reflux. (iStock)
“Drinking most of your water earlier in the day helps, because pounding water at night stretches the stomach and relaxes the acid gate, making it much easier for acid to flow the wrong way once you lie down,” he said.
He also recommends cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, both of which relax the acid gate instantly.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Some other major triggers that fuel the reflux cycle include chocolate, spicy foods, garlic, onions, sugar, ultraprocessed foods and heavy nighttime meals, according to the doctor.
“These foods and habits weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, drive up inflammation and push pressure upward,” he said. “That’s exactly how a little heartburn turns into chronic reflux, and slowly causes the kind of damage that puts the esophagus at risk for cancer.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Feeling lonely may take a toll on older adults’ memory — but it may not speed up cognitive decline, according to a new study.
Researchers from Colombia, Spain and Sweden analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults ages 65 to 94 across 12 European countries and found those who reported higher levels of loneliness did worse on memory tests at the start of the study, according to research published this month in the journal Aging & Mental Health.
Over a seven-year period, however, memory decline occurred at a similar rate regardless of how lonely participants felt.
GRANDPARENTS WHO BABYSIT THEIR GRANDCHILDREN STAY MENTALLY SHARPER, NEW STUDY REVEALS
“The finding that loneliness significantly impacted memory, but not the speed of decline in memory over time was a surprising outcome,” lead author Dr. Luis Carlos Venegas-Sanabria of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Universidad del Rosario said in a statement.
Loneliness may be linked to memory performance in older adults, a new study suggests. (iStock)
“It suggests that loneliness may play a more prominent role in the initial state of memory than in its progressive decline,” Venegas-Sanabria said, adding that the findings highlight the importance of addressing loneliness as a factor in cognitive performance.
The findings add to debate about whether loneliness contributes to dementia risk. While loneliness and social isolation are often considered risk factors for cognitive decline, research results have been mixed.
EXPERTS REVEAL HIDDEN LINK BETWEEN POOR SLEEP AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RISK
The study looked at data from the long-running Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which tracked 10,217 older adults between 2012 and 2019. Participants were asked to recall words immediately and after a delay to measure memory performance.
Social isolation and loneliness could play a surprising role in cognitive health among seniors. (iStock)
Loneliness was assessed using three questions about how often participants felt isolated, left out or lacking companionship.
About 8% of participants reported high levels of loneliness at the outset. That group tended to be older, more likely to be female and more likely to have conditions such as depression.
DEMENTIA RISK SIGNALS COULD LIE IN SIMPLE BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS, SAY RESEARCHERS
Researchers found that those with higher loneliness had lower scores on both immediate and delayed memory tests at baseline. Still, all groups — regardless of loneliness level — experienced similar declines in memory over time.
The results suggest loneliness may not directly accelerate the progression of memory loss, though it remains linked to poorer cognitive performance overall.
Researchers look at a brain scan at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
Experts warn, however, that the findings should not be interpreted to mean loneliness is harmless.
“The finding that lonely older adults start with worse memory but don’t decline faster is actually the most interesting part of the paper, and I think it’s easy to misread,” said Jordan Weiss, Ph.D., a scientific advisor and aging expert at Assisted Living Magazine and a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
“It likely means loneliness does its damage earlier in life, well before people show up in a study like this at 65-plus,” Weiss told Fox News Digital.
By older age, long-term social patterns may already be established, making it harder to detect when the effects of loneliness first took hold, an aging expert says. (iStock)
He suggested that by older age, long-term social patterns may already be established, making it harder to detect when the effects of loneliness first took hold.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“By the time you’re measuring someone in their late 60s, decades of social connection patterns are already baked in,” he said.
Weiss, who was not involved in the research, added that loneliness may coincide with other health conditions, and noted that participants who felt more isolated also had higher rates of depression, high-blood pressure and diabetes. The link, he said, may reflect a cluster of health risks rather than a direct cause.
“While they can go hand-in-hand, it’s not clear that loneliness contributes to dementia,” a psychotherapist says. (iStock)
Amy Morin, a Florida-based psychotherapist and author, said the findings reflect a broader pattern in research on loneliness and brain health, and that the relationship may be more complex than it appears.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“The evidence shows there’s a link between loneliness and cognitive decline but there’s no direct evidence of a cause and effect relationship,” she said. “So while they can go hand-in-hand, it’s not clear that loneliness contributes to dementia.”
Morin added that loneliness, which can fluctuate, may not be the root of the problem, but rather a symptom of other underlying mental or physical health issues.
Researchers suggested screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging. (iStock)
She said staying socially and mentally engaged is crucial for overall brain health.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“It’s important to be proactive about social activities,” Morin said. “Joining a book club, having coffee with a friend, or attending faith-based services can be a powerful way to maintain connections in older age.”
The researchers also suggested screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Research continues to uncover new details on how fasting may help extend life.
A new study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated how intermittent fasting can boost longevity in small worms often used in aging research.
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas compared worms that were fed normally to those that underwent a 24-hour fast in early adulthood and were then fed again, according to a press release.
POPULAR INTERMITTENT FASTING DIETS MAY NOT DELIVER THE HEALTH BENEFITS MANY EXPECT
The scientists measured a variety of factors, including stored fat, gene activity related to fat metabolism and lifespan.
The results showed that the life-boosting benefit did not depend on the fasting itself but on the body’s behavior after eating again.
Experts say sustainability is key when choosing a long-term weight-loss strategy. (iStock)
Study lead Peter Douglas, associate professor of molecular biology and a member of the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine at UT Southwestern, suggested that these discoveries “shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin – the re-feeding phase.”
“Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state,” he said.
PEOPLE LOST WEIGHT WHILE EATING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FOOD — HERE’S THE SECRET
“Our findings bridge a gap between lipid metabolism and aging research,” he added. “By targeting aging, the single greatest risk factor for human disease, we move beyond treating isolated conditions toward a preventive model of medicine that enhances quality of life for all individuals.”
Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, called this a “high-quality” study that adds an “important nuance to how we think about fasting and longevity.”
Intermittent fasting typically involves limiting meals to an eight-hour daily window or fasting every other day. (iStock)
The benefits of the refeeding phase after fasting were “especially interesting,” Wright, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“The researchers showed that longevity was linked to the body’s ability to turn off fat breakdown after fasting, allowing cells to restore energy balance,” she reiterated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“From a scientific standpoint, that’s a meaningful shift because it suggests fasting is not just about burning fat, but about metabolic flexibility.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Fasting may support longevity through triggering metabolic switching, enhancing cellular repair and stress resistance and improving markers like insulin sensitivity, research shows.
Limitations and cautions
Although this study provides “important insight” on the power of refeeding, Wright noted that the findings should be approached with caution, as the study was done on worms and cannot always be translated to humans.
“Additionally, it explains how a process might work in a controlled lab condition rather than real-world eating behaviors,” she added as a limitation. “Finally, the study is short-term and doesn’t give us the long-term translation on lifespan outcomes.”
The review found intermittent fasting was barely more effective than doing nothing, according to the study authors. (iStock)
Wright cautioned that fasting is “not a magic solution for longevity, and how you eat overall matters more than when you eat.”
“I advise, first and foremost, to focus on diet quality, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and minimally processed foods,” she said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
For those who are considering fasting, it’s better to stick with a moderate plan — like a 12- to 14-hour overnight fast — rather than going to extremes, Wright said. After fasting, she recommends focusing on well-balanced meals.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Several groups of people should be cautioned against fasting, according to Wright, including those with diabetes who are on insulin or hypoglycemic medications, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a history of eating disorders and older adults at risk of malnutrition.
Anyone considering intermittent fasting should consult with a doctor before starting.
-
Technology4 minutes agoiPhone and Samsung flashlight tricks you should know
-
Business10 minutes agoDavid Ellison hits CinemaCon, vowing to make more movies with Paramount-Warner Bros.
-
Entertainment16 minutes agoLarry David discusses ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ ‘Seinfeld’ legacies and new HBO series
-
Lifestyle22 minutes agoNine non-negotiable items for a well-designed life
-
Politics28 minutes agoSupreme Court weighs phone searches to find criminals amid complaints of ‘digital dragnets’
-
Sports40 minutes agoRyan Ward has a solid debut, but bullpen blows it again as Dodgers lose to Rockies
-
World52 minutes agoSchools, shops shut in northern Israel to protest the Lebanon ceasefire
-
News1 hour agoCommunities launch cleanup after severe weather and tornadoes churn across Midwest