Everyone is bothered by gastric acidity occasionally. Many individuals regularly experience heartburn when consuming highly acidic foods and beverages such as coffee, teas, tomato products, wine and citrus fruits. It is estimated that as many as 200 million Americans suffer chronic illness, including gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome and periodontitis (see chart), related to acidity and the body pH (the scale used to describe the acidity or alkalinity of our blood, urine and saliva).
It would be safe to assume that all of us have consumed an over-the-counter antacid such as Rolaids, Mylanta, Tums and Maalox. Millions of individuals are also being prescribed acid blockers including Pepcid, Zantac and Tagamet. While these approaches may be effective in either blocking the release of the acid or neutralizing its effects, many may either contain ingredients known or suspected to be adverse to one’s health or promote an addictive type of dependence on the product.
Today there is an exciting new natural alternative to the current antacid and acid blockers which are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Tamer Nutraceuticals has recently introduced a line of patented natural supplements proven to help balance the body’s pH naturally.
Two of these products, Coffee Tamer and Food Tamer can be added prior to preparation or consumption and reduce the acidity to an acceptable level prior to ingestion. The third, Tummy Tamer, can be taken after meals or any time you are experiencing heartburn or stomach discomfort.
Tamer supplements are recommended for:
* People who consume too much acidic foods and beverages.
* Older people whose bodies become more acidic with age.
* People who experience heartburn or stomach discomfort.
* People who use antacids on a regular basis.
* People who suffer from certain diseases–see sidebar.
The Tamer Nutraceuticals were born from a pound of highly acidic French Roast coffee and a strong case of heartburn. Macit Gurol, chairman of Tamer International, Ltd. realized the potential for an acid-reducer for coffee and applied his scientific insight to the problem. If heartburn was caused by acids and relieved by consuming an antacid, why couldn’t there be an antacid for coffee? In other words, why not stop the problem before it starts?
Gurol, an electrical engineer with an M.S. from the University of Michigan, had spent 30 plus years managing research and development products in the area of complex measuring, switching and control devices for cutting edge high-tech electronic devices. These include cruise control and air bag crash sensors, printed circuits, high accuracy resistor networks and computer touch screen panels. Along the way it was also necessary to assimilate a fairly sophisticated knowledge of chemical engineering in order to execute a number of these projects.
In 1990 Gurol began running experiments looking for ways to effectively develop a product which would reduce coffee acidity. First he established certain goals for the project. The product had to be effective, it had to be healthy, it should not affect the taste of the food or beverage and it should achieve all three within a reasonable cost structure. His first task was to break down the chemical structure of the coffee and identify the acidic elements and develop a natural path to neutralizing them.
By 1995 Gurol had run 350 experiments and developed five formulas which, according to pH meter readings, reduced the coffee acids to an acceptable level. He then conducted numerous tastings and found that consumers consistently chose one particular formula over the regular coffee by a wide margin. That product was awarded a U.S. patent in 1998.
Subsequent research showed the Tamer formula to be effective in reducing the acid level of food and also confirmed it was a potent antacid when taken orally. The line was then expanded to include Food Tamer and Tummy Tamer to accommodate requests from customers.
Tamer Nutraceuticals soon began to realize that their unique calcium, potassium and magnesium formula provided benefits broader than just lowering the preconsumption acid levels of food and beverages or when used as an ingestible antacid.
As we age most individuals experience an increasing decline in bone mass. This problem is manifested in osteoporosis and other conditions which threaten the integrity of the bones. Older persons tend to have a lower pH because of the symptoms of aging. The older body becomes more sluggish, including the digestive system, and loses the ability to absorb the calcium from the food we eat. The over acidic system then leaches the calcium it needs from the bones. However when you are older you need more calcium both for the support of the bones and for the muscles which use calcium to process the protein they need to function properly.
If you are not able to absorb calcium from the food you eat, the body will access it from the bones. This is the beginning of osteoporosis and advanced age disease. Acidosis is also a partial cause of osteoporosis. It is important to understand that the body can only absorb a certain amount of calcium. The idea is not to gorge the body with calcium at one time but with a small amount on a steady basis all the time. The potassium hydroxide in Tamer also helps neutralize acidity. Consequently Tamer could be considered for use as an effective daily supplement for older individuals.
Possibly the most exciting application of the Tamer formulas is its potential as an adjuvant therapy for diseases or conditions. Soon after the introduction of its coffee, food and tummy tamer products, Tamer International began receiving what is now hundreds of testimonials from health care providers who treat patients and individuals who suffer from a variety of diseases that were either attributed to or exacerbated by acidic conditions. These diseases include:
Acidity related diseases:
Gastroesophageal Reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s disease, Gastritis, Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS)
Those related to high blood acidity:
Interstitial Cystitis (IC), gout, fibromyalgia (FM), muscle pain after strenuous exercise, hangover after heavy alcoholic beverage consumption.
Those related acidic environment in the mouth:
Gingivitis, periodontitis, Carries.
Others:
Vulvar Pain (anecdotal)
As it became more apparent that there were potential medical benefits to the consumption of the Tamer formulas, Gurol initiated a search of medical journals and the Internet for data on the benefits of raising pH levels for treating disease. With the exception of positive data on interstitial cystitis and periodontal disease, there was very little information available. While the company does not represent its product as therapy for disease, the growing indications of its efficacy in numerous health areas has prompted a series of formal studies at the University of Washington-Seattle to ascertain the benefits of stabilizing pH levels in both avoiding the onset and in treating chronic disease.
Symptoms and illness related to acidity and your body’s pH
COLITIS
A serious, chronic, inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by ulceration and episodes of bloody diarrhea. The ulcerated areas are inflamed and may form abscesses in the lining of the large intestine.
DIVERTICULITIS
Diverticulosis is the presence of small, saclike swellings (diverticula) in the wall of the colon. Diverticula may be present without any symptoms. Diverticulitis is the inflammation of the diverticula.
FIBROMYALGIA
Inflammation or pain of muscles, muscle sheaths and connective tissue layers of tendons, muscles, bones and joints.
GASTRITIS
Mild irritation, inflammation, erosion or infection of the stomach lining. The illness may be acute, occurring as a sudden attack or chronic, developing gradually over a long period of time. Gastritis is part of a spectrum of diseases that include erosion and gastric ulcer.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GERD)
A reflux (backward or return flow) of fluid of gastric or intestinal contents into the esophagus. Normally the esophagus transports food from the pharynx to the stomach by coordinated contractions. Heartburn (pyrosis) is a symptom of this disorder.
GINGIVITIS
Inflammation or infection of the gums.
GOUT
Recurrent attacks of joint inflammation caused by deposits of uric-acid crystals in the joints, especially the base of the big toe. Gout is a form of arthritis.
INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS
A chronic inflammation of the interstitium (the area between the bladder lining and the bladder muscle).
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)
An irritative and inflammatory disorder of the intestine. It is not contagious, inherited or cancerous.
PERIODONTITIS
Inflammation and infection of the gums causing loss of supporting bone. Periodondtis is responsible for more tooth loss than tooth decay.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Treatment of cancer by injecting medications that kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It is used to treat cancers that cannot be completely cured or treated with surgery or radiation.
RADIATION THERAPY OR TREATMENT
Use of high-energy waves (generated by special x-ray machines, cobalt machines and other devices) to treat some forms of cancer. Radiation destroys cancerous tissue but does little harm to healthy tissue.
TAMER Effectiveness Compared to Antacids (Independent test conducted by Pacific Testing Laboratories)
The amount of Tamer and popular antacids required to raise the
pH of 150 ml of a hydrochloric acid solution from 2.0 to a
pH 6.0
Amount of Antacid (mg)
Tamer 373
Rolaids 892
Mylanta 1110
Prelief 1920
Tums 4320
Maalox 6280
