Heartburn is an annoyance and a discomfort, but it can also be a sign of a serious medical condition or vitamin deficiency. Heartburn is a condition that leaves people uncomfortable, uneasy and sometimes fearful to eat or drink, usually for several minutes or several hours. While there are both over-the-counter and prescription remedies and even preventative medications for heartburn, none of these drugs get to the source. It is possible for vitamins to cause heartburn, along with other factors.
The source of heartburn is often different for different people, but the mechanics of how it happens remain the same. Heartburn occurs when foods and other nutrients mix with acid from the stomach to form a liquid. This liquid then rises into the esophagus. It causes pains in the chest and a burning sensation in the chest and abdomen, thus the term heartburn.
Food is one of the obvious causes of heartburn, but there are other causes as well. One of these other causes in some people is vitamin supplements. While it is possible for some vitamins to cause heartburn, this does not occur in everyone that takes vitamins. Vitamin-induced heartburn often occurs in people who are allergic or sensitive to certain vitamins.
There are two main types of vitamins which cause heartburn in otherwise healthy individuals. The first of the vitamins to cause heartburn is vitamin C. Vitamin C is a naturally acidic nutrient and is even more acidic for people who are sensitive to or allergic to the supplement. Vitamin B is another supplement that has been shown to possibly contribute to or cause heartburn in some individuals.
While vitamin C and some vitamin Bs may be two of the more common vitamins to cause heartburn, they are not the only cause; certain foods, eating too much, eating too quickly, pregnancy and certain medical conditions can also cause heartburn. Many experts advise drinking plenty of water at the onset of symptoms to avoid a bad case of heartburn.