10 Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
By admin on Jun 10, 2010 in Supplement and Vitamin
Acid reflux is not a nice feeling. Food and acid splash into the esophagus (the muscular tube that takes food after swallowing into the stomach) causing uncomfortable reactions from belching to heartburn and in some severe cases, chest pains. Some individuals have experienced pain so intense they thought they were having a heart attack.
If a person experiences acid reflux on a regular basis, the acids will irritate the esophagus and this can advance to scarring, ulceration, inflammation and hemorrhaging. According to authors and doctors F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D., if acid reflux persists for a very long period of time is may even lead to esophageal cancer.
Here are a few of my favorite home remedies for acid reflux:
5 Natural Remedies for the Long Haul
The first thing a person needs to do is examine their daily intake of food. What is being consumed? Starting off with an overhaul of dietary habits is a good starting point. Foods that contain living enzymes are crucial in not only eliminating acid reflux, but to prevent it from starting.
Balance Your Hydrochloric Acid Levels
Increasing your body’s natural production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is the first step at preventing acid reflux symptoms. This can be done by getting rid of the cheap table salt that many people use and replace it with high-quality sea salt (or un-processed salt). I personally use and recommend Himalayan Crystal Salt because not only does it contain the chloride a body needs, but it also contains dozens of trace minerals that the body needs.
I would also recommend taking a beet derived Betaine HCL supplement before meals. This works extremely well at preventing acid reflux symptoms.
Change your diet
Processed foods and sugars are almost a guaranteed way to exacerbate acid reflux and it creates an imbalance in the bacterial balance in the stomach and intestinal tract. Eat a lot of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. An apple a day can not only keep the doctor away, it can keep big pharma away as well. Eating lots of fresh salad is also important. A great food guide is explained in my recent book “The Green Body Cleanse“. Taking a good probiotics supplement will also help balance the bowel with good bacteria. I personally take and recommend Latero-Flora.
Digestive Enzymes
Enzymes are found in abundance in raw food. The act of cooking food over 116° Fahrenheit destroys these health promoting enzymes. All cooked foods are devoid of enzymes so only living and raw foods are high in nutrient values and the enzyme levels are crucial to combat acid reflux. There are many good enzyme supplements available, but I personally use and recommend Zymitol.
Increase Your Vitamin D
Increasing vitamin D levels will optimize production of 200 antimicrobial peptides that aid in eradicating any infection in your body, including in the esophagus. Vitamin D is free and in abundance through appropriate levels of sun exposure. If this is not possible, I would recommend eating foods high in Vitamin d or taking a high-quality vitamin d supplement.
Frequent Exercise
Exercising is always beneficial in staying healthy. Improving the body’s immune system is like working on a puzzle and all the pieces need to fit right. Exercise is part of that puzzle. Make it a habit to take a walk after work. Increasing the amount of cardio exercise you do, will help improve your overall health.
5 Natural Remedies that Work Quick
If you still experience acid reflux symptoms after making the appropriate lifestyle changes, try these five quick home remedies for instant relief.
Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
I recommended taking one tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar mixed in a small glass (about 4 ounces) of purified water before each meal. This will help calm the stomach and help with digestion. This remedy also works for acute episodes of acid reflux. This is my favorite home remedy for acid reflux, as it works quick.
Baking soda
Bicarbonate is a wonder product. It kills odors in refrigerators, cleans stains, and it is the most natural antacid to treat heartburn and stomach upset. Some doctors recommend that this not be used if you have high blood pressure or if you are on sodium restricted diets. It’s best to get advice first. A spoonful in a glass of water, stir and drink it before it stops fizzing is best. Buy from a organic or natural food store.
Organic Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice is commonly used to treat an upset stomach, diarrhea and inflammation associated with bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. One of the added benefits is the fact that it aids in digestion, and is another great remedy for acid reflux. I recommend drinking 1 ounce of the brand ‘R Pur Aloe’ mixed in 2 ounces of water as soon as the acid reflux symptoms start.
Glutamine
This amino acid naturally occurs in the human body, glutamine can be found in many dietary sources such as milk, eggs, fish, parsley, spinach and more. Glutamine is an anti-inflammatory that reduces intestinal inflammation with acid reflux.
Herbal Licorice
This is another effective home remedy for acid reflux, because it helps coat the stomach with a protective gel. Please keep in mind, that I am not referring to the candy, but the popular herbal root that has been used for centuries for various ailments. Most health food stores will have this in a tea or tincture form
I also suggest a full body cleanse starting with a colon cleanse, then moving on to doing a liver detox, and then doing either a harmful organism cleanse or chemical and heavy metal cleanse. Eliminating those not nice feelings of acid reflux is not as difficult as one may think. There’s no need for expensive over-the-counter medications when there are so many natural remedies that are readily available. Feel better naturally; your body will thank you.
What home remedies for acid reflux do you use?
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Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog