A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Acid Reflux

I had a question the other day about acid reflux.

At the entrance to your stomach is a valve, which is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it.

If the LES doesn’t close all the way or if it opens too often, acid produced by your stomach moves up into your esophagus.

This can cause symptoms like a burning chest pain called heartburn.

If acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week, you have acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

One common cause of acid reflux is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia.

This happens when the upper part of your stomach and LES move above your diaphragm, a muscle separating your stomach from your chest.

Normally, your diaphragm helps keep acid in your stomach.

But if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux.

These are other common risk factors for acid reflux:

>Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal

>Being overweight

>Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist

>Snacking close to bedtime

>Eating certain foods, like citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods

>Drinking certain beverages, like alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea

>Smoking

>Being pregnant

>Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications

One of the most effective ways to treat acid reflux disease is to avoid the foods and beverages triggering symptoms.

To deal with acid reflux it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily.

*Aloe vera juice helps heal your intestinal tract.

*Catnip, fennel, ginger, marshmallow root, and papaya tea help with proper digestion and help to stop heartburn.

*Try drinking a large glass of water and/or taking CalMag at the first sign of heartburn.  This often helps.

*Try raw potato juice.  Don’t peel the potato – just wash it and put it in a juicer.  Mix the juice with an equal amount of water.  Drink it immediately after preparation 3 times a day.

*Try drinking a glass of fresh cabbage or celery juice every day.

*Eat more organic raw vegetables.  Eat smaller, more frequent meals.  Chew your food well.  Eat slowly and enjoy your food.

*Sip 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar, mixed with a glass of water, while eating a meal.  Don’t drink any other liquids with meals.

*Eat fresh papaya and/or pineapple to help digestion.  Chew a few of the papaya seeds as well.

*Don’t eat for 3 hours before bedtime.  Wait at least 3 hours after eating before lying down.

*Avoid acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices.

*Don’t consume caffeine-containing products, carbonated beverages, creamy cheeses, desserts, eggnog, fats, fried foods, gravies, rich sauces, marbled meats, onions (especially raw), peppermint, poultry skin, processed foods, spearmint, spicy or highly seasoned foods, sugar, tobacco, or tomatoes.  These seem to be the main cause of heartburn.

*Avoid overeating at a meal.

*If you’re overweight, weight loss may help reduce symptoms.

*Maintain an exercise program including walking, biking, or low-impact aerobics.  Avoid running and weight lifting, as these activities put pressure on your stomach.  Don’t exercise after eating, however.

*Elevate the head of your bed.

*As much as possible, avoid stress and anger.

*If you’re taking any medications, ask your doctor if heartburn may be a side effect.

*Don’t wear clothes tightly fitting around your waist.  Don’t wear tight clothing to bed.

*Beware of antacids with aluminum.  Antacids may create a vicious cycle of dependency.

*Take EZ-Gest and Alfalfa at the beginning of each meal to help alleviate symptoms.

*Avoid chewing gum because it unnecessarily stimulates digestive enzymes.

If you’re dealing with acid reflux, try these (100% money-back guarantee):

It’s essential to use:  Vita-Lea, Protein, EZ-Gest, Optiflora, Calcium/Magnesium, Alfalfa, B-Complex.

It’s important to use:  DTX, Herb-Lax, Fiber, Stomach Soothing Complex, VitalMag, Vitamin D.

It’s beneficial to use:  Garlic, OmegaGuard, Lecithin, Vivix.

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email:  lenay@dickandlenay.com

PS:  If you have any questions about acid reflux, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.