What is Acid Reflux
Acid reflux (or GERD) usually refers to the backflow of food from the stomach back to the esophagus, causing gastric acid to irritate the inner wall of the esophagus. Other common names for this disease include: Hyperacidity indigestion · Acid reflux · Heartburn. If you experience acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week, then you are most likely suffering from reflux disease, or GERD, whose symptoms include abdominal distension, chest burning, and discomfort. If the obvious reflux symptoms of GERD patients are concentrated in the upper throat, including the pharynx and larynx, they may have a more serious disease, namely laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Once pepsin (a digestive enzyme in the stomach) destroys the sensitive tissues in the back of the throat, it can lead to LPR, causing the patient to have the following symptoms:
· Persistent swelling in the throat
· Frequent cleaning of the throat or excessive mucus in the throat
· hoarse voice
· Constant cough or sore throat
· Difficulty breathing or swallowing
The cause of acid reflux
Followings can be considered as the causes for acid reflux.
・Eating too much greasy, oily or spicy food
・Excessive smoke and drink
・Irregular living habits, heavy pressure or overwork
・The esophageal self-clearing function declines.
How to help acid reflux in natural way
Studies have shown that the role of diet in solving gastric acid reflux should not be underestimated. Studies also have found that the Mediterranean diet—mainly containing fruits, healthy fats, lean meats, nuts, and vegetables—can be as effective as proton pump inhibitors in treating various symptoms of acid reflux.
You can treat acid reflux patients with a plant-based diet. If you let all patients adopt a plant-based diet, most people will get better. In this way, they can stop taking medication and improve their health as a whole.
Even if you don’t have acid reflux problems and just want to improve your health, the Mediterranean diet is still very ideal because it contains less sugar and appropriate protein, and contains a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy fats. Studies have found that the Mediterranean diet can improve cardiovascular health and significantly reduce your risk of stroke. Studies have also shown that it can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, the Mediterranean diet is one of the best traditional diets to support brain and heart health. Studies have shown that if the diet contains a lot of healthy fats from avocados, nuts and olive oil, it can help the elderly improve memory and cognitive function.
The following 10 natural remedies may help control occasional heartburn, indigestion, and other mild acid reflux symptoms.
1.Aloe vera juice
Aloe vera juice can reduce inflammation in a natural way, thereby alleviating many symptoms of acid reflux. You can drink about half a cup of aloe vera juice before meals. To avoid the laxative properties of aloe vera, please choose a brand that has removed the laxative ingredients.
2.Apple cider vinegar (unprocessed and filtered)
Acid reflux is usually caused by too little acid in the stomach. You can add 1 tablespoon of unprocessed and filtered apple cider vinegar to a large glass of water to easily increase gastric acid content. Apples are natural antacids, so you need to eat at least one apple per day. Apples are very good for the body and can help relieve acid reflux. The pectin in apple peels is a natural antacid and can also bring other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and promoting gallbladder function.
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from: Barton Publishing – Natural Health Reports
3.Astaxanthin
Studies have found that compared with placebo, this powerful antioxidant reduces many symptoms of acid reflux, especially for patients who are significantly infected with Helicobacter pylori. The researchers concluded that supplementing 40 mg of astaxanthin daily can effectively reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
4.Baking soda
Add half a teaspoon to one teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) into 8 ounces of water to neutralize stomach acid and reduce the burning pain caused by acid reflux. Although I don’t recommend it as a continuous treatment, it is very effective when you are in an extremely painful “emergency” situation.
5.Deglycyrrhizinated Glycyrrhiza
Deglycyrrhizinated Glycyrrhiza (DGL) is also good for your health because it can block inflammatory prostaglandins. But licorice must be used with caution because it contains the active metabolite licorice. Higher doses can affect the adrenal glands, causing muscle weakness or numbness, and increased blood pressure. If you are taking diuretics or stimulant laxatives, licorice is strictly prohibited. Women who are undergoing hormone therapy, as well as women with estrogen-dependent cancers or reproductive problems (such as endometriosis) should also stay away from licorice.
6.Ginger
Studies have found that ginger can inhibit Helicobacter pylori, thereby protecting the stomach. Put two to three slices of fresh ginger into 2 cups of hot water and let stand for a few minutes. Drink it about 20 minutes before eating.
7.Glutamine
Studies have confirmed that the amino acid glutamine can repair the gastrointestinal damage caused by Helicobacter pylori. Glutamine is found in many foods, including beef, chicken, dairy products, eggs, fish, and some fruits and vegetables. L-glutamine is a very common supplement.
8.Papaya (papain supplement) or pineapple (bromelain supplement)
Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that helps break down protein and carbohydrates. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme contained in pineapple. Like papain, it can also promote protein digestion. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory activity and can help you maintain normal bowel movements.
9.Slippery elm peel
Slippery elm peel can cover the surface of the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines, and has a soothing effect. It also contains antioxidants that help treat inflammatory bowel diseases. Because it can also stimulate the nerve endings of the gastrointestinal tract, it helps increase mucus secretion, thereby protecting the stomach from ulcers and hyperacidity.
10.Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for gut health. Once your vitamin D level is optimized, it can promote the production of about 200 antimicrobial peptides, which will help to completely eliminate intestinal infections and be of great benefit to your health.
You can also follow the following simple steps to learn to diagnose and treat acid reflux with natural methods.
Change the way you eat
You can change the type and amount of food you eat to improve acid reflux. Reduce the amount of each meal to reduce pressure on the stomach. Don’t eat 2 to 3 hours before going to bed to prevent food from putting pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter when you sleep. Try to eat slowly, so that the stomach can digest food more easily and quickly, reducing the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter caused by stomach food.
Avoid food and drinks that induce acid reflux
Find out what kind of food will cause your acid reflux. Keep track of the foods and drinks you consume, and watch if they cause any problems. Start with foods that often cause acid reflux, and pay more attention to foods or drinks that you are allergic to. If you have eaten a certain food and feel unwell after 1 hour, you should not eat it again. Several factors that most commonly induce acid reflux include spicy foods, high-fat foods, tomatoes and tomato products (such as ketchup or pasta sauce), citrus fruits and juices, alcohol (especially red wine), chocolate, and mint. For example, you ate spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatballs for dinner, and acid reflux occurred within 1 hour. The problem may be the pasta, meatballs or tomato sauce. Next time you eat pasta, don’t add tomato sauce. If there is no acid reflux, then ketchup is the trigger. If there is still acid reflux, the culprit may be pasta or meatballs. Only eat the remaining pasta the next day, without meatballs and tomato sauce. If acid reflux still occurs, then you should not eat pasta.
Keep away from cigarettes and other tobacco products
Smoking can cause many health problems, and acid reflux is one of them. If you are currently smoking, discuss the best way to quit smoking with your doctor. If necessary, they can prescribe some drugs to help you control your addiction. Smoking weakens the muscles that separate the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus more easily and cause heartburn.
Rethink your sleeping position
Some people may experience severe acid reflux while sleeping at night. If you have this problem, you might as well raise the entire head of the bed to keep the stomach acid in your stomach. This way it will not flow back to the esophagus during sleep at night, causing you trouble. Putting on a few more pillows will not help. This will cause the neck and body to bend, but increase the pressure and aggravate the symptoms of hyperacidity.
Eat probiotics
Probiotics are a common group of bacteria in the intestine. These good bacteria are bacteria inherent in the intestines, which can improve overall health and promote stomach health. You can easily supplement probiotics by drinking yogurt rich in active ingredients. You can also take supplements, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings. Choose a reputable health food store and buy probiotic supplements in their cold storage area.
from: Barton Publishing – Natural Health Reports
