Acid Reflux
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Acid Reflux

338 User Reviews

5 star (286) 
  85%
4 star (14) 
  4%
3 star (14) 
  4%
2 star (15) 
  4%
1 star (18) 
  5%
(5) 
  1%

Posted by Kyle (Vero Beach) on 11/21/2014
★★★★★

I am 26 years old and have suffered with acid reflux for the past 4-5 months. I tried just about every drug available, Zantac 150, Tums, Tagamet, Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Zegerid, Famotidine, and Carafate. Nothing worked effectviely for more than a week or two. The best medication I found was Zegerid and it began to stop working about 20 days into the treatment. My friend's wife is really into homeopathic remedies and he told me that she got him to used apple cider vinegar when he has heartburn and it worked and I should try it. At the time my Zegerid was working fine, but that upcoming weekend it began not working and I had bad reflux for 3 nights. On Monday morning I went to the store and got some apple cider vinegar because I had taken 4 1000 mg tums, and two acid reducers the night before to no avail and I was desperate. After just 1 tablespoon of ACV I felt dramatically better. I began to take it before and after meals and my symtoms were held at bay. For the next three mornings I woke up with no reflux but still a sour feeling in my stomach, on the fourth morning I woke up with neither and felt great. I still take the ACV before most meals and sometime afterwards and am happy to report that my acid reflux is finally under control!

Replied by Wayne
(Harbour Grace, Nl)
01/07/2015

My friend you are so right , , , it works wonders! but on times when I eat the wrong snack going to bed and I have no ACV I have used the old black fish and chips vinegar and it worked instantly; Sometimes, out of desperation, I have downed the vinegar from bottled Garlic, herring and other preserved products and got instant relief.

Replied by Julie
(Hudson, Wi)
02/12/2015

I just started this today, because my Omeprazole is no longer working for me. Too soon to know if it's helping. I have one question. Should I stop taking the Omeprazole if I continue, or use both.

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando)
02/12/2015

Hi Julie...ACV is good for many things and it will certainly help with reflux symptoms. Your problems are probably caused by low stomach acidity -- not too much acidity.

But ACV is not the cure for reflux. I define a cure as when you take a substance or nutrient for a while and your symptoms go away. And then, when you stop taking that nutrient, the problem does not come back. If you take ACV then you are just treating the symptoms by just increasing stomach acidity -- but you are not treating the core reason for your reflux problem, which is lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. So that's why when you stop taking the ACV the reflux usually comes back because you still have the low stomach acid problem.

When you supplement ACV or even ordinary vinegar you are simply adding or increasing the acidity of the gastric acid. This certainly helps to increase the acidity of the stomach but doesn't actually heal your problem -- which is due to lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

So do you want to heal your problem completely or do you prefer to take ACV for the rest of your life to accommodate your symptoms ?

If you have low stomach acid then taking Omeprozole -- a gastric acid inhibitor -- will lower your stomach acid levels even more. This is probably the worst thing you could take if you already have low stomach acid problems.

If you want to actually confirm whether you have low stomach acid(causing the reflux problem) then you should ask your doctor for the Heidelberg Test. This test measures the actual strength of your stomach acid.

To cure your stomach acid problem you should follow the protocol shown here on EC.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gena (San Fran, California) on 03/28/2014
★★★★★

I have been trying apple cider vinegar for acid reflux the past 2 weeks and I have to give it 2 thumbs up! I take 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar in warm water a half hour before eating. Wow, what a difference in my digestion and no more acid reflux! Oh and people are asking if I've lost weight. Guess I look better.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gina (Montana, Usa) on 12/11/2013
★★★★★

Just wanted to confirm that apple cider vinegar for acid reflux is amazing! I read about it on Earth Clinic a few weeks ago and have been taking just 1 teaspoon on water before my dinner meal. I have no more acid reflux problems!

Replied by Vanessa
(Philippines)
12/11/2013

Hi! Do you have to use warm water with ACV for acid reflux? I have been suffering for a month now and the medicines I tried like omeprazole and pantopraloze only made my feeling worse after a temporary relief. I always feel week all day, would like to vomit, I can't wait and I have nausea. I tried 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar in warm water upon waking up this morning and it has already improved my condition. I pray that this would be the cure for me. -)

Replied by Gina
(Montana, Usa)
12/14/2013

Hi Vanessa, I have been using both warm and room temperature water with the apple cider vinegar. Now that it's winter, I am craving hot water with ACV! Good luck to you. I truly hope it works for your acid reflux.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kay (Jax, Fla, Usa) on 12/08/2013
★★★★★

I have been reading this website for a couple of years now and I read about all the great things ACV does. Well, I tried this and it does work. I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux after an endostomy. I was put on Omoprofhil(not sure of spelling). After taking the medicines for about 4 months, I decided to try the ACV. I put a 1/2 teaspoon in a 1/2 glass of water and drink it in the morning and before bed. I have been doing this now for two months and no longer to I have to sleep on elevated pillows, I have not heartburn or belching. Its been fantastic! Just wanted everyone to know, it does work.

Replied by Mon50
(Alameda, Ca)
09/03/2018

Do you drink the ACV with empty stomach or with food?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Zark (Emerald City, The Land Of Oz) on 11/07/2013
★★★★★

ACV works! I started taking ACV for my prostate problems (worked for that too) and then noticed the reflux had gone away too! Wow how cool is that, what an amazing little home remedy this is. I'm using about 1 and a half tablespoons in juice once or twice a day.

Replied by Zark
(Emerald City, The Land Of Oz)
11/07/2013

Make sure to start with a smaller amount of ACV and build up. Also be sure to mix with juice or water and not to take it straight, as evidently some folks have trouble with the acidity.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Christine (Plymouth, Conn) on 03/25/2013

I too thought that ACV seemed an unlikely solution to reflux. I have been on all the meds and they actually seemed to make it worse or I had side effects. So I started to do my own research.

My chiropracter explained that the ACV actually can balance the acid in our stomachs. At this point I am ready to try anything.. Like to warm up the vinegar, honey and water like a tea. Am also trying aloe.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kelitababy (Yucaipa, Ca, Usa) on 10/10/2012
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I had heard how beneficial ACV was for acid reflux and other things, so I bought bottle from a health food store, went out to my car, opened it up and took a big swig. Disaster struck, I couldn't breath, the strong fumes from undiluted ACV force the epiglottis to close and I could not breath, I thought I was going to die right there, but finally recovered. Lesson learned.

Replied by Cali
(Usa)
10/02/2014

It's never recommended to take ACV straight. It's highly acidic, which is why you had a bad reaction. Always dilute it with water (e.g. 1 tsp per 8 oz of water).

Replied by Kyle
(Vero Beach, FL)
12/15/2014
★★★★★

Yea, taking a straight gulp of Apple Cider Vinegar is like gulping a glass of lemon juice. I am glad to hear you survived, that was a courageous move!

Replied by Bryan
(Texas, US)
12/27/2014
★★★★★

hahaha! Thats awesome, no worrys I tried the same thing. The minute it hit my tongue I spit and was having difficulty breathing. Try mixing it with water.. but I just found it funny cause I made the same mistake lol

Replied by Melodye
(Illinois)
09/23/2018

You can also take ACV in capsule form to bypass the esophagus if there's an issue there.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Eddors12 (Wheat Ridge, Co/usa) on 09/22/2012
★★★★★

I have been using ACV for over a year to successfully control my acid reflux I take 2tbs. morning and evening I was diagnosed with acid reflux and did not want to take any more meds. In my case mine is being caused by prescriptions, which im confident I will be able to go off of eventually. If you are on meds your body does not produce enough acid thereby causing the symptoms, Just for the record I am 65 yrs old and 57 lbs overweight which I am now working to rectify. If anyone has any questions please contact me thru this site and I will reply I am on it regularly.

Replied by Michael
(Lexington, Ky)
11/12/2012

I have acid reflux and take prescription meds which does not seem to do anything. Is apple cider vinegar safe and effective. How much should you take and when? Please help, I am really desperate.

Replied by Irina
(Doha, Qatar)
04/27/2016

Dear Mr., I would like to ask you a couple of questions regarding your treatment. My husband has been on Nexium prescribed by doctors for a few years until his health became horrible, we had no idea where all those issues were coming from until I decided to check Nexium side effects. He stopped the pills and started ACV treatment 3 days ago, 1 tbsp twice a day before meal but doesn't feel any relief yet. So I would appreciate if you share with us your dosage and for how long you had to take it until it worked. Thanks in advance.

Replied by Anna
(Athens)
04/20/2018

Hi I saw your message and was hoping for some advice. I took Diatomaceous earth and developed severe acid reflux which has been going on for 4 days alla day. I have laryngopharyngal reflux so it goes straight up and even affects my voice. I've tried zantac, backing soda and ACV all offer just temporary if any relief. I'm terrified.. ACV used to work for normal heartburn but I feel like something has gone completely wrong. Any advice is very welcome.

Replied by Teena
(Melbourne, Australia)
04/22/2018
233 posts

Anna, improving digestion is key to acid reflux, which is from low stomach acid and food not getting digested. Consider adding probiotics and probiotic rich food, variety is good, kefir, miso, kombucha, unpasteurised sauerkraut and other fermented foods. You could aid digestion with digestive enzyme tablets, and fresh pineapple and pawpaw/papaya. Iodine, required for many functions, including the forming of stomach acid. Try kelp tablets, or I take lugols iodine myself. Research and start slow. Marshmallow is a mucilage plant, buy capsules or use it to make tea. Aloe vera juice from the health food store. Snack on apples, apples have quieted acid reflux attack and gall bladder attack. Keep the acv, it contains many benefits, but add the baking soda and water, twice a day per Ted's protocol. Don't eat for one hour afterwards. The baking soda adds to your bicarbonate stores required for second stage digestion. Keep a food diary to monitor meals and food medicines, and their effects and benefits. See what helps and what hinders, probably unsoaked grains (bread, wheat products) proper sourdough should be ok, dairy may also be an issue, because of the lactose. Cultured dairy, like kefir, would be ok. If you do the fermented food route, start only small amount at first, there will likely be detox effects as the good bacteria kill off the bad bacteria they release toxins as they die. This is shown to you as intestinal discomfort and initial loose stools. This will settle down though, and will be much minimised with this suggestion. Coconut oil can be introduced with the same start low and slow method. Can start one teaspoon/day. May also look at herbs and supplements to strengthen the valves in the gi tract. Best to you on your good health journey.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tina (Odessa, Texas) on 09/12/2012

Do I continue taking my reflux meds while trying ACV for severe acid reflux.

Replied by Tina
(Houston, Usa)
09/12/2012

Tina, Lifelong acid reflux can be cured by eating probiotic rich foods like home-made kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut and lacto-fermented veggies. Kefir especially is incredible since it goes into the gut and re-colonizes by adding more good bacteria to your body. Much needed!

See here http://culturedfoodlife.com/ to make cheaply at home, or buy BUBBIES brand sauerkraut and dill pickles since they are loaded with probiotics.

Take ACV too.

You should feel brand spanking new in no time.

Tina


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nel (Manila, Philippines) on 08/08/2012

Bill from San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines- Is there anyway we could talk? Would want to chat and gain more information from you about this condition I have and which has taken over my life. I stay and live in Manila. It would be much appreciated to hear from you. Have been suffering from really really bad laryngeal-pharyngeal reflux or silent reflux.

Replied by Deo
(Quezon City, None)
10/13/2012

hi po.. Anu po gusto nyo itanong about sa (GERD)?? im from philippines to! ^_^


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sealbeachluvr (Antelope Valley, Ca) on 07/03/2012

Hello, My name is Mary and I was recently diagnosed with Acid Reflex/GERD. Approximately twelve days ago today, I woke up with severe nausea; to date, I have not thrown up. The desire to throw up is strong and it last quite some time. With this symptom, I am burping often throughout the day. I also feel tightness in my throat; however, I am able to swallow well. Maybe once or twice a day my mouth gets watery like when you are about to throw up. I would like to note that since given medication by my Dr. the burping has stopped and so has the nausea. Because of the nausea I have no desire to eat; however, with the medication which has stopped the nausea, I am eating again. I am eating extremely healthy afraid to get that nausea feeling back so I am loading up on "Juices" from my local health store - the kind where they put my vegetables in the machine and juice it. I also have a feeling in my stomach that I am starving and then a strong burning sensation. All of the symptoms are new to me and with HIGH anxiety that I suffer with everyday, I am scared. I went for a second opinion and the second Dr also told me that he feels I have Acid Reflex and told me to continue to the first medication the first Dr gave me.

For three days I have been on the medication; however, also during these three days I have been on GOOGLE diligently seeking natural alternatives for my diagnosis. I came across many sites on Apple Cider Vinegar (Mother). I have read exceptional testimonies on how it not only treats Acid Reflex but other aliments as well.

Today I woke up with severe nausea again. I was so sad. I was hoping to wake up to a new day but it just didn't happen this way. Instead of grabbing my pill, I woke up, heated water and added two tablespoons of ACV and drank it with a straw. The nausea subsided almost immediately and without any medication in my system, I just drank a smoothie from Jamba Juice and ate Oatmeal successfully. This is my first day drinking ACV. Has anyone here been told they have Acid Reflex and if you have, has anyone on here experienced my same symptoms? Does ACV really work for this problem? I have to be honest and say the nausea diminished almost immediately and I have not taken any prescribed medication today.

How often should I consume ACV during the week? Also, is it normal for my tummy to feel weak/tender? I don't have pain - it just feels tender. I guess tender best describes the feeling. I understand that eating meat, oils, etc. Bring AR on; however, I am an extremely healthy eater and I have been a vegetarian for years and I do not eat fast food. I think I should add that about a week before this gross sickness broke out, the Superior Market had Cherries on sale for 69 cents a pound and they also had Mangos on sale, 2 for $1.00. In three days, I consumed about 3 pounds of Cherries and 6 Mangos, peel and all. My mom says that this could have brought it on - can fruit lead to Acid Reflex? Would it hurt to take the medication with the ACV or should I just stick with the ACV?

It is just so hard to believe that ACV would work so well. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone going through what I am going through. The anxiety makes me feel like I am sicker than what the Dr tells me. My anxiety began when my husband died 10 years ago in a car accident and I have a fear of death. I would appreciate any feedback on ACV - it just sounds hard to believe. So if you have any experience with ACV I would LOVE to hear back from you. I am going to drink it again at lunch. It isn't the best tasting stuff but I am able to consume it with hot water. (Sorta like a yucky tea) ALSO - CAN STRESS CAUSE ACID REFLUX or is it solely from food intake?

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
07/03/2012

Hi Sealbeachluvr... The reason ACV has worked to help with your Reflux problem is because ACV is acid. To help you understand this, a short simple description on how digestion works will help.

* When food enters the stomach, the hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach normally works to kill all the bacteria and the protein-digesting stomach enzymes(pepsin) partially digest the food with the muscles around the stomach helping to mash and breakup the food. The purpose of this stage is to fully prepare the food for the next stage -- main stage duodenal digestion in the upper intestines.

* When the stomach acid is at the correct strength -- and only when it is at the right acid strength -- a hormone is released into the blood called secretin which in turn triggers the secretion of the pancreatic enzymes in a solution of bicarbonate(alkaline) into the duodenum for main stage digestion.

* If the stomach acid or food chyme mixture in the stomach is not at the correct acid strength (low acid) then the pancreatic enzymes and juices will not be triggered and released for main stage digestion(alkaline) in the duodenum and the acid food mixture (chyme) will just sit there in the duodenum stagnating, rotting and fast breeding bad pathogens with associated spread of pathogens into the upper intestines leading to further problems later. This also causes reflux.

* Another twist to this problem is if your body also lacks bicarbonates. As already described, your pancreas needs stores of bicarbonates to neutralize the acid food coming into the duodenum from the stomach. So if you are lacking bicarbonate stores, the acid food passing into the duodenum will not be neutralized and, again, acid intestine and reflux will be the result.

Therefore two things become apparent:

* You must ensure that your stomach acid levels are at their correct strength and amounts for proper and complete digestion to occur.

* You must have adequate stores of bicarbonates in the pancreatic juices to fully neutralize the acid chyme or food when it passes from the stomach into the duodenum for main stage digestion.

It is also fairly obvious to me that the reason ACV helps against acid reflux is because it is acid -- so this helps to increase your stomach acidity which is what you need to do.

You have already said that your doctor gave you some pills for your reflux. Generally doctors give PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) which actually work to massively inhibit stomach acid because doctors always seem to incorrectly assume that reflux is caused by too much stomach acid, when in fact the direct opposite is true in 90% of reflux problems -- which is usually caused by too little acid in the stomach -- as I have already described above.

To help remedy your problem:

* Take betaine hydrochloride tablets at mealtimes. The way to find the correct dose of betaine(and thereby find the correct stomach acid strength) is to increase the dose slowly by one tablet at mealtimes until there is an acid feeling. Then cut back by one or two tablets. Later you will again get an acid feeling so cut back again. Do this until you no longer have to take the betaine hydrochloride tablets -- your stomach acid is now normal.

* Take pancreatin enzymes to ensure proper digestion in the duodenum.

* Take 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt with water once or twice a day outside mealtimes. The chloride from the Sea Salt helps to generate hydrochloric acid (HCl) which may be lacking in your stomach. Sea Salt also provides your body with other useful minerals.

* Take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate(Arm & Hammer brand is fine) with water a half an hour after you finish each of your daily meals when all the food has moved out of the stomach into the duodenum. This greatly aids alkaline main stage digestion in the duodenum and also helps to replenish bicarbonate stores in the pancreas. This will also act to reduce the reflux and will also help to reduce the burning acid pain.

* To increase your appetite take B Complex vitamins everyday.

Replied by Windhill Whistler
(Rocky Face, Ga)
07/13/2012

Why have several people said they drink the avc and water with a straw?

Replied by Nat
(Woodstock, Va)
10/05/2012

Warning: Not everyone who has Acid Reflux or GERD suffers from "too little stomach acid, " which is the reason that is usually given for taking ACV. Some people simply DO have TOO MUCH acid production, and ACV will make it worse. I tried ACV and it never did anything but give me heartburn and increased reflux.

The truth is, pouring acid on top of acid is NOT always a good idea, no matter what anyone here says. If your problem is excess stomach acid, your condition will get worse. Just take the omeprazole, fo heaven's sake. :)

Replied by Sherri
(Charleston, Illinois)
10/08/2012

Absolutely! I tried the ACV (the mother kind) and it made my problem much worse. I have to take nexium because of a stomach surgery I had a few years ago. I have plenty of acid believe me... Lol. Acid reflux is absolutely no fun, especially if it happens in the middle of the night and goes up your nostrils or into your brochials. That happened to me two nights ago even with the Nexium that I take.

I am now onto a few things that I am trying for another condition. One of the things I am using is Tumeric and first tried it last night. Last night was the first night without any reflux symptoms at all! I am hoping I stumbled onto something that also works for my stomach.

Replied by Marisa
(Houston)
10/24/2013

Hi I read your response to the other person, and I have so many questions for you, I was diagnosed with acid reflux like five weeks ago, and I am taking Omeprazole, I don't feel much better, I have no burning sensation or heartburn but I feel like I have food all day long in my troath, I have cut on diet coke and caffeine and try to eat smaller portions. But I don't feel much better, How do I know if I have low acid or high acid? should I just try the apple cider vinegar and see if it works, another person said that not everyone has low acid, so I am confused, what do you recomend I should do? I am really desperate of course.

Thank you in advance for your help. Marisa

Replied by Ann
(Malaysia)
04/20/2016

I'm also confused by this. How would I know if I have low stomach acid? I've been having acid reflux for the past week due to poor eating habit. (I had low appetite and didn't take my meal on time). I ate pizza last night and had the worst reflux episode. My throat was burning and I couldn't sleep comfortably.

Should I try ACV before meals and sodium bicarbonate after meals? Should I also cut down on grains and carbs? I should add, I took ginger tea after I experienced the reflux and it strangely remedied the symptom. Please help, I'm in dire need of a solution. I was perfectly healthy and fine until 2 weeks ago. Thanks in advance.

Replied by John Tetreault
(Warwick, Ri)
07/05/2016

Because ACV is an acid, and can damage tooth enamel.... drinking it through a straw minimizes contact with your teeth.

Replied by Carole
(Banbury, England)
02/07/2017
★★★★★

Cherries always give me Acid reflux. ACV in warm water with manuka honey really helps.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Melissa (Portland, Oregon) on 06/22/2012
★★★★☆

Editor's Choice

I am amazed. Apple Cider Vinegar (plus other remedies/ changes) actually works!

I have had GERD since I was 16, now 24, I have used medication for the last 8 years. Wow, 8 years!

I started with Ranitadine, and "graduated" to Omeprazole a couple years ago when Ranitadine 150mg twice a day pretty much stopped working. I started on 20mg Omeprazole once a day and a few months ago was put on 40mg twice a day. Rediculous, it got so bad that even THAT wasn't completely stopping my symptoms, I felt like my stomach was retaliating as soon as it could create acid again. And on top of it, ever since I was diagnosed with GERD if I ate any "trigger" foods (Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, spicey, acidic), I would get such an immense pain in my chest like something was trying to claw it's way out of me. No doctor can figure that one out, I got an endoscopy all is fine, so I was told to just avoid those foods. Fine, I can do that, except that after I was taking my Omeprazole 40mg THAT was tiggering the pain! You can imagine the doctors where clueless to that as well.

Now I think I finally know why the medicine stopped working and even hurt me, the medication was just funking up my body. My stomach had no idea what to do, and was sensitive to EVERYTHING. I wanted off medication, but was scared to do so. I had tried about a year ago and had bad results. My GERD causes acid to go into my throat, usually while sleeping but sometimes during the day too. And when I tried a natural remedy before, yep, acid in the throat. Not a pleasent way to wake up I must say. But I felt, after finding this site and reading up elsewhere, that I was ready to try again. I have now been off of it for about 9 days, and am doing well.

I made a plan for myself, as I felt that simply taking ACV like a medication would actually work. It was part of the "Plan". My routine starts in the morning with a tablet of DGL Licorice, have it before anything else and wait a few minutes. The DGL (Hopefully) helps your stomach create more of the protective mucus lining that helps prevent and treat ulcers. Since I am drinking acid and know that with GERD I am at risk for Barret's esophagus I think this extra step of caution is a good one to take. Then I take around 2-3oz aloe vera gel (it's just a thickened juice, you can get regular juice I just think this feels better going down). I get this organic one in a glass jar at Whole Foods, primarily because they don't use Citric Acid, but instead lemon juice and it is in a glass jar- no BPA! :) I cannot remember the name, but I think it's the only organic one in a glass jar there. I had the Aloe Vera Juice from Trader Joes and it was like drinking pure acid, it hurt so much to drink and tasted horrible. Not worth saving like $10 a month just so you scorch your throat in my opinion. Okay, so after I take DGL and Aloe I have breakfast, small meals are very key to controlling GERD/Acid Reflux in my experience. Do NOT drink water with your meal, you should chew, chew, chew to let your saliva moisten the food, this way the enzymes that naturally neutralize stomach acid help you in your quest to be drug free! Then drink, drink, drink! You need a ton of water to help your stomach digest, and to dilute acid the rest of the day. If I am doing good, I will pee about every 60 minutes, maybe sooner. Lol. But it is worth it. I Don't seem to wake up at night though, so that's good. In the afternoon, if I can, I juice, vegetables really help neutralize stomach acid and are healthy for you anyways! Though I don't think you have to do this, I have had much success with out a lot of juicing. I try to make my lunch the largest meal of the day, that way I can work hard and digest for a long time afterwords. Then comes possibly the most important part for me personally, the night routine. I have dinner NO LESS than 3 hours before laying down, I SIT UP or STAND for the whole three hours before bed. This way gravity is on your side while digesting your relatively small dinner. After I eat I will wait about 20 minutes typically then I drink only like 1 teaspoon ACV (Organic, unfiltered) in a couple oz of water, then I chase it down with just water to try to get the ACV off of the throat. (Sometimes after lunch I will do a ACV and Baking soda mix, you can probably do this for dinner as well if you like. Sounds counter intuative, but your body actually neutralizes the ACV anyways, but it still stays acidic enough to help aid your stomach with digestion. When you mix these two it takes the burn away when you drink it, find the Ted's recipe, he explains it more. ) Then right before bed I will drink about 4 oz water with a slightly heaping teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize whatever's left in my stomach and I am ready to sleep on my slanted bed. Slanting your bed is SO important, again gravity is on your side by keeing acid away from your throat.

So my lifestyle and diet changes summarized:

-Avoid foods that can cause issues (Esp. Chocolate and Coffee! These contain methylxanthine witch relaxes the LES allowing food and acid into the throat. Eat Carob as a chocolate substitute. :)

  • -Take DGL and Aloe in the morning
  • -If needed take ACV in afternoon
  • -If time Juice vegetables in afternoon (especially cabbage! )
  • -Take ACV mixture After Dinner
  • -Wait 3 hours after last meal... NO Snacks! If you snack you have to wait another 3 hours before bed. This allows your stomach time to stop producing acid, the second a food hits it ir produces a lot of acid, so one cookie, even one bite of a cookie, will send it into overdrive!
  • - Drink Baking Soda water mixture right before bed
  • - Have a slanted bed, or a wedge (though I always slid off those things, that is why my bed is slanted)
  • -Smaller meals, have like 4 a day instead of 3.
  • -Lose weight if needed, I weigh like 112lb after losing 7lb, and still need to lose like 10lb, every pound you have just goes to pressing your stomach making it harder to keep food and acid in!
  • -Drink WATER! Drink, drink, drink!!! Ideally almost the only thing you will drink is water. Sugars cause your stomach to create more acid. Milk is certainly no longer my friend, heartburn every time I drink it, at first it feels good, then heartburn like crazy around 30 minutes later.

Anyways, I really hope this helps people like I does me. I will say I am not 100% symptom free, I get heartburn, but not as bad as if I did nothing, and I have yet to get acid in my throat. I am happy with the results and feel everyday my stomach is getting back to the way it was before I wrecked it with caffeine, stress, and ibuprofen, naturally. :)

Replied by Sherrod
(Chicago, Illinois)
06/24/2012

Simple answer. Granny smith green apple. Only that kind will work. If u don't eat apples, 1st time will feel like you're gonna hurl. U won't. Eat what u want, late as u want. Also, chck food labels for high fructose corn syrup, or sometimes called "corn syrup". In everything from bread to "natural" tea. Its fake sugar made cheap and benefits corporate america. So big name folk all have it. Bbq sauces, katsup, even salad dressing. Since 80s with "new coke". "Old coke" returned but with fake sugar. Causes belly fat, acid reflux, etc. Once u could eat what u can't now all the sudden since about 90s? Thats when kid obesity shot up. it also doesn't fill u up, so u eat more. Mcdonalds leads the way. Increased lines from its addictive nature. Hfcs is the new cigarette.

Replied by Idot 13
(Ireland)
03/26/2017

Would you not go for operation for muscle on top of stomach to tighten it? I have seen it done and it is very successful and the patients seems to be perfect after it.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Reginald (Rowlett, Tx) on 05/17/2012
★★★★★

I really had very bad gerd and having problems swallowing thick food I heard about Apple Cider Vinegar and the first time I took it it burned in my stomach. I seen a change in my acid reflux the very next day and it didnt burn anymore. I noticed a big increase in my energy level lol and I mean I have lots of energy now. I dont feel the burning in my stomach and have stopped taking proliscec. I take ACV in the morning and night before bed. 2tbs in 1cup of water and it smells and taste bad but the results for me are worth it. I'll be taking this stuff for the rest of my life. O yea it has really helped with my constipation also.

Replied by Sharon
(Pittsford, Mi)
02/02/2013

This is in response to Reginald from Texas. Yes, the ACV and water tastes bad, but add some honey to taste and it actually tastes pretty good. Honey is very benificial. I put 1 tablespoon of ACV, the mother kind, to 8 oz. of spring water. I heat about 4 oz. and then add 1 teaspoon of honey. (I save the other 4 oz. for later in the day. ) The honey will then dissolve better. Enjoy! :)


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nat (Bridgewater, Va) on 05/03/2012
★☆☆☆☆

Nay - every time I have tried ACV for my acid reflux, I have experienced no benefit, and often gotten additional heartburn as a result.

I know some people believe that acid reflux is due to a deficiency of stomach acid, but that does not seem to be the case for me. Pouring acid (ACV) on top of acid made little sense to me from the start and did not work in my case.

Omeprazole and the occassional Tums are the only things that control it.

Replied by Isobella
(Uk)
07/15/2012

Be very careful of long you take Omeprazole the long term side affects can be very bad.

Replied by Dr. Matt
(Gilbert, Arizona)
08/09/2012

Just a side note from what "sistasuzy" wrote:

It is actually better if you leave the water until after your food is digested, if you drink too much water you will dilute the acidity of the HCl in your stomach and you will not digest properly. The current recommendations with those that have GERD are to eat meals and drink very little during those meals. After the meal has been completely digested, drinking water is helpful with residual reflux, however, the whole idea is to *digest* the food. Also, as I have written before, bicarb is regularly used as a cheap reflux aid, but baking soda (bicarb) lowers the acidity (raises the pH) too quickly and signals the proton pumps to produce more acid. The best remedies for "neutralizing" stomach acid are typically, Calcium Carbonate (tums) and Aluminum and Calcium Hydroxide (mylanta). Matt, Pharm D. MSCIS

Replied by Stan
(Fort Walton Beach, Fl, Usa)
08/23/2012

I actually caused my own problem with acid reflux, here's how. I drank (yes I did) a 16 oz glass of apple cider vinegar by pinching my nose and drinking it down all at once. I got a sore throat that night, and later woke up when acid splashed up into my throat beginning my now constant problem. Got an appointment at the clinic (after ruling out heart attack) proscibed me nexium (wait for about a month and see what happens) Since I'm on atacand HCL and Simvastatin, I checked the interactions when I got home and found there were problems with the mixture so I stopped taking the meds and passed the info to the clinic (who hadn't checked for this in advance). Now I'm looking to find a natural cure for my self induced acid reflux (surmise I did some damage to the asophagus since it now constantly leaks acid into my throat between meals). Any advice?

Replied by Gigi
(Ct)
02/20/2014

Did you use apple cider vinegar with the mother? I got mine from whole foods. I took 4 tablespoons twice a day before your lunch and dinner and then a drink water and I had a piece of bread then I sat down had my light meal. I also drank almost a half a gallon for a little bit more water everyday for 3 weeks. I also stayed away from dairy which can cause acid reflux!

Replied by Christine
(Stroud, Pa)
12/15/2014

I was in the same situation as you. Then I learned about super greens. Go to your health food store and buy super greens. After 3 days of super greens my heartburn was gone. It is all about balancing your ph level in your body.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tom (Wolverhampton, Uk) on 02/26/2012
★☆☆☆☆

Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux: I have recently come across the Earth Clinic website and was pretty well excited at the prospect of finding a remedy for acid reflux that I have endured for years. I purchased the Apple Cider Vinegar and used the suggested dosage, 2 tablespoons with 1/4 teaspoon of Bicarb Of Soda in a glass of warm water. This was taken 1hr before a meal 3 times a day. After 3 days the acid reflux has become more pronounced both day and night.

I have taken different prescribed medicines in the past and they haven't worked. I had a gastroscope check done and nothing wrong was found. The whole experience has attempted to make me miserable but I have resisted that and endeavoured to find a solution. I was hopeful for this ACV remedy to work but after 3 days of trying it out, the symptoms have become slightly worse. Each night I waken after 2 hours sleep having been disturbed by the acid reflux. Sometimes I experience an associated high temperature and sweat.

Can any one offer me any advice for my situation. I would be most grateful. Thanks, Tom

Replied by Andrea
(Bismarck, Nd)
02/27/2012

Hi there, this is just a brain bubble after reading your comment, but the high temperature caught my attention. Maybe consider ruling out an H. Pylori bacterial infection before you continue. H. Pylori is a strain of bacteria most commonly contributing to or causing stomach ulcersand other lesions. If that's the source of your troubles, that may resolve your reflux with treating the infection.

Replied by Sistasuzy
(Phoenix, Az)
02/27/2012

People often hate it when I suggest that they don't drink enough water. One main cause of acid reflux is not enough water to properly digest your food. If you drink any beverages with caffeine in them you are acutally removing water from your body. Caffeine acts like a diuretic. So for every drink you have with caffeine in it - you would have to drink 2 glasses of water of the same amount just to be even. Try drinking just some water. I drink a whole glass of water about 30 minutes before each meal and I also drink some after the meal. If I have an occaiosional round of heartburn now I drink either the apple cider vinegar alone with some water or the baking soda in some water.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
02/27/2012
2048 posts

Tom, the presence of stones in the gallbladder causes all sorts of digestive issues including acid reflux; this occurs because the flow of bile (2 liters per day) is disrupted. Bile is essential for digestion and the neutralization of acid. Hope this helps.

Replied by Alex
(Honolulu, Hi, United States)
02/27/2012

Hello Tom, I used to have very bad reflux. I would never get the actual heartburn sensation, but I would get a lot of acid in my throat and pain as a result. Completely ridding my diet of rice, pasta, potatos, wheat, fruit, sugar, and then taking lemon bicarb has the reflux 100% gone. I was made very ill by taking reflux medication (PPIs) which is probably why my diet has to be so extreme. I would hope that most people could make do by just reducing starchy/carby foods and sugar rather than outright eliminating them.

I don't feel comfortable outright giving advice, so I'll just speak in terms of what worked for me:

In my personal experiences with ACV bicarbonate, no amount of the remedy would prevent my reflux if I consumed starchy or sugary foods. I was also surprised to figure out that reflux caused by one meal would carry into the following meals. If I ate a bowl of oatmeal I would get reflux that same meal, but I would also get *some* reflux for the following 3-10 meals. The reflux would graduallly lessen each meal if I stayed away from carbs and sugar. Overall this delayed negative reaction to a variety of meals made it very confusing to figure out which foods were problematic. My reflux was likely caused by an overgrowth of gut fungi/bacteria, likely a classic candida situation. However, you may experience reflux differently, and for different reasons.

I'd also like to note that my first times consuming bicarbonate had no immediate effect. Taking ACV (mildly diluted in water, without baking soda) directly with meals was slightly beneficial. This led me to conclude that my issue was having too little stomach acid (a common problem, though counterintuitive). I took Betaine HCl 650 mg w/ pepsin which is basically a stomach acid supplement and had dramatic positive results. I would definitely recommend researching Betaine HCl -- but be wary because if you do in fact have strong (or overactive) stomach acid then betaine hcl could be painful.

In the overall scheme of things the Betaine HCl was just a temporary solution for me. My own stomach acid did return to normal from Betaine HCl (as it does for many people) but I have a weak immune system and eating starchy foods again reverted me to my refluxy state. There's a hypothesis floating around that if your body is too acidic and unhealthy it will stop making stomach acid because it can barely handle neutralizing it after each meal. I have no idea if this is true or not, but it lead me to try both ACV baking soda and lemon baking soda. After only 2 days of taking the lemon bicarb I had so much stomach acid that I was unable to take betaine hcl without experiencing pain. I've kept the carbs very low and remained reflux free.

Hopefully you can find something that works for you. Good luck!

Replied by Mike
(Montreal, Quebec Canada)
02/27/2012

Alex, have you tried changing your diet to mostly alkaline by increasing the amount of vegetables, preferably raw?

Don't stop taking HCL betaine just to avoid burning issues since HCL is known to increase white blood cell count and thus reinforce your entire immune system. Take HCL with plenty of yogurt or after eating a lot of alkaline food. There are no negative side effects to taking too much HCL.

HCL won't probably cure your problem permanently because you need to get to the root cause of the problem. As Tim pointed out, gallbladder stones alone can cause problems because this clearly indicates a blocked liver from excess cholesterol deposits that reduces bile flow so vital to digestive health.

In my case I have completely restored my digestive health by naturally dissolving the excess cholesterol which at my age was the cumulative effect of having eaten to many fatty meals in my lifetime.

FOR EVERYONE: WHEN YOU EAT A FATTY MEAL DO YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT IT DOES NOT LEAVE SOME DEPOSIT OF CHOLESTEROL IN YOUR LIVER?

I learned the hard way that it does and when your liver gets clogged up to a point where there is below minimum bile flow, suddenly you begin to encounter digestive problems.

If left untreated over time would result into all sorts of complications as a result of a complete pathogen invasion of your system. The large quantity of bile in your stomach after every meal is enough to control all pathogens in your digestive system which is the root cause of excessive gas and other digestive abnormalities.

Furthermore, lack of bile can naturally lead to an increase in your body's overall acidity which no matter how much you attempt to alkalize it using Ted's formula for example, could never be a substitute for the real thing.

Just by unclogging your liver with a natural emulsifier such as granulated soy lecithin or pure liquid lecithin would offer a permanent solution to the problem. I am living proof of this since I started following this cholesterol emulsifier program. I now feel so good after eating a meal just like I remember when I was very young and healthy.

Many people don't realize the significant importance of correct levels of bile flow in your system.

When there is maximum bile flow in your digestive system you can feel the positive effect in your stomach as it this tends to stimulate your whole digestive system to function properly. The results, no stomach pain whatsoever, no more insomnia, no more excessive gas, normal stool appearance and especially always full of energy during the day.

A serious bile problem usually begins to show up as frequent diarrhea which in my case was the leading indicator of a clogged liver. As hard as it is for me to believe this (which by the way has been confirmed by searching over the internet) chronic diarrhea can be treated very effectively by simply taking granulated soy or pure liquid lecithin. The results in some cases can be very dramatic as what I experienced for myself. A baffling 2 year off and on chronic diarrhea problem completely resolved overnight!!!!!!!

Low bile flow problem does cause chronic diarrhea according to many who have had their gallbladder removed especially after eating a fatty meal unless they take certain medication for it (extracted bile from other animals I believe).

Let me conclude with the following recommendation for restoring a malfunctioning digestive system by replenishing it with the basic natural ingredients that mother nature has provided us at birth.

Afterward you can then reduce the amount of supplements according to whether or not there is overall improvement.

(1). HCL Betaine for sufficient levels of stomach acids.

(2). Digestive enzymes to reduce wear and tear on pancreas.

(3). 1 tablespoon of granulated soy lecithin after every meal for optimum bile flow.

(4). Plenty of vegetables for alkalizing your stomach which will protect it from the damaging effect of excessive acidity caused by processed food.

(5) Occasionally consume DGL tablets to build a protective barrier inside your stomach lining to counter any damage caused by pathogens especially from the pylori bacteria that would eventually lead to ulcers.

(6) And of course don't go back to eating processed food, instead consume only the good fat.

The results of following this program will no doubt allow you to pinpoint specifically as to the cause of your digestive problems. This would tend to artificially compensate what is lacking in your whole digestive system temporarily until your digestive system can function properly on its own.

Replied by Tina
(Houston, Usa)
02/28/2012

Please, please try this and you will be amazed how quicly the acid reflux is gone! Get some store bought kombucha in ginger flavor and sip 1-2 bottles daily. You will notice a complete turnaround in 48 hours. I was stunned and amazed how good I feel without acid reflux.

Replied by Alex
(Honolulu, Hi, United States)
02/28/2012

Hi Mike, I've got a post in the alkalizing section about my own conditions (diagnosed mercury toxicity and related issues).

I was wondering if there is a way to figure out if bile is/was a problem for me.

I'm about 6 foot, and 145 lbs (thin). I was 175 lbs when I was fit before I had mercury problems.

My diet is only vegetable (50% raw), some nuts, olive oil, organic meat and supplements (probiotics, b-complex, most vitamins, most trace minerals). I'd like to eat fruit, or whole grains, but if I eat either I get plunged into fogginess and fatigue. I'm not sure why I'm not alkaline without Ted's lemon/bicarb remedy, as my diet is hugely vegetable. I attribute everything to immune system problems and negative gut flora overgrowth (as is often associated with mercury) but I don't really know. Overall things have been steadily improving since I started this restrictive diet. In the past I had weak stomach acid, but this no longer seems to be a problem.

What do you think? Bile/lecithin problems? I really can't afford to lose any weight. In fact I'd love a way to gain weight.

Replied by Mike
(Montreal, Quebec)
02/29/2012

Hello Alex, Do you often have diarrhea?

Is the color of your stool very pale and sometimes yellowish?

Do you experience a lot of gas?

Do you have any pain on your upper abdomen between rib cage?

Is your tongue white?

Most important of all do you always feel bloated especially after a big meal?

These are the normal signs of bile problem.

Other than that since HCL Betaine seems to work for you then why not increase the dosage and see what happens as long as you take plenty of water with it or consume a lot yogurt. I have once consumed 12 capsules of it (6 grams) and never had a sore stomach afterwards because I took plenty of yogurt afterwards.

You will find that taking HCL Betaine is very effective against the feeling of being bloated as this is often a sign that the pathogens are being destroyed inside your stomach.

Also, the Yogurt by itself will help by replenishing the good bacterias.

You can start taking lecithin soy and see if that can improve your condition as well as this insure maximum bile flow to control the pathogens in your stomach.

Replied by Teh_colt
(Dubai, Uae)
01/04/2013

Hey, im 14 years old, and I live in a boarding school. im leaving tommorow really early morning so I would appriciate it if I can get a reply within the deadline. on to my problem, one evening during dinner, I had some soup. The following night before I went to sleep I felt very sick and felt as if I was going to hurl. I was awake for what seemed to be 2 hours and the only cure that I had(we aren't allowed to keep medicines in the dorms) was to drink water. Until I felt like I could sleep, well I slept. I woke up next morning feeling a little fresh. But then on that evening I felt the same as the last night. I managed to ask the nurse for some medicine, and she game me something and I felt a little better, and was able to sleep. I managed to find a cure for it. 30 miniutes of walking or jogging. The school doctor had a look at me and perscribed:rabedom 30 mins before breakfast and lunch, a syrup that had alpha amylase and pepsin after lunch and dinner, and a tablet for worms(which I had to take within two weeks of his perscription, but I forgot it in the dorms :( ). When I got back home for christmas break we went to a pharmacist and she perscribed me with motilium before lunch and dinner. It has been working so far until last night when I was really feeling sick. I eat a very unhealthy diet containg quite acidic foods and last night I had kfc chicken strips, a burger and coke. I think I brought this upon myself. Today I bought some apple cider vinegar, put 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of it in water and drank it (EWW IT TASTES HORRIBLE). I drank it just this night at 10pm. Its 1:25 as I write and I only feel no better. I didn't take my motilium or my syrup.

Did I cause this?

if not whats my cure?



NEXT 
Previous Page 1 2 3 4 5 ...23 Next Page