Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda Tonic for Acid Reflux

Hi I had acid reflux for a number of years but was in denial, I used to eat a packet of quick eze a day, I eventually went to a doctor who diagnosed me with Heicobactapylori and gave me some pills to counteract that, a year later I still had the heartburn severely, back to quick eze, I started some research on natural help for cancer sufferers due to a friend with cancer, and learned that cancer can not survive in an alkaline body, so what would to deacicify the body to help balance the PH I found that baking soda helps to bring balance to your PH level,, I thought it would be a good idea for me to start doing this and see what the result would be,, I took a tsp in a glass of water before going to bed the result was that for the first time in who knows when I slept through with out any burning pain with waking up from a mouthful of acid food and I found that anytime my belly felt bloated or I was having heartburn,

I would take a tsp of bicarb in a glass of water and the symptom was gone in minutes, but even though the bicarb eliminated the symptom in minutes, it would return at a later date, I was having, some knee pain and looked up apple cider which helps again to deacidify the body and thought it would be a good adjunct so my 2tblsps of ACV seperately from my tspn of bicarb, and it helped the pain in my knees, more research brought me to putting 2tblsps ACV with 1tspn of bicarb and mixi g with water, 4 days, no reflux no bloating feel great, 15 mi s after taking must go to toilet where it feels like everything you ever ate is evacuated,, I was getting a little belly before starting this in four days the belly is going totally flat and the people around me are flabbergasted I will continue this for about another week then have a break and see what the results are, but must say best result I've ever had, I am also a homeopath

I started mixing 1Tbsp. ACV and 1/2 tsp. Baking soda to one 16oz. bottle of water for my reflux. I drink a little first thing in the morning, before each meal, and before going to bed. After a week I came off my Rx. Meds and am doing great.

Hello Ted, I have started taking ACV+BS (2tbsp+1/4tsp) thrice a day to cure acidity. Just after ingesting this remedy it gave me a great relief. I must admit that it's a miracle remedy. A big thanks to you! I want to know about BLACK PLUM VINEGAR that is it possible to use the BLACK PLUM VINEGAR+BAKING SODA (BPV+BS) just like ACV+BS for healthy digestive system or for curing other digestive ailments?

This is good to know, I had kidney issues my whole life so I am naturally acidic. I have always craved things like vinegar and apple juice and cranberry juice, as a result. Nice to know my body knew what to do on its own.

WARNING; DISTILLED WATER IS DANGEROUS in large quantities or over time it become dangerous. It can lead to mineral deficiencies and depletes your electrolytes. Please LOOK this up @ www.mercola.com/article/water/distilled_water.htm

For the people with acid reflux, change your diet!!! The acv/baking soda combo is great, but used to fix something is missing, the reason you have heartburn to begin with. An alkaline body is very important in ridding ourselves of built up toxins accumulated over time so in that respect acv/baking soda is important but you're using it as a sort of bandaid if you don't also change your diet.

I have the exact same problem you did. I just had this scope four days ago. I'm going to give this a try and I hope it works for me cuz it seems like nothing else is. I have been so miserable and not sleeping good. Could you give me the exact recipe that you use please and thanks :)

Cider vinegar and honey also a great help with osteo-arthritis, mixed with warm water.

Hello, I want to start using the Apple Cider Vinegar with soda but I cant find the exact measurements. Can someone tell me please where can I find Ted's recipe?

I want to try the ACV/baking soda remedy for GERD but I'm currently taking Prilosec 20mg, which I want to stop taking altogether because of the bad side effects. Is it okay to take ACV/baking soda while taking Prilosec, or should I ween myself of Prilosec first?

Hi, is it okay to have just apple cider vinegar and not with baking powder?

Dfleming, it's an old post so I hope you've gotten relief. But if not, I find that when heartburn is intolerable and plain baking soda doesn't work, I take 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. baking soda, 1 capful of ACV, and 2-3 oz water. Works like a champ! Plain ACV causes me more pain.

I have ordered some slippery elm powder as I have read that it actually heals the intestinal tract from one end to the other which I could definitely use.

I didn't see the posts I put up yesterday so I'll respond again:

@ Timh: Thank you. I'll give it a try. I know Ted speaks of needing the bicarbonate with the ACV. Potassium bicarbonate should work as well as the sodium bicarbonate without the resulting edema I get from the sodium bicarbonate. Thanks for the suggestion!

@ Mark: I've been taking Lugol's 5% since last November. I took a large amount (8 drops) per day for three months, then tapered down to my maintaence dose of 2 drops per day. It helps with other issues but has not seemed to have any effect on the acid reflux.

@ Dr D: I've gone sugar & dairy free for the past 12 weeks and it has improved my acid issues somewhat but my main improvement still seems to be from the ACV. I have had a bit of weight loss recently (20 pounds) and that too seems to have brought some additional improvement. I hope to be reflux free soon!

The number of drops to attain 12 mgs iodine is entirely dependent on the iodine strength used.

5% Lugols iodine, at 6.25 mgs iodine per drop, would take about 2 drops for a 12.5 mgs dose of iodine.

3% Lugols Iodine, at 3.75 mgs iodine per drop, would take between 3 and 4 drops for a 12 mgs dose.

2% lugols iodine, at 2.50 mgs per drop, would take 5 drops for a 12.5 mgs dose.

See Chart: http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/lugolschart.html

Can you tell me how many drops of iodine is 12mgs? Thanks

Chiropractic Hiatal Hernia adjustments and getting off dairy and sugar get rid of Reflux 99% of the time for my patients. Good luck.

For acid reflux, PLEASE try iodine, at least 12mg/day, it has changed my life. No more acidy stomach or reflux after 2 days of use.

I also have osteopenia and I am concered about the acid introduced into my system. I thought the baking soda was used to help with the drain on my calcium as it helps to counter some of the acid, but perhaps I am mistaken. If someone can clairify I would appreciate it.

Linda, there is, to my knowledge, a Potassium Bicarbonate. Also Tri-Salts (Calcium - Magnesium - Potassium). How these would mix w/ ACV I dunno, but you could take them orally at any rate.

Linda, if the ACV is working fine, why would you want to add the baking soda?

Hi. For my reflex issues I took 2 tsp. AVC with 6-8 oz water with my meal. It supplied the acid I needed right at the time I had food to digest. I never had an issue with it taking it that way.

However, I couldn't use the baking soda in it as it made my ankles swell - I am very sodium sensitive. Does anyone know of a substitute for the baking soda to be used with the ACV?

My stomach was burning like fire and in my experience this worked! Do the ACV and Baking soda for the Reflux. But you MUST replace your Stomach Flora or it will continue and not be able to return to normal. I took

Aloe Vera Water

Bioflavenoids to replace Flora

Kefir

Plant based Vit. C

There was one other thing the vit store lady gave me and I can't remember what it was but it also replaced stomach flora.

In a few days it made a world of difference!!! I continued drinking the Aloe until the gallon jug was gone. I just drank an ounce or two several times a day.

No one mentions this here but you must STOP ingesting the culprits, especially Alcohol/beer. There is NO alcohol that is healthy and that includes your glass of wine every night! It's feeding your candida and killing your stomach/gut chemistry. Not to mention the sulfites and bad chemicals. If you have to have sweetner use only raw honey. No breads.

Hi, Try adding antioxidant alkaline water to the teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tbs of Apple Cider Vinegar with 16 oz of the water. Just twice a day for 5 days stop for a few days start back if needed my meter always reads 7.75-8.03 this is Ideal ph hope it helps.

To Joni, Mary, Adam, and Jalynn: I have read that ALL of your symptoms can be connected to a candida overload. You all may want to research on how to fight candida. It is apparently a fungus normally found in small quantities in our bodies, but can go into overdrive, in turn causing an overwhelming amount of problems, including the ones that you all have listed. Ted's ACV-Bsoda remedy may help, but I encourage you to read his response to 06/12/2008: Kristin from Los Angeles, CA:" http://mail.earthclinic.com/remedies/acv_baking_soda_cures7.html

Good luck!

My husband was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia. The doctors wanted to operate. We heard a radio talk about a natural product called "oragamax" pill form not oil. You get acid reflux because the "flapper" is not closing properly because of accumulated bacteria, oragamax eats it up and the flapper can close. Good luck

Hi Ted, I've had hives for2 weeks now and I heard you can use Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda- how much do I use? I'm 20yrs old female about 130 pounds. Please respond soon.

About 35 years ago, Acid Reflux [AR] was an every day, all day occurence... I lived on Baking Soda [BS] and antacids... I only used the combination of ACV & BS for the rare, gut wrenching situations: 1 tbspn of ACV, followed by 4oz of water w/1 tspn of BS.... You could hear the belch across town but there was total relief. Antacids are the worst things you can take... [as advertised] they deplete 100% of the acids in your stomach; then the 'stomach says 'Hey, all the acids are gone and there SHOULD be acids in the stomach'; so the stomach begins to pump in more acids.... Within the hour you now have 'indigestion' all over again, so now you take more antacids, and the cycle begins once again.... I began adding 2-3oz of ACV to my twice-daily 24oz office mug of water and soon the days of indigestion were gone.... I haven't had indigestion since.... I also adopted a concoction of: 32oz Aloe Vera Juice; 48oz Cranberry Juice and 48oz Distilled Water for my replacement of drinking water..... [1 gal. = 1/4 AVJ finished with equal parts of CJ & DW]. Over the years, I've recommended this to coworkers and it was 100% successful... Guess what?... After their issues subsided, they stopped the ACV & AVJ.... Not too smart, huh?? :)

I've been diagnosed with Acid Reflux - pain in throat for a long time..... Swollen lymph nodes... No other symptoms like heartburn, etc. The Dr. pescribed Prilosec for 15 days. Is it ok if I still start the ACV/baking soda remedy even if on the meds? I have 10 days left on the prilosec.... and not getting any better.

Please help me. Thanks!

To Debbie: You take as needed. If you have eaten a lot of spicey food or a lot of red meat or ice cream for instance, then the ACV formula should be taken after eating and before bed. But if you have not eaten so "richly" then you would not have to take the ACV. ACV will help, I have found, mild cases of reflux. Watch the coffee; even the decaf is acidic. And that worsens reflux. Ice cream is a killer, especially consumed at night. Heavy meats like pork and steaks also will kick in reflux.

For a certain case of reflux consume for two or three days the following: Coffee in the am with a bowl of cereal and lots of milk to wash it down, hamburger for lunch, chilli and beans for supper and for a nice night cap a big bowl of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce. Maybe you could get away with that at 21 years old but the body just will not give you enough enzymes to digest that kind of toxic lifesytle at 35. The ACV will help but is not magic is you are self inflecting digestive destruction.

1/4 teaspoon is actually only 300 mg of sodium. So at the low end of Ted's formula you are getting an extra 600 mg of sodium, not 900.

I also suffer from headaches and body aches and general malaise when I have acid stomach. I have often noticed all symptoms relieved with stomach acid neutralization. My father has noticed the same correlation, however, your symptoms could be something more severe. Pay close attention to your symptom relief when you get relief for your stomach acid reflux. If you cure the reflux but you have other symptoms, then the issues are likely unrelated.

Hi Paul from new Brunswick Canada,

I had similar symptoms you are having. When talking to my doctor, I kept telling him terrible gas and irregular bowels.

After a year I tried other diets, raw food, no help. The short story, emergency operation, and a piece of my bowel was removed. It was diverticuliis. If the doc would've caught it

before, it could have been treated with antibiotics.

It is imperative that your stomach is making hydrochloric acid to digest your proteins or nothing will help your health. If your body is not using what you are taking in, your health will get worse no matter what you eat or supplements you take. The older you get the less hydrochloric your body makes but even younger people could suffer this way, I suppose. It's like starving to death eventually. I'm not sure if there are tests to determine how much your body is making but all older people (50 ) might be susceptible and need to take these supplements every time they eat and especially proteins. Proteins are not only meat, fish and dairy but dairy and grains, beans and rice or corn eaten together. Search proteins.

Betaine hydrochloric acid is what is necessary.

I drink ACV/mother with Stevia, everyday while getting hydrated also. Sugar depletes B vitamins. Tupelo honey is the only sweetening agent (except Stevia) that will not activate insulin output.

If you have calcium in your water (lime) and it crystalizes on the edge, white vinegar will clean it off readily.

I have just been diagnosed with laryngospasm- severe throat closing- wakes me up in my sleep choking... The Dr. Mentioned GERD- Acid Reflux Disease. Is lemon Juice and Acidic fruits not the worst thing to take? This is what I have been reading?

Angela from Oxford - Thank you for your comments and I am going to give it a try as I don't like taking Bi Carb Soda nor Appple Cider Vinegar.

I am a young 63yr old and under a lot of stress with living on very for 3 years with no job. I was 9st 3lb and lost 1 stone each year (which is not good) due to the stress of trying to run a house on the little $ and over the last year have noticed that I get the acid reflux from time to time and it is very painful. I have also become very constipated and get terrible wind coming up the left side of my stomach and when I sit or lay down I get wind thru my body and am to see a specialist at the end of October. Meanwhile I am trying to get some answers. My doctor gave me Rantidine for the acid reflex but I find if difficult with the 3 restrictions that go with it.

Therefore I will try your remedy and see how it works. Thanking you.

I agree with Debbie from all I have read.

2 tablespoons is on the high end of ACV. You may want to cut the ACV to 1 tablespoon 3x a day and see how that works. Also try using more water so your tongue won't burn.

Too much baking soda is bad for you. The baking soda will neutralise your stomach acid. How are you then going to be able to digest your food. You need the stomach acid to digest your food. Taking ACV alone would be a better option. You can add honey to taste. The ACV alone will stop the acid reflux anyway.

I just started taking 2 tbs. ACV with 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1tsp agave. I have been on prevacid for many years. This mixture has been working real well for me. My tongue is burning a bit. I have a hiatal hernia(sp) and gerd. I'm afraid to stop for the two days because I know my heartburn will be bad. Is it ok to take this everyday 3x a day?

I feel your pain, Mary. I have a problem with panic attacks, as well as acid reflux. When my stress is high, like it is now, I get severe reflux from eating even bland foods. The lump/swelling feeling in my throat from the reflux triggers panic attacks, as the "closing of the throat" feeling is one of the worst things I hate about panic attacks. My reflux was so bad this morning, I took 2mg of xanax over 4 hours to calm down and tolerate/address the reflux. I'll try this ACV and baking soda recipe once I go the store. I sure hope this works, because pepto, tums, and prilosec OTC don't do a damn thing.

I feel your pain, not only the acid reflux pain! Like you I am a type a, and constantly wondering what I should or should not have. It seems like everything I try has side effects or something. Did you hear about eating apples for acid reflux? That is another problem with tyoe a, no fruits, but I had read fugi apples are less acidic, I may try that, cannot do prilosec or any drug, I beleive I have IBS also. I hope someday this all gets ironed out but it is good to share on these blogs with people who have the same problems, good luck

About the light headedness I can sympathise. I took it to be part of the malady. I also have anxiety but never attached the light headedness with acid reflux with anxiety until I was trying to analyze just what is going on and maybe I can stop it bit by bit. Then I realized I was anxious and disappointed that here reflux comes again.

I am in day 5 of the worst Acid Reflux of my life, and in day 4 of Ted's Remedy. I haven't gotten any relief yet, but I'm not giving up! I was taking the purple pill for two weeks, but it seemed to have quit working, so I stopped it. I started with 2 tbsp organic ACV, 1/4 tsp of baking soda and upped it to 1/2 tsp last night. I know Ted's post said you could go as high as 2 tbsp of baking soda, but I'm interested to hear at what dosage of baking soda (and after how long) others started experiencing relief?

I just started the ACV and BS today. On my second glass. I just cannot hold anything down except this drink which is helping me burp. I have lost 20 lbs and I am sick of being sick. The Dr. found me anemic but what can you expect from not eating. Please help with any suggestions.

I just wanted to clarify that acid reflux is also due to the flap or sphincter between the esophagus and stomach not closing correctly so the acid seeps back into our esophagus as well as what I call verps (vomit burps). I inherited this condition from my grandfather (lucky me) so I want to try the Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda. But my question is that I am taking Apple Cider Vinegar and honey for excessive sweating so will two different concoctions be too much for me? Or can I not have too much of a good thing?

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hi, Reading from another website a while ago, I tried 50ml plus 1 Tsp of bicarb. After three days I noticed that my knee pain had lessened, but I was also suffering fron chronic constipation. Fearing to damage my gut flora I stopped untill things normalised again. I shall now try the slow lane with 1 tbs of Apple Cider Vinegar and a quarter of bicarb. We'll see what happens. Like with everything else, you have to think and not just do. Cheers, Bill

Hi Cecillia, Sodium does cause hypertension and that is why sodium restriction is known to reduce the high blood pressure. What you can do to balance the high sodium intake is to take diuretic with it so you will lose water from water retention or take safer forms of bicarbonate. You can take green tea with it so you will lose the water and therefore your blood pressure will be normal.

Do your own experiment. Take your blood pressure before you take the baking soda, then in an hour or so take your blood pressure again. See for yourself. Mine actually comes down a few points, but that's mine. Check your own, because we can all be different.

QUESTION FROM JAQUES BRIGHTON ENGLAND. JAQUES DID U GET A REPLY AS TO WHETHER THE BICARB WILL AFFECT YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE? AS I DONT SEE A REPLY. THANKS.

OK, just an update....it's now 6 days after my last post and I have been able to decrease my ACV/BS to morning and evening, just before meals.

I had chicken curry last night, delicious and absolutely no belching,heartburn or any discomfit. I haven't had to sleep elevated for 1 month. I haven't had discomfit for 1 month .I am able to eat what I like however the memory of reflux is still there so I am cautious.

So the long and short of it is, I and my family are really relieved that something so simple is able to help me.

Hi Rainman, thanks for your reply. I've been taking the ACV BSoda since the 27th May and it's been extremely successful, however when I stop the ACV BSoda combination for the 2 day rest period, my reflux comes back, hence my ? on why we need a 2 day respite from this combo if it's working.

I started getting extreme belching and upper gas locking about 18 months ago. The pain I experienced in my chest because of the locked wind was unbearable....couldn't lie down, had to sleep in a jason recliner some nights, nothing would relieve it.I started 40mg of Nexium and was decreased to 20mg about 6 months ago.....No tests were carried out until about 2 months ago, when I complained that my symptoms were coming back, even worse. My doc advised me to go back on the 40mg of Nexium but that still didn't relieve that tightness and belching pain. My endoscopy showed a large Hiatus Hernia and gastritis....that's when I decided to take a look on the internet for home remedies.

The ACV BSoda has been a Godsend. I went off my Nexium the day I started the ACV (with the Mother) and haven't looked back. I have lost at least 3kg, as weight gain is a side effect of Nexium, as are headaches and numerous other side effects.

I really had nothing to lose by trying this home remedy and hope that if you're a reflux sufferer you persevere with a formula of the ACV BSoda.I take 2tablespoons of the ACV and a 1/4 teaspoon of the BS,3 times a day,usually on an empty stomach but try different strengths, you'll soon find what the right combo is for you.

Goodluck fellow reflux sufferers :) :)....reflux sucks and I'm soooo glad that part of my life is behind me.

When we start taking the baking soda and ACV for Acid Reflux, is there a time limit where we can stop taking this and the Acid Reflux would be gone, or is this a lifetime of taking this remedy?

I think the idea is to give your body a rest from supplements once a week. That way you do not develop a need for them. However, I was told during healing/treatment... you take continuously as long as you need until you feel like you can go without.

How long have you been taking acv/bs? If you have been on it long term and still need it everday. You are probably masking another issue. Perhaps you should evaluate your diet?

WORKED TEMPORARILY

Ted,

[quote]SHOULD YOU TAKE IT EVERY DAY?
No, take it for 5 days, then stop for 2 days.[/quote]

Why do you need to stop taking the baking soda, if there are no side effects?

If I don't have the baking soda with the ACV my reflux comes back. Please answer, thankyou.

You're right, bell peppers help me out with acid reflux.

I agree with the person who said Acid Reflux is not a disease. It can be your body's response to eating food that it is having trouble digesting. It can also be a sign that your body is reducing the production of natural enzymes and hydrochloric acid, something that occurs naturally with age.

I started having acid reflux about 15 years ago, when I was in my 40's and noticed it would be much worse if I ate pasta or fried foods at dinner. I went to a nutritionist who had me start taking enzymes and Betaine Hydrochloride capsules with every meal. One each at light meals and two each with heavier meals. I haven't had acid reflux since day-1. I too thought it was strange to add acid to an already acid-feeling stomach but I now realize that, if you want to be healthy as you age, you have to replace what your body stops producing.

I have found that I have a particularly difficult time digesting carbohydrates so I limit them, especially at the evening meal. Other than that I eat like I did when I was a youngster, including red meat.

My colon is clean because I fully digest my food and I am blessed with good health because my body is able to extract all the nutrients from the food I eat.

UPDATE!..I'm BACK!!! Its amazing that almost 2 years later I'm back looking this up. Thanks to everyone for their response. I had a scope done in August of 2008..had gall bladder test, barium test...all negative!! I started feeling better by the time my scope was done and I was fine with taking Nexium until this past couple of weeks. I've had a hard time eating again and I started out with the symtoms of uncomfortableness in my chest when food goes down. I'm eating little and I'm losing weight. I still get those agonizing chest attacks where the pain is unbearable and usually at night. The ACV treament didn't work for me but I just started again to see how it goes this time around. I think I'm just starting to see that it all has to do with various stress in my life.....to be continued....

I tried everything and could not get better. I started eating bananas and at night I would wake up every hour and have a bite. bananas kept my stomach busy and protected my esophagus.nights were brutal because nothing help from acid reducers, blockers, antacids, teas, apples etc. I tried everything, but the bananas were the best thing. I could fall sleep and allow my esophagus to heal.

Stephanie, bicarbonate of soda has sodium in it. Sodium causes the body to retain water and that is why you feel puffy and are gaining weight. 3/4 tsp. is too much for you, reduce the dosage to 1/4 teaspoon.

My husband suffered with acid reflux for many many years. After trying absolutely EVERYTHING, I finally hit on the perfect regimen for him, and he does not suffer anymore, thank God! Please try this and do it religiously, and I promise you will see results.

1) Take a broad spectrum digestive enzyme with each meal. Any health food store carries this.

2) As needed, take charcoal capsules for reflux, stomach upset, gas. Don't take this with medication as it will absorb anything and everything in your stomach. Also available at health food/ vitamin shops.

3) Before bed each night, have a glass of aloe juice or some kind of wheat grass juice. This will neutralize the stomach acid and it got rid of my husband's gas/belching problem completely. Buy at health store in liquid form, or for the grass, in powder form and make your own glass of juice.

That's it! These 3 things seem to address all the symptoms, and my husband now eats pretty much anything he wants. Just avoid eating too close to bedtime.

Hi Ted,

I have been on Earth Clinic and found it so interesting. I have had several bouts with what I believe to be Gerd. Pain in my chest (increases while lying down, stomach discomfort, tremendous gas. However along with these symptoms, usually at night, I get flu-like symptoms: body aches,lethargy, light-headedness. After taking an IBprofin or Tylenol it will go away. Have any of your readers experienced anything like this? The doctor does not believe they are related, but I know they are. I get them each time together, and I feel miserable. May I add that I have been taking OnecAPS. After reading your articles, I will be going on the ACV and baking soda plan today. I will keep you posted.

Hi, I just had to post about Ted's remedy for acid reflux. I have been on antacid prescription drugs for wayyy to may years(10) 40 mg. twice a day. I hate to think of all the damage it has caused, not to mention all the horrible side effects I have suffered, which have included migraines, bloating, belching, extreme fatigue and probably numerous others that I have yet to identify. I am 48 yrs old, I don't look my age, but certainly feel older. I had to let Ted and others who suffer with this, know what my experience has been with the apple cider vinegar and backing soda recipe. I have been on the remedy for 5 days and I am amazed at how well it has worked! the first day I used apple cider vinegar with the "mother" 2 Tbs. in water 3 times a day, however I did experience some nausea the first day and was very tired and a little bit of a headache( I think this was just some detox side effects). I have to tell you that I never experienced any heartburn at all! This is amazing considering that usually if I even miss one dose of my antacid meds. I would get severe heartburn!. The second day continued with just the water and vinegar 3 x day, again with a little nausea. Days 3-5 I switched to using the 2tbls. of the vinegar and 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of baking soda 3x a day one hour before meals no nausea. This is just an amazing remedy, and I was extremely skeptical about this working. But thank you God and Ted for this recipe and I hope others who are suffering will give it a try to see if it will work for them as well. I will continue the remedy after 2 days off and report my results, God bless!!

So many are misled to think that acid reflux is a real disease. More likely it is the body's warning signal that something is wrong (in this case with the function of the GI tract)much like a headache is also a warning symptom not a disease to be "treated" with painkillers. One thing I have noticed in my own self treatment of "acid reflux" is that ACV does give relief but that persistent acid reflux is caused by overload of my intestinal tract and a "dirty" colon. Regular attention to what I am eating and high fiber raw vegetables and fruits along with occasional high colonic irrigation or detoxing get rid of acid reflux permanently. Unfortunately, I am sometimes weak about my eating habits and over indulge in meats, fats and starches. Twice in my life I have had a bout of severe back pain that would not go away along with acid reflux. Both times I eventually realized that the pain was really caused by retention of fecal matter on the colon walls. Even though I thought I was "regular" I was not voiding enough. Eventually, enemas, raw fruits, vegetables, probiotics and yes ACV and lemon juice got me back to a good condition. If I keep it up and don't indulge, especially now that I am 57, I will never experience back pain and acid reflux again. That's my expectation. I will keep you posted.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I used Ted's remedy back in February when I awoke early one morning to horrible pain near my diaphram (?) and had spit coming up to my mouth, but not necessarily vomiting. I found his remedy a day later when I figured out I had acid reflux. I took it for 5 days or so then had to stop because my tongue was so raw. (I see now it says to take 2 days off after 5 on.) The good news is that by that time I felt fine.

I realize now I have acid reflux for quite awhile but never knew it. I get wet burps and have dispepsia (but did not even know what that was before) and a few other symptoms. With research, and because I try to do the natural, healthy thing anyway, I have kept this at bay by eating mostly raw foods, healthy nuts (mostly almonds), no dairy, very little meat, very little grains/breads. This is helping. I cheat and have a piece of chocolate (because I LOVE it) once in awhile. I also gave up my occasional glass of red wine:( and try not to drink coffee - I usually drink tea anyway - And drink LOTS of water.

The thing is, I went to the GI doc (just to make sure because this is all new to me and my hubby was worried) and he confirmed the condition and gave me a bunch of Prevacid samples. I have not taken any so far - YAY!

I guess I should keep up the ACV regime. I stopped and never went back but I know I still have reflux. I just don't like my tongue getting so raw.

Greetings to my fellow reflux suffers:

After reading all the feedback on this site, I can't tell you how things have changed for me.

I was diagnosed with reflux a few years back,and prescribed the usual regiment of acid blockers. That worked until a recent flare left me burning incessantly all day long. After a trip to my gastro doc; I had an egd(throat scope) to see if any cancer was present, then put on a monitor that I wore for 48 hours recording times and ate/drank while sitting, standing, or laying down. It was determined I probably be on medication for the rest of my life.

I was prescribed dual therapy that included Omeprazole and ranitadine before bed. Then I ran across this website, and others that wanted to charge to download the natural remedies described as probably already in your kitchen.
I left work that day, chest burning even after medication, and went to the nearest health food store, and bought my bottle of ACV. I mixed it with a level teaspoon of baking soda, two level tablespoons of ACV,and a cup of water.

While I'm hesitant to use the word "cure", sustained relief is putting it mildly. No more medication folks, and after the first week of on for 5 days off for two, I now just use as needed.

Thanks for all the sharing
Respectfully
DMason

Years ago I suffered from acid reflux and my doctor told me to raise the head of my bed by a foot and take antiacids the antiacids made it worse. The raised bed didn't go over well with my wife and I felt like a piece of meat hanging on a meat hook. I was at a friends house one day and was having a really bad day and he said the symptoms of two much acid in the stomach and not enough acid were the same. He suggested I take some hcl. I thought he was crazy telling me to take acid when I felt like I was on fire. I said that was like pouring gasoline on a fire.

But everything else I tried, water, milk, pappya enzymes, etc did nothing only made it worse. Finally I took the hcl capsules and started getting better. It went away for years and then the acid reflux came back, I forgot about the hcl and tried drinking water, milk, antacids, enzimes etc. nothing helped. then I remembered the hcl and started taking the capsules again. Sure enough it went away completly by the time I finished the bottle and has not returned since. I am now 71. the first time I was in my 30's the second time 40's or 50's.

Hi again, An update to my feedback of 2/16/10. We have found that since ACV needs to be taken on an empty stomach, taking it at night and between meals if a flare-up happens is very helpful. Tim tried this all day today and it worked. He continued to take the enzymes and hcl tabs with meals, and for the occasional cough/reflux flare-up he would take the ACV cocktail which we put in a travel cup for convenience.

Yesterday he tried the ACV 1 hour before lunch instead of the hcl, and took the enzymes with lunch as usual but he had reflux and spit-up about 1/2 hour after eating. So he went back to the enzyme and hcl combo for meals. Because that doesn't always last to the next meal, the ACV treatment has been a real help.

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. The sheer number of success stories is what prompted Tim to try it. Today his doctor gave him the ok to go back to work, and we had really wanted a way to get the acid reflux under control. Thank you EC and everyone who shared.

Dear Ted, I am interested in your reply of 11/03/09 To Fajar. My husband has been on chemotherapy for 4 years for lung cancer. He has had acid reflux for over a year now and experienced the same diminishing effectiveness of protonix and nexium others have had. Since October he has been taking 2 to 3 digestive enzymes and 2 tabs of betaine hcl (648 mg betaine and 130 mg pepsin per capsule) with each meal with much improved results.Yesterday, he had a glass of pineapple juice on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. He threw it up and it ruined him for the rest of the day. Even though he took the enzymes and hcl, he had acid reflux and lost a part of every meal that day. Today he was better but is now starting to get some throat burning at bedtime. He just started the ACV(1tbsp) and honey(1tbsp) in 8 0z water tonight with some relief.

My question to you is: Can he take the ACV cocktail 1/2 hr before eating if he is also taking the enzymes and hcl with meals? Will one counteract the other? Is it harmful to take both? Would it be better to take the cocktail only if the enzyme/hcl routine doesn't work? His oncologist only deals with cancer. For all secondary issues we are on our own to deal with. P.S. My husband is a very hardy man and has kept his full-time instructor job until this past December. He is on leave of absence and hopes to go back to work soon. We are looking forward to your answer soon.

I have suffered from acid reflux and hair loss for about 3 years. I tried Ted's recipe of ACV and baking soda in water, I liked the taste of it. I had to put about 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of ACV in 8 oz of water inorder to reach 7.0 acid level. I think the large amount of baking soda is making me retain water, I feel very puffy and scale is up. I'd appreciate feedback if others have experienced this. Thank you. Love this site.

To Leonardo from Atlanta, thanks for your feedback its nice to know this works. Just a comment on fresh veg giving you gas, its because it is live food and needs more enzymes to break it down, which is a good thing and so is gas unfortunately, better out than in. Rice Bread and Potatoes are a different carbohydrate bread is already processed so the hard work has already been done.

Hello everyone, This is leonardo again. I want to keep writing here because I haven't seen anybody posting their progress here so everyone can see how long before they were cured. My experience has been since I posted the first time is that ACV has done a better job in my desease that 5 visits to 3 different doctors and prescriptions like omeprazole,prevacid and others that are similar. this week I went to the doc and he gave me another one to make my stomach process food better that when I received it from the pharmacy has 4 sheets of possible side effects. In my situation, I dont have any condition that shows somethings is wrong. liver,esophagus,blood work ok. Most of the day I'm ok but at night the acid goes up and it burns my throat. its really bad. I stopped acv for a couple of days to try prevacid but the second night I got some nasty stomach pain and same acid going in my throat. I stopped right away and resumed acv/bakind soda. two nights ago it was 2 am and I had not gotten acid in my throat. I'm basically taking ACV 4x a day. protonics, papaya enzymes,magnesium/potasium supplements, ginger root supplements and doing a mostly alkaline diet. on the night that i did not have any issues I also worked out. So I'm checking to see what exactly happened for this type of success but I'm excited. Still going to the doc to check my throat soon for permenent damage. remember I wasted 2.5 months tying the docs medicine. I'm pretty confident that this as well as my new diet will cure this nasty disease and I'll keep everyone updated as too many people are being hurt by the medicines they are prescribed

Hello.

I have been taking baking soda off and on for years to soothe acid reflux. I'm wanting to do the ACV/baking soda protocol using a very well-known vinegar with the "mother" to hopefully cure the acid reflux. I don't always get heartburn until hours after eating, which makes me wonder if my problem isn't due to stomach emptying slowly (gastoparesis). My stomach (not just abdomen) gets distended like it is bloated.

I have a question regarding baking soda ingredients. I thought only baking POWDER contained aluminum, but have been reading that baking soda contains aluminum. I'm trying to stay clear of aluminum because my mom developed early onset Alzheimer's disease. Aluminum may/may not be a cause of AD...don't want to take chances.

Recently, I have been using an off-brand baking soda instead of the well-known brand found at local grocery stores. Please let me know if this well-known branded baking soda contains aluminum.

Over the years to help resolve this acid reflux health issue, I've tried HCL with pepsin, enzymes and now on a zinc amino acid supplement that may help eliminate acid reflux if the cause is due to helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Thank you for your noble work to help people eliminate health issues the natural way.

Lisa

Hello,

I believe I got GERD from excessive beer drinking. I have now been living with this disease for 3 months. I've been to the doc and I was treated for H pilory bacteria. However, no change in my symptoms. I have been taken over the counter prilosec two different kinds and now I'm taking Nexium. However, there is little change. when I go to bed my stomach just start generating bubles that go up to my throath and completely burns it. I read this site that acv/baking soda 2x or 3x works. I stopped the nexium today and my gas has returned and I'm really scared that tomorrow I will wake up with my chicks swollen like before. AM I on the right treatment? how long before I see some progress? should I add something else? I thank you for any help you can provide

I recently recovered from a particular heavy bout of upper resporitary infection (uri) / bronchitus. It took 14 days before I started feeling better. Two days later I started the classic symptoms again, tight chess, wheezing. I decided, thats it, off to the ENT (Ear Nose Throat) doctor. I described all my symptoms, frequent bouts of bronchitus. He put this scope down my nose and throat and nonchalantly exclaimed "You have acid reflux", prescribed aciphex (ppi) and strong cortisone to clear up my congested sinusses.I must add that up to this point, I never had reflux or experienced the sensation of food coming up my esouphagus. Within 6 days of starting the aciphex, I started experiencing extreme nausea, I could hardly keep any food down and constantly had the sensation of food/fluid coming up my esouphagus. I could no longer sleep at night and frequently woke up with the sensation of drowining. I woke up exhausted everymorning with a very hoarse voice. I started getting the sensation that something is stuck in my throat, I stopped taking the aciphex and went to see an internist, described my symptoms, he prescribed an h2 blocker, pepcid and a mobility pill to clear my stomach. I started drinking the mobility pill before each meal, and the pepcid at night. Within 3 days, my digestion stopped completely, food would sit in my stomach all day and not digest. Went back to see him, told him whats happening, he ordered upper gi with barium x-rays and a ct scan of the lower abdomen and pelvis. After calling the medical aid to find how much I would have to pay out of pocket, I decided to stop this nonsense. 8 weeks and I am worse off than when I started, so I started taking organic apple cider vinegar with baking soda on Dec 2nd 2009. I am astounded and ecstatic to say that today Dec 4 2009, I have not had any sensation of food stuck in my throat or food / fluid coming up my esouphagus. One positive thing that came out of this is that I had to re-evaluate my diet and stress levels. I lost 12 pounds in 8 weeks due to small portions I have to eat now. I will carry on with a predominantly fruit based diet and one larger meal with chicken etc per day for the next couple of days and gradually introduce other foods to see what effect they have.

Thankoyu thankyou thankyou, ACV has saved my life!

I'm confused on the alkalizing formulas. I'm a 47 year old female. I began having acid reflux about a month ago. Unsure if I have too little or too much acid. PPIs or antacids not helping at all. I tried 2 Tbs ACV 1/2tsp baking soda, then added 4oz water after fizzing stopped. I drank this once I stated having heartburn. I also tried this in AM and PM on empty stomach. No help at all with my constant acid-reflux or ph of 6. What formula is best? The quantity? Best time to take? How long before or after meals?

Fajar:

A frequent urination is often blood sugar issues. When too much water, the urine concentrations gets too low, and hence possible low chloride level in the urine. Normal water I would very likely add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt per liter of water. When drinking, the amount varies depending on weather conditions. In hot climiate you need a lot more, in cold weather you need a lot less. The amount consume, is best to know when to consume it. It is best to consume when the body needs it the most. The body is usually dehydrated during meals because most people do not drink water. I usually drink plenty of water during meals, that means a bit before, plenty during meals and some after meal. The bowel movements health improvements will be noticeable. How much a person consumes water also depends on your weight. The best way to determine whether the water consumption is optimum is to monitor urine salinity, using a salinity meter, you measure conductivity. But the most important issue is that most people drink o.k., but the timing is bad, where most water drinking has to be during meals, so this doesn't cause a blood sugar, blood protein, and blood fat to spikes. These spikes is what kills the pancreas, and the pancreas do need a fair amount of bicarbonates. The older a person gets the more dehydrated they come because the brain doesn't sense dehydration. this tends to occur when a person reaches 30+ years old, but for a person less than that it's not a problem. A low chloride, may cause low stomach acid, hence some sea salt is added in drinking water. However, the most important issue is the frequency of urination, such as every 15 minutes, or every 30 minutes throughout the day. Even hourly peeing may be a problem. I have two cures that actually stopped the 30 minute peeing throughout the day, it seems to be blood sugar issues, and bad diets. The cause comes from taking aspartame in artificial sugar, such as Sweet N Low, which tends to cause a person to be on acidosis, that kills the pancreas, bathed in bicarbonate, killing off the beta sells, which produces insulin, leading to blood sugar problem, causing frequent urination as the body tries to get rid of excess sugar. However, if that's impaired (the urination frequency), then a person becomes diabetic. A chromium supplements 1000 mcg, B3 niacinamde, ideally 250 before sleep. However, I have found humic acid is one easy and cheap cure. The dose is 1/8 teaspoon of humic acid in a cup of warm water, taken three times a day, and usually the frequency of urination goes away completely in a week or two. As to the issue of ACV and baking soda causing the urination. It's possible, however, I would like to deal with correcting salt balance and blood sugar issues first. To find the cause of baking soda and ACV is simple: I would stop for a couple of days and seee what happens, but this is done by process of elimination. Stop the ACV first see what happens. Then stopped the baking soda and see what happens.

Fajar from Beppu, Oita, Japan:

good day Ted, it's me again, fajar. I just like to add one more detail to my previous 2 posts, I didn't drink the ACV today, there's not much difference in my urine volume, it's still around 2.5-3.3 liters with 2.5 liters water intake.

so what i have now is:
1)constant feeling to urinate
2)frequent urination

i am so sure it's either the ACV or the aciphex i take, cuz i didn't have any problem before.

i'd like to ask if you have any natural remedies for that problem?

thank you, im looking forward for your reply, and please read my 2 other previous post as well.

thank you so much, khorb koon.

.fajar perdana.

Dear Ted, it's Fajar from Beppu, Oita

I'd like to add some revision and details to my previous post

some revision:
1) I wrote that im not hypochloridia. that was mistyped. i meant i wasn't chloride nor magnesium deficiency. but i probably am low in acid (because i dont get heartburn and getting better by drinking ACV)

some details:
2) i've checked today, I drank 2.5 liters of water and water only. I urinate just about 3.3 liters.

I read 3 standards that avg pee per person is either A)0.8-2liters b)3.5 quartz (3.3 liters), or c) 50ml/kg body, in my case (70kgx50ml= 3.5 liters).

just on the line. that worries me (since im only 21yrs old)

3) i've read too that "food and drink high in acid may not upset the stomach, the way your body digests it could trigger some type of allergic reaction causing the excessive bathroom breaks."

and im A blood type.

do you think ACV caused my frequent urination, and would your baking soda solution helped my case?

o dear Ted, im looking forward to hear from you.

thank you, khorb koon

fajar perdana.

if you feel you have an ulcer, i recommend trying raw manuka honey. it cured my severe stomach pain. take 1-2 tsp on dry bread or crackers before each meal and at bedtime till your stomach feels normal. now i just take some in the morning--it tastes good too. it is rather expensive--around $20 for 12 oz but it is well worth it.

good day Ted, it's Fajar from Beppu, Oita again.

How are you? I hope you are always in good health!

Dear Ted, I have several question i need to ask you:

I've been on aciphex (it's called pariet here) for 3 months and ACV alone without the baking soda yet 1 tblspoon 8 oz water for 2 weeks already. I am slightly getting better day by day, and I would like to wait for 2 more weeks before I start with your TED's ACV remedy.

I notice that I urinate quite often nowadays. When I drink around 8 oz, I'd urinate some times after that (around 30/40 mins after). But if I don't drink, I'm fine.

I read your explanation on your TED ACV page, "acid mixtures places unnecessary burden to the pancreas, in losing bicarbonates. Whenever bicarbonates are low in pancreas, they get destroyed, and you get blood sugar and insulin problems because the pancreas got unnecessarily depleted of bicarbonates."

So, my first question is do you think the frequent urination is caused by the aciphex/pariet or by the ACV?
2)In your opinion, should I stop taking the ACV alone, and better for me to add baking soda to the mixture...?

For the record, I'm 21 years old, and I don't have any problems with urination before, and there are no other symptoms that can suggest that something is wrong with my bladder, or diabetes, or etc.

as for your other remedies, i've tried the royal jelly to no avail, though i feel more energize (maybe because it's good for the body.)

3) my third question is that the royal jelly i drank, its 98.5% mountain flower honey, and 1.5% royal jelly. is it the right royal jelly?

I can't seem to find humic acid anywhere (both in japan and indonesia)
I'm not hypchloridia and not magnesium deficiency.

my last question, I read in some other health forum board, that there is a guy that got cured from his long acid reflux after he went to chiropractor and found out that he had a sprained wrist that didn't cure perfectly, after the chiropractor fixed his wrist his acid reflux was gone.

My acid reflux came on July this year, it got worse around august onwards,and i did sprained my wrist on early august and it's not 100% cured until now (3 months later).

4) According to your knowledge, does the two thing have any correlation?

thank you Ted, as promised, this is my confirmation number 8UJ28899SV8339138.

i so hope i can heal. i am looking forward for your reply. khorb koon.

.fajar perdana.

For Peter from Chicago: In nearly all drugs and natural supplements, chemists change the pH so that it can be used without problems. Chemically they don't actually change in most buffer reaction but it makes it more compatible with the body. Therefore in most drugs the pH is adjusted to help the drug become more stable during storage, or more agreeable so that it doesn't cause problems when it is taken. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda is used so that it doesn't deplete the body of bicarbonates whenever any acid mixtures is taken, which places unnecessary burden to the pancreas, in losing bicarbonates. Whenever bicarbonates are low in pancreas, they get destroyed, and you get blood sugar and insulin problems because the pancreas got unnecessarily depleted of bicarbonates.

Ted, What is the difference if you neutralize the acid with baking soda, apple cider vinegar with baking soda versus using the drug?

Hmmm..I wondered if dairy products may not be best. I have to avoid dairy or I get digestive issues- kefir doesn't bother me though. But I really wanted to use kefir since it has soo many great benefits. As for the ACV I actually don't mind the taste so taking it is okay. As for honey- I would even enjoy it that way- but I'd like to reduce sugar in my diet. I still wonder if I have an ulcer since I have symptoms of it- but when I went to the doctor they said my stomach was probably just irritated- and lay off irritating foods such as coffee. I know which of these foods make it worse- cuz I can feel it almost instantly. I think it may be that I need a much more drastic diet change tho- mine is definitely not the best. I eat healthy food- but too much other bad/junk food. Thank you for your feedback!

Dear Fajar:

As to your question of how long it takes for the acid reflux if you take apple cider vinegar and baking soda. It takes for most people 2-3 weeks. Baking soda maybe added more instead of 1/4 can be added to 1/2 teaspoon. This allows the intestines to get more alkaline, so that it can neutralize the acidity from the stomach. It's a general remedy. But in field work, I got all kinds of causes for acid reflux and hence many remedies. However, this is the simplest.

As to your second question, certain virus that causes acid reflux, I don't use any particular brand, however I do use a powdered source. The ones I got are either from China or Australia, where it's extracted into a humate material. I used the humic acid as a test for presence of virus. In other words if the condition is relieved by this, then it's a positive test for a virus.

As to the questions that I think you should be asking is likely to be what other remedies for acid reflux. These are the ones I found to have cured and has done very well also. Namely digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid supplements (betaine) magnesium chloride, and royal jelly (fresh frozen royal jelly). People tend to do the kitchen sink approach, this is not a good way to find which ones work since, I just used one of them at a time and see which ones work the best. In general, I found taking magnesium chloride drops immediately after eating or during eating helps reduce the condition. A digestive enzyme will work better if a person doesn't have a magnesium deficiency. In another case of toxicity and stomach damage from an unknown poisoning, that initiated an acid reflux, I have found royal jelly to help. It was a one time dose of 1 teaspoon and cured the week long acid reflux problems.

It's likely therefore that in an acid reflux, it could have many possible causes, the most common is metabolic acidosis, from eating hard to digest food, namely well done steaks and other meat products. In some other cases the stomach just ferment, because it can't digest the food, in which case digestive enzyme, magnesium chloride, vitamin B50, and betaine seems to help if it's taken along with meal. I prefer the digestive enzyme. But in another case still, if a person has a vitamin B deficiency a similar acid reflux occur. Hence there are many kinds of acid reflux, one of which baking soda and apple cider vinegar is the simplest of all cure, although it takes between 1-2 weeks to obtain result. One other case of acid reflux occurs because of metabolic acidosis caused by an iodine deficiency, in which case taking 1-2 drops of lugols plus 1000 mg of sodium ascorbate for about a week also did the trick also.

Calcium is not a likely product I used to cure acid reflux, it seems to worsen the condition. Sea salt perhaps 1/8 teaspoon in a cup of water, might further, help although the results may work if only a person have hypochlorydia, which is a deficiency of chlorides, that results in deficiency of hydrochloric acid. To increase the chlorides, is just to take between 1/8 to 1/4 of sea salt once every morning in a cup of water. This problem is getting more because people are now avoiding all salt products, hence, I then used sea salt as a replacement supplement instead of the use of tje acid forming common table salt that is the problem.

I hope this answers some of your questions about acid reflux.

Response to Bee from usa. Bee, kefir will make your stomach worse. I know. I tried it for months and continually got worse. I would suggest you stay off everything for a few days and then try the ACV again with honey. It has worked miracles for me. It wasn't easy taking it at first but I stayed with it. Now I am so much better. I've been on it 3 months now. It is the only thing that has ever helped me. I used to take Prevacid and Nexium and now I am down to 1 small Zantac a day. Good luck. Carolyn

ACV/Baking Soda Side Effects

I have had trouble with stomach problems for years now- heartburn/acid-reflux- burps where the acid comes all the way back up my throat (yuck!) and stomach pain, etc. I decided to try the ACV and baking soda- used the dosages Ted recommends- just took it once in the evening. I had stopped drinking coffee too (I know that doesn't help)- yet I was having bad stomach pain and really bad nausea- to the point I had to lay my head down bc I thought I was going to vomit. I stopped and it's okay now- about like it was before- not perfect. Could I have an ulcer? I feel like my stomach can't tolerate this remedy. I was taking kefir to help- I think I will go back to that.

Dear Mr. Ted,

this is my 6th day trying the ACV for my acid reflux (without the baking soda). 1 tblspoon 8oz water, 3 times a day. still not much difference.

I don't get heartburn when I drink it, so my problem probably is not more acid, but less acid.

My acid reflux problem is not as severe as some other people here, however they seem to be cured rather instantly, while my problem (which is only moderate) hasn't been cured (yet).

My question is,
1) for my not severe/moderate GERD, generally how long should I take your baking soda apple cider vinegar remedy before i am expected to see any change in curing my acid reflux? Will taking it with baking soda differ with taking ACV alone?

2) I am intrigued by your post that said "bug". what "bug" is it and how long should I take the humic acid before I am expected to see any change in curing my acid reflux? there is this brand with 166 mg calcium and 500 mg humic acid tablet. will that work or should I find the liquid humic acid?

Thank you for your first reply,

please reply again, Mr. Ted, I am desperate since I havent see any result from the ACV alone.

It's been known for more than 150 years that taking drinks of any kind on an empty stomach gets drained quickly and goes into the intestines. Therefore the baking soda do not neutralize the stomach acid. This is why it's taken on an empty stomach. If you wish to purposely neutralize the stomach acid, you have to eat food first, then quickly drinking the baking soda. However, before the stomach begins its digestion process, it will first drain liquids before it produces stomach. This is why stomach acidity varies anywhere from 1.5 to 6.0 pH. One proof of principle I can easily prove that the pH of stomach varies like this. If you are not hungry and you happen to take something such as a weak solution of Hydrochloric acid, such as 4-8 drops of Hydrochloric acid in a glass of water, you will invariably feel hungry. It's the acidity of your stomach that triggers your hunger. But when you take baking soda on an empty stomach, when you are not hungry, the stomach acid is NOT neutralize, because first the acidity of stomach acid is not there, and second, because the stomach drains liquid before it begins digestion. This fact, has been observed directly by an army surgeon on a patient who accidentally shot his stomach, allowing him to observe this directly what the stomach does before being verified in the 20th century. Acid reflux can be cured a number of ways. One is to make sure the intestines is alkaline which helps baking soda neutralize the acidity there, so that the stomach can drain the digested food. The other is to increase the acidity of stomach after the meals with a digestive enzyme, a magnesium chloride, and a hydrochloric acid supplements. Acid reflux can also be cured, even given frozen royal jelly whenever the stomach cannot function. Apparently the royal jelly (one teaspoon - two teaspoon) help the stomach assist in the digestive process. If the acid reflux is due to a "bug", then a simple cure is to get a 1/8 teaspoon of humic acid taken twice or three times a day. In most case the humic acid powder, mixed in a cup of water, acts as antiviral and have some properties that eliminate that too. The baking soda and vinegar, what it does is it simply reduces inflammation in the stomach and the intestines (vinegar are anti-inflammatory in nature) and it's the baking soda that neutralizes the inflammation from the acidity in the intestines too.

As to the issue of sodium, the body cannot absorb or uptake the sodium, if it's in the form of baking soda. It's the chlorides that causes the uptake of the sodium, plus the acidity of the things you eat. A simple proof of principle, is if you eat common table salt, one teaspoon, in a 1/2 cup of water, you get a very high probability that your blood pressure will rise significantly within 3 hours or less. But on the other hand, if I give you sea salt the level of blood pressure rise will be less than one half of that. The reason is simple: the sea salt is more alkaline. However, the body cannot uptake the sodium, if you add the baking soda (one teaspoon) plus sea salt (one teaspoon), as it becomes a very straong diarrhea. This means the body cannot acquire the sodium and hence you get the diarrhea. Sodium accumulation occurs when your eat acid forming foods, plus chloride rich without sufficient bicarbonates. The debateon this issue has been settled for quite some time now, but most do not follow the research findings.