The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics
Posted by Gerd Fighter (Atlanta, Ga, Usa) on 03/08/2013
★★★★☆
I've been suffering from severe acid reflux for 13 long years now. Doctors did numerous endoscopy and declared that I've small hiatus hernia and acid reflux. They put me on PPI medication and I used all sort of PPIs like protonix, omeparzole, esomeprazole etc. Nexium (esomeprazole) worked for me best. With this one I almost did not have any problem. But, I've been taking it since 13 long years everyday!! The problem of these medications(chemicals) is it will kill you one day if you keep on taking it for so long. It prevents the body to absorbe the essential nutrients/minerals from the food you take. So, as a result, with prolonged use of these medicines you get other side effects like decreasing bone density and all other form of problems and gradually it will take you towards a silent death. But, no doctors will tell you these facts to you. The pharmacitucal companies warn you to take it not more than 4 months max. You have other options like surgery - but, no guarantee that will work for you and doctors will allow you to do it. In my case the doctors said surgery will not be effective for me. Also, the surgeries need to be repeated after some times if it works.
Then...I started looking for alternative medicines as I was desparate to get rid of Nexium. I searched all the web sites like this one and tried homeopathic medicines, apple cider vinegar, apple etc. But, all these did not work for me. Then in this site I came to know about natural digestive enzymes and probiotics. Medicines like Nexium works by stopping the acid production in stomach - which ultimately harms the body as you need the acid in stomach to digest the food. Digestive enzymes and probiotics works on the root cause of the acid problem of the stomach. They help in digesting the food quickly/properly so the body is not required to produce excess acid thereby reducing the cause of acid reflux. I could not think of a single day without Nexium. But, since I've been started using digestive enzymes and probiotics they helped me - I'm not taking the Nexium currently as I'm taking digestive enzymes and probiotics. My symptoms are not fully gone - but, definitely they are less with these. I believe if I do more research with these natural remedies it will help to keep this monster away. But, anyway you need to take them for ever as long as you live. But, it is better and safe to take it like food, as long as you live - and not like Nexium. So, my suggestion to all the trillions of sufferers worldwide to try your best to work out a natural solution which suites your body most and definitely try to get rid of PPI and other form of chemical medications. Try the digestive enzymes and probiotics - available in health food stores and also in pharmacies - in US.
I've one question though - does anybody know the side effects, problems (if any) of using digestive enzymes and probiotics for prolonged period or has anyone experienced any problem. Though these are natural products - we all know too much of everything is bad. So, I would be really interested to know this - as, if it works, I need to take it forever.
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 03/11/2013
Hi Gerd Fighter... I would not agree with your opinion on alkalizing with sodium bicarbonate. Read the evidence in these links:
Oral Dosages of Sodium Bicarbonate
Ted's Alkalizing Remedies
I took Sodium Bicarbonate with water(to alkalize the blood) as well as the lemon/lime sodium bicarbonate remedy(to alkalize inside the cells) as a major part of my own successful protocol to help defeat my own systemic candida problems. I still take these alkalizing remedies today and my candida problems have never returned as a result.
Sodium bicarbonate is also well recognized by the body as a friendly nutrient. Bicarbonates are used throughout the blood and cells for alkalizing and as long as you have a fully functioning kidney to regulate sodium, there should be no real problems taking sodium bicarbonate with water.
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 03/12/2013 2041 posts
Gerd Fighter: Bill is our expert on the Buffer solutions, so do follow his advise, as many folks are getting well as a result. I personally use about half spoon of 50% Sea Salt mixed with 50% Sodium Bicarbonate 3x daily as I have acidosis problems.
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics
Posted by Gerd Fighter (Atlanta, Ga, Us) on 03/12/2013
Thanks a lot Bill and Timh!! This is a great site.
Bill: I checked the links provided by you - there it is mentioned that "Do not use the maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks. " - so, is the oral intake of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) harmful for prolonged use? Can I take baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) orally with water everyday (in prescribed amount) - throughout my rest of life? It looks like even after using the digestive enzymes - I'm having residual acidity - which is not very severe, but not comfortable at all. If I take baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) orally with water it is going away. So, to me it looks like it is working as a antacid. My only concern here, everyday use of it throughout the rest of life. Also, if it (prolonged use) is not harmful then why do everybody talks about reducing the consumption of sodium? Now-a-days probably in every food products it is mentioned that low level of sodium - why is that? Please clarify.
Thanks again for the help!
Baking Soda in Orange Juice
Posted by Amy (Kelso, Washington) on 06/27/2017
I add 1/2t of baking soda to my spaghetti sauce to neautilize it. Works great. Hate the taste of it so ill have to try in orange juice. Thanks for the suggestion. Ive been on 40mg protonix for about 25 years. I want to get off my RX!
Lemons
Posted by Louwrence (Rustenburg, North West South Africa) on 05/02/2012
★★★★★
Hi, Something that works for acid reflux is squeeze out 4 lemons & drink it undiluted & within 15 minutes you have relief.
Supplements
Posted by G Shannon (Eads, Tennessee) on 04/29/2012
I have found that reflux and heartburn often have same or similar causes. These problems are often, not always, associated with electrolyte imbalance. It is somewhat difficult to identify which electrolyte is the cause even after taking medical tests. The best solutions I have found are in eating one or more of these vegetables every day.
Broccoli---Asparagus---cabbage--greens
This usually works, but it will not work just eating them twice a week. Again, keep in mind that calcium and magnesium are almost always lacking in people that have frequent heartburn or reflux.
Some people have reflux and heartburn because they have the wrong ratios of acids in their system that the body is using for digestion. If the blood ph begins to drop below 7. 375 the body will rob the stomach of alkaline material to balance the blood. This transfer of alkaline material results in even greater acidity in the stomach; but it is often the wrong kinds of acids that end up in assisting digestion. When the body has to borrow to balance the ph one may end up with too much carbonic acid (could cause seizure or coma) or too much lactic acid (could cause muscle cramps). When these things occur they are often associated with either too much or too little HCL. When this occurs the body will eventually reject these inappropriate acids after it has utilized some of them for digestion; thus the reflux. Many over the counter medications will make the adjustment with aluminum; but this like sodium is a quick fix.
What must be determined is this. Is the reflux the result of too much acid (generally speaking) or is it the result of the wrong kind of acids. And then again, could it all have been initiated by a gradual lowering of blood ph?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Alex (Honolulu, Hi, United States) on 02/27/2012
My reflux was very similar to yours. I also got a lot better when I stopped taking ompreazole, and started taking L-Glutamine and probiotics. Betaine HCl stabilized everything for a little while. Ted's lemon bicarb remedy is my current weapon of choice.
From what I've read, the antibiotic use goes something like this:
Antibiotics kill the good gut flora, leaving behind the resilient yeasts and who knows what else. The bad flora now have very little competition and proceed to digest/ferment the food we eat. Pressure from the fermentation pushes stomach acid up the esophagus, and we experience reflux. Cough/throat problems abound.
I'm not sure if that's true, but it certainly lines up with my experiences -- be it antibiotics, acid reflux drugs, or any other source of damage to my digestion.
Papaya
Posted by Cindy (St George, Ks) on 02/22/2012
DOES THIS TAKE THE NASTY TASTE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Joselyn (Manchester, Connecticut, United States) on 02/05/2012
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Okay so since Christmas day I've had what is believed to be acid reflux. My mother has it and said it is probably acid reflux, I saw my physician once and he also said it is probably acid refluc. ACV used to work for me great... But now it doesn't. Nothing helps at all anymore. Apples helped for a week and now they don't. I was prescribed prilosec and I took it for a full two weeks. That didn't work. Baking soda also didn't work. Can anyone help me! ? I got four tubes of blood taken out yesterday to see if I have other things wrong with me. I should get the results back tomorrow. I don't get heartburn at all, though. I get waves of nausea every day and feeling like something is in my throat. THe bad thing is.... This usually affects me at night. I do get it during the day, but at night it's horrible. I sleep propped up and I STILL get it. I was up from 11 pm to 400 am because I was so nauseous. I attend highschool and wake up at 5 in the morning, so this really sucks when this happens on a school day, whether it's night or day.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jc (Manila, Philippines) on 02/05/2012
To restore healthy and balanced intestinal flora, you need to have Sulforaphane (from Broccoli), Vit. A, Ginger, Zinc and Copper to provide essential Vitamin, minerals and phytonutrients to help support gastric health and to minimize oxidation during gastric tissue repair.
Melatonin
Posted by Rachella001 (St Pete, Fl) on 11/12/2011
★★★★☆
Take 6 mg of melatonin every night at bedtime. It strengthens your stomach sphincter making it harder for acid to travel up your throat. I've been doing it for 1.5 mos and feel 70% better!
Pickled Okra
Posted by Larry (Newnan, Ga) on 09/30/2011
I have suffered from ocasional acid reflux for years but have never been treated by a physician for this illness. I love all kinds of pickles and sometime about a year ago I just happened to start eating a pickled okra just before bedtime and have noticed that since that time I have never once had acid reflux bother me. Just today I found this website and was happy to find out why the pickled okra seems to work. Thanks. Larry
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Amit (Austin, Texas) on 09/13/2011
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Christine (Nottingham, England) on 09/12/2011
Hi Sarvanon, sorry about your suffering. I have the problem my self. I read an article about a condition called NERD. Witch I think is a type of reflux that is not caused by acid. I think this is what I have been suffering from, it is causing many throat problems with excessive mucus and throat clearing. I am trying to be more aware of my diet, thing like excessive suger and wheat, milk make it worse. I take probotics. Glutame, milk thistle, garlic and ginger tea. Progress is slow. I do hope you can find some solutations. It is often trial and error. Good luck Christine
Orange Peel Extract
Posted by Christine (Nottinham, Englandhi Ap) on 07/27/2011
★★★★☆
hi Apil glad the aloe is helping your reflux. I have tried most of the remendies on the site and they help a little. Over the last few days I have trying orange peel, Im just using well washed satsuma peel, i wanted to try it first before buying the extract. Its helping and the frothing from the gut seems to be a lot less this morning. Goggle it and see what you think. Hope this helps.
Lemons
Posted by Cynthia (Memphis, Tennessee) on 12/30/2013
★★★★★
Yes; I really agree because I drink water with pure lemon juice inside and also I have acid refluxs (yuk). Lemon is a great med;-)
Licorice
Posted by Zark (Emerald City, The Land Of Oz) on 03/18/2014
★★★★★
Yes, I was using Licorice tea and drinking it with my meals. It did help (Rutin was better though).
Chia Seed
Posted by Jose (Worcester, Massachusetts) on 04/20/2011
★★★★★
I knew about the ChÃa seed to help with acid reflux through a friend. Immediatly after a reflux attack, you need to take one spoon of dry Chia seed with a little water (the chia seed expanded and will absorb the acids. ) His wife, after ten years using Proton Pump Inhibitors (prilosec, etc. ) have four months without taking these Rx and feeling good. However, the best way is to you prepare the chia in a cup or a jar with water, let grow up, and drink the jelly that is formed. Only use the dry chia seed for a reflux attack. It could dehidrated you. For all other benefits, prepare the jelly. Please check the internet for more information.
Decaf Coffee
Posted by Edgar (Heber City, Utah) on 04/18/2011
★★★★★
after almost two years trying hundreds of remedies I saw improvement after drinking instant decaf coffee. I tried medicines and natural remedies and nothing could stop the acid reflux at night. I would wake up every 2 hours with sweats and discomfort. I do not know how coffee is stopping my acid reflux but it is working for me.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Elvis (Muskogee, Ok) on 01/21/2011
I have acid reflux. I'm Catholic and every lent I give up all foods that I know contain processed sugar. Its very difficult and I am convinced that sugar is more addictive than any drug. The great thing is that my reflux is almost eliminated. I also believe that regular exercise, and avoiding trigger foods helps, as well and the occasional bi-carb.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Darcy (New York City, Usa) on 11/23/2011
I totally agree! The occurences of acid reflux become a lot less when avoiding sugar. Though, I love sugar, I found something that works as well: Stevia. I think it's banned in the USA but as I'm living in London it's no problem. Wikipedia says that the sweet extract of the plant is allowed in the USA.
EC: Stevia is available in the USA.
Liza
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Peter (Chicago, Il) on 09/28/2010
Robert, I notice many enzymes include betaine HCL together. Ie Now Super Enzymes. Are you saying this will cancel out the effectiveness of the digestive enzymes ? Please explain. "If you take digestive enzymes, they will be cancelled out if taken with the betaine HCL"
Wheat Sensitivity
Posted by Elaine (Edmond, Oklahoma) on 08/26/2010
I was checked for celiac disease about three years ago and my Dr. Said I showed no signs of it. This is when you are sensitive to wheat. About a month ago I decided to cut out wheat products and sugar. I haven't lost any weight, but I have noticed my acid reflux is much better.
Milk
Posted by Art (Red Deer, Ab Canada) on 03/03/2010
★★★★★
Milk cures reflux for me. If you get more heartburn, drink more milk!
Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Diane (Boston, Ma) on 10/26/2009
★★★★★
Hi - I had to post about this remedy that I discovered - Magnesium Chloride (in liquid form) 2 teaspoons 3 times a day completely gets rid of all my acid reflux symptoms. It's amazing! I actually started taking magnesium chloride at my naturopath's recommendation for sleep (and it does help me to have a good night's sleep and makes me feel more relaxed as well).
Please try the Magnesium Chloride! It works wonders!!
Kombucha Tea
Posted by Shelley (Hamilton, NJ) on 07/22/2009
★★★★★
I started taking bottled Kombucha tea (not the teabag stuff) as an alternative to drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for acid reflux. The Kombucha brewing process is very similar (in fact, you can brew vinegar from it) and it has a similar concentration of acetic acids and probiotic organisms. I have found that, since I started drinking it regularly, my acid reflux has all but disappeared!
I find that I must drink at least 8 oz (1 cup) of Kombucha, twice a week, preferable on an mostly empty stomach. Depending on the severity of acid reflux, results may be noticeable immediately or within a few days.
