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.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 07/19/2008 490 posts
★★★★★
Hi Rosetta, If you diligently work at eliminating all bleached flour from your husband's diet, you might find that you also eliminate his acid reflux problem that nothing helps. It works for me and I can tell you that unless breads and cereals state l00% whole grain, they aren't, and probably contain some bleached flour. You will also find that many products contain both bleached and unbleached flour. The above has been working for me for over 30 years now. I don't know what it is in the bleaching process that creates the problem, but since I can eat whole grains or unbleached products without getting the problem, I know that is where the problem is.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gary (Carpinteria, CA) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
Just a note on what has helped me with acid reflux. I was really suffering badly from this for several months, I tried a lot of different diets, and also ACV baking soda and bentonite clay. None of these helped me significantly. I came across an article from a natural health practitioner who stated that he was able to cure many of his clients from acid reflux by giving them a strict low carbohydrate diet to follow. I immediately went out and bought a couple of the low carb books and read them as fast as possible to learn how to do this type of diet. I started the next day, and I have not had any major problem since (3 years) -- I do occasionally still get some acid reflux if I eat too many starchy foods. If I follow a low carb diet reasonably strictly, I have minimal problems. Once you learn how, it is easy, and also keeping your insulin levels low helps with many other health conditions.
Reduce Stress
Posted by Ali (Portland, OR USA) on 11/01/2008
Ref: Posting of 05/19/2008: Gislain from Phoenix, AZ
You are absolutely correct. Stress can certainly cause acid reflux. Then the person is told to take PPI's or H2 Blockers. The next thing they know they're on med's for life. Avoid worry and stress. Don't get over weight (if you are lose weight), eat right (smaller portions and healthy). Avoid all medications that can cause reflux (and there is a lot of them out there, prescription and OTC). Lastly, practice relaxful breathing, close your eyes and envision a calm place.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (London, England) on 05/14/2008
★★★★★
Acid Reflux: I was given a prescription for antacids from my doctor to deal with acid reflux. I was suffering from a persistnet cough, mainly in the morning and often throughout the day. I could tell it was not a flu-related cough. My naturopath friend advised me to stop drinking and eating at the same time. I tried it for a week and my cough stopped. I drink at least a half hour or more before or after a meal or even after something as small as a donut. I am very concious about separating the two processes. Try it, it works! It is all to do with the fact that the stomach can not digest food properly with liquid in it. As a result the acid builds up and causes reflux. Simple.
Licorice
Posted by Frank R (Anytown, USA) on 04/05/2008
★★★★★
I developed acid reflux and ulcers due to stress in my job. I did not read anyone having stress induced acid reflux. This developed in 1986 and I still have it.
I have taken tagament to Prilosec with varying degrees of result. When I took Prilosec I was told it was only for 30 days and then never again. That was in 1997 and of course that was not true.
The worse thing is when contents of my stomach decide to go up my throat and into my lungs when I am sleeping. It does not matter what I eat, how much, or when I still get these scary episodes.
I have not tried vinegar for this but use it for hiccups. I figure it shocks the system. When I know my stomach is going to be a problem I eat saltine crackers (baking sode is in them), eat yogurt, and drink lots of water. Sometimes it really helps, sometimes it only minimizes the discomfort, or I wait until my digestive system has moved along any food.
One thing I have learned is to try avoiding drugs if you can and that each person really is an individual which inclues our bological systems.
Having lived in Europe a lot of my life I found black licorice made in Germany helps my acid reflux too. It is not like what is found in the United States. Moms often give it to kids with stomach aches. I happen to like and have my German friends mail it to me.
Has anyone else ever used black licorice for acid reflux? It is a natural drug free treatment.
I wish good health to everyone.
Licorice
Posted by Patricia (Ottawa, Canada) on 04/11/2008
Love this site! Thanks to Frank R. for the tip about black licorice - have a German Deli that sells it - assume you mean unsalted? Have a friend just moved here from Australia who told me that they commonly recommend sucking on "natural glucose" lolli-pops for reflux.
Mustard
Posted by Carla (Bellingham, Wa) on 06/06/2012
★★★★★
I just tried it this morning, 2 teaspoons mustard after many days of heart burn, nausea, etc. It has been about 15 minutes and I'm feeling relief already, I hope it will last!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Robert (Martinez, California) on 03/19/2008
★★★★★
Meats stay in the digestive system for many days.To increase digestive acid take 1/4-1/2 tsp. "pink salt" with meals per day.Stay away from pasteurized dairy, & sugar.Eat more raw greens than cooked.Baking soda will work in emergency however the salt content is too much for frequent use. Try "Raw" unheated honey,2 tbsp.in 1 cup Perrier or other naturally carbonated water. Penta water is alkaline.Take "Megazymes" after meals for routine maint.Turmeric is very good for digestion,1/2-1 tsp.& promotes healthy flora.Great herbs are thistle leaves as a tea or calamus root, a small 1/4-1/2 dried root tucked between lip & gum works very well & is great for bad food from restaurants.Allow to disolve in mouth.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Joanne (Titusville, Florida) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★
Doctor said I probably had acid reflux and prescribed the "purple pill". It made me sick and I never used it again. My husband suggested that I check my Ph balance. Low and behold I was on the acidic side. I then researched the internet and found foods that are acidic and avoided them. I also found out that we lose our good bacteria in our stomach due to the antibiotics we have taken over the years. To solve this problem I take acidophillis each day. I also take a few "Chorella" pills daily.(the green pills) As long as I avoid the "acid" foods, my body does well. There has to be a balance of acid/alkaline foods eaten daily. I am 65 years young and have advised my children that they had better watch their diets. I find that the majority of folks can't seem to part with their "SODA" or "COLA"(caffeine) each day. Beware, this is one of the major culprits of acid reflux. When you go into a restaurant always order water with lemon. This will help your stomach before you indulge.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gail (Houston, Texas) on 02/06/2008
★★★★★
I'm in my sixties and I started getting awful acid reflux a couple of weeks ago, along with belching which I had never had before. Sunday, 2/3/08, I decided to try a few things, not the least of which was to eliminate the 12oz. bottle of beer I was having every day. I also started eating smaller meals and including apple sauce and yogurt daily as my desserts. And also started concentrating on alkaline-producing foods. I'll never know what did it, altho I think it was eliminating the alcohol, but it is 4 days out (2/7) and I have had no acid reflex or belching since Sunday when I went 'clean. I am so very happy there is this internet with such a wealth of information which helped me Sunday morning to get a grip on this condition.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jean (Vancouver, Washington) on 01/11/2008
★★★★★
I don't use painkillers of any kind nor have I used antibiotics in many years yet I just developed acid reflux. In my case I've led a stressful life up until now. I believe that if you lead a stressful life, eat when you're stressed or very upset, it won't make a bit of difference how good your diet is, you simply contaminate the digestive process. do this often enough you establish the problem and become susceptible to many things, natural and unnatural. I currently subscribe to the ACV cure as well as a multi-herbal tea drink consisting of fenugreek, ginger, caraway seed, and slippery elm that I make up myself. Other than that I am attempting to stay away from coffee and anything like nuts that will irritate. I eat soft foods, mostly root vegetables (not potatoes). As someone who takes complete responsibility for the creation of my own good or bad health, I'm hopeful to cure the problem and be able to enjoy life again.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Nathan Smith (Del Rio, Texas) on 01/11/2008
★★★★★
I have had stomach acid problems from the day I was born. I reliezed that for me it was completely dependent on my diet. If I ate pizza, bacon, french fries, almost anything fried, pasta, bread and other hearty and greasy foods, I would have really bad acid. In college away from home I expirienced very bad acid and examined my diet. I found that I was eating very acidic foods. I found some websites that actually rate the Ph of food after it goes through the digestive tract and low and behold it was what I was eating. Vegetables are very basic and I found that if I balanced my diet with some vegetation that I would not have a reaction. I also religiously use baking soda when I dont have vegetables or go out drinking and it is a sure fix! I am concerned about long term effects of baking soda but havn't had anything but success.
OTC
Posted by Rosesgift (Grafton, Wi, Usa) on 06/10/2010
Thank you Mary!! I thought I was losing my mind. I have been taking over the counter ant-acid meds for years with little or no success. My memory loss and dizziness has increased since I have been taking the drugs. Someone told me about ACV to take away my acid reflux. I thought I would do some research and it looks like it works for most people. I will try it and hope that works for me. These past few years have been a nightmare and the doctor just keeps telling me "lets try this....ect"
What was your name again?? Thank you again!
Scott
Liver Cleanse, ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Amy (Merrit Island, FL) on 10/31/2007
★★★★★
I did Dr Clark's liver cleanse, not only cured my acid reflux but cured my diabetes 2, my bursitis. I have completed 4 liver cleanses and still getting better with each one. after years of aliments and sickness I am getting well. also I am loosing weight. I have started a veggie diet and I wanted to boost my PH levels for pain and well being. I tried juicing but could only get my levels to 7.5.. the Apple Vinegar and baking soda got my levels where I want them 8.7. thank you no pharma crap!
Liver Cleanse, ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Veronica (California) on 12/31/2020
Hi Amy.
Can you clarify which Dr. Clark's cleanses you are referring to here? Thanks.
EC: Hi Veronica,
Amy's post is from 2007, so it is unlikely she will see it at this point. Sorry!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Wendy (Plover, WI U.S.A.) on 10/29/2007
★★★★★
Acid Reflux comes from being celiac. Celiac's can't eat dairy or gluten grain. Celiac's don't make enough stomach acid, so taking HCl and enzymes with a meal helps and not eating the dairy and grains. Hidden dairy and gluten grains are a problems to watch for.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Greg (Franklin, MA) on 10/20/2007
★★★★★
I suffered everyday with acid creeping up and severely hindering my ability to enjoy things in life. I noticed two huge agitators: 1. Over-eating (easy to do for anyone in U.S.) 2. Chocolate (tends to be a great laxative, but also tends to promote the acid problem. Continually the damage done by Acid Reflux caused burning and I found that taking in a good amount of sea salt (with water, foods) cleared it up.
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Terry (Chicago, IL) on 09/01/2007
★★★★★
enzymes will stop all your acid reflex, Tums kills all your good acid. buy in health store
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Ali (Abu Dhabi, UAE) on 05/14/2009
My question is about digestive enzmes. Is this recommended for any reflux problem and what type is best as a remedy. Is it taken with anacid tablets? please advise.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Lisa (Middle Village, New York) on 04/25/2012
I am 49 years old and diagnosed with Gerd about 2 years ago I am on 40mg of Nexium 2x a day, Baclofen 10mg 3 x a day (which they give to people with MS, it helps tighten the sphincter so the acid doesn't come up) and a medication called Domperidome 10mg which comes from England to Canada then to me in the states. The medication that they would give in the states has to many side effects that my Dr. recommended that instead. I still have severe trouble breathing, pain in chest in the rib cage. I feel the acid constantly coming up my throat all day long and burning in my throat. I have a constant bad odor and taste in my mouth and nothing helps. I can't sleep. I need to lose 40 lbs and that should help relieve the pressure from my abdomen.
The problem that I am having is I am in pre-menopause and I believe the medication that I am on makes me swell up so When I try and lose the weight I am always swelling with water and I can't get passed my 5lb mark that I lost 2 weeks ago. This is becoming very fustrating. I am afraid to try the apple cider vinager because I am afraid that it will burn the hell out of me. I get severe pain in chest and throat, trouble breathing. The acid makes me so physically sick sometime that I am so out of it I do not know how I function days. I also experience severe burning and back pain, too. Anyone have similar symptoms especially with the breathing and back pain? I can use any suggestions and help.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 04/26/2012
Lisa, sounds like over-acidity. Try alkalizing.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Heather (Leicester) on 04/27/2012
Hi Lisa, I would always recommend that anyone who has acid reflux symptoms and a swollen abdomen get a full check up from the doctor. My best friend had these symptoms before she was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer an early diagnosis is an advantage. Take Care and please follow Bills advice and get a thorough check up x
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Roxanne (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) on 05/16/2007
★★★★★
Always sleep on your left side, so stomach acids don't drain into your stomach. Start taking good natural digestive enzymes to break down the food that is rotting and stuck in your small intestine area. This gets things moving and the acid reflux stops. Also get lots of fiber or take capsules of psyllium with a big glass of water before bed. Stay away from antacids that stop the acid that your body is creating to try to break down the rotting foods. Just keep it all moving away from the top end and out the bottom end. Drink plenty of water! :)
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Moomie (Atlanta, Ga) on 09/03/2012
Sleeping on my left side causes acid reflux for me. I suggest anyone try different sleeping positions, I had been told by my Gastroenterologist to sleep on my left side, but everytime I do I wake up in severe pain and choking to the point of throwing up. If I go to sleep on my right side and flip a little later to my left it will get me everytime. If I start out on my left side it gets me sooner. I can only sleep on my left side after several HOURS of being in bed. So it is different for everyone. There is no one "remedy" or "cure" that will work for everyone. You will have to try each of them single and in combination until you find what works for you, but natural is soooo much better than prescription with all the side effects any day.
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Israel (Austin, Texas) on 05/08/2007
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with Acid reflux two years ago at 27. I was given that (blue red)pill, but I like others realized that once i was off it, my acid reflux came back. I am not 100% sure what has caused it but have narrowed it down to the intake of soda as a youth. I am intrested to find the correlation between the extra large sized drink given out by fast food restraunts and the increased case of acid-reflux. Did the case increase upon their introduction? As for possible cure's I have tried a few...the best results came with digestive enzymes...I also tried goat milk which did alright but I am lactose intolerant...I have also read about a type of yogurt, helps that was popular in the 60's, but I don't know the name, if anyone knows what I am talking about please post the name. It has a natural way of stabilizing the digestive cultures in our system. Avoid grease, spice, and acids...especially vinegar...and eat slow...that is the biggest adjustment that has helped me...eat really, slow and smaller portions..
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Wren (Las Vegas, Nv) on 07/27/2010
★★★★★
The yogurt you are talking about might in fact be Kefir. I drink Plain Kefir to sooth my throat and help balance my system. My Mom just had a Whipple sugery and the doctor was amazed at how quickly she recovered. He asked "What are you doing?" I had put her on a Kefir intense diet. Now he recommends it to all his patients. (Find it in most major grocery stores in a bottle near yogurts, comes in many flavors but the Plain has no sugar. )
Aloe Vera
Posted by New To All This (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/10/2009
I looked for aloe vera in Whole Foods and found so many versions I didn't know what to get. One brand has several formulas, including one that indicates it's for acid reflux but contains peppermint, which is supposed to be avoided for acid reflux. What should--or should not--be in the ingredients? I didn't see George's.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Janise (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/23/2009
I bought the most expensive Aloe Vera at Whole Foods and didn't notice a difference from the cheaper one I get at Trader Joes. But fresh aloe plant is the best. I talked to the people at Whole Foods and they found a company that delivers fresh juiced Aloe vera and said they would order it for me if I wanted. I haven't done it yet but plan to. It is very jelly like so it is best to water it down in the blender.
