Sealbeachluvr (Antelope Valley, Ca) on 07/03/2012
For three days I have been on the medication; however, also during these three days I have been on GOOGLE diligently seeking natural alternatives for my diagnosis. I came across many sites on Apple Cider Vinegar (Mother). I have read exceptional testimonies on how it not only treats Acid Reflex but other aliments as well.
Today I woke up with severe nausea again. I was so sad. I was hoping to wake up to a new day but it just didn't happen this way. Instead of grabbing my pill, I woke up, heated water and added two tablespoons of ACV and drank it with a straw. The nausea subsided almost immediately and without any medication in my system, I just drank a smoothie from Jamba Juice and ate Oatmeal successfully. This is my first day drinking ACV. Has anyone here been told they have Acid Reflex and if you have, has anyone on here experienced my same symptoms? Does ACV really work for this problem? I have to be honest and say the nausea diminished almost immediately and I have not taken any prescribed medication today.
How often should I consume ACV during the week? Also, is it normal for my tummy to feel weak/tender? I don't have pain - it just feels tender. I guess tender best describes the feeling. I understand that eating meat, oils, etc. Bring AR on; however, I am an extremely healthy eater and I have been a vegetarian for years and I do not eat fast food. I think I should add that about a week before this gross sickness broke out, the Superior Market had Cherries on sale for 69 cents a pound and they also had Mangos on sale, 2 for $1.00. In three days, I consumed about 3 pounds of Cherries and 6 Mangos, peel and all. My mom says that this could have brought it on - can fruit lead to Acid Reflex? Would it hurt to take the medication with the ACV or should I just stick with the ACV?
It is just so hard to believe that ACV would work so well. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone going through what I am going through. The anxiety makes me feel like I am sicker than what the Dr tells me. My anxiety began when my husband died 10 years ago in a car accident and I have a fear of death. I would appreciate any feedback on ACV - it just sounds hard to believe. So if you have any experience with ACV I would LOVE to hear back from you. I am going to drink it again at lunch. It isn't the best tasting stuff but I am able to consume it with hot water. (Sorta like a yucky tea) ALSO - CAN STRESS CAUSE ACID REFLUX or is it solely from food intake?
Replied By Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 07/03/2012
* When food enters the stomach, the hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach normally works to kill all the bacteria and the protein-digesting stomach enzymes(pepsin) partially digest the food with the muscles around the stomach helping to mash and breakup the food. The purpose of this stage is to fully prepare the food for the next stage -- main stage duodenal digestion in the upper intestines.
* When the stomach acid is at the correct strength -- and only when it is at the right acid strength -- a hormone is released into the blood called secretin which in turn triggers the secretion of the pancreatic enzymes in a solution of bicarbonate(alkaline) into the duodenum for main stage digestion.
* If the stomach acid or food chyme mixture in the stomach is not at the correct acid strength (low acid) then the pancreatic enzymes and juices will not be triggered and released for main stage digestion(alkaline) in the duodenum and the acid food mixture (chyme) will just sit there in the duodenum stagnating, rotting and fast breeding bad pathogens with associated spread of pathogens into the upper intestines leading to further problems later. This also causes reflux.
* Another twist to this problem is if your body also lacks bicarbonates. As already described, your pancreas needs stores of bicarbonates to neutralize the acid food coming into the duodenum from the stomach. So if you are lacking bicarbonate stores, the acid food passing into the duodenum will not be neutralized and, again, acid intestine and reflux will be the result.
Therefore two things become apparent:
* You must ensure that your stomach acid levels are at their correct strength and amounts for proper and complete digestion to occur.
* You must have adequate stores of bicarbonates in the pancreatic juices to fully neutralize the acid chyme or food when it passes from the stomach into the duodenum for main stage digestion.
It is also fairly obvious to me that the reason ACV helps against acid reflux is because it is acid -- so this helps to increase your stomach acidity which is what you need to do.
You have already said that your doctor gave you some pills for your reflux. Generally doctors give PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) which actually work to massively inhibit stomach acid because doctors always seem to incorrectly assume that reflux is caused by too much stomach acid, when in fact the direct opposite is true in 90% of reflux problems -- which is usually caused by too little acid in the stomach -- as I have already described above.
To help remedy your problem:
* Take betaine hydrochloride tablets at mealtimes. The way to find the correct dose of betaine(and thereby find the correct stomach acid strength) is to increase the dose slowly by one tablet at mealtimes until there is an acid feeling. Then cut back by one or two tablets. Later you will again get an acid feeling so cut back again. Do this until you no longer have to take the betaine hydrochloride tablets -- your stomach acid is now normal.
* Take pancreatin enzymes to ensure proper digestion in the duodenum.
* Take 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt with water once or twice a day outside mealtimes. The chloride from the Sea Salt helps to generate hydrochloric acid (HCl) which may be lacking in your stomach. Sea Salt also provides your body with other useful minerals.
* Take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate(Arm & Hammer brand is fine) with water a half an hour after you finish each of your daily meals when all the food has moved out of the stomach into the duodenum. This greatly aids alkaline main stage digestion in the duodenum and also helps to replenish bicarbonate stores in the pancreas. This will also act to reduce the reflux and will also help to reduce the burning acid pain.
* To increase your appetite take B Complex vitamins everyday.
Replied By Windhill Whistler (Rocky Face, Ga) on 07/13/2012
Replied By Nat (Woodstock, Va) on 10/05/2012
The truth is, pouring acid on top of acid is NOT always a good idea, no matter what anyone here says. If your problem is excess stomach acid, your condition will get worse. Just take the omeprazole, fo heaven's sake. :)
Replied By Sherri (Charleston, Illinois) on 10/08/2012
I am now onto a few things that I am trying for another condition. One of the things I am using is Tumeric and first tried it last night. Last night was the first night without any reflux symptoms at all! I am hoping I stumbled onto something that also works for my stomach.
Replied By Marisa (Houston) on 10/24/2013
Thank you in advance for your help. Marisa
Replied By Ann (Malaysia) on 04/20/2016
Should I try ACV before meals and sodium bicarbonate after meals? Should I also cut down on grains and carbs? I should add, I took ginger tea after I experienced the reflux and it strangely remedied the symptom. Please help, I'm in dire need of a solution. I was perfectly healthy and fine until 2 weeks ago. Thanks in advance.
Replied By John Tetreault (Warwick, Ri) on 07/05/2016