39 Comments

  1. Stardust on the Sage says:

    For those people who think they don't have time to eat fermented foods (like sauerkraut or pickles or pickled beets or yogurt or kefir – all homemade, of course) and still want to make use of Tums or Rolaids or whatever, here's a tip about those little tablets: break them into halves or fourths. My DH carries Tums with him and we've discovered that breaking them in half or smaller pieces makes them last a heckuva lot longer, and you're getting less "medicine" but it's still enough to help. I don't know why modern medicine thinks more is better; it's not, sometimes it's just more.

    We have found that we can do the same with the occasional (very occasional, actually) advil or motrin we take. Bust 'em in half and you'll find they work just as well. We started testing these things when a friend of mind told us she was taking six motrin at a time to combat headaches, and then wondered why she had continual heartburn. She ended up with internal bleeding and had to change her ways, so we all learned a lesson.

  2. Aside from a glass of grapefruit juice, The most beneficial thing I have use and seen others use successfully is magnesium citrate, commonly sold as CALM. The deal is this stuff burns away the pain immediately because your body needs Mag to release bound up chunks of calcium which may be the root of the problem anyway. Also, you will need to up your D3, but read up, and I think you may find this tip a lifesaver.

  3. Lucille Gherardini says:

    Will be passing this informaation on to my youngesst son. But really disappointed in the ad for Prilosec an over the counter drug. That doesn't fit in with natural cures.

  4. D-limonene as orange oil gel caps is a cure for many

    people.

    Clinical studies back this up, do a search.

  5. I could normally eat " ground glass " if I wanted…;->) ..my gut was so good. I had an episode of heartburn so severe, it felt like a heart attack. Then… I developed chronic gerd. I was thrown on a PPI . I did it for a bit but the more I read the sooner I decided NO to PPI.

    Organic Apple Cider Vinegar started my turn around and relief. added 98% pure Aloe vera juice. MY esoph. started to feel relief. Added DGL ( a specific type of licorice tab> from a supplement or vitamin shop ) and gamma oryzanol and have been on an alkyline diet for 4 weeks. I'm slowly getting better. I now take enzymes, also. I think my system was becoming acidic, overall . I'll stay on a relatively alkaline diet for ever. The effect on my skin is amazing. I don't think my midlife gut likes meat and fats any more. Natural is the best route. PPI's create more HARM.

    1. pamela lance says:

      If you ever get a chance – read the book = why stomach acid is good for you. Explains one of the main reasons for acid stomach – is dehydration. Need to drink pure water at least 30 – 45 minutes BEFORE a meal – so the digestive enzymes have transport to the stomach THRU the tissue to the stomach – to digest the food. AND DONT DRINK sodas with a meal – or any other high sugar drink = changes the PH of your stomach again.
      My name is Pamela – 808-281-4705 . I went to NTA School – learned so much about nutrition – this was a highlight!!!!!!

  6. Eating late at night, i.e., going to be with a full stomach, is the worst thing for GERD.

  7. I had very much success using L-Glutamine. Up to 5 g a day. Niacin also affects how the acid is produced.

    I almost starved to death on nexium.

  8. Richard Flynn says:

    A Cure for Acid Reflux

    I use Sauerkraut instead of any of the prescription or over the counter anti-acids, some are acid blockers which by blocking the production of stomach acids reduce the amount of acids

    needed to process your foods, others neutralize the acids present.

    Foods not properly digested can set and rot in your stomach and intestines. Cabbage when fermented in the

    process of becoming Sauerkraut creates a natural enzime that causes the stomach acids to do their job without causing undue discomfort also the juice works as well, in some

    countries Sauerkraut juice is sold for just stomach relief.

    I used to suffer from acid reflux and was using a large bottle of tums regularly, then used Prilosec OTC. After using Sauerkraut

    I have not used any other anti-acids (some of which are very hard on your liver) for over 5 years. Hope this helps, give it a try !

    Richard Flynn /say no to statin drugs

    1. Samson Rumbaoa Jr. says:

      I've been suffering from GERD or chronic acid reflux for almost two years. My phycisian always giving me over the counter tresament as she recomended long term treatment such as nexum, zegazid, esomeprazole, omeprazole, and different antacids……. Yet my condition getting worsen. Do advice me. What should i do? As of now I am using alternatives treatment such as natural way. Any recomendation treatment for my illness. Samson Rumbaoa Jr.

    2. I always said Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs are health food.

    3. I am having horrible GERD and am off the Prevacid—but having probs finding things that work. So how do you do the kraut….with each meal or before it and how much. I am looking for particular relief in gas…even drinking water—I am burping myself all day and I have never been like this..>I can push my stomach or turn one way at the waste and the other and gas just belches out. I can figure it out. Unless I take a bit of soda in water–nothing relieves it. I get so bound up my gas from stomach to bowels it uncomfortable and bloaty and I cant breath. I do the zymes with meals and probiotic.. I was doing DGL but read it also can cause edema and that you cant use it full time…on and off.

  9. Excercise is the best policy for all acid or gas related problems. If you excercise daily for 45 mins no need for other treatments. And apart from excercise, As for as GERD, I suggest few suggestions in day to day life that will change the situation very positively without any medicines. 1. Eat only 75% of your apetite (specially at night)

    2. drink enuf water 3. most importantly, when you sleep , sleep on your right hand side down or on your back. (Never sleep on your stumock or on your left hand side) 4. Always sit straight.

    1. Sorry, you got that last piece of advice wrong. To help prevent GERD you have to sleep on your LEFT side so that stomach acid is less likely to travel up your esophagus and burn tissue. I know because I had a bleeding node form in my throat because of stomach acid. However, now doctors say sleeping on your right side is better for your heart (it labours less in that position). So take your pick: if GERD is an issue for you, sleep left; if heart disease is an issue, sleep right. Best advice: don't snack after dinner and if you do, take a couple of Tums (or apple cider vinegar). Learn something new every day.

  10. I myself hardly ever had any problems with heartburn… but one day, I felt nauseated at work, and a coworker offered me an antacid tablet. I never used antacids before, but decided to give it a try. Shortly after taking the antacid, I suddenly started having heartburn! The heartburn was severe and it lasted many hours. It wasn't because I was already nauseated – I just never get heartburn, even when I'm nauseated. It was definitely the antacid tablet that caused the heartburn. I never take over-the-counter pills for anything unless it's a dire emergency, and when I do, I regret it. So, consider the possibility that antacids make heartburn worse, or even cause it to happen when it wasn't already happening to you. I think stomach acid is essential to have, and when you get rid of it, bad things happen. Anyone can try this test on their own – take a couple antacids at a time when you feel just fine and nothing is wrong with your stomach and you don't have any heartburn, and see if you start having heartburn shortly after taking the antacids.

  11. As a nutritionist, I have found that every case of acid reflux I have worked with has been linked to food sensitivities (mainly wheat and dairy). Acid reflux is a very misunderstood problem that most people feel comes from too much stomach acid. The opposite is actually true.

    Our stomach's produce stomach acid (HCl) to help breakdown foods before entering the intestines, where it is further broken down by enzymes released by the pancreas. When sufficient HCl is produced in the stomach, it triggers the upper esophageal sphincter (the valve connected the throat to the stomach) to close. When we do not produce enough stomach acid, the valve remains open giving permission for HCl to creep back up the esophagus, leading to heartburn/acid reflux. The reason HCl production goes down is related to various foods that are irritating the stomach lining. These foods are typically the foods we eat the most of (ex: wheat….cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, pasta for dinner). Over time this unbalanced diet destroys the cell lining in the stomach making it difficult for those cells to produce HCl.

    Best way to treat acid reflux is to remove the foods that are causing the problem through an elimination diet. Next repair the gut using nutrients that help heal the gut lining: glutamine, aloe, and DGL. Finally, reinoculate the gut with beneficial bacteria (probiotics). Using enzymes to assist with digestion during this whole process is not a bad idea either. Drinking apple cider vinegar or lemon water (8 oz) 15 minutes before meals helps stimulate HCl production. Also, avoid drinking large amounts of liquid at meals. Liquids during meals neutralizes stomach acid which makes it more difficult to digest food.

    1. Hi Geoff, my friend's 4 months old baby has been diagnosed with acid reflux – would this be the same as it is for adults? Is there anything they can give him to help keep his milk down (is it possible that he may be allergic to breast milk?)He also has blood in his urine.

  12. Food and stress are the main reasons for acid into stomach. Firstly, remove the food from your life style that cause acid reflux, Secondly, follow regular regime of exercise, which balances the enzyme secretion in the stomach. Thirdly, do some yoga and meditation, which will reduce the stress and make big difference.

  13. Adhering to the holistic approach (by taking specific herbal and vitamin supplements while following a complete set of dietary principals can help to get rid of acid reflux naturally and prevent its recurrence, safely and effectively. Natural homeopathic remedies such as as (Acidity 30) and ayurvedic herbs (Alklearant (Chandanadi Tablet) and Alkoolize (Mouktikayuktha Kamdudha) help to combat against GERD signs and symptoms naturally and effectively.

    1. Anonymous says:

      Can those herbs be given to children??

  14. Jay Sprueill says:

    Whats the true story on eating banannas, I've heard pros & cons, my best friend eats a lot of them but he also lives on the purple pill, is there a connection?

  15. I have horrible acid reflux. For years I have had it but never realized it. I just get a "chunky" feeling in my throat, and never feel hungry. Finally I went to the doctor and with my persistance, had a scope done. Well, I have Barrett's Esophogus! I am freaking out with the thought of developing Esophageal Cancer. I am on 40mg of omeraprozole a day. They do absolutely nothing. It doesnt matter what I eat or drink, I now have the chunky feeling all the time. I go to bed with it and I wake up with it. I don't know what to do. I am healthy, I work out 6 days a week. I only drink water, never been a juice drinker. Lots of fruits and veggies too. I am leaning towards trying to get surgery cuz I am afraid of the cancer. Please help me!!!!

    1. It is NOT always what you eat, It can be from taking too many needed pills

  16. wow…the many wonders of apple cider vinegar… i really should stock up on this fluid, not only delish for eating but very good and beneficial for health and home remedies.

  17. Michael Sorrentino says:

    Anyone have any home remedies for nasal polyps?

  18. Marti Bee says:

    Sandy, I have GERD, & am also on Omeprazole (the correct spelling). esophageal disorders can often be a hereditary health condition. Try juicing at least 1/2 of all the fruits & veggies you consume, avoid consuming caffeine beverages & foods (such as chocolate, & energy drinks) do NOT drink any carbonated beverages, esp. Colas, & eliminate meat from your diet as much as possible. Also try not eating anything at least 3 hrs. before bedtime.
    Avoid (or totally eliminate) fried foods & foods with a lot of spices.
    I absolutely LOVE my morning coffee, & a small amount of dark chocolate at least once a week, but have had to cut way back on both to avoid the GERD
    disorder. I was told by my pulmonary Dr. GERD is very often the result of serious post-nasal drip. Not saying you have Gerd, but you might need to be checked for it. Just a suggestion.

  19. Hydie johnson says:

    Thank you so much….for your holistic approach,to solveing this madding gerd daliema. Its almost like fighting, puff the firey dragon.

  20. Hom Dr ,nabil says:

    LIsa Cox, give a baby,Homoeopathic medicine with the name of ( AETHUSA CYNAPIUM 30 ) 1 or 2 drops in mothers milk or some other fluid which baby can take easily.this will remove the problem.

  21. Hom Dr ,nabil says:

    LEESA, Do the same as prescribed for SANDY above having the same GERD problem.avoid soda.

  22. Hom Dr ,nabil says:

    Do the same prescribed for SANDY above.

  23. ameliagatacre@gmail.com says:

    Hi Martha, Are you still reading this?
    I’d love to ask you for advice.
    Thanks,
    Amelia

  24. I have an 84yr old mother. she has always had problems with her colon and periodically has had faecal impaction. Last bout was in July when she was hospitalised. I am sure it is her diet. She is not very mobile and thinks that leaky gut is diarrohoea and very often refuses to eat veg and fruit that I prepare because that will make her tummy run. she will rather take bread or toast and cereal. She does not like to drink much water although she likes red bush tea. She will sometimes, but not regularly take the probiotics that I buy for her. Her stomach is bloated and she says that it feels like her intestines want to fall out below when she walks. As you can guess, she is stubborn and I am rather desperate. When I make a doctor’s appointment she feels that she cannot go as she is under the impression that she must smell (which she does not) because of this leaking all the time. It is debilitating and I was wondering if anyone can give me sound advice as I am desperate to assist a mom that I love dearly. Thanks so much.

    1. ThomasinaPaine says:

      May I recommend applesauce? It has vitamins of course, but when I cared for my Mom who had an ileostomy, and diarrhea was a concern. I discovered that pectin in applesauce worked wonders. On occasion she would have to take Immodium, bot not that often. And there are lots of flavors. It actually seemed to help her appetite. She ate it after meals 3 times a day, about a third to half a cup, and as a snack in between if needed.

      I am also tempted to advise you to let your Mom follow her instincts to get the condition under control, toast, bread or cereal is actually prescribed for very young children with digestive problems, and her system is probably closer to that delicate condition than to one of an active working person. Just add a little protein , sliced turkey, or chicken–(I know they aren’t
      healthy but my mother loved little sausage links which did the job,
      drained well of course) and maybe stir fried rice as she progresses and
      plain salted rice or with honey and butter anytime. But Then after she feels more in control in a few days I’m sure she will want to return to a more balanced diet if it works 🙂

      “Leaky gut” seems to be a mystery to medical people now, but experience with my Mom has led me to believe a host of problems can be solved through proper food intake – I did a lot of experimenting and I hope this will help you.

  25. Geoff, how long does it take to get better the natural way roughly? I have no choice but to take medication over the short term because my symptoms simply became unbearable. I have a churning stomach and nausea as I type this. Thankfully I know why it’s so bad: because I started eating bread and chocolate again regularly. In the past these foods would give me a gut ache, but now the symptoms are much worse.

  26. ThomasinaPaine says:

    Recently I was dealing with mild anemia and decided to try Grandma’s old favorite pickled beets.Not a really a fan, I decided it would be an alternative to iron which I don’t particularly like taking. Resigning myself, but feeling good about trying a natural solution, I picked up a jar at Big Lots for cheap. The only beef I had with beets was the texture. I didn’t like limp, so I crossed my fingers and paid my money. Curious, I popped the lid and peered in and saw cute little beets packed to the brim in the jar and looking appetizing (except I reminded myself to watch out about the liquid…it would stain quickly.) I bought Old World were quite good, crisp. pickled baby beets. A couple of days later I began to think that when I ate the beets, I didn’t get indigestion. Vaguely recalling an article I read somewhere about acid (ACV) working (was painful for me.)
    Anyway, I thought, pickled beets are fermented and acidic …so maybe? I paid attention and want to share my observations. Eight hours ago. I ate takeout for dinner = pork barbecue with fries, cole slaw and hushpuppies, willing to exchange the pleasure for the pain if necessary but hoping I was right about beets. I ate 3 small beets, then ate dinner. As I said, that was 8 hours ago. Pushing the envelope, I snacked on popcorn and a small square of crockpot dump cake with whipped cream. No indigestion. It’s looking good. 🙂

    Oh yes, as for bananas. I had a lot of trouble digesting bananas until I tried a semi-green banana. Tasted fine, albeit a different texture and more tingly taste. No indigestion. Shock. I didn’t have to avoid them anymore.

  27. ThomasinaPaine says:

    Well, good for you- sounds like you’re more comfortable where you are now, too, and that matters a lot. Everyone loves organic foods, but lifestyle often interferes with what we would like to consume, as well as budget dictates what we buy. Organic foods are quite a bit pricier.

    I just thought of something – wonder if it’s possible to grow an organic GMO after it’s been modified and sell it as simply organic– I mean since the FDA does not require GMO labeling ? We could just “buy organic” and never know we were buying something that had been genetically modified . Is that possible right now?

    Oh yes, if you ever DO have a problem, try beets!

  28. ThomasinaPaine says:

    It can also be what combinations of foods you eat 🙂

  29. We do not have that luxury in the USA; beings you posted this I presume you realize the poisons that are in GMO and the horrific conditions that GMO fosters? Well, we are the only country on the planet that allows a full crop of just any and all GMO foods here..Europe does not, nor does Russia; I read that China also does not allow but then I Read the reversal..I am happy for you. I am looking for the best I can do for a friend as we work towards getting off Rx, Big Pharma for many issues; he wanted to start here and with the liver.

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