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 Olddude (Tn) on 10/16/2018 21 posts
★★★★★
I used ACV and baking soda for years, then I got into a Plant Based eating program and all my acid reflux went away,,, watch the documentary Forks over Knives on netflix when u can.
Apples
Posted by Marie (Ny) on 08/07/2017
★☆☆☆☆
I guess everyone is different. I have bad heartburn and tried the apples a few times, but it didn't help at all. I am on second day of PPI and am going to stop now. I will try the aloe vera and if that does not work I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar with baking soda.
Acidophilus
Posted by Carmel (Essex, England) on 05/26/2022
Most yoghurts are heat treated and then the "live" bacteria is added after. Any that was there before was killed in the process.. Same as vitamin d is added to fish oil capsules etc. You need a few biotics to work, and one month is nowhere near enough anyway. It also depends on when you take them and if you use prebiotics before and during taking them.
Acidophilus
Posted by Christina (TN) on 04/07/2023
Have you been checked for H. Pylori? It may be that.
Himalayan Salt
Posted by Kennywally (Midwest) on 06/07/2016 46 posts
★★★★★
I used to carry a small container of himalayan pink salt, to instantly knock out acid reflux. I was at a transformational workshop and folks seen me taking a pinch and wondered what I was doing, so I shared that with them, of course it worked great. I rarely get the reflux, but am not sure why, I'm just glad it worked, and fast too!
Zinc
Posted by Evelyn (Thousand Oaks, Ca) on 05/13/2014
★★★★★
I've been suffering with acid reflux for a long time. I finally realized from research that a zinc deficiency can cause this, so I tried supplementing with zinc and it has helped tremendously even though I still have to be careful with the types of food I eat and not eating before bed time, etc.
Acidophilus
Posted by Mckenzie (Charlotte, NC) on 04/06/2013
James, How much acidophilus are you taking per day? How many million or billion CFUs in total?
Is it a single strain or a multi strain probiotic??
Thanks!
Sugar Tea
Posted by Brook (Birmingham, Alabama) on 03/28/2013
★★★★★
This is going to sound weird, but I tried all of the remedies above and nothing helped me long term except sugar. My grandmother, an 80 year old woman told me to put a table spoon of sugar in a cup of hot hot water and drink it like a tea. The first time I took it I heard a gulp in my stomach. I did it for a few days and no acid reflux. Now, I don't wake up with acid burning in my throat anymore. If I eat something acidic, I just make sure to drink my sugar tea. I also lost a couple of pounds. But, I try not to do that often. Trust me it works!
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, La Union\\\\\\\\, Philippine) on 03/12/2013
Hi Gerd Fighter... I usually find that I now alkalize, using both the sodium bicarbonate and water(alkalizes the intestines and blood) and the lime/lemon and water(alkalizes inside the cells) remedies. I may not use these every day but I usually use them several times every week because 80% to 90% of all our processed food is acid forming in the body. So, yes, I use these alkalizing remedies constantly every week.
The dosages referred to in the link I provided were 7 half tspns of baking soda for adults and 3 half tspns for anyone over 60. It's rare that you will ever have to take 7 half tspns unless your body is extremely acidic.
Most people link high blood pressure to too much sodium intake in the body. But just like Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium, sodium is easily regulated by the kidneys. The problems really arise if there is a lack of sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium in the diet. You cannot regulate minerals that are already at low levels in your body can you?
Calcium is usually always found to be in excess in our processed food diets(everything is fortified with calcium these days!! ) whereas potassium and magnesium are always lacking in our diets. Sodium, as salt intake, is tricky. Alot of people avoid salt and other people just use refined salt(acidic). Our bodies need the Sea Salt form of salt which is more alkaline than refined salt and sea salt also contains many other essential and useful minerals.
The fear with salt is because people believe that sodium will raise their blood pressure. But this is simply not true. It is the excess chloride in refined salt that raises the blood pressure. In his book pH Balanced for Life (which is sold on this site) Ted from Bangkok reveals that he did an experiment on himself to prove this. He took sodium bicarbonate, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride at different times and found that the magnesium chloride and potassium chloride always tended to raise his blood pressure whereas sodium bicarbonate did not raise BP. So it isn't because of the sodium but is because of the chloride content in refined salt that causes a rise in BP. For myself, I am constantly taking the Baking Soda alkalizing remedies and my own blood pressure has never varied in 6 years-- it always remains at around 110/70.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Mike (London, Uk) on 02/13/2013
★★★★★
The Apple Cyder Vineger thing REALLY does work its astonishing, its a wonder why it isnt more widely known as a remedy. I've had GERD/bad heartburn for months (with Laryngitis)and it was making me miserable, after stumbling across this website by accident I'd thought what have I got to lose.
So after going to Tescos I took 1 tablespoon ACV, 1/8 spoon bicarb of soda, 1 spoon honey with a splash of water, downed in one (it tastes disgusting), and bobs yer uncle 2 hours later it was gone, 1 week later I've had slight symptoms but one dose of the elixer and it was gone again.
I only take it now as a cure and not prevention and fingers crossed I'll be OK.
I've never ever posted a message before on a forum, but was compelled to do so and will spread the word!
Avoid Non-Fat Dairy
Posted by Tracy (Charlotte, Nc) on 12/31/2012
★★★★★
I stopped having acid reflux episodes when I stopped consuming non-fat dairy products. Try going to 1%. If that doesn't work, go to 2%. 2% works fine for me.
I used to think the episodes were a result of eating acidic foods (e. g., tomato sauce, etc. ), but found that consumption of non-fat dairy actually was the underlying cause that made my system intolerant of those foods. I can eat the other foods now with no problem.
Be sure to read labels, because skim milk and skim milk powder can be found where you least expect. I rarely get reflux now, but can trace it back to accidental ingestion of non-fat dairy every time it happens.
Hope this helps someone.
Baking Soda in Orange Juice
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Usa) on 06/28/2017
I watch a lot of informational videos . If I am remembering correct, Eric Berg was teaching on how stress produces cortisol and cortisol alkalized the body and when the body is alkaline the flap at the top of the gut, the esophagus I presume does not close and stomach acid comes up into the throat, like heartburn.
Dhea helps with cortisol balancing, depending on your age, b vitamins in nutritional yeast, minerals in balance and hydration with water, extra magnesium for stress or epson salt baths, walks, fresh air and loving self talk.
Cabbage
Posted by Connie (Youngstown, Oh) on 07/16/2012
★★★★★
I was having stomach pain for 3 months now. At times it would feel like I had a knot under my breast bone. The pain would go from mild to severe and there was one time I almost went to ER. I was treated with previcid for the attacks. After reading on this site, I began to eat raw cabbage leaves on July 5. Just tried to eat 4-5 leaves throughout the day. the first day or 2 I noticed some relief. I did notice more heartburn for the first few days - but I felt that something was improving pain wise. by day 5 I noticed a significant difference. Here I am 10 days later and I have not had pain for over a week. I am amazed. I started adding cabbage to all my sandwiches and salads. In addition my constipation has drastically improved. Cheap and works!! I am sold!! Thanks and good luck
Celery
Posted by Javina (London) on 05/14/2015
★★★★★
I use a couple of sticks of raw celery for indigestion. I find it far more effective than commercial antacids. Sodium Bicarbonate works well too.
Celery
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 05/02/2022
This is because celery contains hydrochloric acid, which restores function and helps heal the gut.
Avocado
Posted by Sergio Rossi (Mansfield, Texas) on 11/26/2011
★★★★★
Have had acid reflux since I am 12 years old. Tried all kinds of things thoughout the years, I learned that my stomach changes with time. ACV is good and I add it to most meals when possible. Pickle juice is also very good. The one thing that provides me with almost instant relief is avocado. The curious thing is that I didn't see it in the list and makes me wonder why? Hope it can provide some sort of help to some. Best luck!
Water
Posted by Hollyhock (Wellington, New Zealand) on 08/15/2011
★★★★★
Somewhere on this site I discovered drinking a glass of water a half hour before dinner prevented acid reflux. I would like to post that this is true for me and an older friend who also experienced acid reflux. Thank you.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Marie (Ny) on 08/08/2017
Some older people who have high blood pressure can't take salt. I test it alot and if I eat more than 600mg sodium a day my blood pressure sky rockets. The other day it was 121/77 and that nite I ate two bowls of chinese egg drop soup and today it was 153/95. The other days it's in the 120's/80 except when I eat salt the nite before. So be careful with the salt. One hot dog can contain about 500 mg of sodium. I boil them to get the salt out into the water and I boil smoked sausage the same way and I believe that 90 percent of the salt comes out. I do it with ham too. You can tell cuz there will be no taste., but you can sprinkle a TINY amount of Celtic salt to make up for it and yet it will be way less than before.
Licorice
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 05/05/2021
★★★★★
Elevated blood pressure can often be due to a sodium & potassium imbalance. The modern diet tends to be high in sodium & low in potassium, especially if little or no fresh fruit & vegetables are consumed. Whilst sodium can raise BP, potassium can lower it.
Licorice is often blamed for raising BP, however because potassium is likely required by components in the licorice in order for it to work properly in the body, it can potentially make an already existing potassium deficiency worse. The real issue may therefore not be the Licorice as such, but the lack of enough potassium.
In order to mitigate this possibility it is important to get enough potassium-rich foods in the diet generally, & especially if consuming Licorice root. Rather than removing the highly beneficial Glycyrrhizin, would it not make more sense to advise a higher consumption of potassium-rich foods?
Licorice has been used medicinally & highly beneficially for thousands of years. But it's only in the last century that dietary focus has veered from a more natural diet featuring abundant plant foods, to high sodium, low potassium highly processed, & high animal product consumption.
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Jeff (Los Angeles, Ca) on 04/30/2011
I want to get a digestive enzyme for my silent reflux... Two questions... 1-I read in a natural healing book it is good for reflux but to get one without Hydrocloric acid... The viatamin store said I should get one within particual a Twin Lab product... 2- Any particual brands that any have used or reccommend?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Kelly (Gaithersburg, Md) on 08/19/2010
★★★★★
I'm a 39 year old female with horrible acid reflux. I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years ago. I still would get horrible bouts of acid reflux after eating anything tomato based, spicy, creamy, or acidy (like fruit) I tried the ACV (2 tbl spoons) with 1/4 tsp of baking soda and 8 oz of water last night. I was attempting to enjoy some red wine and knew I would have a horrible night of reflux. I made the mix and drank it right before bed. It WORKS! No sour burps or acid burning it went away completely! I have slept with antacids, Pepto and pepcid by my bedside and none of it ever worked but this did! Thank you so much! I'm finally not afraid to eat and drink the things I love!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Paul (Lansing, Mi) on 12/10/2009
★★★★★
About 10 years ago, I went to my doctor with complaints of heartburn. Refered to specialist. Scoped and diagnosed acid reflux. Presciption. I asked the doctor if I would be taking this the rest of my life, he said yes. I determined that I would not. After 3 months and 3 different precriptions that made me feel worse I quit taking them. Felt better right away, but still had heartburn sometimes. I now know in my case it is chocolate. Just a small amount can make me feel like i'm having a heart attack hours later. Experiment, don't let them put you on a lifetime of prescriptions that will make you sicker.
Almonds
Posted by michelle (Cambridge, UK) on 06/03/2009
★★★★★
Dear Sammi, I have been eating almonds with every meal, before, after, or during the meal, for the last six months, and they have completely taken my acid reflux away. I think they work because they are alkaline.( I found this advice on this site )
I took 5 per meal to start with, then dropped to 2 after the meal, but at night I tend to eat a bit more, so sometimes need none if my meal is very alkaline, ( ie. lettuce , avocado and lemon juice ) or 15-20 if I eat late and heavily ! They ALWAYS WORK !
Slippery Elm
Posted by Lenore (Chicago, Illinois) on 05/23/2009
★★★★★
Slippery elm bark cured my acid refux.You can buy slippery elm bark powder in most health food stores. I found out about it while researching for a cure for acid reflux, made the tea by adding 1 heaping tablespoon to one pint of boiling water- let steep one hour then simmer a few minutes - strain( or not) and drink. Prior to this I took tums, prisolec and other otc and prescription meds to no avail. After using this remedy I have no more trouble, I was also informed that tums and other drugs taken over the long haul begin to cause the problem they were originally meant to cure. I had acid refux so bad it burnt my throat and I had to try to sleep while sitting up. Amazingly I only had to take it 2x in a whole year and otherwise have not even modified my diet at all. Slippery elm bark is also very nourishing and is said to heal anything it comes into contact with.
