Acid reflux is an extremely common health problem, affecting 50 percent of the population in the United States. Other terms used for this condition are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease.
The hallmark of the acid reflux symptom is “heartburn,” a burning sensation behind the breastbone that sometimes travels to the throat. In some cases, the pain can be severe enough to be mistaken for a heart attack.
Conventionally, acid reflux is considered to be caused by excessive amounts of acid in the stomach, which is why acid-blocking medications are commonly recommended or prescribed. This is a seriously misconception that seriously affects hundreds of millions of people. since the problem usually occurs due to having too little acid in the stomach.
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What Causes Heartburn?
After food passes through the esophagus into the stomach, the muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) closes, preventing food or acid from backing up. Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes inappropriately, allowing acid from the stomach to flow (reflux) back and into the esophagus. However, it is important to understand that acid reflux is not a disease caused by excessive acid production in the stomach, but rather a symptom commonly related to:
- Hiatal hernia
- Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection (The H. pylori bacteria are believed to affect more than half the world’s population, and have been identified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
Although these two conditions are not related, many people who have hiatal hernia also have H. Pylori infection, which causes mild chronic inflammation in the stomach lining that can result in an ulcer among other related symptoms. If a person has a hiatal hernia, physical therapy in that area may be helpful, and many chiropractors are trained in that setting.
The hypothesis that H. pylori infection is the cause, or at least one of the major factors in causing acid reflux symptoms, emerged from work by Dr. Barry Marshall, an Australian physician, at the beginning of the decade. from the eighties.
Focusing on low acid production
As mentioned earlier, heartburn is generally a sign of having too little acid in your stomach. To motivate your body to produce sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid (stomach acid), you also want to make sure you are regularly consuming enough raw foods.
Good quality sea salt (raw salt), such as Himalayan salt, will not only provide you with the chloride your body needs to produce hydrochloric acid, it also contains more than 80 minerals that your body needs to function optimally and biochemically. Sauerkraut or cabbage juice is also very strong – or perhaps the strongest – stimulating for the body to produce stomach acid. Taking a couple of teaspoons of cabbage juice before eating, or better yet, sauerkraut sauerkraut juice, is a wonderful option to improve your digestion.
Natural remedies for acid reflux and ulcers
Ginger root or chamomile tea
Ginger has been found to have a gastroprotective effect by blocking acid and by suppressing the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. According to a study10 carried out in 2007, it is also far superior to lansoprazole in preventing ulcer formation, exhibiting a potency six to eight times greater than the drug. This is perhaps not so surprising, considering the fact that ginger root has traditionally been used against gastric disturbances since ancient times.
Add two or three slices of fresh ginger root to two cups of hot water. Let stand for half an hour. Drink about 20 minutes or so before your meal.
Before sleeping, try a cup of chamomile tea, which can help ease stomach inflammation and help you sleep.
Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Acid reflux is usually caused by having too little acid in your stomach.
You can easily improve your stomach acid content by taking a tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with a large glass of water.
Sodium bicarbonate
Half a teaspoon of baking soda (carbonate) in an eight-ounce glass of water can relieve acid reflux burn as it helps neutralize stomach acids. I would not recommend this as a common solution but it sure can help you in an emergency when you have excruciating pain.
Glutamine
Research14 published in 2009 found that gastrointestinal damage caused by H. pylori can be treated with the amino acid glutamine, which is found in many foods, including beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, and some fruits and vegetables. L-glutamine, the biologically active isomer of glutamine, is also widely available as a supplement.