Acid reflux is a common condition characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, known as heartburn or GERD. This can make digesting food difficult, cause a chronic sore throat, sharp pains, and nausea, especially when lying down to sleep at night.
The Mechanism of Acid Reflux
To understand this condition, let’s look at what happens in the stomach. The stomach naturally contains very strong gastric acids necessary to break down and digest food. Just above the stomach and at the base of the esophagus, there is a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. This valve opens when you eat to allow food to enter the stomach and then closes to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up.
Unfortunately, this small valve can sometimes weaken and malfunction, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus and throat. This causes a burning sensation in the chest, sour-tasting stomach fluids, difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, and mucus buildup.
The Causes of Acid Reflux:
Studies and personal experiences show that acid reflux is often caused by an incorrect level of stomach acid. Stomach acid should naturally be between 1 and 3 on the pH scale, which is very acidic. If this level becomes more alkaline (4 or higher), the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and allows acid to flow back up.
If acid reflux (GERD) is not treated, it can lead to ulcers, damage and scar tissue formation in the esophagus, which can prevent proper swallowing and increase the risk of throat cancer.
Vitamins to stop acid reflux:
Here are 5 vitamins and supplements that can help stop acid reflux by restoring the stomach’s normal pH:
Betaine HCL (with Pepsin)
Betaine HCL is one of the best supplements for correcting acid reflux by addressing the root cause. Take 2 to 4 1300 mg betaine HCL capsules before meals to acidify your stomach’s pH. This will help you digest food more easily, tighten the lower esophageal sphincter, and prevent reflux. Follow this protocol for 2 to 3 days and gradually increase the dose as needed until you experience significant improvement. Within a few weeks, your stomach acid levels will return to normal and your digestive system will function normally.
GingerGinger is very effective at soothing the inflammation caused by acid reflux. For heartburn, chew a slice of fresh ginger. Ginger contains powerful phenolic compounds that soothe the tissues of the esophagus and stomach lining. You can also take capsules of dried ginger powder after meals or add fresh ginger to your salads, stir-fries, or infusions.
Probiotics
are friendly bacteria and yeasts that live in the large intestine and aid in food digestion. They produce neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, which regulate the opening and closing of the lower esophageal sphincter. Regularly eat fermented foods rich in probiotics, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and pickles, or take a probiotic supplement to improve your gut microbiome and reduce the risk of acid reflux.
Apple cider
vinegar is a well-known natural remedy for indigestion and digestive problems. Mix one tablespoon of raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water and drink it before each meal. This will help adjust your stomach’s pH and prevent acid reflux. If your throat is extremely inflamed, consider taking apple cider vinegar capsules before meals.
Zinc L-Carnosine
: Zinc is an essential mineral for tissue healing, especially internal tissues. Developed in Japan, Zinc L-Carnosine treats stomach ulcers and helps heal inflammation or damage to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Take 75 mg of Zinc L-Carnosine daily as a supplement or consume zinc-rich foods such as seafood, grass-fed red meat, and pumpkin seeds.
Underlying causes of acid reflux
Chloride and potassium deficiency: These minerals are necessary to produce adequate levels of stomach acid.
Stress: High mental stress prevents the parasympathetic nervous system from functioning properly, causing the lower esophageal sphincter to open.
Antacids: Antacids worsen acid reflux in the long term by neutralizing stomach acid.
H. pylori: This bacterium can infect the stomach lining and decrease stomach acidity.
Refined grains and vegetable oils: These foods irritate the stomach lining and increase inflammation.
Antibiotics and pain relievers: These can damage the intestinal lining and kill beneficial bacteria, promoting acid reflux.
Lifestyle changes to stop acid reflux
: Stop taking antacids: Replace them with betaine HCl or apple cider vinegar before each meal to restore digestion and close the sphincter.
Eat shredded raw cabbage: Cabbage contains glutamine, chlorophyll, and vitamin C, which are great for healing the damage caused by acid reflux.
Reduce refined grains and processed vegetable oils: Replace them with whole foods like free-range eggs, wild-caught fish, grass-fed meat, and steamed vegetables.
Use Himalayan pink salt or Guérande salt: This provides the chlorides needed to produce hydrochloric acid.
Drink sparkling mineral water in the morning: This hydrates the digestive system and improves stomach acidity.
Reduce stress: Find ways to manage stress to calm the nervous system. Take 45-minute walks in nature to bring in oxygen and soothe nerves. Foods rich in probiotics will also help manage stress
