So here is a brief list of supposed effective natural remedies for acid reflux and GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).

• Apple cider vinegar diluted in water.  Mix one tablespoon in a glass of water and drink it with your meal.
• Cinnamon is considered to be a powerful natural cure for acid reflux. Cinnamon normalizes the activity of the stomach and controls the amount of gastric acid it produces.
• In terms of herbs, nutmeg, milk thistle, cardamom, and slippery elm can also serve as natural remedies for acid reflux. They have a calming effect on the stomach and can relief soreness and pain.
• Calcium citrate in powdered form, mixed with water and taken at bedtime.

In addition to testing some of these natural approaches to dealing with acid reflux and GERD you should always observe a few basic yet critical rules.  Stay away from trigger foods, spicy and fatty foods and overly rich foods that you know from past history can cause trouble.  Don’t smoke and try to maintain a normal body weight.  And, of course, don’t lay down immediately after a meal.

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As an alternative to eating three large meals a day, try to eat five moderately-sized meals instead. More manageable meals give the stomach sufficient time to process the food and discharge it into the small intestine. The smaller meals that you will be eating should be about one half the size of what you usually eat at dinner or lunch.

So, what are some things that acid reflux sufferers can eat?  Well, lean beef with the fat trimmed away and skinless chicken breast will not, in most cases, be a problem.  Provided of course, that they are prepared without excess butter or oil and that you are not consuming too large a portion.  Multigrain bread, cereal (with skim milk) and rice are safe. In terms of fruits and vegetables, you must avoid citrus fruits and tomatoes due to their very high acidity.  Bananas and apples are generally okay. In the vegetable category you should consider eating more of: broccoli; cabbage; and carrots.

Here’s another tip, since heartburn is technically caused by stomach acid refluxing or backing up into your esophagus, you should never put your body in a position that makes it more likely for this to take place. Remain seated for a while after each meal, resist the temptation to lay down in front of the TV.
 
Set an achievable goal for controlling your disease by making long-term healthy diet decisions.  Try the proactive approach that puts you in control of your acid reflux and/or GERD and ultimately gives you superior quality of life.

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While there may be dozens of factors or preconditions that play a role in causing this condition, there are several known factors which will likely initiate, or even exacerbate, a bout of acid reflux or heartburn.  Since this is a condition affecting the gastrointestinal system, it is directly related to what we eat, and even how we eat it.  At the top of most doctors’ lists of things their patients should avoid are:

•  Eating spicy and or acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits
•  Eating overly rich, fried or fatty foods
•  Drinking alcohol (obviously excessive drinking is different than moderate drinking)
•  Smoking cigarettes

Smoking has the extra negative effect of introducing toxins to an already weakened esophagus.  In addition to acidic and fatty foods, acid reflux sufferers should also avoid dairy products, and sweets as these foods may cause excessive production of stomach acids.  These behavioral factors are the easiest to correct and are certainly more advantageous than taking over-the-counter medications which typically only mask symptoms and may also come with side effects.

Heartburn is more common after meals and can be triggered or worsened by lying down–so don’t head for the couch right after dinner.  If you experience a flare up during the day, you can elevate your upper body while sleeping to avoid waking up with painful heartburn in the middle of the night.  Lifestyle changes will definitely have a positive impact.  Begin by losing excess weight, and quitting smoking.  Beyond that you should eat on a more regular schedule and eat smaller meals.  Avoiding these basic causes of acid reflux and heartburn symptoms will yield noticeable improvement for most people.  When the pain and other symptoms persist it is time to visit your doctor and find out if you have a more serious condition.

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