An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from acid reflux, and your treatment may not be appropriate. According to the Mayo Clinic, acid reflux is when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus. This can cause heartburn and other signs and symptoms. Frequent or constant reflux can lead to GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), a more severe and long-lasting condition.
Because I was on antibiotics for years to treat Lyme disease, my stomach acid got out of balance, and I got silent acid reflux. The most common causes are eating fatty or spicy foods, eating large meals, and blood pressure medications. Unfortunately, most doctors are incorrectly treating the condition because 90 percent of acid reflux sufferers actually have low acid. The misnomer is too much acid in the stomach, and this usually is not the case.
As someone who prefers alternative treatments to drugs, I always wondered why the concoction of apple cider vinegar with lemon juice worked. I recently learned as we age, our stomach produces less acid, making digesting food difficult. When doctors prescribe anti-acid medications, they are compounding the problem, not solving it.
Signs you have low stomach acid are belching, burping, heartburn, and undigested food coming up your throat into your mouth…a feeling like you have thrown up a little. I took a break from my apple cider routine, and I paid the price. I got a huge flair up. As soon as I started drinking apple cider vinegar every day, all the symptoms disappeared.
The combination is 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in warm water, and they recommend we drink it before every meal to aid in balancing stomach acid. This will aid in digestion and eliminate the symptoms. If you struggle drinking it, you can add a drizzle of honey to it. I much rather drink this and address the root cause than take a drug that will ultimately worsen the condition.
I tried the apple cider pills, and they didn’t work for me. Betaine HCI capsules help after you have eaten something that triggers a reaction, like tomatoes or onions. Just know most doctors treat high acid levels. If you are on an over-the-counter anti-acid medicine, I strongly urge you to get off of it and try alternative treatments. None of the medications were designed for long-term use, and they destroy your white blood cells over time. Besides, if you are like most people, you are worsening your condition.
Talk to your doctor and get the real diagnosis, not the general idea. We are all made different, and you want to treat your condition properly. Looking for more information on living a healthy life? My book, Fit Over 50, offers research on the different stages of aging as well as how to exercise right and eat healthy.
Leave a Reply