Do you know that 95 million people in the United States experience heartburn, acid reflux, and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? And with our fast food diets, those numbers are increasing. No one can escape from this disease: Adults, children and even babies are affected or experience acid reflux, heartburn or GERD. That’s why it’s important to go on a GERD diet and learn what foods you can eat.
What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux From Heartburn?
The physical cause of heartburn, acid reflux or GERD is when the lower esophageal sphincter (a band in the upper part of the stomach) relaxes, stomach acid bubbles into the esophagus and literally burns it, hence the name. acidity
Triggering events
Things that can trigger this acid reflux into the esophagus include eating certain foods that relax that sphincter. An increase in anxiety or stress in your life, lack of exercise, and a fast food diet are major contributing factors to living with GERD. All of these events have an effect on the body: the body increases acid production, the lower sphincter is released, and acid reflux into the esophagus.
Increased acid can cause other problems
Recent findings show that an acidic condition in the body creates a suitable environment for the growth of viruses, certain bacteria, and cancer. There are also findings that tell us that increased acid production in the body may also be related to digestive respiratory problems (such as asthma), kidney problems, and associated heart disorders.
What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
Burning in the chest, a small tight cough, constipation and / or diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia (muscle pain), difficulty swallowing, increased headaches, vomiting and insomnia, increased flatulence and belching, and burning taste in your mouth are indications that your system has become acidic and the acid has invaded your esophagus.
There are natural solutions
Why would you want to take medications prescribed by a doctor, usually called proton pump inhibitors, which really only need to be taken no more than two weeks AND can seriously increase acid production in the body?
Doctors routinely like to throw pills at physical symptoms; they rarely address the cause or approach healing from a “holistic” or holistic point of view. If you find a doctor who will, stick with him.
Traditional Western medicine systems are designed to keep you sick, not to make you better. This is the only way doctors are paid: when you are sick. And it’s the only way these huge drug companies can keep making a lot of money. They pump drugs that 1) do not cure the problem and 2) lead to serious complications that need to be treated with ANOTHER pill that is twice as bad or worse.
On the other hand, traditional Eastern medical practices are designed to keep you from getting sick, and these can lead to quite amazing results. See an acupuncturist for almost immediate pain-free results. You will be amazed. But go to a certified practicing acupuncturist with some time on your belt.
What foods are you combining?
Food combining is also a cause of acid production. Most people are unaware of the fact that foods fall into one of two categories (and are sometimes in between the two) causing acid or alkaline.
You can eat acid causing foods in moderation if your system is in balance. If not, be careful. And when you combine certain foods, you can end up with a stomach ache that will make you howl.
Eat smaller meals more often
And try not to combine foods. Alkaline-based foods include the following:
Vegetables: Asparagus, Artichokes, Cabbage, Lettuce, Onion, Cauliflower, Radish, Swedish, Lamb Lettuce, Peas, Zucchini, Red Cabbage, Leeks, Watercress, Spinach, Turnip, Chives, Carrot, Green Beans, Beet, Garlic, Celery, Herbs (straw , wheat and barley), cucumber, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts.
Seeds: Almonds, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Sesame, Flax, Buckwheat Grains, Spelled, Lentils, Cumin Seeds or any germinated seed.
Drinks: Green drinks, fresh vegetable juice, water with a pH balance of 7.0 or higher, lemon water (plain water + fresh lemon or lime), herbal tea, vegetable broth, unsweetened soy milk or almond milk.
Whole grains Any bread that contains whole wheat grains will be immensely better for you than plain white bread.
Fats and oils: Flax, hemp, avocado, olive, evening primrose, borage, coconut oil, and other oil blends (such as Udo’s Choice).
A diet for GERD will consist mainly of alkaline foods until acid production is controlled.