Those who bear the yoke of acid reflux know the burden it places on both their dietary and lifestyle choices, as any misstep can result in painful heartburn and a further worsening of symptoms. The result of uncontrolled acid reflux can be permanent and, in almost all cases, will severely impact quality of life. It is therefore imperative that any individual who suffers from acid reflux knows their dietary limits, understands simple, effective natural remedies to combat bouts of reflux, and realizes that the ultimate diet for acid reflux generally involves reducing accumulated fat.

Diets that prevent reflux from occurring revolve around whole, unprocessed foods, and tend to include vegetable and fruit portions from organic sources. Apples, whether juice, dried or fresh, are excellent when chewed well, and bananas are also great for restoring a basic-low acid-level in the stomach.

Not all fruits provide relief for symptoms, however, and high acid orange juice, lemons, grapefruits, cranberries, and tomatoes should be avoided when possible. This includes lemons, grapefruits, and cranberries in all their forms-juices, etc.

Vegetables that work in the stomach to reduce acid levels include baked potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, green beans, and peas. Generally, any cruciferous vegetable, such as broccoli or cauliflower, as well as near any organic vegetable that is not processed, fried, or breaded, is safe for consumption. French fries, onions rings, and potatoes au gratin are excellent examples of vegetables that should be avoided.

Meats follow the well worn path lain out by our vegetable and fruit list, and includes items that most individuals would consider ‘healthy’, such as sirloin quality ground beef, at 96% protein. Steak that has been London broiled, chicken breast that lacks skin and is broiled or grilled with little to no added oils or fats, fish that has been prepared similarly, and egg whites or egg substitutes are also very safe to eat.

Many may be thinking that a life of skinless chicken breasts and apples can only lead to forbidden food cravings, and that mistakes are bound to happen. This is a valid concern, and addressing it both psychologically and physically is important for acid reflux sufferers.

When slip-ups do happen, understand that their are foods-and medications-that reduce symptoms after unsafe meals. Water, for instance, when one to two glasses are imbibed after meals, can greatly dilute acid levels. Almonds have also been proven to greatly reduce symptoms, and should be chewed thoroughly and eaten in the mornings. Fennel or chamomile teas also have strong acid reduction properties, and should be drank slowly. Lastly, ginger is an excellent supplement to take as either a candy, tea or capsule, as a means of reducing the effects of an acid producing meal.

Our final piece of advice for you concerns the predisposition towards acid reflux in those who are overweight or obese. Combating acid reflux in these cases should approach diet as a means to reduce body fat. The recommendations outlined here are an excellent way to begin the process of losing weight, as the reduction in hyper-palatable foods, like french fries and delicious onion rings, stems the process of overeating, and will result in gradual, effective fat loss. For more information on diets for acid reflux sufferers contact Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!

Acid reflux disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, affects no fewer than 20% of the American populace on a regular basis. When the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, does not close completely, or if it opens too frequently, the acids that are produced by the stomach creep up into the esophagus, resulting in the uncomfortable chest pain known as heartburn. Other symptoms can include wheezing, dysphagia, dry cough, or problems affecting the ears and the vocal cords. But how does the acid reflux sufferer get relief? Read on for tips about controlling acid reflux and making life more comfortable.

Several lifestyle choices can trigger acid reflux, such as obesity and smoking, but it can also occur if you consume a large meal or lay down immediately after eating. Pregnant women are susceptible to acid reflux as are people who take ibuprofen, aspirin, or blood pressure or muscle relaxing medications, and foods such as garlic, tomatoes, citrus, chocolate, or fatty or spicy foods can also trigger an attack. People suffering from hiatal hernias are prone to acid reflux due to the dislocation of the upper stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter; this can force acid into the esophagus, causing the acid reflux symptoms to rear their heads.

There are a number of different therapies that can treat acid reflux disease, ranging from prescription or non-prescription drugs to herbal therapies. These various treatments effectively treat the symptoms of acid reflux as well as heal any sort of abrasions that result from the excessive acid, and they can also prevent any further complications related to the disease. People who suffer from relatively mild acid reflux disease can keep it at bay with a few simple actions: avoid eating two to three hours prior to lying down for the night, consume snacks throughout the day in lieu of heavy meals, elevate the head of the bed, stop smoking, and lose weight through diet and exercise. Antacids are also helpful to neutralize the stomach acids, but they can have some side effects if they are used with frequency.

For people who suffer from very severe acid reflux, their physician might prescribe stronger medication. An H2 blocker, such as Pepcid or Zantac, can help to reduce the acid formation in the esophagus; however, if these drugs are unsuccessful in treating the issue, the next step might be a proton pump inhibitor, such as Nexium, Prevacid, or Prilosec. These drugs will reduce the stomach acid, and most of them are available over the counter, eliminating the need to obtain a prescription. Another option is a prokinetic agent, such as Reglan or Urecholine, which can give the patient immediate relief by emptying the contents of the stomach more quickly and strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter, but this drug carries along with it more potential side effects. People suffering from the effects of acid reflux should consult their physician; this disease is easily treatable, and it should be treated sooner rather than later to prevent any damage to the esophagus.

For more ways to control your acid reflux visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

If you are one of the many people who suffer from constant heartburn, you can experience some relief simply by making a few changes to your diet. This includes re-evaluating your food choices, as well as establishing some new eating habits.

Certain foods can trigger heartburn in one of two ways:
(1) They irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing that familiar burning sensation in your chest.
(2) They encourage the sphincter muscle between the stomach and the esophagus to open wider, which enables stomach acid to travel upwards.

Common trigger foods include: acidic items such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and vinegar. In general, high-fat foods can cause heartburn because they take longer to digest and require more stomach acid production. Many people are sensitive to coffee, chocolate and other products that contain caffeine. A number of heartburn sufferers also identify alcohol as a trigger. Keeping a food diary and pinpointing specific foods that are problematic can help you avoid constant heartburn.

Heartburn can be caused not only by eating certain types of foods, but also by preparing them in a particular way. For instance, you should avoid cooking with heavy oils, due to their fat content, and nutrition experts recommend grilling, baking or broiling foods rather than frying them. These healthier cooking methods can help you prevent the discomfort of heartburn.

If you suffer from constant heartburn, try to include the following types of foods in your diet:

• Low-fat foods, including dairy products. Stay away from high-fat items like cheese and ice cream, which can trigger heartburn. Seafood, lean meats and poultry are also suggested low-fat alternatives.
• Foods that are rich in fiber, such as beans, brown rice and high-fiber pastas. Whole-grain breads and cereals also provide beneficial amounts of fiber when eaten regularly.
• Non-citrus fruits, including apples, bananas and pears. You can eat fruit on its own, or you can incorporate it into healthy recipes. For example, replacing oil with applesauce is a popular method of making certain dishes lower in fat and healthier overall.
• Most vegetables are considered safe, although some people are sensitive to raw onions and garlic. Cooking these items could help you prevent heartburn symptoms.

Making healthier food choices is only one factor when trying to prevent heartburn. Along with modifying your diet, you should also consider changing some related eating habits. For example, many people routinely overeat at meals. This in itself can trigger heartburn, so it may help to eat smaller meals, five or six times a day. You should not lie down immediately after eating or eat just before going to bed. Doing so will not give you the chance to digest your meal properly. Finally, drinking more water throughout the day can help reduce stomach acid production.

Of course, dietary modifications alone might not be enough to cure constant heartburn, which can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux. GERD is potentially more serious than mild heartburn and should be evaluated by a physician. For more information on the causes and cures for heartburn be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at www.refluremedy.com today!

Acid reflux, or the occurrence where stomach acid rises from the stomach into the esophagus, occurs in most adults throughout their lifetime. While most adults will occasionally develop heartburn as the result of eating something spicy or that does not agree with their stomach, some individuals who have chronic acid reflux might develop GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The question of what causes GERD to develop often seems to point toward coffee and other caffeinated beverages as a potential culprit.

The Myth
For many years, the idea that coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages cause the development of acid reflux disease or GERD was common. Part of the myth stems from the idea that coffee is highly acidic. Since coffee has a high acid content, it causes more acid production in the stomach which results in acid reflux.

The other part of the myth comes from the idea that the caffeine in coffee relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, so the acid in the stomach comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn.

The Truth
The truth about coffee as it relates to acid reflux is that it will aggravate acid reflux disease or GERD in patients who already suffer from the conditions. However, coffee is not the reason acid reflux originally develops. According to the British Medical Journal, heavy coffee drinkers who drank an average of around seven cups of coffee per day were actually 40 percent less likely to develop GERD and acid reflux when compared to those who did not drink coffee.

Though coffee actually helps protect against GERD before it develops, patients who already have problems with heartburn will find that coffee further aggravates the problem. Coffee is highly acidic, so those who have damage to the esophagus from acid reflux will feel uncomfortable drinking the coffee and might even feel pain. It will also relax the lower esophageal sphincter, so if acid reflux is a problem already it might cause further reflux problems.

A healthy adult who does not have problems with GERD or acid reflux will not need to worry that drinking a cup of coffee each day increases their risk of later developing GERD.

Stopping Acid Reflux
Before acid reflux becomes a serious problem, it is possible to fix the problem and coffee is actually part of the solution.

The website refluxremedy.com points out that acid reflux actually stems from an unhealthy lifestyle. The only way to stop acid reflux from developing is by improving your lifestyle habits. Part of the improvement begins with drinking more coffee.

Coffee is beneficial for your heart, lowers the risk of developing GERD or acid reflux and helps improve your cognitive abilities. While it helps, coffee alone will not prevent GERD.

Combine coffee with eating smaller meals and getting regular exercise to prevent the development of GERD. Around 30 minutes of exercise a day along with small and healthy meals will lower body weight and improve your overall health. Eventually, healthy habits will also eliminate acid reflux.

Conclusion
Coffee is surprisingly helpful in preventing acid reflux disease or GERD. Drink up and enjoy your cup of java.

To learn more on the truth about coffee and acid reflux visit Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!