Are there known foods to avoid with GERD?” “Yes, there are.”
“If I stop eating those GERD foods will I get better right away?” The answer is “YES and No”.
None of the digestive disorder symptoms happen overnight. They don’t just start on you. It may be many months or years of injustice to your gut. You are doing the damage to your gastrointestinal system by not sleeping well, not eating right, smoking, stressing out and most importantly not taking right care of yourself. Stop right now and pay attention.
The list of foods to avoid with GERD is a list of foods that you expect to see. You probably would say “Oh, I know this causes heartburn and acid reflux”. But do you continue eating that food? Probably, yes.
The truth is that the healthiest people on Earth would not even consider those GERD foods to be foods at all. When trying to heal GERD, you would need to invest some time into your health. Yes, you can do it. Your health is worth it.
First, what is GERD? GERD, or gastro esophageal reflux disease, is a chronic condition that is more commonly known as acid reflux disease. Most patients have occasional heartburn. But when the heartburn occurs two or more days a week, they are called symptoms of GERD. Acid reflux disease can lead to more serious health problems. But it is considered treatable.
What is the mechanism of GERD? Once the stomach senses food, it produces gastrin. Gastrin is responsible for secretion of HCL (hydrochloric acid) and for contraction of muscles in the stomach to move food. The functions of HCL include converting proteins to certain enzymes for proper digestion as well as prevention of bacterial or fungal overgrowth in the small intestine and more.
When the gastric acid level in the stomach is low, food will not digest properly. That causes fermentation of the undigested food which leads to gassy, bloated feeling. Fermentation acids are the ones that can be corrosive to the digestive organs like the esophagus. Our stomachs have a protective lining against these acids but the esophagus does not. Sometimes the sphincter muscles become week and don’t close the stomach properly and that causes the acid to flow back up to the esophagus. This causes the symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux symptoms.
Causes of GERD can be numerous. It can be your lifestyle, sleeping habits, dietary choices, etc. It can also be causes by more serious GI conditions like Crohns disease, Celiac disease, IBS, Ulcerative colitis, etc.
Treatment of GERD is mostly medications like H2-blockers (Zantac for example), PPI’s (Prevacid for example) and other over-the-counter antacids like Maalox or Gaviscon.
“Too Little Acid or Too Much Acid?” – That is The Question Symptoms of GERD are commonly believed to be a problem with too much acid (HCL-hydrochloric acid). Very often it is the complete opposite. Having too little hydrochloric acid in your stomach may cause the food to be poorly digested. That could cause the fermentation (brewing in your gut) acid to flow into the esophagus. That’s another reason to know foods to avoid with GERD.
GERD Natural Remedies:
These GERD natural remedies are wonderful in combination with healthy lifestyle, healthy eating habits and your current medical treatment. All these GERD relief remedies won’t substitute doctor’s advice. Taking your doctor’s advice and following your doctor’s orders is your full right. And don’t forget to some control of your own health too. Always speak to doctor when having continuous, serious symptoms of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.
Slippery elm worked for many people for heartburn and GERD because it coats and soothes gastric mucosa.
Marshmallow root tea is recommended by herbalists.
Drink a lot of clean, filtered water with mineral content.
Increase good fiber consumption (like raw, or lightly steamed vegetables, and raw fruits). Fruits juices and French fries are not healthy fruit and vegetable choices.
There are homeopathic, GERD natural remedies that are made by HEEL and Boiron which will take time to work but are safer alternatives to potent medication.
Drink lots of herbal teas like peppermint tea, ginger tea, chamomile tea, licorice root tea, etc.
Digestive enzymes will help with digesting that difficult to digest food. When food is not digested properly it may cause GERD symptoms.
Probiotics can normalize the gut flora and improve overall digestive health.
If you have with low gut acidity, try drinking a teaspoonful or even tablespoonful of freshly squeezed lemon juice. You can mix it with a glass of filtered water if you wish. If it helps your heartburn, you most likely have low acidity. This sounds scary to give acid for heartburn or acid reflux symptoms, but it works for many patients.