Supplements For Acid Reflux And GERD

Have you experienced it yet? That moment when you find yourself refraining from eating your favorite foods because you're afraid they may haunt you later? Have you struggled to sleep because of the burning sensation in your esophagus or been woken in the middle of the night from acid reflux?

If you have… You are not alone. Everyone from time to time experiences some form of heartburn or acid reflux but if you suffer from it chronically, you may have GERD.

GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease certainly sounds frightening but don’t let it intimidate you. With a little education and understanding you will discover there is much you can do to control your condition and dramatically improve your quality of life. There are stomach supplements that can help alleviate symptoms and even counteract the causes of GERD.

With the right choices you can even enjoy your favorite foods again!

What Is Acid Reflux Disease and GERD?

In a healthy functioning digestive system, the food you swallow passes through your esophagus or foodpipe and leads to the stomach. Before entering the stomach it must pass through a muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LED). The purpose of this muscle is to allow food to pass into the stomach then tighten up to prevent it from re-entering the esophagus.

This is important because the stomach is not just a repository of food, it is a processing plant that uses powerful acids to break down the food we ingest so that we can absorb nutrients and separate waste. Due to its constant contact with caustic agents, the stomach lining has developed to protect the stomach from being damaged. When the LED or becomes weakened or stops functioning properly it will relax and allow this noxious cocktail of acids and enzymes to reflux back into your esophagus which does not have the same protective lining as the stomach does.

The result? Instant painful burning sensation. This can be especially problematic at night when you are laying down as there is more pressure on the LED muscle. Most people will experience acid reflux from time to time. Those with GERD however, experience chronically and it can have debilitating effects on their life and lifestyles.

Common Causes for GERD / Acid Reflux

• Chronic indigestion
• Eating acidic foods
• Eating before going to bed
• Hiatal hernia
• Overeating
• Obesity
• Pregnancy

Anything that puts excess pressure on the gastrointestinal system can cause it to weaken and relax allowing acid reflux. If you eat a large meal right before going to bed you put a great deal of strain on that muscle. As you lay there, pressure is being placed on it to hold in all the excess food and liquid. If this happens often enough, that muscle will weaken and finally let go.

Eating lots of acidic foods will really exacerbate your condition and often is enough on its own to trigger a seriously painful bout of acid reflux.

There are other factors too, such as pregnancy, that place an added amount of strain on the LED muscle and can lead to temporary heartburn or chronic GERD if the damage done had lasting effects on the LED muscle.

Supplements For Their Treatment

Angelica

Angelica is an herb with a vast history of eastern medicinal usages. It is highly regarded for its many beneficial properties and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and as a digestion aid. Indigestion slows the process of food being digested causing it to sit in the stomach longer and putting strain on your LED.

What’s The Science Behind Angelica?

Angelica has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It also helps reduce dyspepsia. Because your LED muscle is relaxed and acid is washing through your esophagus it becomes inflamed. This chronic inflammation it's both painful and the harmful. Angelica's anti-inflammatory properties help to relieve the inflammation of your esophagus and can help reduce pain caused by acid reflux. Furthermore, by reducing dyspepsia (indigestion) angelica helps to bolster the process by which you digest food allowing it to pass through your system at a healthy speed and preventing it from causing further stress on your LED muscle by being retained too long in the stomach.

Artichoke

An artichoke is a large fleshy thistle that is often used in many culinary dishes. It is a highly prized and enjoyable healthy food rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In condensed form artichokes also have tremendous medicinal value and are often used in the fight against acid reflux and GERD.

What’s The Science Behind Artichoke?

Artichokes help to stimulate the natural production a bile which is a healthy high alkaline fluid produced by the liver. Bile helps to break down your food and process it. It is a vital function for food digestion. Helping to break down food and get it digested and moved through your digestive track is an important aid to fighting the causes of acid reflux.

Calcium

Calcium is one life's basic elements. It is a mineral that all living things require to exist. Calcium is vital for the production of strong and healthy bones, it maintains muscle flexibility and muscle contractions. Being a must-have mineral it is important that we receive our daily dosage of calcium unfortunately many Americans do not get enough calcium by diet alone. Therefore calcium is a wonderful supplement to take in order to aid your fight against acid reflux and as a general health aid as well.

What’s The Science Behind Calcium?

Calcium is one of the main ingredients of over the counter antacids. The other main ingredient is magnesium. Together they help neutralize stomach acid and work as a powerful tool to eliminate acid reflux or heartburn pain. Calcium also plays a role in regulating muscle retractions and flexibility it is extremely helpful in treating acid reflux and GERD. By strengthening your LED muscle so that it will remain contracted, it can lessen or even prevent acid reflux from occurring in the first place.

Caraway

The seeds of the caraway plant have traditionally been used as a spice for flavoring various dishes. Caraway is also well known for its many medicinal uses. It is known to help relieve the symptoms of heartburn bloating and the uncomfortable sensation of an over full stomach. It can be especially beneficial when used in conjunction with peppermint or licorice. In can usually be found in oil form and can be taken daily.

What’s The Science Behind Caraway?

Caraway oil is an antiseptic, astringent and disinfectant substance with many beneficial properties. In treating heartburn it aids healthy digestion and relieves bloating which in itself can put extra pressure against the LED muscle. By helping to release the buildup of gases and bloating, it takes some of the pressure off and helps your body resist acid reflux from occurring.

Clown’s Mustard Plant

Clowns mustard plant is an herb that grows commonly all over Europe. All parts of the plant including leaves, stems, roots and seeds can be used to create medical supplements. It is commonly used as a digestion aid and has unique properties that assist in specific muscular functions.

What’s The Science Behind Clown’s Mustard Plant?

Peristalsis is a medical term used to describe the process in which your stomach intestinal muscles contract and release to slowly move digested food and waste along through your intestinal tract. This vital process which allows your body to move food waste is bolstered by the medicinal properties clown's mustard plant. This helps your body quickly process and relieve itself of food waste. In this way Clown’s mustard plant assists your body's natural processes which helps to promote healthier digestion, a key to combating acid reflux and GERD.

German Chamomile

German chamomile, also known as Italian, Hungarian and wild chamomile, is a pretty flowering herb that can be found in populated areas spread across Europe and in some temperate parts of Asia. This commonly known herb is often used to promote relaxation and used as a sleep aid. Usually prepared in a tea and drank before going to bed to help one relax and unwind. German Chamomile is alsoknown for its digestion aiding properties which help to alleviate upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome.

What’s The Science Behind German Chamomile?

German chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial properties. When you drink German chamomile tea it goes directly into your stomach and it's anti-inflammatory properties begin working immediately by helping to relax your stomach and esophagus. It relieves swelling, inflammation and irritability assisting the natural process and healthy function of your digestive system.

Greater Celandine

Greater celandine is a perennial herb. The grows wild in Europe and parts of Asia. It is a member of the poppy family and in high dosages can be toxic nonetheless at Lowe's dosages it has very powerful medicinal properties.

What’s The Science Behind Greater Celandine?

t's an antimicrobial and Mild analgesic which means that it can relieve pain it has mild sedative properties. Disturb, especially when taken in conjunction with other herbs such as licorice Angelica and peppermint can have a positive impact on the digestive system and promote the health and relaxation of the stomach

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a fragrant herb that gives off the sweet aroma of soft lemons. Lemon balm has been available in european apothecaries for hundreds of years renown as a tried and true remedy. Lemon Balm is a useful herbal treatment that alleviates certain conditions like acid reflux, upset stomach, bloating, gas and pain. It can be taken orally as an extract or boiled into a pleasant and fragrant tea.

What’s The Science Behind Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm has an unusually high amount of antioxidants. It has antibacterial properties and has been used for its mild sedative qualities. Lemon balm also has a calming affect on the stomach, helping to relieve indigestion. It is also very mentally relaxing and helps calm the nerves as well. Because it helps to ease the process of indigestion it also benefits the LED muscle which is always working to keep the food in your stomach and out of your esophagus.

Licorice

Licorice has a long history of usage as an herbal remedy. It’s history as a medicinal plant stretches back into european and asian antiquity. Commonly used as a flavorant for food and in tobacco, licorice touts a one of a kind scent and taste as well has many medicinal properties. It is used in the treatment of many different ailments such as

• Acid Reflux
• Constipation
• GERD
• Inflammation
• Ulcers

What’s The Science Behind Licorice?

The anti-inflammatory properties of licorice help your esophageal lining fight off inflammation caused by acid reflux and helps to relieve the pain as well. Licorice is an ideal supplement to aid in your battle against acid reflux and GERD

Magnesium

Magnesium is a chemical element that has long been known to have positive effects on the gastrointestinal system. It is quite a powerful acid reflex supplement that can counteract GERD. For this reason, it is also one of the main ingredients in over the counter antacids tablets commonly taken for heartburn. Magnesium is effective at alleviating the painful symptoms associated with acid reflux and GERD. Although antacid tablets do work, they are not meant to be taken over long periods of time so if you have chronic heartburn, acid reflux or GERD you should consult your physician before continuing usage.

What’s The Science Behind Magnesium?

Magnesium neutralizing stomach acid by increasing the PH level. Stomach acid is the main source of aggravation when you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux. Stomach acids are highly caustic and they can burn your sensitive esophageal lining causing inflammation which leads to the burning pain known as heartburn.

Mastic

Master trees are found primarily on the small island of Chios in Greece Mastic trees produce a sticky sap that is used to treat several ailments including stomach upset, ulcers and acid reflux. Mastic sap has been used throughout the ages as a medicinal herb of great value. It is commonly used in traditional Greek and Middle Eastern medicine. Because the mastic tree only grows in a few locations, Mastic can be a bit expensive and hard to find but the benefits make it worth the effort.Mastic has wonderful properties.

What’s The Science Behind Mastic?

Mastic works by lowering the acidity of your stomach and protecting your stomach lining as well as the lining of your intestines. This helps to minimize inflammation and stomach irritation while maximizing gastrointestinal health.

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is a plant native of europe and well known for usage as a medicinal plant. It was brought to North America by early settlers and it has extended across the east coast and in parts of the west coast including California. It has been used to treat a long list of ailments but has showed special promise in treating diabetes and heartburn.

What’s The Science Behind Milk Thistle?

Milk thistle works as a detoxifier cleansing the liver and allowing it to function properly. It has diuretic properties and aids with proper digestion. It has been known to help soothe stomach upset, irritability and heartburn.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a wonderful, fragrant plant that is often used for culinary purposes and in various strains of tea. It is extremely soothing to the throat and skin and has a variety of beneficial uses. It can be used by seeping its leaves and stems for a tincture or tea. It is also utilized as an oil that can be added to food or drink and taken orally or applied directly to skin for the treatment of skin ailments.  It helps invigorate and refresh the throat and ease stomach upset, bloating, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome.

What’s The Science Behind Peppermint?

Peppermint contains a high concentration of menthol which produces its characteristic cooling effect. Peppermint helps relax muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines. This in turn helps the stomach to function properly and promotes healthy digestion and stomach health. The cooling effect helps directly combat the burn of acid reflux and can be used as an aid to alleviate heartburn pain.

Phosphate Salts

Phosphate salts are chemicals that can commonly be found in dairy products, meat and some grains. They are often taken in supplemental form and have multiple health benefits. Used often as a natural laxative they have a detoxifying, cleansing effect and are known to be helpful for stomach upset. Phosphate is another ingredient in over the counter antacids and is known to help relieve the symptoms of GERD and acid reflux disease.

What’s The Science Behind Phosphate Salts?

Phosphate salts help purge your system and encourages healthy bowel function. It also works as an acid neutralizing agent when taken orally and is often found in commercial over the counter antacid tablets. Because a person can have either too much or too little phosphate salt in their bloodstream, it is important to see your doctor and make sure that phosphate salt is the right treatment for you.

What Else Can You Do For Your Acid Reflux or GERD?

There are many ways you can combat GERD and acid reflux. Make sure you know your limits. If you enjoy spicy or acidic foods make sure to eat them only on rare occasions, the earlier in the day the better so your system has time to process them well before bedtime.

If you know in advance you are going to be eating a risky food, be prepared. Take your supplements beforehand and listen to the signals your body gives you. Do not overeat! Overeating is the key cause of acid reflux. It works against you in several ways. By filling your stomach up it puts extra strain on your LED muscle. It causes your stomach to produce a lot of excess acid to help break all that food down. It slows the digestion process tremendously because your body has to work harder to process a large meal. Since it is digesting so slowly, you are more likely to still have a full stomach when you lay down at night.

Once you lay down, stomach fluids rise back up towards your esophagus and increase your likelihood of having an acid reflux attack.

Be physically active. Being active also helps burn calories faster and increases the speed and healthy function of your digestion.

A few things that you can do to avoid the onset of acid reflux include:

• Avoid overeating
• Be active
• Be aware of your body's nutritional needs and limitations
• Plan ahead if you know you may be eating something that doesn’t agree with you
• Take acid reflux or GERD supplements

Nutrition

The foods you eat have a large impact on the acid production of your stomach. Eating foods that are already acidic can turn your stomach contents into a deadly caustic cocktail. If you have a history of Acid reflux or GERD your best bet is to avoid highly acidic foods all together and stick with foods that are acid neutral and soothing.

Foods high in acid:

• Lemons
• Oranges
• Tomatoes
• Vinegar
• Pizza
• Hot peppers
• Chili sauce
• Ketchup
• Mustard

Foods low in acid can help aid digestion and keep you from producing to much stomach acid. These foods will help relax an upset stomach. If you replace your acidic foods with these gentle refreshing foods you will find your stomach feeling much better at all times of the day and night.

• Bananas
• Bread
• Green veggies
• Melons
• Milk
• Oatmeal
• Rice

Talk To Your Doctor

While there are a number of options that you can choose in order to manage your GERD and acid reflux, talk to your primary care provider to develop a plan of action.

Acid reflux and GERD can be painful and even debilitating. It interferes with one of our greatest pleasures in life, eating food. It can turn a dinner out with family into a dreaded ordeal that last throughout the night and into the wee hours of the morning. The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way.

There are so many natural stomach supplements that can aid your proper digestion, help keep your muscles and digestive tract healthy and directly combat the symptoms and discomfort caused by acid reflux. Over the counter medications only offer a temporary solution and are not recommended for continuous usage. However natural supplements can be taken regularly and will greatly improve your quality of life if taken properly and with your personal needs in mind. If you are suffering from acid reflux or suspect you may have GERD, see a doctor now and talk to them about the appropriate supplements for your stomach woes.

Take Charge of Your Stomach Health with Supplements

Your body can function normally again, with the help of stomach supplements, patience and time. Get started with a few that pertain to your most common symptoms and see the difference. Heartburn can be a thing of the past.

Discuss Foods that You Can Use To Help Settle Symptoms / Discuss Foods to Avoid