What Are The Best Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a common issue that affects 20% of the US population alone. This condition causes an uncomfortable burning sensation that can go from your gut right up to your throat with pain so intense that sufferers often end up in the emergency room.

Many people instantly correlate acid reflux with an overproduction of stomach acid and physicians often recommend proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acid production for this reason. This isn’t always the case. Acid reflux often occurs because there is insufficient acid in the stomach and this can lead to the condition worsening when taking PPIs. It’s pretty disheartening to find that the medication for your condition is actually making it worse, so it’s not surprising that many people turn to natural solutions instead. The good news is that these solutions exist and that they really work.

Let’s look at how you can treat your acid reflux naturally and gain some relief:

Adjust your diet

Overeating is one of the key triggers of acid reflux and should be avoided as much as possible. It’s best to have a few small meals throughout the day and also avoid eating late in the evening before bedtime. You also need to identify and avoid any foods that trigger your acid reflux, which you can do by logging your daily diet in a food diary and keeping track of when your flare-ups occur.

Invest in a wedge pillow

Sleep is essential for optimal well-being in all aspects of our lives but when you suffer from acid reflux, it can be very difficult to get adequate sleep. Sleeping with your head raised by about six inches on a wedge-shaped pillow will prevent acid from traveling up into your esophagus as you snooze. If you don’t have a wedge pillow, you can also try raising the top of your bed by placing something underneath the base on each side.

Betaine HCL reduces burning and improvs digestion

Betaine hydrochloric can be picked up in an ant health food store and it can help to reduce the burning of acid reflux alongside helping your body to better digest the food you eat. For a more comprehensive acid reflux solution that both prevents and treats reflux, you can try a reflux inhibitor that combines Betaine HCL with an enzyme called pepsin which assists with the digestion of proteins by your body. We particularly like the Reflux Inhibitor product from Terra Health Essentials.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Wearing tight clothing against your stomach when you’re bloated is only going to make it worse, Avoid stomach compression by wearing loose comfortable clothing and it’ll make all the difference to how you feel.

Reduce or eliminate your alcohol and caffeine intake

Acid reflux is often caused by a weak sphincter muscle which leads stomach contents to flow back up your esophagus. This can be triggered by alcohol, caffeine, and soda, so it’s best to reduce or eliminate these from your diet where possible. You don’t need to go cold turkey on your daily coffee, don’t worry, but just start by reducing how much you consume each day and go from there.

Slippery Elm for instant relief

Derived from the bark and roots of a tree, Slippery Elm has been proven to help alleviate digestive pain and discomfort. You can buy this in any health store and mix it with water to take with meals or at bedtime, and it’s also available in tablet form as a key ingredient in many daily acid relief supplements. Get 20% off on our favorite soother product by clicking here.

Reduce stress

The gut-brain connection is very real and if you’re under a lot of stress it can have a detrimental effect on your digestive system often leading to acid reflux. For example, being stuck in “fight or flight” response can cause your digestive system to start to spasm, which in turn leads to acid reflux. Stress can also interfere with the production of prostaglandins by your body, which is a substance that protects your stomach from acid damage.

Supplement with digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes can be incredibly beneficial in alleviating acid reflux by helping your body to break down the foods you eat for optimal digestion. One specific enzyme called lipase helps your body to digest the fats that often are the major contributors to the onset of acid reflux. When searching for digestive aid supplements, make sure that you choose one that includes a number of essential enzymes including lipase and others such as amylase which assists with the breakdown of carbohydrates. If you’d like to try one that we’ve already tested, follow the link to get an instant discount on our favorite Digestive Aid!

Try Apple Cider Vinegar

Acid reflux usually occurs due to insufficient acid in the stomach and a daily spoonful of apple cider vinegar will increase your stomach acid content (don’t forget to dissolve it in water). The problem with apple cider vinegar for a lot of people is the taste. Yuck! We recommend taking it in a convenient capsule form to bypass this. Here is a link to our top recommended Apple Cider Vinegar supplement.

Baking soda for acute attacks

Baking soda works by neutralizing the acid in your stomach and can alleviate the burning sensation associated with acid reflux. This isn’t an every day solution as consumption is usually not advised, but it’s a good emergency fix. Dissolve half a teaspoon in water and drink immediately when your pain has become intolerable.

Add daily probiotics to your diet

Acid reflux has been associated with an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, that is why a course of probiotics may be all you need to get back to normal. Ideally, you should take probiotics with food or 30 minutes beforehand and increase your dosage a little if you don’t see improvements within the first few weeks. It’s also wise to increase your daily intake of foods rich in probiotics such as milk, soft cheeses, pickles, soy drinks, some fruit juices, and yogurt. Just remember, all probiotics are not created equal. Our favorite probiotic contains 1.125 Billion CFU Bacillus Coagulans alongside 500mg Fructo-oligosaccharides. The manufacturer gave us a reader’s special that you can access by clicking here.

If your current acid reflux treatment hasn’t been working, give these simple lifestyle and dietary adjustments a try. In just a few weeks, you could significantly reduce and even eliminate your symptoms for good.