How to Stop Acid Reflux
In this post you will learn how to eliminate the following GERD symptom using supplements for acid reflux:
- Burning
- Pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Food regurgitation
- Sensation of a lump in your throat
- Persistent cough
- Poor sleep
We will cover the following topics:
Causes of Acid Reflux
Once you have an understanding of the true root causes of acid reflux, it is quite clear how it can be eliminated.
In the below video, I share my personal acid reflux story:
The amazing thing, is the remedy is simple, fast, and inexpensive.
Sadly, it is little known because of the prevalence of acid blocking medications and antacids.
The real cause of acid reflux will be surprising to you because it is counter intuitive
Low Stomach Acid
There is a neuromuscular mechanism, called the LES, that is designed to prevent stomach contents from re-fluxing into your throat.
The LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) is activated by the pressure buildup that occurs when food is digested in a highly acidic environment.
In the case of low stomach acid, there is not sufficient pressure to signal or cause the muscles to contract.
If the LES does not seal fully, stomach contents and vapors are allowed to travel up the esophagus into your throat.
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Causes of Low Stomach Acid
As covered in this Healthline article, the primary causes of low stomach acid are
- Prescription acid reflux medications like Rabeprazole (Aciphex), Esomeprazole (Nexium), Lansoprazole (Prevacid), Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), Pantoprazole (Protonix), Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
- Aging, as your stomach acidity naturally declines as you get older
- Stress reduces production of stomach acid
- Zinc and Vitamin B deficiency, possibly due to smoking or alcohol consumption
- H. Pylori infection
- Stomach surgery
The very ugly truth is the very medicines you are taking to help with your acid reflux, are digging a bigger hole.
Furthermore, once the balance of digestive juices gets out of line, your body can no longer balance the bacteria present in your gut.
A healthy digestive system is high acidity and has a balance of beneficial enzymes and bacteria that aid in the process of breaking down food.
Enzymes break down larger molecules like fats, proteins and carbs into smaller molecules that are easier to absorb across the small intestine.
That said, there are three essential supplements for rebuilding a healthy digestive balance.
The next day after starting these supplements, I was able to stop taking my acid reflux medication!
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Digestive Enzyme Supplements For Acid Reflux
Digestive Enzymes For Acid Reflux
The second is Essential Enzymes which help the body breakdown proteins, fats, milk sugars, fiber and carbohydrates.
You can take one with every meal to support digestion and alleviate indigestion.
Once your body reaches normal digestive efficiency with no reflux symptoms you can discontinue this supplement.
The first, and arguably most important supplement is Betain HCL. Watch this video by Dr Eric Berg: Recommendation is to take them with every meal to encourage stomach acid and pepsin production. Pepsin is one of the primary digestive enzymes that helps you break down proteins into smaller components. Once your body reaches normal digestive efficiency with no reflux symptoms you can discontinue this supplement. HCl is tremendously beneficial to digestive health when taken properly: To find your ideal dose: The last is Apple Cider Vinegar, which is also rich in enzymes and promotes a health pH in your stomach. Take one with every meal as it additionally can help kill pathogens, including bad bacteria that multiply in low acid conditions. Once your body reaches normal digestive efficiency with no reflux symptoms you can discontinue this supplement. For many years my acid reflux symptoms were mostly managed by the acid blockers and a ready supply of antacids. When my symptoms escalated my independent research and my doctor confirmed serious side effects of prolonged PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) usage. The most common side effects of PPIs (medical term for acid reflux medications) include (I have marked my symptoms in bold): These are caused by Vitamin B12, Calcium, and Magnesium deficiencies. These are in turn are due to inability to properly break foods down so they can be absorbed. Which ultimately is caused by low acidity as a result of prolonged use of acid blockers. I don’t recommend taking Calcium supplements as they are an alkaline and counteract new acid production. Given this, it is best restore your gut’s microbiome which will in turn allow your body to properly process calcium again. You can take the following B12 and Magnesium supplements daily to restore these extremely vital vitamins. In my personal experience the positive effects on my sense of touch, vision, and mood were immediate and significant! Vitamin B12 helps support energy metabolism, nervous system health, and helps convert food to energy This brand contains NO high-fructose corn syrup, NO artificial sweeteners, NO gluten, NO dairy and NO synthetic (FD&C) dyes. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body, especially the muscles and nerves: I hope you got value out of this post! Now, I want to hear from you: Which recommendation from this post are you most excited to try? Are you going to use B12 or Magnesium supplements or are you going to stick with the HCl, ACV, and Digestive Enzymes? Let me know by leaving a quick comment!
HCl Supplement For Acid Reflux
How to take Betain HCl
Apple Cider Vinegar For Acid Reflux
Natural Supplements For Acid Reflux
B12 For Acid Reflux
Magnesium For Acid Reflux
Wrap-Up
Don Daniels
Latest posts by Don Daniels (see all)
Thank you
You are very welcome! Can I ask what you found to be most helpful?
Similar to you I have been on PPIs for years, research and current body tells me need to week off these at earliest. Last endoscopy found polyps and small duodenal ulcer. 40mg omeprazole once daily for 8 weeks to sort acid reflux, heartburn symptoms. 3 supplements or B12 and Magnesium best approach now? Thanks
The ulcer potentially complicates things. Suggest getting some advice from your medical professional regarding this. I mention that as in my research I have seen that some, who have ulcers have experienced issues when taking HCl and even digestive enzyme supplements. The HCl is designed to promote restoration of normal acidity. That said, normal acidity can cause issues with ulcers. If you have been on PPIs for years there is an increased chance that you are currently deficient in B12, magnesium, and calcium, however it is not a guarantee. I’m increasingly a proponent of limiting things I put in my… Read more »
I would take your advice on testing the levels as this is a good shout, so will ask doctor to set this up soon and let you know how that fairs. The only major concern I have at present is the brown saliva I bring up in morning, I don’t have it at any other time of day so seems to be a nightitme acid reflux issue. What is your best guestimate on what this could be signalling? I stop eating 4+ hours from bedtime so not sure why this would still be an issue. I asked my doctor if… Read more »
For years I woke with copious saliva in my mouth in the mornings. It wasn’t brown, but it was a significant amount. What I didn’t realize until I got rid of reflux was this actually my body’s response to the reflux. I suspect this is blood mixed with saliva. For you, I suspect this is blood mixed with saliva. Guessing this only happens at night because the blood is from an irritated area of your esophagus (or gums, but I suspect you would feel if they were irritated or sensitive). To test this, try sleeping with your upper torso elevated.… Read more »
After starting the supplements, how long do you recommend still taking acid blockers? I’m on Prilosec OTC (self prescribed for over 10 years now) and I’m trying to find the best way to get off it so far this seems like one of the best ways! Thank you!
Hi Walter, I wish I had a definitive answer for you. The answer is, it depends! If you are like me, your body will respond immediately and you will be able to feel your body regain its ability to keep your sphincter closed. That was enough for me to discontinue the acid blockers the very next day. That said, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, to fully recover to the point where you don’t need to take the supplements. You can experiment periodically and see if you get symptoms when you skip. If you… Read more »
I typically get heartburn in the evenings about 4 hours after dinner. It’s not a constant burn or regurgitation, but just some burping and with that, a burn sense at the base of esophagus/stomach. It is driven by carbohydrates. If I go low carb, the reflux disappears almost overnight. I did this for 1 week the other week and then reintroduced carbs again. I was fine for 3 days eating all sorts of carbs before heartburn started again. I’ve tried HCl but it seems if I take 1-2 it does nothing and I still get heartburn and I once took… Read more »
Hi Sean, Thank you for your questions. I have a few questions for you that can help narrow down the issue you are facing: How long have you been dealing with reflux and are you on acid reflux medications? Are you allowing at least 3 hours after eating before laying down? Do you get reflux if you eat the same carbs with protein? Are you taking the HCl in combination with ACV and the digestive enzymes as I suggest in my post or did you try these independantly at different times? I agree with you regarding antibiotics w/o addressing the… Read more »
I’ve been dealing with it for about 2 years now. Had an EGD done 1year ago which showed h pylori gastritis. That was eradicated with antibiotics. Didn’t help reflux at all. In fact 3 months later I developed c diff from all the antibiotics and I believe I acquired c diff from the EGD procedure. They do about 40 per day and they do BOTH ends of people all the time and they do them back to back. It’s gross. So anyway, I had to go on vancomycin for another 10 days for c diff. Since then I’ve been taking… Read more »
I should note that after the hpylori antibiotics and the subsequent c diff infection, I didn’t really have reflux for several months. I had posted that the antibiotics “didnt help reflux at all” — what I meant to say was that I am dealing with reflux today just as much as 2 years ago, however it did subside after h pylori treatment for some time (not sure how long, probably several months). This may have been due to my incredible fixation/obsession on treating/fighting cdiff and I may have just been completely ignoring any reflux, but I think it was probably… Read more »
I just tried taking 2x HCl with my meal. I took 1x with dinner last night and it didn’t seem to do anything.
It’s been about half hour and I’m feeling a stomach ache now. Wouldn’t say its a burn, its more a wrenching ache.
So apparently 2x is too many yet 1x does nothing…
Hi Sean, So sorry to hear what you are going through. Unfortunately, I cant speak to taking one or two supplements together because I took them all together at what I found to be the right dose. It may be that 4 HCl alone is not enough for you, given your current digestive balance. In response to your question I added a guide that speaks to the approach I found that identifies proper dose of HCl. You can get the guide sent to you automatically by entering your email address in the form in the middle of the page “FREE… Read more »
Hi Don thank you for sharing
I have been having bad acid reflux and was prescribed omeprazole. I notice my heart racing and tingling left side of my face. I cannot eat much because of the pain.
You are very welcome. I hope it works as well for you, as it did me. Let us know how it goes or if you have follow up questions!
During this Quarantine I have started to have a strange feeling on my throat where it felt strained. From there I began to have abdominal pain/ bloating and constipation. Now unfortunately the pain has moved into my chest as well as my back. I was told by a doctor I had acid reflux. So I’m really hoping the digestive pills you recommended work! Because the pills they have given me have not.
Hi Tyla, Thanks for the comment. Hope it works well for you – keep us posted! If you don’t already have it, you might pick up a copy of my reflux transition guide and personal journal: https://theacidrefluxguy.com/transition
Hi Don I have been to an ENT. He prescribed me Prilosec it might of helped a little. That was 2 years ago. Today I’m sitting here thinking what do I do. I have a constant throat clearing, cough, & recently I have been having this gagging like symptom. Kinda feels like a little pinch in my throat. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have a drink handy. Like right now it is 8:20 am I went ahead and took a Prilosec with a little water. I can feel my throat. I’m having phlegm already. Haven’t… Read more »
Hi Deborah, You may very well have developed silent reflux, as I did. The phlegm is certainly a tell tale sign. For me, I found that my nose would run when I ate and symptoms were the worse in the mornings when the mucous response had time to accumulate. Regarding snacks, I would be conscious of what you are putting in your body. In particular, for me it was high concentrations of sugar that really exacerbated my symptoms, not to mention other common reflux triggers. I struggled with voice quality for 15 years and now for the first time in… Read more »
Thank you so much for this insight. I’ve been diagnosed with reflux about 8 days ago. N placed on PPI. But I can tell exactly when the medication wears off because I’m awoken from sleep with the burning n chest pain and sour taste in my throat. I also don’t like the tingling I’m getting in my legs since. So I’m going to definitely try your recommendations as I don’t think I should be this dependent on medication for life
Hi Kim, Hopefully you will see very quick results given such a recent diagnosis. Let us know how it goes!