How to Stop Acid Reflux
In this post you will learn how you can use a handful of supplements to quickly and easily to eliminate acid reflux for good! We will cover the following topics:
Causes of Acid Reflux
A lot of advice exists to help you manage your acid reflux ranging from exercise routines to diet plans. While helpful, most, including prescription medications, focus on managing or reducing the discomfort cased by your symptoms. They do little to nothing to address the actual causes of your reflux.
This is much like putting some ice on your toe after you bang it on some furniture in the middle of the night. It helps reduce the swelling, which may make help you feel better, but it doesn’t keep you from banging your toe again tomorrow night!
To Heal, You Need To Address The Cause Of Your Reflux
So, to resolve your reflux, it is important to start with an understanding of the actual root causes of acid reflux. Once you understand the root causes, you can then work to eliminate them.
I suffered with reflux for more than 15 years and over that time I estimate having spent more than $6,000 on prescription, over the counter medications and antacids. How much time, money, and anxiety have you spent addressing your reflex? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.
The amazing thing, is remedies such as the one described in this article are simple, fast, and inexpensive. Sadly, however they are little known because of the prevalence of acid blocking medications and antacids.
Low Stomach Acid
The first thing you need to understand is that reflux is not caused by high acidity. It’s actually caused when the ring of muscles between your stomach and throat fail to close tight enough to form a seal, thereby allowing stomach contents to escape.
If You Have Reflux, Here Is Why
These muscles are known as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and the Diaphragmatic Sphincter. If you were like me, prior to reading this, you probably never heard of these muscles. Knowing they exist now, it probably wouldn’t surprise you, that they are very same muscles responsible for keeping your stomach contents contained when you bend over or hang upside down! These WebMD article and Nature.com provide detailed diagrams of the LES and diaphragmatic sphincters. They explain:
“The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is a bundle of muscles at the top of the esophagus. The muscles of the UES are under conscious control, used when breathing, eating, belching, and vomiting. They keep food and secretions from going down the windpipe.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a bundle of muscles at the low end of the esophagus, where it meets the stomach. When the LES is closed, it prevents acid and stomach contents from traveling backwards from the stomach. The LES muscles are not under voluntary control.” – WebMD
As the article covers, this ring of muscles is not under voluntary control. If they were, you could just contract them as you do most other muscles in your body and problem solved! Unfortunately it is not that easy. In fact, your body signals them to close through a complex mechanism created by high acidity and the pressure buildup that occurs when food is digested.
If Your Acidity Gets Too Low, The Muscles Will Not Close
That being said, if your stomach acidity gets too low, there is not sufficient pressure or acidity to cause the muscles to contract.
As a result, the sphincters do not seal fully, and stomach contents and vapors are allowed to travel up into your throat (as shown in below diagram).
Low Acidity Also Leads To Indigestion
The truth is, open sphincters alone are enough to cause reflux. Unfortunately, however, this is not the only side effect of low acidity. You see, a highly acidic environment is necessary to efficiently digest food as well. If digestion does not occur, food can sit on your stomach (indigestion) for hours, increasing the likelihood for reflux to occur.
Causes of Low Stomach Acid
As covered in articles like this Healthline article, the primary causes of low stomach acid include:
- Stress — Stress reduces the production of stomach acids, this unbalance disrupts LES function
- Aging — As your stomach acidity naturally declines as you get older
- Hiatal Hernia — A hiatal hernia can contribute to the weakening of the LES or vice versa
- Surgery — Surgeries can halt the production of stomach acids, this unbalance disrupts LES function
- Obesity — Being overweight exerts pressure on the stomach which may contribute to regurgitation of stomach contents
- Smoking — Smoking can contribute to a weakening of the LES
- Drinking — Excess drinking can cause a weakening of the LES
- Medications — Asthma, blood pressure, depression medications, sedatives, antidepressants, narcotics, and tranquilizers
- Asthma — Studies have linked excess coughing, pressure on lungs, and medicinal impacts on LES strength
- Peptic Ulcers — Causes reflux as food does not move from the stomach to the small intestine efficiently
- Pregnancy — Higher levels of progesterone can relax the LES; in addition, the fetus exerts pressure on the stomach
- Acid Reflux Medications — Surprisingly, studies show acid blocking medications and antacids reduce acidity which blocks signals to close the LES
Your Acid Reflux Medications Are Contributing To The Problem
Yes, you read the last item on the list correctly… The top items in the list likely stated you down the path of reflux, but the very medications you may be taking to manage your reflux are actually further reducing your acidity and increasing the frequency and likelihood of reflux symptoms!
How could that be you might ask? Well, there are three classes of reflux medications, H2 blockers, Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI), and antacids. Each of which are designed to suppress your acidity as a means to manage your reflux. In doing so, they are only addressing the symptom, not addressing the problem. Remember our above example with the ice and the toe?
Acid Reflux Medications Were Never Meant For Routine Acid Reflux
In fact, these medicines were originally designed to help with severe inflammatory issues and to manage stomach ulcers which could be damaged by the highly acidic hydrochloric acid (HCl) your stomach naturally produces to digest food.
As your doctor informed you, these medicines were never intended to be used for more than 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately, they do such a great job mitigating symptoms in the short term, they end up becoming a patients long term choice, despite the warnings from their doctor.
If you are like me, you may have tried to get off of the medication at one point, only to find that the rebound symptoms were worse than when you first got on them!
The very ugly truth is the very medicines you are taking to help with your acid reflux, are digging a bigger hole.
Note: If you have been on these acid reflux medications for long, you will want to keep reading. Near the end, I will explain how you can overcome some of the awful side effects of poor mineral absorption caused by extended reflux medication use.
An Unbalanced Digestive System Causes Other Problems
What you also need to understand is, once pH balance (measure of acidity) and digestive system gets off track, your body can no longer fight off harmful bacteria in your gut.
A healthy digestive system requires very 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.
Now that you understand high acidity is required for healthy digestive process, and to cause your sphincters to close, you may be wondering what you can do to quickly restore this balance.
In the next section, I will explain the three supplements I found that helped me restore my digestive balance and get off these medications for good.
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Digestive Enzyme Supplements For Acid Reflux
Digestive Enzymes For Acid Reflux
The first of three supplements I found are Digestive Enzyme supplements, which help compensate for low acidity and help the body breakdown proteins, fats, milk sugars, fiber and carbohydrates.
You take one with every meal to support digestion and alleviate indigestion.
For each of the three supplements, once your body reaches normal digestive efficiency with no reflux symptoms, you can discontinue this supplement.
HCl Supplement For Acid Reflux
The second, but arguably most important supplement is Betain HCl.
Watch this video by Dr Eric Berg:
Recommendation is to take them with every meal to encourage your body’s natural hydrochloric acid and pepsin production. The key with HCl, is to use the proper dose with meals. I explain this below, and you can optionally get my free transition guide and personal journal that goes into more detail.
Pepsin is one of the primary digestive enzymes that helps you break down proteins into smaller components.
For each of the three supplements, once your body reaches normal digestive efficiency with no reflux symptoms, you can discontinue this supplement.
How to take Betain HCl
HCl is tremendously beneficial to digestive health when taken properly:
- Those with ulcers should not use HCL.
- Individuals taking medicines such as steroids or anti-inflammatories should not use HCL as the combination can damage the GI lining
- HCL should primarily be taken with meals containing proteins as not as much stomach acid is needed for digesting vegetables and fruits.
- It is important to figure out the correct dose of HCL so that your sphincters close and you are able to stop taking your reflux medications:
To find your ideal dose:
- Eat a protein rich meal; vegetarians can try protein rich sources such as beans, soy, nuts etc...
- Start with one 650mg pill (lower dose for vegetarians) in the middle of your meal
- Observe reactions in your body, specifically in your stomach; you are looking for heaviness or warmth
- If you dont observe this, try increasing the dose of HCl with your next meal
- Keep increasing until you notice the heaviness or warmth as mentioned above
- When this happens you will know your ideal dosage is 1 pill less
- Some never experience the warmth, so if your typical reflux symptoms are managed, you are likely at the right dose
- You may find that low to no HCl is for meals that are low in protein (easier to digest)
- Over time, as your acidity recovers you will find that you need less and less HCl
- The warmth will be your signal to reduce your dose
- Note that some do not experience the warmth and will just experiment with lower doses periodically to see if can be reduced
- When you are down to a single pill per meal, and you get that warmth you have fully recovered from your reflux
- At this point, you can discontinue the supplements!
For More Information:
Apple Cider Vinegar For Acid Reflux
The last is Apple Cider Vinegar, which is also rich in enzymes and pre-biotics which promote return of beneficial bacteria in your stomach.
Take one with every meal as it additionally can help kill pathogens, including bad bacteria that multiply in low acid conditions.
For each of the three supplements, once your body reaches normal digestive efficiency with no reflux symptoms, you can discontinue this supplement.
For Those Who Have Been on Reflux Medication For Years
Natural Supplements for Acid Reflux
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):
- Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness
- Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- A smooth tongue
- Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas
- Nerve problems like numbness, muscle weakness, and problems walking
- Vision loss
- Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes
- Muscle Problems (aches, cramps, spasms, numbness, tingling in hands, arms, feet, legs and around the mouth)
- Extreme fatigue
- Nail and skin symptoms (itch, inflamation, psoriasis)
- Osteopenia and osteoperosis (low bone density)
- Painful PMS
- Dental problems
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
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 below 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!
B12 For Acid Reflux
Vitamin B12 helps support energy metabolism, nervous system health, and helps convert food to energy
Magnesium For Acid Reflux
Magnesium is important for many systems in the body, especially the muscles and nerves:
Wrap-Up
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!
Don Daniels
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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 »
Hi Sean, did you find the source of the brown liquid? (Yellow mixed with blood) Same thing is happening to me ever since I got LPR reflux this past month. Also found a polyp and several small ileum ulcers. Hiatal hernia as well 😫. I went to a dentist and he said I have gingivitis and inflamed gums. Do you guys (Don too)think it’s the gums being irritated from the acid reflux in the night showing up in the morning? I sleep elevated and same thing every time I wake up. My drs all think it’s the gums. Thanks
It could be from your mouth or from your throat. I had reflux for years, but once it developed into LPR, I started having phlegm in the mornings. For me it was my bodies mucosal response to acid vapors in my throat, nasal passage, and mouth. Any of these areas can bleed. A few things you can try to lower the a acidity in your mouth 1) drink lots of hot water through the course of the day (clears mucous) 2) gargle with hydrogen peroxide (oral antiseptic) 3) brush your entire mouth (not just teeth) to clear residual acidity 4)… 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!
Do you need to be on a special diet in order for one of these methods to work
No, however you will need to adjust according to your diet. Vegetarians might find it more challenging as HCl is easier to add to high protein diets. For this reason, they may need to increase the quantity of nuts, seeds, beans, soy and other proteins. They may also want to buy HCl with the lowest per pill dose
Thanks Don Is this something that I will have to continue taking or once I have it straightened out I can stop taking
I stopped taking the reflux medications immediately and after 8 weeks, I was able to stop taking the supplements. Along the way, your bodies acidity and digestive efficiency start returning to normal and as that happens, you will know to ramp down in the quantities you are taking. I share my personal experiences in more detail in my journal / transition guide: https://theacidrefluxguy.com/transition
Thanks Don
Hi Don, I have been diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus about 6 months ago. I have been prescribed 40 mg omeprazole twice daily. One 30 minutes before breakfast and 30 min before the evening meal. While the PPI has reduced my acid reflux to almost zero I feel it is important to see if I can reduce or eliminate the omeprazole. Would you agree? Now that I am cutting back I sometimes feel my right sinus start to drain after eating. Is that acid reflux? I have also made other life style changes that I believe has helped. Like eliminating… Read more »
Hi Rodney, First my apologies for the delayed response. It has been a very busy week for me. As you may have discovered from my articles I am a huge advocate for getting off of acid reflux medicines. In my latest video I share the very serious long term side effects I faced, having taken these medications for 15 years. The lifestyle changes you are making are fantastic ways to manage your reflux. I need to write an article and post another video on this topic. However, I do have some additional tips for you in my transition guide. The… Read more »
thanks I will read your transition guide.
You mention 5 supplements, but I’ve only noticed:
Am I missing something?
Thanks so much for all of this info – stumbling on this has ignited hope in me getting rid of my LPR and doing away with PPIs (I’ve only been on them for one month)
Ben, Thanks for the question. The other two supplements (vitamins) are B12 and Magnesium. However, these two would not be needed in your case as you have not taken reflux medications long enough to have developed a deficiency. Let us know how it goes for you 🙂
Best Regards,
Don
Hi Don, I’ve been taking the HCL and ACV for about a week, my digestive enzymes haven’t come in the mail yet. I started with 1 of each pill with supper, then a couple days later I started taking them at breakfast as well. I’m still getting reflux and have to take tums or pepto to help, is this normal? I’ve been on ppi’s for years, and am currently on pantoprazole but stopped taking it once I started these supplements. I suspect I have low stomach acid simply because every year it seems I have to take a different ppi… Read more »
Hi Tristan, Thank you for your email. Glad to hear you are on your journey towards healing! Hopefully the digestive enzymes arrive soon as they should help to further mitigate indigestion. Have you started increasing the quantity of HCl, in accordance with your meal complexity? For instance, meals with higher protein content will need more HCl to properly digest. Easier to digest meals such as breakfasts might only need one to no HCl (especially as your acidity returns). When I started, I began with 1 648mg HCl with each meal and at most I took 5-6 with high protein meals… Read more »
Thanks for your response! I started with 1 HCl and 1 ACV with dinner. Then after doing that for a couple days, I’m now doing 1 HCl and 1 ACV at breakfast, and that same amount for dinner. But I’m finding that I still have reflux daily.
Don,
How long have you been reflux-free? Completely off supplements?
Can you eat ANYTHING you want now?
Thanks for your responses.
Hi Cassie, Yes I am completely off of the medications and supplements! I stopped taking the medications the next day after starting on the supplements and 8 weeks later I was able to stop taking the supplements. Now, I eat anything I want! Just had a bowel of cereal this morning. Something that I had avoided for years as dairy gave me problems!
Don
Is it safe to use the supplements if you use an antihistamine nasal spray?
Hi Susan, I’m afraid I’m not qualified to answer that question. Good question for your doctor!
In your experience, are painful tongue and roof of mouth sores ever indicative of reflux (either silent or GERD)? Those are my main recurrent symptoms (for 35 years) that drive me nuts. I don’t have any other overt symptoms of either silent reflux or GERD however, and they get worse if I take probiotics. I know it’s crazy. But you may have very well solved my father’s myriad problems with silent reflux!!
Hi Caroline, I’m sorry to hear about the sores. Anything else that you can correlate increased quantity or severity of sores? They part you mention regarding probiotics does make it seem to be digestion related. Are the probiotics in supplement form or with yogurt? Do you take reflux medications?
Don