My Basic Daily Reflux Protocol

— Follow the “dropping acid diet,” written by Dr. Jamie Koufman, with NO exceptions.  For me, fully embracing the diet took a while, in part because I knew that it was nutritionally deficient.  I initially tried the “Acid Watcher Diet,” written by Dr. Jonathan Aviv, instead, which has some good recipes, but those still caused symptoms in me.  I’m hoping to “graduate” to his book.  For now, I’m not taking any more chances.  Take my advice on this.  I know the diet is very hard.  But, you will eventually figure out that you have no choice.  And you can avoid a lot of problems if you just start on the diet ASAP.  Trust that you can heal.  I am healing.  It just takes a while, like, according to the doctors, maybe an entire year.  And they said, even then, you might still have some “trigger foods.”  Your job is to heal first, then learn what those trigger foods are, second.

Based on advice from these doctors, this has been, or still is, my basic daily reflux protocol:

–When I started, 20 mg of pepsid before breakfast, 20 mg before dinner, and 40 mg before bedtime. Now I only need 40 mg before bedtime.

–When I started, 2 tsp of reflux gourmet after every meal, and before bedtime.

–smaller meals, eat more frequently.  You can feel a difference if you overeat.  This will cause reflux and delay healing.  Small meals, especially at dinner, are ESSENTIAL.

–alkaline water + alkaline water in a spray bottle, spray often.  I really LOVE our alkaline water filter, and my husband and I were both kicking ourselves for not buying that sooner.  I only drink alkaline water, except I drink 1/2 a bottle of coconut water with a very small breakfast, and another 1/2 with a very small dinner.  My nutritionist recommended the coconut water to help with the constipation that the antacids + reflux gourmet (or Gaviscon) were causing.

–anxiety can cause reflux.  Try to control anxiety but relieving stress.

–covid or other viral illnesses can cause or worsen existing reflux.  So try hard not to get sick (this has been my downfall for the last year, but I’ve still improved a lot).

–steam inhaler twice a day for five minutes.

–eat dinner 5-7 hours before going to sleep — this is CRITICAL, along with a small dinner.  I had to find the “sweet spot” between eating early enough, and a small enough dinner, not to have hunger impair my sleep, while still preventing reflux.  For me, this took trial and error.  But I can’t say enough that if you have any issue with overeating, you MUST conquer that issue.  My doctor told me, and I’ve found to be true, that I could eat a little more, and a little later, after I healed for about a month.  However, setbacks due to eating bad food too soon, or getting sick, are common.  These have happened to me numerous times, in which case I had to go right back to the beginning on the protocol.  I dearly wish I would have just followed everything these doctors suggested TO THE LETTER starting more than two years ago.

–sleep sitting up (at least 45 degree angle).

You need to do those things for at least one month.  After that time, be EXTREMELY careful adding back foods.  I have had numerous BAD setbacks from adding back larger portions of bad foods when I had been feeling much better.  Both docs said that nearly complete healing could take a year. But many symptoms will greatly improve after one month.  And the good news is that very small amounts of your favorite foods will taste incredible, and be enough to satisfy you, if / when you reach that stage of healing.  I really wish I had been more careful right after tapering, however.  You will need to avoid red meat or foods high in saturated fat for a LONG time, in my experience.

Reflux Products That Actually Work (And I’ve Tried Everything)

Numerous doctors and nutritionists told me to try many things. But they never gave me specific product recommendations. And many of the products on the market, to help reflux, did not help me (and some greatly harmed me). As I mentioned before, and I am not exaggerating or kidding, I have spent many, many thousands of dollars just on products alone, never mind treatments that I have tried. Most of them didn’t work. But the products on this page, and I have and use them all daily (with a few exceptions that I explain by the products). For example, I purchased 4 different adjustable beds, and a couple thousand dollars worth of wedge and other pillows, before I found the ones that were actually comfortable, and helped my reflux. And I tried many, many supplements (at least 5 HUGE crate size boxes full) — most of which were either actively harmful, or definitely not helpful. So let my huge financial losses be your gain, and try these products first. I think you’ll be glad you did, in the long run. (Big qualifier: reflux takes time and *doing the work* to heal; these products were just tools that helped me follow the lengthy doctor recommendations above.)

Most Comfortable Adjustable Beds For Reflux

Adjustable beds work much better than wedge pillows.  You just have to buy the right pillows to make them comfortable for sleeping.  You’ll also need a knee wedge pillow, and possibly a soft neck brace, to prevent your head from falling over, a tempurpedic pillow, to put on top of the wedge pillow because most aren’t high enough, and a very thin low back pillow.  I spent countless hours and dollars figuring out a system that worked.  I really think everyone with reflux needs ALL of these things (sorry).  You might want to save this video and come back later if you can’t order now.

These are my favorite adjustable bed options for those who have reflux:

1.  Most affordable and still works well: Lucid L300 Adjustable Bed (Frame Only): https://linktw.in/BExFQU
2. Slightly more expensive / includes massage (adjustment feature the same) Adjustable Bed (Frame Only): iDealBed Adjustable bed frame https://linktw.in/mwlCjs
3. Adjustable Bed (Frame + mattress), adjustable frame works well & very comfortable memory foam mattress: https://linktw.in/cJBBkJ

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Wedge Pillow System (Or Knee Pillow) For Sleeping With Reflux On An Adjustable Bed

This is my favorite wedge pillow system, and I believe the only one that will allow you to reach the 45 degree angle (at least) that the reflux expert told me is required to prevent reflux:

1.  The Lunix wedge pillow system is the next best thing, if you can’t afford an adjustable bed, and can be used for travel, even if you have an adjustable bed.  Also, I like the knee pillow from this set best on my adjustable bed, and couldn’t find the same knee pillow by itself (I ordered all of them and none worked as well for incline sleeping OR the knee pillow): https://linktw.in/XoEdZZ

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Important Bed Additions For Adjustable Bed Comfort With Reflux

These products work well, to prevent reflux, together with the adjustable bed & knee wedge from Lunix wedge pillow system (I use all of these every night, and I tried everything before deciding on these):

1. Tempurpedic Cloud Pillow. (I put this on the front side of the knee pillow, and it adds just the right lift under my legs for me to feel comfortable): https://linktw.in/SPVXUJ
2. Soft Neck Brace. This took a long time (and a lot of discomfort) to discover.  But when you sleep sitting up, your neck falls over.  This prevents comfortable sleep and hurts your neck.  You will get used to this.  I wear this very loosely while sleeping to keep my neck from falling over.  I hated it at first, but now it just feels like a thick turtleneck, and it will help you sleep without pain: https://linktw.in/zQWkGh
3. Thermarest Back Pillow.  I tried almost two thousand dollars worth of pillows, including more than a thousand dollars worth of low back pillows.  You may have low back pain if you sleep in an adjustable bed or with a wedge system.  Most back pillows are too thick so don’t help.  But this one works perfectly for me.  You do not need this fully inflated.  You will get used to this bed stuff.  Ask me if you can’t sleep and needs further tips. Best low back pillow: https://linktw.in/gsHlnC

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Reflux Sleeping Tips

Your goal with the bed should be to sleep at least at a 45 degree angle.  That’s what one of the reflux expert MDs told me.  That means wedge pillows will never work as well as an adjustable bed (the Linux wedge pillow, listed above, creates the right angle — it’s just difficult not to move down when you are asleep, thereby defeating the healing purpose of sitting up.)

This (sadly) means you will be sitting almost straight up.  You will eventually get to the point that you can lie back, and feel the difference, meaning you will feel your reflux versus not when you are sitting up.  The good news is that you CAN get comfortable, and even sleep well.  You just have to learn how.  I struggled for many, many months with sleeping.  You will want to aim for what will look somewhat like an anti-gravity position.  That means your back will incline slightly backward, and you will have your knees over a knee pillow (and, in my case, I put a pillow in the front of the knee pillow — otherwise, my legs were never high enough).  Then I needed a low back pillow, or I had low back pain that made sleeping through the night impossible.  The low back pillow listed above was the only one that helped, and it’s still a little awkward feeling at first.  But just try it — and I think you will pretty quickly get used to it.

Now, once you get in the proper position, you still might have problems sleeping, as I still did, at first.  Here’s what the reflux doctor told me about my inability to fall asleep sitting up: just meditate.  Stick with me for a minute — I know that sounds cliche.  But concentrate on something in the room. I have a fan and white noise.  Stop your thoughts, and just listen to the fan, or the white noise, or focus on your breathing only.  You need to stop your thoughts.  If you are comfortable, and getting comfortable does take some work, then you will fall asleep.  I can now sleep very comfortably as long as I have all of my bed “stuff” listed above.

I also like to pull all of the covers around me and even the sides of my head.  I tuck my comforter under my legs on the side, under my feet, and pull both sides of the comforter toward my body on the sides, to form something like an arm rest.  (My husband and I used to have different comforters, at the beginning of this ordeal.  Now he and I just sleep in separate rooms, which I recommend if you need all of these adjustments and your spouse doesn’t.)
If you are traveling, try to bring at least your wedge and knee pillows.  Or a reader pillow something like this: https://linktw.in/ivwfnA (I have not tried this particular one, but I’ve used something very similar while traveling.  Sleep is not as good but “it will do,” for a few nights.  This works better if you’ve already gotten used to sleeping in an adjustable bed.

Medications Recommended by Leading Reflux Experts

These are the medications that I used to avoid taking PPIs, at the recommendation from the two leading reflux experts in the world (PPIs were OUT for me, based on advice about their harm from one of the leading reflux experts I consulted).  I still take these medications every day (sadly), but at least have “graduated” to the point that I only need them at night.  The expert MDs told me, and I have confirmed through difficult trial and error, that these medications will NOT stop reflux unless you also do all of the lifestyle changes, and eat the very restrictive low acid diet.

1. Reflux gourmet (when I started, I took 2 tsp after every meal and before bedtime; after healing for a long time, now I take 2 tsp only before bedtime): https://linktw.in/mmzxmo
2. Pepsid (when I started, I took 20 mg before breakfast, 20 before dinner, and 40 before bedtime; now I just need 20 before bedtime and I’m hoping to start tapering that dose soon – you almost definitely will need this + reflux gourmet to heal serious reflux): https://linktw.in/yUFSzy
3. Gaviscon: alternative to Reflux gourmet, same active ingredient, slightly more effective but causes me to be pretty badly constipated + worsens my tinnitus + some concerning ingredients if used long term (was okay for me to use for a short time just while starting, but I had to drink more water): https://linktw.in/srJlKS

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Alkaline Water Definitely Helps Heal Reflux

Both reflux expert MDs told me to drink alkaline water.  And alkaline water has been a key part of my healing from reflux.  However, for a long time on the program, I really did not think alkaline water made any difference, one way or another.  So a few times, I tried to drink regular water again, and immediately began having symptoms.  You will become more aware of your symptoms as you heal — according to my doctor, many people have more pain as they start to heal.  She said this is because the swelling decreases, which makes the nerves more sensitive. And that has been my experience.  So, these days, if I drink regular water, it doesn’t take long before I start feeling the pain returning.  For almost two years, we spent a ton of money on alkaline water.  Just a few months ago, I finally decided to buy a very nice alkaline filter system.  I cannot more highly recommend the alkaline water filter system below.  This is a reverse osmosis water system, which produces perfectly pure tasting alkaline water.  I LOVE this water filtration system!!  And I feel really good knowing that I’m not drinking all of the chemicals, including chlorine, in most water, including the bottled alkaline water I had been drinking.  This is a countertop filtration system, and quite simply the best, easiest and fastest to use reverse osmosis filtration system.

(Side note: I was concerned for a long time about alkaline water affecting my digestion.  So I resisted drinking alkaline water in the beginning.  Please let me save you from wasting that time.  I have not had any worsening of my digestion whatsover.  And even if there were some theoretical risk, the damage from not healing reflux, at least for me, was FAR worse.)

1. The absolute BEST alkaline water filter.  I tried several of these. Many do not work or the water tastes terrible.  In addition to providing delicious, perfectly filtered water, this filter came highly recommended by a leading plant based MD for the other impurities & chemicals it removes, better than osmosis and much easier!  We bought two of these for our home, alkaline water (for me) and regular water (for my husband).  You will need alkaline water with reflux.  Regular water irritates my throat. Alkaline water is part of a package of things that, together, will help you heal over a few weeks or months.
   1. Alkaline countertop filter (reverse osmosis, alkaline, for people healing from reflux): https://linktw.in/uRfStz
   2. Regular (not alkaline / for people without reflux) water countertop filter (reverse osmosis): https://linktw.in/hdFaai
2. My favorite alkaline water, and the highest quality, if you aren’t ready to buy a filter (but, warning, we spent a FORTUNE on alkaline water before we finally bought a filter, which is much more convenient anyway): https://linktw.in/ENhCHg
3. Perfect glass water bottles if you buy filter: https://linktw.in/Sfoxpn
4. Also nice glass water bottles: https://linktw.in/Kszpbz

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Reflux Lifestyle Recommendations

You really need to follow everything from this book, in addition to taking medication: 

Dropping Acid book by leading reflux expert Dr. Jamie Koufman (I consulted her 3 times; not recommended although her book is excellent – I gained nothing more from the consults): https://linktw.in/VwSTPy

Breakfast Ingredients:

1. Recipe modified from Acid Watcher Diet Book, by Dr. Jonathan Aviv (I also consulted him): https://linktw.in/qpuqUQ
   1. My basic recipe comes from this book.  However, I modified this recipe by omitting the blueberries – you may or may not tolerate with the blueberries.
   2. I also add, based on other expert recommendations: manuka honey, green banana powder, and pea protein powder.
   3. And I serve the smoothie over sprouted rolled oats, for energy, calories & satiety.
2. Raw, Organic Almond Butter: https://linktw.in/mylXGY
3. Green Banana Powder (per excellent nutritionist, resistant starch helps microbiome, which helps digestion, which helps reflux): https://linktw.in/NfrWMX
4. Pea Protein Powder (one tablespoon, adds protein needed to heal reflux, and is less acidic than other protein powders): https://linktw.in/eeplCs
   1. Cheaper pea protein powder (still organic): https://linktw.in/FlulcI
5. Manuka Honey (helps soothe the throat and heal the esophagus, ANY number will work per reflux expert, but I use 725, acquired taste but now I love this & you will too): https://linktw.in/joqnTP
6. Sprouted Rolled Oats (I add the smoothie from the recipe book over my cooked oats each morning, sprouted helps digestion, which helps reflux, and oats aren’t triggering for most people with reflux): https://linktw.in/zSTmlr

Popcorn is the BEST snack for reflux (took me a long time to figure this out – and snacks were my biggest challenge in dealing with reflux).  This is the best recipe, with the lowest fat but still flavorful, best popcorn maker (I tried several), and best salt (recommended by Dr. Aviv in the Acid Watcher Cookbook).  This is delicious popcorn regardless of whether you have reflux – best flavor for the lowest fat!  Let’s face it, air popped has no taste!

1. Salbree Collapsible Microwave Popcorn Maker: https://linktw.in/CDxRmt
2. Orville Redenbacher’s Best Popcorn (3 Tbsp works well in the Salbree): https://linktw.in/KXuSqK
3. Organic Olive Oil (adds flavor without aggravating reflux)(you only need 1 tsp which is still low fat): https://linktw.in/HkaebB
4. Celtic Salt (this is the only salt that will not aggravate reflux, recommended by Dr. Aviv, and the fine ground works perfectly on popcorn, as long as you use a little olive oil): https://linktw.in/mJNjlR

Sweet Snack: I recommend Carob Chip Cookies.  I will try to share my recipe soon (or please ask if you want this). But I use these carob chips:

1.  Chattfield’s Carob Chips (sometimes I just eat a small handful of these out of the bag, after popcorn, to get that little bit of sweet, doesn’t aggravate reflux).  I tried many other brands and they all tasted terrible.  I love the taste of these.  You will need some mental adjustment, which takes time, if you love chocolate.  But you will get there and your throat will feel better with these: https://linktw.in/vJiSCs

Blenders I really like (useful for reflux friendly smoothies, and, as you heal, mixing acidic with alkaline foods, plus helpful for digestion to eat some meals partially blended):

1. Ninja Professional (useful for everyday or one person): https://linktw.in/XPiuSl
2. Vitamix 750 Professional (this is a powerhouse, can still be used by one person but also a family, makes great peanut butter, smoothies & soups, has a self-cleaning function, will last forever): https://linktw.in/owJheE
3. Vitamix Immersion Blender. This is great for soups, which were necessary for me to digest without constipation in the early days of my treatment.  I tried several before finding (and loving) this one: https://linktw.in/TNoLDP

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Covid Prevention / Instant Disinfectant Without Harsh Chemicals

Made from salt, water & vinegar, but one of the reflux experts told me that HoCL was a very effective disinfectant, and worked instantly.  Many people with reflux start having immune problems because they are taking antacids, and those can cause nutritional issues.  Plus, covid has caused many people to have a version of long covid that gave them reflux.  In those cases, you really should disinfect more often in your home and surroundings, or at least disinfect throughout the house if anyone is sick, including you, so that you don’t reinfect yourself.  This machine is nice, works very well, and makes HoCL. You can also use this to wash your fruits & veggies.  Disinfect anything very effectively.  Used widely in dental offices for disinfecting.  You should get at least one of the misters, too:

1. EcoloxTech Portable Hypochlorous Acid Generator – With Ultra Fine Mister (*please note: you can download simple instruction manual from their website, doesn’t come with the unit, but basically you just add ½ tsp of kosher salt to 1 L of purified water (there is a one Liter mark line on the unit), optionally add one tsp of distilled white vinegar, to extend shelf life beyond the normal 2-3 weeks):   https://linktw.in/ashoXI
2. Kosher Salt (needed for Ecolox machine): https://linktw.in/FJxxuA
3. Distilled White Vinegar (needed for Ecolox Machine): https://linktw.in/YsBbuZ

My Favorite N95 Masks (I strongly recommend wearing these if you are using ANY cleaning solution, including the HocL made by the Ecolox machine, because breathing in the solution while cleaning can be irritating – everything will be fine after cleaning as there are no lingering odors): https://linktw.in/cAadVs

Face Steamer used twice daily for 5 min will help clear mucus over time (recommended by Dr. Aviv during in person office visit):

1.  Crane handheld personal steamer: https://linktw.in/jamJss

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Reflux Supplements That I Take Daily

These helped me with energy, after I stopped all caffeine (also help if you are taking antacids, which prevent absorption of some key nutrients). I take these daily and consider all of them essential on a low acid / low fat diet.  (Notably, I never took or believed in supplements before developing reflux.  You will have deficiencies if you follow the diet + meds for an extended period of time.)  Very high quality brands recommended by docs & nutritionists:

1. Seeking Health B Complex: https://linktw.in/GFKFfE
2. Pure Encapsulations Taurine (very slight energy boost for anyone but doesn’t cause insomnia): https://linktw.in/bSMydd
3. Seeking Health B12.  This is the ONLY B12 that I could find without acid, which wasn’t harmful, and antacids largely prevent the absorption of B12.  Plus B12 deficiency can cause reflux: https://linktw.in/yqQaqL
4. Thorne MTHF-5.  You may or may not need this if supplementing B12, especially B12 injections, which can cause folate deficiency.  Go by symptoms to determine your dosage.  Low folate can cause mouth sores, constipation & tinnitus.  https://linktw.in/EJJGst
5. Life extension Buffered Vitamin C.  Low acid diets are usually way too low in Vitamin C.  But Vit C is acidic, and will usually aggravate symptoms.  Vit C deficiency can cause insomnia + constipation among other problems.  I tried many forms of buffered Vit C and this is the only one that didn’t aggravate my throat (recommended by leading plant based doctor for those with reflux): https://linktw.in/CHeygI
6. Harmless Harvest Coconut Water. Helps with hydration for athletes (or anyone).  Also, helps with constipation that can be caused by antacids, and constipation can cause reflux.  This brand tastes the best & was recommended by nutritionist: https://linktw.in/BvcddG

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Coffee / Tea / Caffeine Alternatives On a Reflux Diet

Those with reflux can’t drink coffee or tea, even decaffeinated, until you heal more (I’ve been able to “graduate” to drinking decaf green tea within a few weeks of stricter treatment, but if I have a setback, even this causes symptoms for me).  That being said:

Book you should read to learn more about why we all (whether we have reflux or not) really shouldn’t drink ANY caffeine: https://linktw.in/FPFblZ

If you really can’t stand your life without a little caffeine, this tea is the easiest on my esophagus, plus has much less caffeine than coffee, or regular or even green tea (but still a little, which is a boost you can feel, after you’ve withdrawn from the more powerful stuff):

1. Decaf green tea (organic & the best I’ve tried): https://linktw.in/nObiJX
2. Decaf green tea (regular, but good tasting): https://linktw.in/RlbOmW

Other supplements, which I take daily unless I’m having any problems sleeping (which usually only happens if I get sick like with the flu):

1. Doctor’s Best Quercetin Bromelain.  Helps with immunity, and also helps heal inflammation and esophagus. https://linktw.in/Qomahf
2. Pure Encapsulations Benfomax.  Added benefits for digestion.  https://linktw.in/yorDGc
3. Thorne Lysine.  Immune support — recommended by several alternative med MDs, very important for everyone in light of covid.  https://linktw.in/QQeyNy
4. Thorne Vitamin D / K2.  Foundational, important for calcium absorption, which can be impaired if you are taking antacids. https://linktw.in/pdztWF
5. Thorne Advanced DHA.  Essential fatty acids, meaning we all need them.  So if you’re diet doesn’t have them, you have problems.  These help with heart, brain, nerves & mood.  I used them to help with anxiety caused by nerve damage.  https://linktw.in/wDqMhm
6. Thorne Zinc Picolinate.  Foundational, immune support, and those taking antacids are often low on zinc. https://linktw.in/bLSFni
7. Thorne Copper Biglycinate.  Copper is required if you are taking zinc.  I take half of this pill (1 mg), which is the amount needed with 15 mg of Zinc. https://linktw.in/zPiWYu

I have tried boxes and boxes of expensive supplements trying to deal with the effects of my newly acquired medical condition.  Many have caused harmful reactions.  But I do wish I could tolerate iron & magnesium biglyscinate.  If you are taking mag ox (recommended below for constipation), be VERY careful about other magnesium supplements or even foods high in magnesium.  You really should have your baseline blood magnesium checked, before starting any magnesium, then checked again when you find the dose that feels right to you.

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Iron, Calcium & Reflux

Iron & calcium have been the biggest nutritional challenges I’ve faced with reflux and antacids.  The diet & antacids gave me numerous other serious nutrient deficiencies. But there are only two that I haven’t been able to overcome with supplements: iron & calcium.

I’ve been a passionate distance runner for 20+ years.  And I’m very nearly vegan and have been for 6+ years.  That means I already had low ferritin, before I started a low-acid, low-saturated fat diet, as a result of reflux.  So my diet has precious little iron and antacids interfere with the absorption of iron.  And low iron can cause reflux and IBS.  Plus, I have developed serious immune problems which low iron can also cause.  I’m too concerned about side effects, after many medical interventions have only made me worse, so I am just trying to get well enough to taper pepsid.  I’m hoping that will help improve my iron stores.  But these were the iron formulations that had the least bad effect on me (still bad, so I would NOT try these unless you are nearly or completely healed from reflux — that’s when I plan to try again — and even that could be bad):

1.  Seeking Health Iron Chewable.  This is a lower dose of iron (10 mg), but has Vit C, which is acidic.  So I can’t tolerate this.  But I’m hoping my tolerance will improve in the coming months. https://linktw.in/gphKIY
2. Proferrin Clear Heme Iron Supplement.  This is also a lower dose of iron (10.5) mg, and is a special formulation of heme iron, which is supposed to be easier on the gut.  This was more tolerable to me than most other forms of iron supplements.  But it still caused symptoms, so I had to stop.  https://linktw.in/PWeogP
3. Iron fish.  My nutritionist recommended this iron fish, so I had high hopes.  You can put this in hot tea or liquid, or cook with soup.  I tried this only in hot tea, and I had a slight reaction.  So, again, I stopped for now.  I would only try this AFTER you heal from reflux and have had no symptoms for 6-8 weeks.  And then only cautiously.  https://linktw.in/WQfWmh
4. Cast iron pan set.  My nutritionist also recommended these pans.  I had about the same reaction as with the iron fish.  But you might have better luck.  Again, I would not try until you have had no reflux symptoms for 6-8 weeks, at a minimum. https://linktw.in/WjGLlh
5. I wouldn’t even consider any other forms of iron, most of which have iron + some form of acid base.  But in my experience, even pure iron causes problems.  And you might have noticed that this can cause a serious dilemma because low iron can cause reflux.  But I’m just hoping that is not my issue, or that I will slowly get better from my meals.  I eat turkey breast and beans every night, in my effort to get as much iron as possible on a low acid / low fat diet, with antacids.
6. Magnesium can help with the absorption of iron.  However, I would be very careful adding magnesium.  I can only tolerate 1/8 of a tsp of Mag Ox + very limited high magnesium foods like pumpkin seeds.  That’s not because of reflux — I start getting magnesium overdose symptoms, which are very dangerous, at higher doses.
7. Calcium causes intolerable constipation in me, which (constipation) causes worsening reflux. So I am just trying to finally taper pepsid + reflux gourmet, which cause the constipation, and hoping that I can eventually start eating more foods with calcium. (I do eat some almond butter, and plain soy milk, but those don’t have nearly enough calcium for a daily serving. Plus, antacids impair the absorption of the little calcium I am able to eat. And even worse — calcium is necessary for healing tissue. So this is not good. But I’m just hoping that I will gradually improve with everything else I’m trying.) I am slightly worried about the effect that reflux will cause on the long-term health of my bones.

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Constipation & Reflux

I struggled for a long time with this dilemma.  The reflux expert otolaryngologists insist that constipation does not cause reflux.  However, I took a 6 week gut health course from the best-selling gastroenterologist.  He said “many times” he has had patients cured from reflux, as soon as he got their constipation under control.  And if you research the studies, as I have done, you will find a few studies where treating constipation cured reflux.  To make matters worse, you could have constipation, and not know it.  The only way to know for sure is to get a CT scan, and make sure your doctor asks the radiologist to “rule out constipation.”  I’ve done that twice, both times I had been “regular” every day, and both times I had “moderate” constipation.  You really can’t know for sure without testing.

To make matters worse, pepsid and reflux gourmet / gaviscon can cause constipation.  Again, the reflux experts told me that wasn’t true.  A very good gastro doc told me that reflux gourmet & gaviscon do sometimes cause constipation.  That being said — don’t let that stop you from trying them!  Try to drink more water.  These days, I drink a lot of water, especially during the evening, but stopping 2 hours before my bedtime.  The water helps.  But you *must* find a way to treat constipation.  I didn’t want to take laxatives for various reasons.  Through a lot of doctor appointments and experimentation, I finally settled on the following “treatment,” which works well for me. I believe that constipation will resolve once I can stop these meds, which I’m trying very hard to do.  I never had gastro issues before all of this happened to me.

If you have constipation, or if the antacids cause constipation, try:

1. Life extension buffered Vit C (see above), mixed with:
2. Magnesium Oxide (recommended by gastro doc, I only take ⅛ of a tsp, he says you should text mag levels before starting, then after finding “your dose.” This is not medical advice.  I had problems taking more than ⅛ tsp so be careful. But this has helped my constipation and ⅛ tsp doesn’t cause me any problems. Take in the morning).  https://linktw.in/SzwYRS
3. Optional: Global Healing Iodine.  I read an entire book on Iodine.  Many people are deficient and testing isn’t reliable. I take what is recommended on the bottle (3 drops); Global Healing is an excellent brand. But decide for yourself / this is not medical advice. I am not a doctor.  https://linktw.in/khNKlJ
4. Iodine Book written by an MD who specializes in Iodine deficiency (which he says is widespread & difficult to test): https://linktw.in/hFRtzq

The links on this page take you to Amazon.

Apple Cider Vinegar & Reflux

This is crazy town!!

Many alternative MDs recommend apple cider vinegar.  Do not fall for that craziness!!  I had a HUGE, TERRIBLE setback after trying apple cider vinegar gummies, which an alternative health MD (with a degree from Standford in biochemistry) handed to me in his office!  And the real, actual reflux experts (you know, the ones who authored all of the studies and books) completely reject this treatment idea (they are the ones who told me that this was crazy), and this is inconsistent with the actual science of how the esophagus heals.  Acid activates pepsin, which eats into your esophagus.  That’s reality.

I understand the theory is that you have low acid in your stomach, and that causes reflux.  I think that theory was formulated by people who both (1) don’t understand how the esophagus heals, or is injured, and (2) must have never had reflux themselves.

So, just, no.

Huge Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical doctor, so cannot give medical advice.  This information is based on my thousands of hours studying reflux, including reading every book I could find, and every study published, testing thousands of dollars’ worth of products, and consulting with countless expert physicians.  Most importantly, I share my experiences, good and bad, trying to apply all of the medical advice & testing foods, supplements & products.  However, you have completely different chemistry than I do.  You may have other medical conditions, or not have some medical conditions that I have.  So, you should check with your actual doctor before trusting anything I have to say, especially about medications and supplements.