Mind, Body & Soul
NUTRiTiON
I think I have reflux!˝
There are 2 simple tests you can do to get a
good idea if your digestive issues and/or
heartburn are caused by too little stomach
acid.
Test 1!
!
Firstly, get yourself some good quality apple
cider vinegar (ACV). It needs to be unfiltered
and unpasteurised, so you’ll have to hunt it
down in a health food shop or buy online. It
should contain floaty bits and sediment – this is
the good stuff, full of beneficial bacteria and
enzymes known as ‘The Mother”. Take 1
tablespoon in some water with your first
mouthful of food. This will help generate a
balanced amount of stomach acid and ensure
your sphincter shuts properly. If better after a
meal using the ACV, it is very likely you have
low acid. If you feel worse, you are probably
producing excess stomach acid.
Remedies˝
Here are a few suggestions to correct levels
of low levels of stomach acid and to address
acid reflux:
1
2
iSing | issue 1
Take a tablespoon of
apple cider in a little water
(as above) at the start of
each of your meals. If this
does not prove effective, a
more potent remedy is to
actually take some
hydrochloric acid (see
next pointer).
Take a Betaine and
Pepsin supplement –
this stimulates
hydrochloric acid
production in your
stomach and helps in
the breakdown of
proteins.
Test 2 !
!
Add a level teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to
a glass of water and drink on an empty
stomach. The very alkaline bicarb will react with
your strong stomach acid and cause gases to
be produced. Time how long it takes you to
burp. Immediately producing large ‘comedy
burps’ indicates high levels of stomach acid;
burping after 2 – 3 minutes, a healthy level and
no or few burps after 5 minutes indicates your
acid levels are low.
3
Liquorice - you can chew on natural
liquorice sticks, or use a chewable
liquorice supplement (Called DGL
liquorice). This is highly healing for an
inflamed oesophagus and helps to
manage acid reflux.
IMAGE
4
Aloe Vera – highly anti inflammatory, soothing and
healing. Gargle with a high
quality Aloe Vera gel in a little
water to soothe a tired, sore,
inflamed throat.
5
Take a broad spectrum digestive enzyme
with your meals to help breakdown your food.
isingmag.com