Natural Cures for Acid Reflux

Many people with this nagging condition are looking for natural cures for acid reflux, to safely and effectively treat the problem.

If you have persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation, chances are you're one of the millions of sufferers. Some people have it without heartburn. But what causes it in the first place?

A hiatal hernia is a likely contributor. It occurs when the upper stomach is above the diaphragm, the muscles separating the stomach from the chest. With a hiatal hernia it is easier for the acid to rise, causing acid reflux.

Other factors contributing to the condition include alcohol use, smoking and being overweight or pregnant. Certain foods can also contribute to acid reflux, including chocolate, drinks containing caffeine, citrus fruits, fried and fatty foods, garlic, onions, mint, spicy foods and tomato-based foods such as spaghetti sauce, pizza and chili.

There are many pharmaceutical products on the market to treat heartburn and acid reflux, such as antacids, foaming agents and H2 blockers, and they may be effective. But many people switch from product to product as the effectiveness wears off. Some also have side effects to contend with.

However, there are acid reflux natural cures that are gaining in popularity. Orange peel extract is a safe and effective remedy. Researchers have developed a number of explanations as to why orange peel extract is effective. They believe it helps move food through the esophagus quickly, which decreases the opportunity for heartburn symptoms to develop. They also feel it acts as a surfactant, meaning it reduces the surface tension of liquids in the stomach and suppresses its chances of splashing up to the esophagus.

The recommended dose for this natural cure for acid reflux is 1,000 mg of orange peel extract every other day for 20 days. The product you choose should have a minimum of 98.5% of d-limonene, which is a compound found in orange peel extract. In clinical trials almost 90% of participants noted heartburn relief after two weeks and almost one-third noted the improvement after only two days.

If heartburn returns after the 20-day acid reflux natural cure program, taking a single orange peel extract capsule as required usually solves the problem. Orange peel extract is the most clinically tested of the natural cures for acid reflux and being a natural product it is completely safe to use. If you have an ulcer you are advised not to take it.

Other acid reflux natural cures that people have tried and recommend include taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day with water. Another natural remedy people endorse is to drink pickle juice and yet another is to eat lots of apples. Most of us want to try the natural route before we resort to medications, so give it a try.

Regardless of what natural cures for acid reflux you are considering, make sure you talk to your doctor to figure out what's best for you. Although there is much evidence supporting the use of these remedies, they won't work for everyone and you may have to explore the OTC medicinal options. 

more than natural cures for acid reflux on our specific health conditions page

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