Vinegar and Acid Reflux
"Apple cider vinegar is a great NATURAL remedy
for acid reflux!"
At first glance, vinegar and acid reflux might sound like an unlikely combination until you review the overwhelming positive testimonials published throughout the internet.
Indeed a
recent survey
on acid reflux conducted at the earth clinic web site ranked apple cider vinegar as the best of all the home remedies suggested to relieve the symptoms of occasional heartburn or acid reflux.
So what is acid reflux and how are vinegar and acid reflux related?
Acid reflux or heartburn occurs when strong stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube which carries food from your mouth to your stomach.
When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of the esophagus relaxes to allow food and liquid to enter into your stomach.
Normally this muscle valve, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), is closed and keeps the digestive acid and food inside the stomach where it belongs.
However if the LES valve opens when it shouldn't, hydrochloric acid from the stomach can reflux back and touch the lining of the esophagus.
This can cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat known as acid reflux or heartburn.
Most people experience the occasional episode of heartburn and although unpleasant, it is generally nothing to worry about. Frequent or constant heartburn however can be a serious problem and is the most common symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Ref: Mayo Clinic Staff, Oct 18, 2005. (
Web Link
)
Treatments
Two approaches commonly advocated for the treatment of heartburn or acid reflux include:
- Using medication to reduce stomach acid.
- Over-the-counter antacids are often used to decrease or completely neutralize the amount of acid in the stomach. They are most effective when taken about 1 hour after a meal.
- Prescription medication such as H-2-receptor blockers or Proton pump inhibitors are used to reduce the production of stomach acid as opposed to just neutralizing the acid. They provide longer relief than antacids but don't act as quickly and are generally taken before meals and at bedtime as needed.
- These drugs however are associated with many side effects, one of which was reported in a recent issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
There It was concluded that taking the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for more than a year significantly increased the risk of hip breakage in people over 50. The risk was found to increase with increased dosage and the longer the drug was taken.
The researchers believe that the PPI therapy may inhibit the body's ability to absorb calcium which then leads to weaker bones and fractures.
Reference: JAMA. 2006; 296:2947-2953. (
Web Link
)
- Dietary and lifestyle changes such as:
- The reduction or elimination of foods and other intakes that can increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and/or relax the LES muscle (and thereby aggravate the problem) such as nicotine (from smoking), alcohol, chocolate, high fat meals, foods which contain high amounts of calcium and protein, and certain calming herbs like peppermint.
- Loosing weight if you are overweight or obese since excess body weight puts extra pressure the stomach and surrounding muscles which can force open the LES valve when it shouldn't be. Similarly, eating smaller meals will reduce the pressure on the LES muscle.
Vinegar and Acid Reflux - The Natural Home Treatment A third approach (a popular natural home remedy) to help reduce or eliminate acid reflux is to take the following apple cider vinegar tonic:
Natural ACV Tonic
2 or 3 teaspoons (10-15 ml) in an 8 ounce glass of water,
before meals or whenever heartburn is experienced.
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One underlying theory here is that the acetic acid in vinegar lowers stomach acidity (increases its pH) since acetic acid is a weaker acid than hydrochloric acid. It is also believed that vinegar (acetic acid along with its acetate salt) may help buffer and maintain stomach acid at a pH level of about 3.0. In this milder acidic environment, the stomach can still efficiently digest food but it causes less problems with the esophagus and thus less heartburn.
Improved digestion and mineral absorption from regular intake of the apple cider vinegar tonic may also play a role in reducing acid reflux.
So if you are concerned about possible side effects with prescription drugs or even over-the-counter medications, try combining some of the dietary and lifestyle changes mentioned above along with a tonic of apple cider vinegar before meals as an all natural way to alleviate occasional heartburn symptoms or as a preventative practice. Vinegar and acid reflux could be a combination that works well for you.
User Feedback Comments on
Vinegar and Acid Reflux
Name: Ricky Starr
Location: Tennessee, USA
Date: August 18, 2008
Hi I am 23 and I have suffered from acid reflux since age 12.
I use white viniger and it burns bad at first but after that its gone.
It isn't recommended by doctors because they know you will not return and pay their bills and buy their drugs.
Everyone should know about this because no one should have to live with the pain we all know to well.
Never tried ACV but white viniger works 100 percent of the burn is gone. If people knew this it would stop ulcers from forming and stop alot of esophigal cancers.
Name: J "Jay"
Location: Idaho, United States
Date: August 7, 2008
I have suffered from acid reflux for years.
One night I took about every medicine I could find and had no relief. Out of desperation, I drank some ACV and about died for 30 seconds. The pain disappeared and heartburn was gone.
The next day I started checking out if others had experienced the same thing. I was amazed.
I am a month free now of anti-acids and acid blockers. ACV where have you been.
Editorial note from apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com:
The home remedy for acid reflux calls for the taking of 2 or 3 teaspoons of ACV in an 8 ounce glass of water, before meals or whenever heartburn is experienced.
Name: Marylou
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date: July 26, 2008
Good 'ol Apple Cider Vinegar!.
One important thing to know if you use this remedy - USE A STRAW!
It can erode the enamel on your teeth.
Also, it works wonders for Irritable Bowel Syndrome also!
Name: Phyllis
Location: Md., USA
Date: July 22, 2008
I have had uncontrollable acid reflux for 15 years.
It gets so bad I have an irregular heart beat with it. I was also having gall bladder pain.
I came across this site and went and bought the mother.
This stuff workd miracles. It controls my gall bladder pain and relieves my reflux.
Name: Ed
Location: Indiana, United States
Date: July 22, 2008
I was told by my wife that the acid reflux I suffered from was actually not EXCESS acid but, rather a lack of acid.
The Prilosec that I have taken stopped the acid production which created a deficit of acid when I ate something. The body, having a deficit, tries to correct it by FLOODING the stomach with acid. This CAUSED my heartburn.
I have been taking apple cider vinegar for 1 week now & am thanking my wife everyday for helping me put my system back in order.
THANK YOU HONEY!!!!!!!.
Name: Thomas
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date: July 7, 2008
I dont have acid reflux but I supposably have gastritis.
For about a year I have thrown up every morning and been sick to my stomach. I was prescribed Prevacid and have been taking it for quite some time now.
Recently I stopped taking Prevacid because it wasnt doing anything anyway and started taking pure ACV every time I feel nauseous or sick to my stomach.
ACV relieves the pain, nausia and sick feeling almost instantly.
Name: Jody Tafoya
Location: California, USA
Date: July 1, 2008
I was taking Aciphex for acid reflux for 3 years. I did really well on it, but felt that I might be harming myself by not allowing stomach acid to do it's job.
I went for a routine check-up and found that I was anemic. I had never been anemic, so this was odd. I did some research on the internet and found that stomach acid is needed to utilize iron absorption.
I started using ACV and stopped using Aciphex. My last blood count showed me back up again at 14.5, where before I was 11.
(14.5 is a very good blood count. 15 is excellent. 11 is as low as the doctor likes to see anyone's blood count get, and the person is given iron to build their blood back up. An 8 usually involves a blood transfusion.)
I am having to use the ACV before all meals and at bedtime, so I am still having quite a bit of acid reflux.
Name: Nicole Lloyd
Location: Illinois, USA
Date: June 23, 2008
Hi -I have been a patient of acid reflux for a while now.
I started researching holistic healing. I was told, I should detox the intestines so I had a colonic a couple times and this helped a lot, for two years I have not had to take anything, I would just watch what I eat and exercise. I learned to watch my trigger foods and every now and then I would take a tums .. but in April I had to have sinus surgery and was given meds to prep for surgery and had to continue them for 2 weeks after.
I now have reflux again but this time, it's worse, I'm waking up in the middle of the night choking and my chest is on fire. I went to the doctor and once again I was given the common across the counter cure but Im older and much healthier and taking meds is not something I want to do, the side effects are unbearable.
I was surfing the web and I found this on APPLE CIDER VINEGAR and being a bit apprehensive at 1st.. I asked around but no one could say yes or no or if it worked or not ...
But this past weekend I had company and we had drinks, this triggered the reflux. I took 2 or 3 tbl spoons of ACV in 8 oz of water, I can not tell you how much better I feel today. The blotting the everything that goes along with Acid reflux is GONE... Its only Monday, 2nd day using ACV and I may be jumping to far ahead of myself, but I feel much better. I made a water bottle full to take to work and so far so good. I had a few sips this morning after breakfast and Im feeling fine.
I love this stuff. I'm hooked, I will pass this on to everyone I know.
Name: Anne Louise
Location: New Jersey, USA
Date: June 10, 2008
Hi - I have had acid reflux for a few years.
My medical insurance had stopped covering Nexium so I started using Prirocec. I was miserable.
Then my chiropractor told me about Apple Cider Vinegar a few days ago. I can't believe how much better it works. I swear, it was like magic. Everyone should tell as many people as they can about the benefits of this wonderful stuff.
There are people that don't have health insurance that could really use this advice.
Name: Dorothy
Location: Idaho, USA
Date: May 21, 2008
I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease years ago.
It was a frightening experience to wake up in the night choking and I didn't know why until the doctor informed me of the reason. He prescribed a medication that was way too epensive for me to take so I did nothing.
My father was a great believer in Apple Cider Vinegar for EVERYTHING so one night during an attack I decided to try the vinegar. I swallowed a teaspoon of vinegar and almost immediately the symptoms went away. If I ever wake in the night with the hearburn I get up and drink vinegar.
Now I am thinking, why not take the vinegar after each meal as a PREVENITIVE instead of a quick heal each attack. I am sure it will work.
Name: Mira Wilder
Location: California, USA
Date: April 16, 2008
Since the age of 30 I have suffered from ulcers, heartburn and acid reflux.
I lived on every kind of heartburn medicine from Tagamet, prilosec, acifex...you name it. I would always say...'oh it must be 5pm because I have heartburn' because that was the hour the acid rose up in my throat...
Since finding out about apple cider vinegar and using it, It's been a MIRACLE... it's gone! I don't even drink it everyday now. Only when I feel I might get indegestion. I keep it by the gallon in my house.
Oh, and I told my DOCTOR about it, since we both used to commiserate on and on about our Heartburns!!! He was actually interested (which is rare in an MD). It would be great if he really tries it.
I told him about this website!
Name: Sandra Fury
Location: BKLYN, N.Y., USA
Date: March 22, 2008
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR HAS HELP SO FAR WITH ACID REFUX I HAVE SUFFERED WITH FOR 2 YRS.
I STARTED 1 WK AGO.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THE RESULTS (ALSO BAKING SODA), I LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS.
THANK YOU S, BKLYN N.Y.
Name: Nilda Torres
Location: Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Date: September 7, 2007
I've been suffering from LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) for more than a year. I tried almost all the PPIs but my acid reflux keeps coming back.
For the last three days I did not take any PPIs instead try to take the apple cider vinegar with the mother, mix equal parts of honey, water and the ACV, drink 1 tbsp before each meal and put the rest of the mixture in the fridge.
I feel better now without the medicine and I think it will be better for next coming days.
Thank God for ACV.
Name: Barbara Bostick
Location: New York, United States
Date: August 21, 2007
My son Paul and my daughter Carla both have Acid reflux.
I suggested taking apple cider vinegar and they love the results.
They stop taking medicine. It relieves the pain and nausea, they are delighted.
They take it before or after they eat.
Name: Alisha
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: July 16, 2007
I have really bad Acid reflux, and I have been using Apple cider vinegar and it works well.
Also, if I am out and cannot find Apple Cider Vinegar, I just use the packet white vinegar found in take-out restaurants and it also works.
User Feedback Form - Vinegar and Acid Reflux
If you have used apple cider vinegar to help relive heartburn or acid reflux and would like to share your experience with others, then let us know how it went by filling in the form below. The responses will be added to this page on a regular basis.
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