| "KonaBody">Acid reflux is a condition that plagues | | | | several snacks of walnuts, almonds and more |
| millions of people worldwide. It is caused by | | | | fruit during the day. For lunch have a salad, made |
| stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus. The | | | | with grilled chicken breasts, or tofu, mixed with |
| lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring-like | | | | hearts of romaine tossed with a little lemon juice |
| valve at the bottom of the esophagus. It opens | | | | and olive oil. Lemon juice is preferable to vinegar, |
| to allow food to enter the stomach and then | | | | as it is more alkaline in nature. |
| closes to keep it there. When the LES becomes | | | | During this reflux recovery period, eating anything |
| damaged and, or relaxed, stomach fluids are | | | | which could irritate or damage the esophagus |
| refluxed up into the esophagus and throat. The | | | | must be avoided. Until the lacerations have had a |
| hydrochloric acid in this fluid has been compared | | | | chance to heal, spicy foods, such as acidic tomato |
| to the corrosive acid in a common car battery. | | | | products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw onions |
| It is important to remember why this condition | | | | should be eliminated from the diet. They just |
| usually exists in the first place. In most cases it is | | | | further irritate the condition. Eating chocolate, |
| due to a damaged esophagus and LES. These can | | | | smoking and drinking alcohol relax the LES, |
| easily be scratched by eating foods with jagged | | | | allowing stomach acid to splash up into the |
| edges like corn chips or crackers. Even crusty | | | | esophagus, thus impeding the healing process. |
| bread which has not been chewed properly can | | | | The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat only |
| cause this type of damage. These little lacerations | | | | mild, easy to digest food until the esophagus has |
| can then be irritated by acidic foods which are | | | | healed. Eat early and slowly, chewing your food |
| spicy or fried. Before you know it, you have a full | | | | completely. Last, but not least, try to eat in a |
| fledged case of acid reflux. Once this cycle begins, | | | | relaxed, pleasant and stress free environment. |
| it is not that easy to stop. | | | | There are many things one can do to improve |
| Let the esophagus heal by not eating the same | | | | the chances for success in defeating acid reflux. |
| foods in the same manner that caused the | | | | The choices in behavior that we make like |
| damage in the first place. Loosing weight, | | | | exercising, loosing weight, wearing loose clothing, |
| exercising, chewing properly, drinking sufficient | | | | eating and chewing properly and avoiding |
| amounts of water and eating in a pleasant | | | | carbonated drinks are all very important. There is |
| atmosphere are all simple things that anyone can | | | | still another very potent technique for managing |
| do to improve this condition. | | | | this condition. It is called meditation. |
| There are also many natural ingredients found in | | | | Meditation has the power to eliminate any |
| any grocery market or health food store, which | | | | unpleasant side affect of our stressful lives, |
| can help during the acid reflux recovery period. | | | | including acid reflux. Try this out; in a quiet place, |
| Herbs, like slippery elm and marshmallow have | | | | sit erect with your hands at your side and take a |
| wonderful healing properties. Aloe vera juice, | | | | long deep breath. Close your eyes and look up |
| licorice and natural honey can sooth the | | | | toward the space between the eyebrows, |
| esophagus and assist in the healing process. | | | | without straining. Continue to breathe deeply. You |
| By eating dinner at least three hours before | | | | will soon find yourself in a very relaxed state with |
| retiring, one can drastically reduce the chances of | | | | no particular thoughts in mind. Now visualize |
| acid reflux. Chewing gum between meals actually | | | | yourself eating beautiful food slowly and carefully. |
| reduces stomach acid. Saliva is extremely alkaline | | | | See your mouth, throat, esophagus, LES and |
| in nature and chewing stimulates its production | | | | stomach all pink, young and perfect. Feel all the |
| causing the system to be more alkaline. | | | | parts of your body working in complete harmony. |
| Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Forget the | | | | Look at yourself. You are smiling. You are |
| "Three Big Meals" we have been taught to indulge | | | | enjoying perfect health. |
| in. Try eating four or five little meals each day. | | | | I promise you that if you did this exercise at least |
| Start the day with Kukicha Twig tea instead of | | | | once a day, your acid reflux would go into |
| acidic coffee. This tea has been used for | | | | remission. With these little changes in food choices |
| hundreds of years to make the body more | | | | and lifestyle with a few natural supplements |
| alkaline. For breakfast, banish that cereal and | | | | thrown into the mix, anyone would be able to |
| instead eat fruit, like bananas and melons. Have | | | | accomplish acid reflux recovery. |