Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - is a condition in which the stomach contents (food or liquid) leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. GERD is a chronic condition. Once it begins, it usually is life-long.
Emptying of the stomach
Most reflux during the day occurs after meals. This reflux probably is due to transient LES relaxations that are caused by distention of the stomach with food. A minority of patients with GERD, about 20%, has been found to have stomachs that empty abnormally slowly after a meal. The slower emptying of the stomach prolongs the distention of the stomach with food after meals. Therefore, the slower emptying prolongs the period of time during which reflux is more likely to occur.
In addition to the above, some medications may cause or worsen GERD. Some common medications that may have this effect include anticholinergics, antihypertensives such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, bronchodilators, dopamine-active drugs, progestin, sedatives, andtricyclic antidepressants. Individuals should not stop taking these or any drugs that are prescribed until the prescribing doctor has discussed the potential GERD situation with the them.
The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are primarily heartburn (sometimes interpreted as chest pain), regurgitation, and nausea.
Why is it important for Nutritional Therapy?
If you eat and drink certain foods and drinks and not others, you will feel better and have fewer problems with GERDS (Acid Reflux).
Milk and Milk Products such as....
2%, whole milk, cream, high fat cheese, high fat yogurts, and chocolate milk.
Fried Meats, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, salami, bologna, frankfurters, and hot dogs
Grains such as......
Fried Grains
Vegetables such as........
Note: some people feel bad after eating some vegetables. Try eating small amounts of different ones and see how your body feels afterwards.
Fruits such as.....
Note: some people feel bad after eating some fruits. Try eating small amounts of different ones and see how your body feels afterwards. (citrus is a big one)
Fats and Oils such as........
Note: some people feel bad after having these. See how your body feels after having them.
Deserts such as.......
High fat or friend, such as pastries or donuts
Drinks such as.....
Coffee and tea, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, carbonated drinks, cocoa, hot chocolate, and alcohol.
Miscellaneous such as.....
Pepper
So there you have the stay away items above.
Now for the foods that are RECOMMENDED:
Food Group Foods Recommended
Milk and Milk Products......
Buttermilk, evaporated, skim, low-fat milk, soy milk, low fat yogurt, powdered milk, low-fat cheeses, all low fat ice creams, all low fat creams, and sherbet.
Meat and Poultry.....
Any tender, well cooked meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and soy made without fat added, nuts and nut butter.
Grains.....
Any, as long as your body feels OK after eating.
Vegetables......
Any, as long as your body feels OK after eating.
Fruits......
Any, as long as your body feels OK after eating.
Fats and Oils....
Butter, cream, cream cheese, margarine, mayonnaise,oil (less then 8 teaspoons a day)
Dessert.....
(BLANK) - NONE!
Drinks......
Caffeine-free carbonated drinks, herbal teas
Miscellaneous......
Condiments, such as mustard, as long as your body feels OK after eating them.
Here are some solutions that I have found that might help you in the long run if you AREN'T taking any prescription medications. Remember talk to your doctor first if you are.
Pickle juice does relieve symptoms (High B/P - this is salt intake)
Eat crackers instead - no breads (Breads have yeast and this causes problems)
Stay away from products that contain yeast.
Glass of water with 1 TBSP of cider vinegar, mix and drink it. (If you can handle it stronger add much as you want too) add NO sugar.
Drink fennel, catnip, slippery elm, peppermint, camomile, or thyme teas.
Eat Lettuce - be a rabbit - eat LOTS of LETTUCE
Drink lots of water (Mineral water is the best)
Cut up a raw potato and eat a slice (careful of the starch intake)
Cut up a apple and eat it (as long as you fell OK after eating them)
Pear and peach juice - 2 pears and 2 peaches put through a juicer and sipped slowly will do wonders. A dash of powdered ginger and one squeeze of lime can help too.
Banana blend juice - blend a banana with pear or mango juice. It's smooth, easy to digest and will relieve your stomach inflammation.
And to help prevent it:
Take L-Glutamine (1 teaspoon before meals) - (Talk to your physician first - if you are on medications)
Avoid heavily spiced foods, junky foods, fried foods, caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks,rich creamy foods, full fat cheeses, or wheat based foods.
NOTE:
Commercial antacids neutralize stomach acid but over the long term can lead to your stomach producing MORE acid. And many antacids contain aluminum, which leaches calcium from your bones. ( isn't that funny how the doctors say - take a tum a day to put the calcium in your diet for calcium when it entirely does the opposite.)
National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
