Acid Reflux Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Acid Reflux Prevention With Better Nutrition

By Tracy Kerr-Walshe

Gastroesophageal reflux (or more commonly known as "acid reflux" or "heartburn") occurs when food and stomach acid reverses from the stomach back into the esophagus. Usually the lower esophageal sphincter(LES) acts as a valve and keeps food on its way down, after you swallow.

Reflux in infants is common because a baby’s LES is still weak, as the necessary muscles haven’t strengthened yet. Symptoms of acid reflux for adults include a burning sensation in the chest and throat or a bitter, puke-like flavor in the mouth.

Some people with frequent symptoms of acid reflux may produce an over-abundance of stomach acid that spills over out of the stomach.

Overeating During The Holidays

Some heartburn remedies simply involve a change in habits. One cause of this malady is over-eating, which makes it a big problem around holidays. "The holiday season is clearly one of the worst times of the year for patients with GERD," says William Chey, M.D., a University of Michigan gastroenterologist.

"The large amounts of food we eat during the holidays, and the types of food served during the holidays - especially fatty and caffeinated foods - can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn sufferers."

Eating Smaller Meals Throughout The Day

When we eat large amounts of food, the stomach stretches and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter naturally relaxes. Instead of three big meals or one big meal, review your options and try eating smaller meals continuously throughout the day to keep acid production normalized.

If you’re a chronic sufferer, there are some basic foods you should avoid as much as possible. Fatty, greasy food can be a big problem, since the stomach needs to produce more acid to break down these substances.

Many Culprits Can Cause Heartburn

You know where that excess acid winds up -- coming back up the esophagus! Less obvious culprits are caffeine in drinks, ice cream and chocolate, which may also exacerbate heartburn acid reflux. Red wine is a frequent cause of heartburn too, as are spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spearmint and pepper.

The time of day and post-eating rituals have a significant impact on heartburn and acid reflux. Dr. William Chey adds, "Gravity actually serves as an important barrier for acid reflux during the day.

Stay Upright For Two To Three Hours After A Meal

So when you lie down at night after eating a meal, you no longer have that gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux." It’s recommended that you try to remain relatively upright for two or three hours after eating. People who try lifting and bending immediately after eating a big meal typically have trouble too. Avoid tight clothing that may worsen symptoms. Smoking also causes the esophagus valve to relax.

If you can’t fathom giving up any of your favorite foods, your doctor may recommend heartburn medication to help you combat the immediate symptoms of acid reflux. Most of these products can be purchased over-the-counter, but some variants are doctor-prescribed.

Treating Mild Symptoms

For mild symptoms, calcium carbonate antacids like Tums, Rolaids or Maalox binds to and neutralizes acid for quick relief. The effervescent Alkaseltzer is a widely acclaimed favorite in drinkable form that may cause some burping but quickly extinguishes the stomach sickness and chest pains.

Proton Pump Inhibitors like Prilosec or Nexium are said to work best by suppressing excessive acid production during those big holiday meals. Histamine 2-Receptor Antagonists like Pepcid AC or Zantac reduce the amount of acid in the stomach to help people with severe heartburn symptoms.

Symptoms Causing Discomfort

Acid reflux can be so uncomfortable that some people go to the hospital, fearing heart failure. Others believe they may have food poisoning, asthma, a sleeping disorder or they have developed lactose intolerance.

Isn’t it comforting to know that it may just be a little bit of heartburn that can be treated with a number of over-the-counter medications?

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Acid Reflux.

About the Author:
Tracy Kerr-Walshe is an author of articles on health, diet, weight loss and nutrition including Whole Foods, Organic Foods, Healthy Snacks, Effective Weight Loss, Full Body Detox, Juice Fasting.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More About Acid Reflux

What is the difference between heartburn and acid reflux?

Heartburn and acid reflux is essentially the same thing. The difference is in how often the attack occurs. Both are the result of liquid from the stomach forcing its way up into the esophagus. Heartburn is usually treated with over the counter medications due to its infrequency.

People generally know what foods seem to set their attack off. Acid reflux requires a doctor's care because it can cause lasting damage to the esophagus and can be a symptom of a bigger problem.