Papaya Enzymes

Papain is found in Papaya. It's a natural chemical which helps break down proteins. Many claim it helps regulate the PH of stomach acid by breaking down extra proteins. I have personally used Papaya Enzymes and they do help with digestion just like any other similar enzyme.

There are capsules with papaya enzymes at every health store. But see your physician before starting any treatment regime.

Ginger Tea

Ginger Tea is amazing for reducing heartburn. Candied Ginger is another popular type of form to eat the ginger in. Many report success with both ginger types.

Here's how to make ginger tea:

What I currently take and resources

So now I'm going to share my current system for my heartburn relief.

It started around a year ago, I began exercising. Exercise and a diet with low fat. It was boring but I lived with it. I would spice up the boring healthy food. Of course by spice I mean add flavor, any spice would cause a GERD symptom flare up. I like to avoid the awful burning.

Within a few weeks I was already noticing less symptoms. I was taking Zantac during this time but began to use it less. When I found acid reflux cured and their list of recommended treatment options I began investigating. I created a list of the most popular treatment remedies that actual users reported having success with. Then I tried them one by one.

I've found that for me Papaya Enzymes, and Ginger Tea, along with exercise and diet are the perfect combination.

Obviously everyone is different, so see your physician before starting any treatment (even if it's natural!)

Coming up are a few posts about Ginger Tea and it's other benefits. Also an explanation as to why these remedies work.

List of Natural Treatment Options

When I first began researching a way to reduce at least partially the intense burning associated with GERD, I found many websites trying to push a product. I wanted information. This is why I am blogging about my issues.

I am overweight but lost over 50 pounds during this journey. I started not only to reduce my symptoms but to seriously lose weight and have a better life.

My GERD used to be so bad that if left untreated I would vomit. Now I only have to watch what I eat, and I use a few supplements (papaya enzymes, and ginger are my current treatment methods).

Here is a list of treatments I've tried:

Weight Loss and Diet - Long term strategy but works the best.
Apple Cider vinegar - works but has awful taste, but will work the majority of the time after 2 weeks
Pickle Juice - Same idea as apple cider vinegar, it regulates PH. I couldn't stand pickle juice.
Papaya Enzymes - helps me a lot. Papain helps break down proteins.
Ginger - Also great. Ginger tea in the morning is tasty and actually helps during the day

These are just a few of the treatment I've tried. More to come later.

Is apple cider vinegar effective?

Apple Cider Vinegar has been promoted as a cure for acid reflux for over 20 years. It’s been promoted by fans of organic food and even TV show doctors. But how effective is Apple Cider vinegar at reducing the awful heartburn symptoms we experience?

I put apple cider vinegar to the test. I decided to test it for 4 weeks, 2 weeks longer than the recommended minimum testing period. I found it incredibly difficult to begin at first. The taste of ACV is awful, worse than my days of drinking San Pedro juice in college on the weekends. I reduced how awful it was by diluting it in water. I took 4tbsp per day, split among 8-10 glasses of water.

The first few days I experienced nothing but increased heartburn symptoms. But on the fourth day I was burping a lot of gas up and the reflux had begun its downward descent. I was very impressed, and I knew it was the ACV because I wasn’t taking anything else.

Within 2 weeks most of my symptoms were gone, with the exception of a few flare-ups. Had I really found the best acid reflux cure? Well not really. It’s not a manageable system. Drinking nasty vinegar on a daily basis is not how I want to live.

After 4 weeks were up I chickened out and returned to my prescription medication. It’s not how I wanted to treat it, but I didn’t find anything effective yet.

Apple Cider Vinegar really does treat acid reflux symptoms. But the method of ingestion is difficult and time consuming.

In some of my future posts I will talk about other methods I tried and eventually my top method discussed.