But with regards to lemon juice, when processed by the body, the result is an alkaline effect.

You see, lemon has a PH of around 2 which highly acidic. That is why it is so sour.

But lemon contains mineral salts which trigger a metabolic transformation turning it from acid to alkaline.

It’s interesting to note that calcium is an alkaline mineral and the citric acid in lemon actually helps to keep and control calcium rather than to de-calcify the body or cause any damage to bones or joints.

So drinking lemon can further alkalize the body even though the initial reaction in your mouth is acidic.

But this doesn’t mean that lemon juice will help to alleviate acid reflux symptoms in all people

Some people with an already damaged esophagus may not benefit from citrus fruits or lemon in particular and should not even try ingesting it. And many heartburn sufferers simply cannot tolerate anything that is too acidic including lemons and tomatoes.

What can you do to make the most out of lemon juice

If you don’t suffer from esophageal erosion then you can try squeezing organic lemon juice and diluting it with water. It can provide relief from heartburn and can also cleanse your  system when taken on an empty stomach.

So first thing in the morning, drink a glass of half a lemon with lukewarm water and wait for a few minutes. See how you react.

When diluted with water, lemon will lose some of its acidic nature and should be safe with no side effects for most heartburn sufferers. Some people report an immediate heartburn relief after ingesting diluted lemon juice.

I wouldn’t recommend drinking undiluted lemon juice right from the start. It is too acidic and may worsen esophageal damage.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post Does lemon water help acid reflux? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

Typical items on the breakfast menu in a Western diet include porridge, eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, pancakes, waffles, bagels and pastries.

These are highly acidic foods that you want to stay away from especially if you suffer from acid reflux.

It is very individual but some people who skip breakfast in order to avoid experiencing heartburn symptoms will usually feel worse. That is because stomach acid is produced and there is no food to digest.

The best thing to do is to eat a breakfast that is mostly alkaline forming as well as nourishing for your body.

Oatmeal is a good example of a whole-grain breakfast idea that can not only provide your body with plenty of valuable nutrients but can also keep you full and absorb excess stomach acid.

You can always add some almond milk or rice milk and a couple of bananas which are alkaline forming. Sprinkle some raw nuts like walnuts or almonds on top and you should be fine.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post What is a good breakfast for acid reflux? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

Many people consider milk to be an antacid, a substance which neutralizes stomach acidity and is used to relieve heartburn, indigestion or an upset stomach but is there a truth to that?

First, what is the PH level of milk? because of its lactic acid it is acidic but not highly acidic like other foods. Closer to neutral, about 6.7. Neutral is 7.

All animal products including meat, chicken, eggs, fish as well as dairy products are acidic. Fruits and vegetables are mostly alkaline.

It is true that milk may act as a temporary buffer but the fat content may actually make your acid reflux condition worse. So if you must use milk for heartburn relief, choose low fat.

But you really don’t have to rely on milk for heartburn relief. Better to use other methods such as sipping on cold water or eating a cucumber which is highly alkaline.

Please remember that you must switch to a mostly alkaline diet if you want to decrease symptoms of acid reflux. A temporary relief is not enough. Always opt for eliminating the root cause of your condition.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post Is milk good or bad for heartburn? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

Panic attacks, for example, can cause a racing heart, fast breathing and excessive sweating.

But can anxiety directly affect your heartburn condition? Yes, a 2018 study has found that there is a direct correlation between stress and the weakening of the LES which is basically the barrier between your stomach content and the esophagus. If it becomes weak then stomach acid will be pushed back.

Another finding is that as you become stressed or upset your stomach produces more acid and you don’t want that when you suffer from acid reflux or GERD.

We can’t always control how we feel, specifically if one suffers from panic attacks, but we can change how our body will respond to these stressful conditions by following these guidelines:

1. Reduce or stop caffeine consumption so you can lower overall stress level.

2. Eat smaller meals to decrease stomach acid production.

3. Don’t eat at least 4-5 hours before bed time.

4. Take natural antacid like baking soda in water to balance stomach acidity.

5. Engage in some form of stress-relief method like meditation, deep breathing, yoga or any other type of exercise.

The above suggestions can certainly help but always remember that panic attacks and anxiety have an underlying cause. They can be prevented so please seek professional counseling if necessary. You don’t have to suffer.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post Can you get heartburn from anxiety first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

In most cases, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of certain anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may develop ulcers. Diet in itself usually does not cause ulcers but can definitely worsen the symptoms.

These ulcers can trigger various symptoms including back pain, vomiting and blood in the stool, so you must see your doctor if you experience any of the above.

Remember that when not treated or diagnosed on time, slow bleeding from ulcers may lead to anemia or may require hospitalization or in severe cases, a blood transfusion.

Your doctor can check for ulcers by performing an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and endoscopy.

Don’t panic though, as ulcers may heal on their own if you simply adhere to a stricter lifestyle and change your eating habits.

Smoking and stress are considered ulcer-aggravating factors. You also must avoid coffee and spicy foods, and make sure your stick to a small portion size. You don’t want to trigger a high stomach acid production with ulcers.

Always remember to consult with your doctor before making any of these dietary adjustments.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post How can you tell if you have an ulcer or just regular heartburn? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

But dining out can be difficult and quite challenging if you suffer from constant heartburn and acid reflux. Fast food is not an option because it will almost always worsen your condition.

So what are your best take out or dining out options if you simply can’t cook or eat at home?

1. If you prefer the salad bar (my personal favorite) then choose both fresh and cooked food- I often pick a combination of green leafy vegetables like Romaine lettuce and parsley, cucumbers, chickpeas, quinoa, green peas, sweet potatoes, a little bit of olive oil and tahini sauce on top. And some lemon juice if you must but be careful.

2. You like Mexican food? Opt for grilled chicken or fish, low-fat beans and rice or guacamole on a flour tortilla.

3. If you prefer Italian food then choose pasta without sauce, vegetable Minestrone, pasta fagioli, grilled chicken or fish, vegetable side dishes without garlic or Risotto with vegetables(hold the butter or cheese).

4. Chinese food? Ok, choose steamed dumplings, Wonton soups, brown rice, or vegetables with light sauce or even some beef with broccoli.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post Best eating out options if you suffer from heartburn first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

Other than losing excess body weight which can directly improve your acid reflux condition, here are a few tips with regards to how and when to exercise:

1. Don’t eat too much or exercise as soon as you finish your meal. Allow the food to digest for at least 2-3 hours before going to the gym or starting any type of exercise routine.

2. A brisk walk is always preferable to running, even on a treadmill, because you don’t want to jar or wobble your body too much.

3. Pilates and yoga should be safe but avoid any activity that puts too much stress or pressure on the stomach area such as crunches or abdominal presses.

4. I would recommend avoiding weightlifting completely as it may aggravate your acid reflux, especially heavy weights. The actual movement may trigger food regurgitation as well.

5. Make sure you breathe properly while exercising. Breathing correctly can prevent and even stop acid reflux episodes.

6. People with chronic heartburn should avoid drinking too much at a time. It can cause stomach content to regurgitate. Drink slowly and make sure you remain hydrated.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program 

The post Which exercise you must avoid if you suffer from GERD? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

Hiatal hernia is a condition where the part that connects the stomach to the esophagus is pushed between the LES and the diaphragm, thus compromising the ability of the diaphragm to help the contractions of the LES, resulting in GERD.

Very few GERD sufferers will develop hiatal hernia.

Many people that have hiatal hernia don’t necessarily suffer from reflux symptoms.

Mostly obese or old people with weak muscles tend to develop these hernias.

Hiatal hernia may be congenital or acquired. There is an increased prevalence in older people. It is believed that muscle weakness with loss of flexibility and elasticity with age predisposes to the development of a hiatal hernia.

A hiatal hernia can cause acid to build up in the part where the stomach pushes its way past the LES, a condition called hiatal sac.

The acid that is built up can easily find its way into the esophagus as the latter relaxes.

Now, small hiatal hernias won’t necessarily give you any symptom.

The larger hiatal hernias though can cause heartburn, regurgitation of food or liquids into the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath and even vomiting of blood or passing of black stools.

If left untreated, Hiatal hernias may rarely become trapped in the chest or strangulated—which means the hernia begins to cut off blood to the entrapped intestine.

The success of hiatal hernia surgery can be measured by relief of symptoms, improvement in esophageal acid exposure, complications, and need for reoperation.

A hiatal hernia is often discovered in an X-ray of your upper digestive system and probably the best treatment outside of surgery is lifestyle changes in which you change your diet and your eating habits.

Losing excess weight can also be tremendously helpful in alleviating the symptoms.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU HAVE HIATAL HERNIA? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

There is some trial and error involved with most quick relief products because not all people will react the same but here are 5 remedies that you may not be aware of that have proven to be the most effective when it comes to stopping heartburn symptoms quickly:

1. Cold water. Next time you feel that burning sensation in your chest, fill a glass with cold water and sip slowly. Wait 10-20 seconds between each sip. This should put down the heartburn fire quite fast.

2. Eat a cucumber-you don’t have to peel it. From my experience, eating 1-2 whole cucumbers can have a tremendous effect on any heartburn within minutes but eat them slowly.

3. Baking soda in a glass of water. Add 1 tsp of baking soda to a glass of lukewarm water stir and drink immediately. The effect of baking soda on excess acid in the stomach is amazing.

4. Eat a banana. Because of its high potassium content it is highly alkaline so eat 1-2 bananas every day to prevent heartburn or whenever you start experiencing acid reflux symptoms.

5. Aloe Vera juice- you can find this at most drug stores or health food stores. It can soothe the stomach lining and counter excess acidity. Drink ½ cup of aloe juice before meals or whenever you start feeling that burning sensation.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post TOP 5 REMEDIES FOR INSTANT HEARTBURN RELIEF first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.

We all know that awful feeling of regurgitation, choking and constant coughing at night as we try to sleep to no avail. I remember I used to wake up to night with a taste of acid in my mouth. I almost threw up in bed.

Some people only experience acid reflux symptoms at night when they lie down. It has a lot to with gravity.

Of course one should always avoid eating too close to bed time. You want to have the last meal of the day at least 4-5 hours before you go to bed.

But that doesn’t always help. You may still experience heartburn and regurgitation as you lie down on your back or stomach.

Symptoms are usually less frequent or severe if you sleep on your left side. Sleeping on the right side or on your back is not recommended. And stomach acid will flow back into your esophagus when you are in a horizontal position.

So avoid sleeping on your right side, on your stomach or on your back and either sleep on your left side or better yet, at an incline with your head elevated using extra pillows under your head and upper back.

I would also suggest reducing the frequency of your acid reflux during nighttime by avoiding alcohol and caffeinated drinks completely, by not eating a big dinner and by losing at least some of the excess weight.

The pressure of a large belly has an effect on the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus, causing it to relax and allow acidic stomach to go up back into the esophagus and the mouth area.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your acid reflux? Check out my Heartburn No More program

The post What Is The Best and Worst Sleeping Position If You Have Acid Reflux? first appeared on Jeff Martin's Acid Reflux Blog.