Okay, this home remedy is very personal to me.
I’m excited to share that my oldest daughter is pregnant and I will be a grandma next year (though I’m sure I’m too young for that LOL); what an exciting event.
The downside is, she currently in her second trimester with out of control acid reflux and vomiting.
After the countless internet searches for the “best remedies for acid reflux while pregnant” and “how to stop vomiting while pregnant” led her to examine the foods she was ingesting more closely. She has restricted the foods that upset her system but was still struggling to keep food down.
Since being pregnant she has lost 10 pounds. That being said the doctor gave her a script for nausea and acid reflux. Well, that helped both of those symptoms but then lead to serious constipation.
This is emotional for both of us. Her living 12 hours away makes it even tougher. I can’t drive across town to help with her needs as a mom would want to. So this is where my long distance learning quest has begun.
Acid Reflux is a Body’s Natural Warning
Over 60 millions of Americans are dealing with acid reflux. Does this make you wonder what we are doing to contribute to this issue? The majority of the problem lies in what we are consuming every day. Our gut is the means to a healthy body and mind. When conditions such as the burning feeling in your throat/chest we know as heartburn or acid reflux begins, it signals some of the following scenarios.
- Improper food choices
- Food depleted of minerals and nutrients
- Lack of nutrient absorption
- Poor digestion
- Impending malnourishment
Acid reflux is an indicator that our digestive system is not healthy and is not properly processing what you are eating. Acid reflux, burping, and gas are all indicators that some changes need to be made.
Should Acid Reflux Be Taken Seriously?
Yes, so my concern for my daughter and her unborn child is real. Some conditions that appear with this condition in addition to burning of the esophagus, nasty regurgitation, less than pleasant taste in the mouth you may experience recurring hoarseness, belching, problematic throat clearing and recurring sore throat, constant cough, issues with swallowing, nausea, asthma, and persistent hiccups in adults. Oh, my this does seem overwhelming? It sure seems intense to me. The good news is that there are some simple changes that can be made to allow the body to begin its healing process.
Did you know that too much water can lead to acid reflux? It can create a mineral depletion or imbalance for our bodies.
Those of us that consume a high fiber diet in whole grains, raw vegetables, and fruits can actually lead to constipation. The fiber in our intestinal track can begin to swell and ferment making it difficult to have a proper elimination. Having a regular movement is important to get rid of the toxins in our body.
Is Standard Treatment the Best Option in Treating Acid Reflux?
Often in our society rather than looking at the cause of acid reflux, we look for a quick fix. Often times this comes in the form of a prescription for medication to address the issue. This, in turn, can be viewed as a Band-aide effect. The thought is to eliminate the problem without making any dietary changes. People will respond in a wide variety of ways. Some will feel some relief while other will continue to increase dosage looking for relief, still, others don’t feel any relief.
Some over-the-counter acid reflux prevention products will decrease the amount of stomach acid which then leaves us with a shortage. This shortage then creates a condition of food that is sitting around fermenting in our system instead of breaking down for absorption.
After 14 weeks of her pregnancy, my daughter tried prescriptions to eliminate her constant acid reflux issues only to create another problem. The new side effect for her was intense constipation.
Do pharmaceutical companies really want a natural cure? Consider the fact that over 60 million are affected by this condition, acid reflux. The amount of money that is generated by this is phenomenal.
I’m not saying that medications are not needed. I am truly thankful for the medical community that has helped my family throughout the years. However, if we can make dietary changes that make improvements on our health than we should. It is important to take responsibility for our own health and not look only for a medication fix.
Does Salt Play a Role in Causing Acid Reflux?
Believe it or not salt does play a role in causing acid reflux but also in balancing our overall health.
White table salt which is commonly used in processed food, restaurants, and most homes is highly refined. That means it has been highly processed and stripped of its minerals. This in turns becomes toxic for our bodies. The right kind of salt like Celtic Sea Salt or Himiyalin Salt both contain minerals which our bodies need. This is the salt we need to use.
Personally, I use the Celtic Sea Salt. With this salt, you will notice the gray type of color. In addition, there is no anti-caking component added. Let’s get real and get back to natural foods instead of highly processed ones.
How does salt play an important role in our health? Salt produces hydrophobic acid for protein breakdown. Without salt our bodies have a problem breaking down proteins. This is again a digestion issue. The right kind and amount of salt can help our body function properly. Salt breaks down proteins that we consume.
Eliminate these foods to help symptoms
Working with my daughter it was decided that since her digestive system was out of whack some temporary major changes needed to be made.
The first things she removed from her diet were raw fruits and vegetables. In addition to this was grains. The reason for this is that those foods are difficult to digest. Unlike cows that have many stomachs to digest raw plants, we do not.
- Grains, starches, sugars
- Difficult to digest – grains
- All three feed candida (If that is an issue)
- Dairy
When your digestive system is not functioning properly it is important to help it heal. I’m a firm believer in consuming raw milk, cheese, and cultured dairy. This is not always available so it was my suggestion to temporarily step away from dairy for her.
What foods to eat when dealing with Acid Reflux/Nausea?
- Bone Broth
- Cooked vegetables
- Fermented foods and beverages
- Homemade electrolyte drink
- Nutrient dense foods
- Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate
One of the first things I suggested was that she get some organic broth. Homemade bone broth or potassium broth even better (look for upcoming recipes on how to make your own).
Warm it and begin sipping on it to see if she could keep it down.
Knowing she was hungry it was important to take small amounts at first. Once she was good with that then add some cooked vegetables. Saute in butter or cooked in the broth. Her system was able to handle that after a few days then added some cooked chicken, beef or seafood. Beef still upsets her stomach and she doesn’t like seafood so chicken for her.
It is always important to listen to your body, see what works for you.
Maintaining digestive health allows the body to heal faster
In the beginning, I suggested only cultured beverages or the brine from the vegetables. Again working slowly to rebuild and not overload she system. Preferably make your own like kombucha or dilly green beans. The brine from the green beans (or any ferment) is quite hydrating. Add only a teaspoon of brine with food or a small sip of kombucha.
Instead of plain water drink filtered/spring water with a pinch of Celtic sea salt. Again the salt has minerals helping to hydrate your body. An even better option is to make your own electrolyte drink. This is a combination of filtered/spring water, Celtic sea salt, honey and preferred freshly squeezed citrus. Soon I will be posting some recipes. Another option is to help hydrate with coconut water.
Nutrient dense foods are clean organic vegetable/fruits, pastured raised animals humanely cared for using all parts, consuming good fats and eliminating all processed foods.
Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate is a great source of protein that is easy to absorb. It can be mixed with cold or hot liquids. It helps regulate the body’s metabolism, aids in the production of red blood cells for healing and improves hydration to the connective tissue.
Meal replacement when out of options
Are you missing pasta, bread, and rice? Here are some options to consider. However, I’m not suggesting this is all you should be consuming.
- Spelt or einkorn pasta
- Organic rice
- Organic sourdough bread made from a sourdough culture using either organic spelt, einkorn or wheat
Spelt or einkorn pasta is easier for your body to digest. My daughter was able to add some einkorn pasta to her broth to make it more filling.
Organic rice (all rice) should be soaked overnight in a large quantity of water to remove trace amounts of arsenic. The soaking water should be drained, then rinse the rice so the water runs clear, then cook it.
If you really want some bread, (my daughter did to help fill her up) I suggested to her to use a true sourdough bread which eliminates phytic acids that irritate the digestive system.
Are You Adding Essential Oils to your daily routine?
Quality therapeutic essential oils can help support all areas of the body. We know how herbs can help our bodies thrive. Essential oils are basically concentrates of those, so a little goes a long way.
Young Living is the brand my family uses either for diffusing, applying topically or taking internally (only use Young Living brand internally). Always read the label for usage. Here are some that help support the digestive system: digize, ginger, peppermint, lemon, lavender, clove, fennel, tarragon, patchouli and lemongrass.
Digize is a favorite of mine, I take some with me where ever I go. I never know when some food simply doesn’t agree with me.
UPDATE – The Good News
This soon to be grandma is so excited because the above changes have had a significant positive change for my daughter. She has been able to keep her food down for the last 7 days. The acid reflux rarely pokes its head up. She is still tired but feeling better than she has since becoming pregnant. The constipation is under control with normal daily elimination.
This was important for me to share, so often we can feel lost in how to proceed when not feeling well. Doing the legwork for someone in need yet is so far away was my way of helping her along. She was at the doctor’s today and the babies heartbeat was strong and healthy.
As always to your health and wellbeing.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for informational purposes only. The material presented is not attempting to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Consult with your medical professional regarding your health. Do not stop any medicine prescribed for you. Do not make any changes without consulting your caregiver.
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