Potions and Magic? Are they a cure?

Just Google “acid reflux cures” or “GERD cures” and you’ll find many miraculous cures for GERD.  Wow.  So, why aren’t more people cured?  It all comes back to not believing everything you read.  Some of these things might sooth the inflamed esophagus temporarily.  But, others could actually make the pain much worse.  So, be careful!

One common thread I’ve seen in many posts and articles is the use of the terms GERD and acid reflux interchangeably.  These are 2 very different situations.  Everyone has acid reflux (or heart burn) at some point.  As long as this is less than once a week, it is not a serious condition and can be easily taken care of by eating differently or taking an antacid.  However GERD is very different.  It is an actual chronic disease caused by Lower Esophageal Sphincter muscle (LES) weaking and is not curable.  So, what might work for the average heart burn episode is not going to cure GERD.

What are the most common claims for miraculous cures?

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Licorice
• Aloe Juice
• Anti yeast diets

Apple Cider Vinegar gets the most press as an actual cure.  This seems strange since vinegar is actually on most doctor’s lists of ingredients to avoid.  Vinegar is an acid.  So, it is certainly not going to sooth inflamed tissue.  Most of the web content on apple cider vinegar says that most GERD cases are actually due to not enough acid in the stomach.  This seems a weak case to me since GERD is caused by a weakened LES that allows stomach content to flow into the stomach.  Once the LES is damaged, it doesn’t revert back to normal.  Perhaps the concept is that if you don’t have enough stomach acid that the vinegar will help digest the food currently in the stomach since there isn’t sufficient natural acid to do so.  I’m not a doctor, so I don’t know if this would even work.  But, since medications actually reduce the acid in the stomach and assist in healing the tissue in the throat, none of this makes sense to me.  Make your own decisions on this cure.  But be very careful.  If you already have inflammed or raw tissue in the esophagus vinegar of ANY type is going to burn like you would not believe and damage the tissue further.

Aloe juice and licorice are two agents that are thought to soothe and protect the tissue of the esophagus.  I have actually used aloe juice and it helps temporarily until I drink or eat again.  I have not tried the licorice but would imagine that since it is supposed to sooth and coat the tissues the same thing would apply.

Anti yeast diets are probably the claims that have the least evidence for GERD cure of any.  There is certainly nothing wrong with these diets.  They aren’t unhealthy.  But there is no evidence that candida yeasts has anything to do with GERD.  Perhaps they help with normal heartburn.  It can’t hurt to try this approach since it is fairly benign.  But, I wouldn’t hold out hope.  Because, again, once the LES isn’t functioning properly, ou probably won’t be able to reverse it.