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Ever since I came back from our vacation in Florida (the one where I ate WAY more calories everyday than I usually do, thanks to my mother-in-law's yummy cooking), I have had the worst ongoing case of heartburn.
After weeks of taking antacids and Prilosec trying to curb it, I realized that the answer was right in front of me. I don't know why I even spent time messing with those medicines. Calcium carbonate antacids are fine on occasion, but you never want to take them on a regular basis. In addition to that, you always want to be careful when taking antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide, since this can cause allergic reactions or interfere with other medications. (And be sure to avoid any antacids containing aluminum hydroxide when pregnant, as that can be toxic to the fetus.)
I don't like putting unnecessary medicines or chemicals in my body anyway, so I decided to try a natural cure. If you don't know the absolute best natural cure for chronic heartburn, the answer may surprise you. It's apple cider vinegar.
Yep, you got it. Now it might sound contradicting because vinegar is acidic. Yet some foods that are acidic in their natural form become alkaline in your body. I don't want to bore anyone with the details of how your body needs an ideal balance of acidic and alkaline foods, but everyone has heard of "PH balance." You see it in many different kinds of toiletries and health products. Those products are essentially telling you that their designed to bring your body's acidic/alkaline balance in line with optimal levels.
Having unbalanced PH levels can affect people differently. Some might feel sluggish and headachy... others might feel "itchy" and uncomfortable. Sometimes it affects sleep and rest. But the most common symptom of imbalanced PH levels are heartburn, upset stomach and even chronic conditions like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux as its more commonly known). The easiest way to realign this imbalance is by getting the right stuff into our bloodstream. And the easiest and fastest way to do that? That's right... by consuming liquids and foods.
Again, it's not about what PH level of a food or liquid is in its state outside of our body. What matters is how it reacts in our bodies after digestion. Often we misconceive foods as being "acidic" (like apple cider vinegar) when in fact they are the opposite when they are digested.
Our American diets typically involve more "acid forming" foods, which are those high in animal protein, as well as bread, cheese, eggs, wheat, wine, pasta, beer, chocolate, oats and sugar. In addition to that, exercise and stress also cause acidic reactions in the body. (Ever wonder you get heartburn after working out? That's why.) Taking an antacid after working out might neutralize the acid in your stomach at that moment, but it's just a quick fix. It's like putting a bandage on it. The next day you'll be right back in the same place again, having to pop an antacid or two.
So how do you fix it the right way? Easy. Consume more "alkaline" foods. The very best at the top of the list -- which is proven to work -- is apple cider vinegar. Buy yourself some raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. Don't let the "unpasteurized" word scare you. You certainly don't want to take that if you're pregnant or nursing, but if you're a healthy adult with no diseases or immune conditions, there's no reason at all why you can't consume that. Be sure to buy a brand that contains the "mother", which is the funny term that's given to the bits of floaty film that hovers around at the bottom of the bottle. It sounds kinda gross, and it IS a little gross to actually eat/drink it. But you know it's good stuff if it has it in there. I just spoon it out.
Again (if you haven't read the disclaimer on my page) I don't get paid to endorse or advertise any particular product or brand. If I recommend something, it's only because I use it and/or like it. This is the kind that I buy, which can be found at most grocery stores or health food stores. The brand name is Bragg, and it states right on there that it's raw, organic and contains the "mother." (That's still so funny to me, and makes me laugh every time. I expect to see some little sea monkey mom in there, waving at
