Aloe ... anyone there?

Ok, that was a little weak, I know ... "aloe ... anyone there" "Hallo -- or Hello... blah blah blah... "  As a wise man once said (my husband) ... they're not funny if you have to explain them!  So, aloe vera juice ... what's up with aloe vera juice?  Ok, now I feel like I'm sounding like Jerry Seinfeld!   But seriously, I'm curious to hear if anyone out there has had any luck treating their reflux with aloe vera juice.  

It also seems like the brand is important.  I've tried a few different brands.  One was an aloe vera gel ... and let me just tell you how nasty that tasted!  (pretty nasty) I'd read a testimonial from someone online who swore aloe vera gel was the answer to healing their reflux.  I'll try it!  And I did!  Yuck ... and sadly, didn't heal the reflux.   I also learned during that time, that while aloe vera juice can be a bit gelatinous on it's own, stuff is added to the "gel" to make it more "gel-like"  -- why someone would want that, I can't begin to tell you. BUT I've read so much about the health benefits of aloe vera juice for digestion, so I've tried other forms/brands.  One brand that seemed like water, but went down smoothly and the label says it actually IS aloe vera juice and not just a bunch of water.  Another tasted kind of citrusy -- so it felt like it was exacerbating the problem.  Not sure that it did, but it didn't feel great going down.  Really curious to hear if anyone has had great luck with this and if so, what was the brand??  I'll share if you share!

All this being said, it seems clear there is no magic potion ... although I do wish there was!  One must do the due diligence and find out what's going on with one's body that's creating the situation.   This being said, I'm feeling like I'm finding things that are working and may be the secret to what my body has been trying to tell me through the reflux.  It's fascinating ... and hopefully, successful!  I'll keep you posted!    

Oy!

Well, I've been trying the digestive enzymes along with my low acid diet.  Even went off the OTC meds to see where I was.  Did well for a few days and was really impressed with Acid Soothe.  It did well if I remembered to take it right after a meal, but if I didn't ... not so great.  So today I tried the ACV thing again ... and daggone it, I guess I'm just not ready for it, or something, cuz I'm not doing great with it.  This is really a perfect illustration of how different we all are and that our bodies need different things to kick this reflux issue.  I believe I can ... but I'm not there  .... YET.  I'll go back to not doing the ACV for the time being ... but I'm sure many have found great help and healing using it.  Everything I've read about it seems to make it great for almost anything that ails you!

So back to the quest.

Next up on the block ... aloe vera juice ... some swear by it ... do you?  Tell me about it and which brand you use!



 

Digestive Enzymes ... what?

Prior to dealing with my reflux issue, I'd never heard of "digestive enzymes".  Apparently these are enzymes one produces while digesting food.  One can also take digestive enzymes when they need to help the body assimilate and digest the food we take in, working on the theory that one of the main causes of reflux is that our food is sitting around too long and not digesting properly and consequently refluxing up into the esophagus.  Gross, right?  But that's one of the reasons reflux happens and digestive enzymes are there to help with this issue.

I've been reading many different sites and testimonials about different enzymes and how they helped someone so that they can eat what they like and don't have to worry about reflux again.  Sign me up!  That's what I'm going for.  The quest though, is what is exactly right for MY or YOUR body.  What's going on with each of us, and why we have reflux is very particular to each person, so that's why there are many different ways of approaching a cure.

To be sure, trying a low acid diet is the first place to start -- which means, no caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, fried foods, soda, spicy food and mint.  Also, it's important to keep high fat foods out of the equation as well.  I've been doing this diet for 5 weeks now, and haven't really seen a huge improvement ... but I don't doubt that it is a good way to eat to help our bodies not produce the extra acid and resulting reflux.   If this diet by itself doesn't help, perhaps digestive enzymes, might be the way to go for you (in addition to the low acid diet).  This is why I'm on the search for the formulation that works best for what's going on with my body.

I've read how papaya enzymes helped many people, chewed up prior to a meal, voila ... done with reflux, same with ACV, same with other particular brands of digestive enzymes and probiotics.  There's a lot of information about all these different forms of digestion helpers out there to help our bodies work more efficiently.  So which ones will be the trick for you?  I really have no idea ... but what I do know, is that we have to keep trying different treatments to see what will work for our individual bodies --  Always listening to our bodies to see what it's liking and what it's not.

Hmmm ... is this what the whole reflux thing is about?  Our neglected bodies asking to be heard?  Perhaps.  I'm listening ... are you?

We'll be revisiting this subject as I do my experiments ... please feel free to share yours too!!

Ramada In ... Ramada Out

Before I get started on today's topic, I want to say how very moved I am by the emails I'm getting.  Thank you for your support!  I'm also realizing what an epidemic this reflux thing has become ... what's up with that?  I'm really hoping we all can find a way to full and complete healing and living a lifestyle that supports our healing and health. Which brings me to what I want to talk about today ... BREATHING.

I've been reading SO much material on this subject of reflux and of course the mind/body consciousness/connectedness comes in to play with this as well. (I'll talk more about this in upcoming posts)  One book mentions eating slowly, really chewing your food completely, and of course, not overeating.  It also mentions sitting up straight when we eat.  Sounds obvious, but I have to admit, I don't always do that and this made me much more mindful of doing just that.  What I have found in addition to doing these two things is the importance of breath -- of taking a good, full, deep breath.

It's amazing to me how much I hold my breath -- or breathe shallowly.  I don't when I'm singing ... I CAN'T while I'm singing and still get more than a few notes out ... so this has made me aware of the importance of the most obvious function we all do all day long ... breathe.  I've found when I take a deep, full breath that opens up my entire chest and abdominal area, I not only feel calmer, I feel some relief from the reflux.  I have to believe that there's a connection between these things.  It's the release of all those muscles, particularly in my abdomen, where I'm unconsciously holding.   Looks good in pix, but might not be the best thing for the digestion!  So release and see what else you might be able to let go of as well!   Just a thought ...  and BREATHE!!

 (Please feel free to leave a comment, that way, we can ALL share in your brilliant insights and what you've tried and learned)