Nutrition advice with the College of Naturopathic Medicine

Your queries about natural health answered by Jacquie Lane for the College of Naturopathic Medicine

I suffer from acid reflux. What can I do?
NR, Brighton

Acid reflux is an uncomfortable and common condition where stomach acid leaks out of the stomach into the oesophagus. This is the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.

Symptoms can include heartburn – the burning chest pain that occurs after eating. Also, an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth can be experienced and some people get pain and difficulty in swallowing.
It is thought that one of the causes is the lower esophageal sphincter muscle not working properly and getting ‘loose’, thereby allowing acid to leak out of the stomach, back up the oesophagus. This muscle should work like a valve, letting food into the stomach and closing after, to prevent acid leaking out.

Things that can aggravate acid reflux are being overweight, eating a high fat diet, too large meal portions, and even being pregnant.

Things that can help
Before we even start with food content, the following may help:

• Eating slowly and chewing really well so food is a liquid before swallowing.
• Eating five small meals rather than three larger meals.
• Trying food combining, in which you don’t mix carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta etc) with proteins (e.g. meat, fish, beans, lentils).
Dietary changes that can help are sticking to a naturopathic food plan which includes five portions of vegetables and two fruits a day. Opt for good quality seeded breads, try sourdough rye bread. Reduce the fat content of foods by discarding fat from meat. Grill meat so that the fat drips out, don’t fry foods, reduce cheese and full fat milk. Cut caffeine and fizzy drinks.

Low fat natural organic probiotic yoghurts have been shown to be useful, as has taking a probiotic capsule and vegetarian digestive enzymes with meals (but not if you have ulcers).

Tests that may be helpful are those that screen for Helicobacter Pylori, an acid-loving bacteria that digs its way into the stomach mucosal tissues.

Dietary advice plus supplemental and testing options can be discussed with your nutritional therapist.

See your health professional
for advice.

CNM open evening
Interested in training to become a nutritional therapist? Please book to attend a CNM open evening.

Next dates in Brighton: 1st August & 5th Septembr. 6.30pm-8.30pm.
01342 410505
www.naturopathy-uk.com