Apples, Aloe Vera Juice and Good and Plenty Candy

I was diagnosed with acid reflux (GERD) back in 2004 after my doctor ordered an upper-GI test. Since then, I was put on various PPI's such as Protonix, Prilosec and Nexium. I was also given Zantac (Ranitidine) as an H2 blocker, since the PPI's did not seem to have as great an effect as expected.

I also changed my diet to avoid those foods that seemed to cause episodes of acid reflux. In between all of that, I still found the need to use Maalox or Rolaids tablets to relieve symptoms that flared on a sporadic basis.

In 2007, I quit using acid reflux medicines altogether since they seemed to be doing very little anyway. I figured, why should I put medicine in my body if it's not helping. For about a week, I felt the same as if I were on medicine, but then came what I learned is called "acid rebound."

I ended up with a worse case of acid reflux than I ever imagined, so I reached for the Zantac (it seemed to provide better and quicker relief than Nexium) along with some antacid pills and I was back to square one.

I would have just sucked it up and dealt with the indigestion and abdominal torment, but because of the risk of esophagus erosion and other nasty side-effects from the acid, I figured I'd better keep the acid at bay the best I could.

During the fall of 2008, I made a resolution that I was going to quit my medicines again and try a total holistic approach to managing my acid reflux, as nothing seemed to work.

I swore that if this approach did not work in 30 days that I would see my doctor again and request surgery on my lower esophageal sphincter (which is the usual cause of acid reflux).

My diet has gone as follows:

• Nearly every day, I consume one Red Delicious Apple, usually mid-morning.

• I drink two 2-ounce glasses of Aloe Vera juice (inner filet) daily, one in the morning and one when I get home from work in the afternoon.

• To relieve any acid reflux symptoms that may arise occasionally, I eat a handful of Good and Plenty candies. I keep a box at home, at work and in my car.

Bottom line: I think I've beaten acid reflux! After five damned years of this torture, I feel better than I have in a long time. My mood is better, I don't get knotted up in the stomach thinking about that pizza my family wants for dinner, and I'm less distracted. It's been two months at this point.

I want to share my "remedy" so others can feel free again, like I do. This remedy is based upon extensive readings on the topics of GERD and acid reflux. Natural core apple fiber, aloe vera gel, and licorice are all commonly touted as acid reflux soothers.

Caution: In my readings, there were several warningslisted about combining acid reflux medicines with aloe vera, so this holistic approach seems to be all or nothing.

My opinion-- the apple is promoting increased gastric motility (my stomach empties quicker); the aloe vera juice is actually healing my lower esophageal sphincter; and the licorice coats my esophagus and stomach while everything cures.

Try it. Ask yourself-- What do I have to lose except acid reflux?

~Bill