How I Beat Acid Reflux/GERD Naturally | Ultimate Guide to GERD Recovery (2024 Update)

Summary

Molly, a registered dietitian and gut health specialist, shares her personal journey and strategies for healing acid reflux and IBS. After struggling with severe symptoms and inadequate medical support, she turned to nutritional science and lifestyle changes. Key elements of her recovery include balanced nutrition, stress management, and the use of mucilaginous herbs. Molly's app, Flora, offers a comprehensive platform for acid reflux sufferers, providing evidence-based information, meal plans, and mindfulness practices to support the healing process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Molly, a registered dietitian, shares her personal journey of healing from severe IBS and acid reflux.
• 🎓 She studied at Boston University, focusing on nutritional science and digestive health, which helped her in her recovery.
• 🔎 Molly emphasizes the lack of support for those with acid reflux and IBS after medication, which led her to create her own healing protocol.
• 🍲 She discovered the importance of balanced nutrition and frequent, smaller meals to aid digestion and reduce reflux symptoms.
• 🌿 Molly used mucilaginous herbs like slippery elm and deglycerized licorice root to protect her throat and esophagus from acid erosion.
• 🧘‍♀️ Stress management was crucial in her recovery, including therapy, meditation, yoga, and maintaining a positive mindset.
• 🍽️ 'Meal Time Hygiene' was a key practice, involving deep breathing, gratitude, and mindful eating to support digestion.
• 🚫 Molly had to eliminate caffeine during her healing process, but now can tolerate it in moderation as part of her remission.
• 📱 She developed an app called Flora to provide a comprehensive platform for acid reflux healing, including nutrition, yoga, meditation, and education.
• 🌟 Molly's message is one of hope and empowerment, encouraging those with acid reflux to believe in their ability to heal.

Q & A

What is Molly's profession and what health issues has she overcome?

Molly is a gut health specialized registered dietitian who has recovered from severe IBS and acid reflux.

What was the turning point for Molly's acid reflux getting worse?

The turning point for Molly's acid reflux getting worse was a food poisoning event, which is a common cause of post-infectious IBS.

What was the result of the medical tests Molly underwent for her acid reflux?

Molly's medical tests, including an endoscopy and blood work, came back mostly normal with only a little irritation shown in the endoscopy. She did not have a hernia or a loose lower esophageal sphincter.

What was the initial treatment Molly received for her acid reflux?

Molly was initially given a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) by her GI doctor, which helped for a while but eventually stopped working.

What is the significance of the parasympathetic nervous system in digestion?

The parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the rest and digest system, is crucial for digestion as it allows the body to feel calm and safe, enabling proper digestion.

How did Molly's stress and anxiety levels impact her acid reflux?

Molly's chronic stress and anxiety were significant factors in her acid reflux, as they can increase stomach acid production and negatively affect digestion.

What dietary changes did Molly make to help with her acid reflux?

Molly started fueling her body with balanced meals consisting of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, focusing on small, frequent meals instead of large ones.

What role did managing stress play in Molly's healing process?

Managing stress was crucial for Molly's healing process. She saw a therapist, practiced meditation, yoga, and engaged in activities that brought her joy to help calm her nervous system.

What are mucilaginous herbs and how did they help Molly?

Mucilaginous herbs are herbs that increase the mucous lining in the throat, esophagus, and small intestine to protect from acid erosion. Molly used slippery elm and deglycerized licorice root, which helped decrease inflammation and protect her throat.

What is the Flora app and how does it support people with acid reflux?

The Flora app is a platform Molly created for people with acid reflux to heal their symptoms and health anxiety. It includes modules on nutrition, yoga, meditation, and acid reflux information.

How does Molly define her current state with acid reflux?

Molly considers herself in remission from acid reflux, as she no longer has daily symptoms and can enjoy foods like coffee and chocolate without issue, with only occasional heartburn from excessive alcohol.