Acid reflux, like many digestive issues, can make every meal seem like a game of Russian Roulette, with the typical outcome being long-lasting pain after eating. With diet being the common culprit, many sufferers are turning to natural methods of management. The macrobiotic diet, commonly known for its usage among people with cancer, is being looked at as a way of preventing and managing reflux. Acid reflux a condition where the the acid produced by the stomach enters the esophagus, leading to burning sensations in the chest or throat, belching, and chest pain when lying down or bending.
Main Causes of Acid Reflux
A medical condition known as a hiatal hernia can often lead to acid reflux, but many dietary and lifestyle factors can lead to symptoms as well, and these are more common. Being overweight or obese puts excess pressure on the stomach, forcing acid back up into the esophagus. Foods rich in spices and sugars or that are highly carbonated cause excess production of stomach acid, greatly increasing the chances of acid reflux. In addition to what you eat, how you eat can be equally important. Eating in a fast, hectic manner, and swallowing food before it is properly chewed, all increase the risk for reflux symptoms.
Macrobiotic Diet and Health
Macrobiotics is an approach to health and wellness based on concepts that originate in traditional Oriental medicine, an almost 3,000-year-old system of healing that works to balance energy in the body to produce wellness through diet, herbs and exercise. It is believed that the foods you eat, how they are prepared and how they are eaten have a dramatic effect on your health. The macrobiotic approach to diet emphasizes meals that are based around vegetables, whole grains, legumes, some fish and fruits. Meals are eaten slowly and mindfully, and allow for several hours to pass between dinner and sleep.
Macrobiotic View of Acid Reflux
According to macrobiotics, acid reflux is due to an emphasis of Yin or "expansive" energy foods, making the stomach weak and unable to hold onto its contents. These include oily and fatty foods, sugars, dairy products, carbonated beverages, alcohol, spices, and stimulants like coffee and chocolate. By removing these expansive foods and replacing them with balancing foods, the stomach is thought to strengthen itself to prevent acid from leaking back up the digestive system.
Macrobiotics and Western Medicine
Macrobiotic dietary recommendations match up almost completely with the typical western approach. Both highly suggest an increase in fiber in the diet, a decrease in fat and processed foods, and excessive seasonings are strongly discouraged. The main difference is that while western dietary recommendations do not discourage a high intake of animal foods -- so long as they are low fat -- the macrobiotic diet makes a strong case to eat a primarily plant-based diet, with animal foods treated as special occasion items.
Macrobiotic Diet Recommendations for Acid Reflux
To help prevent acid reflux, remove most, if not all, sources of concentrated sugars, salts, spices and fats. Choose whole grains like brown rice, barley and whole wheat pastas while eating a bounty of colorful vegetables at each meal. Consider eating less animal protein and more vegetable proteins like chickpeas and lentils. Use small amounts of unrefined vegetable oils in cooking, and replace highly sugared foods with fruit as a dessert or snack. When you are craving animal protein, eat a small portion of white meat fish. In addition, try a nondairy diet for one to two weeks to see if your symptoms improve.
Other Macrobiotic Recommendations
Regardless of your state of health, it is always recommended in macrobiotics to avoid drinking with your meals. This fills up the stomach quickly, making it hard for the stomach to properly digest and can force acid more quickly up to the esophagus. Also, consider a light walk after meals to stimulate good digestion and quicker emptying of the stomach. Lastly, always make an effort to eat your meals slowly and take time to chew each mouthful of food very well.
References
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet; Frank W. Jackson, M.D
- MayoClinic.com; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD); May 21, 2011
- "Pocket Guide to Macrobiotics"; Carl Ferre; 1997
- "The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health"; Michio Ksuhi and Alex Jack; 2003
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Page; Introduction to TCM; 2009
