I‭nflammation is currently taking over the health and wellness zeitgeist, becoming the holy grail‬
‭of medicine and science as it can affect all of our anatomical systems and is believed to be‬
‭ground zero for a wide range of medical conditions. If there is a code to how inflammation‬
‭translates into illness, then unlocking it will undoubtedly revolutionize how we prevent and cure‬
‭disease.‬
‭ ut for now, we only know one thing for sure: Inflammation is a precursor to a range of‬
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‭autoimmune, metabolic, and chronic diseases. And dietary acid injury, like that which occurs‬
‭from acid reflux disease, illuminates this connection. The good news is that both inflammation‬
‭and acid reflux can be prevented and improved through diet.‬
‭ hat is acid reflux?‬
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‭Acid reflux disease affects 60 million Americans and over a billion people worldwide. Acid can‬
‭be introduced to the body by the food we eat, or when it's refluxed out of the stomach. Until less‬
‭than a year ago, it was thought that injury from acid reflux disease was limited to the particular‬
‭area of the body exposed—but that's not accurate. What actually takes place is a body-wide‬
‭inflammatory response. Effectively, the entire body can get torched from too much acid, and‬
‭what's even worse is that millions of people suffer from inflammation and acid reflux and don't‬
‭even know it. The subtle symptoms often go unchecked and wreak havoc on the body‬
‭undetected.‬
I‭f you want to reduce inflammation (and bonus: lose weight), you'll want to avoid the acid reflux‬
‭"dirty dozen," categorically broken down into six foods that are frankly acidic (less than pH 4)‬
‭and six foods that loosen the muscular barrier separating the esophagus from the stomach. The‬
‭acidic half dozen are sugary soda, bottled ice tea, citrus, tomato, vinegar, and wine. The‬
‭"looseners" are caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, mint, raw onion, and garlic. Almost all processed‬
‭foods—especially ones containing sugar—are either acidic or act as looseners.‬
‭ at alkaline foods:‬
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‭To prevent the activation of pepsin and to keep the inflammation response at bay, you should‬
‭consume foods that are relatively alkaline such as melons, greens, nuts, and legumes. In the‬
‭first 28 days of the Acid Watcher Diet (called the "healing phase") the focus is on the‬
‭consumption of substances above pH 5. Two of my favorites are watermelon and seedless‬
‭cucumber, which are not only above pH 6 but also very high in natural anti-inflammatory agents‬
‭like lycopenes and lignans, respectively. Very healthy, antioxidant-laden fruits such as berries‬
‭and even mandarin oranges, can have their acidity neutralized by adding what I call alkaline‬
‭"CARS" (coconut, alkaline, rice, or soy) "milk" to them, in a smoothie or juice. Instead of‬
‭vinegar-based dressings on salads, use dressings with olive oil, herbs, and Celtic salt, or ginger‬
‭and carrot.‬
‭ fter putting over 6,000 people on this diet, I've found that inflammation visibly decreases in‬
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‭their throats, sinuses, and esophagus, thus reducing symptoms and improving health. So next‬
t‭ime you reach for a snack or sit down to eat a meal, think about the acidity of what you're about‬
‭to put in your mouth. Use these tips to keep your body free of inflammation and you'll be on your‬
‭way to better health in no time.‬