Papaya Good for GERD? The Jury's Still Out

There's tons of articles, blogs, and websites out there that talk about the benefits of Papaya fruit and GERD:

Papaya is a powerhouse fruit that is not used nearly enough in our society. Papaya is an excellent natural remedy for acid reflux disease.  It is not only a low acidic food, but contains an enzyme called papain that is designed specifically to help with digestion.  It also consists of potassium which is helpful in providing  an healthy bacterial setting for your intestines.  This eases the digestive process and helps your stomach not work as hard.  This is the underlying source of health to fix the disease process. 

Papaya also has more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.  vitamin C also helps with digestion.  You don't necessarily have to eat papaya to get it's benefits.  You can also buy a papaya enzyme supplement.  My family uses this to get our papain and it comes with a mint taste. 

and

Papaya : If you have access to fresh papaya, eat half of one for breakfast every morning with half a cup of yogurt and you will see a huge improvement in the amount of acid your body is producing. Papayas contains papain which will aide in the digestive process along with the live cultures in the yogurt. Squirt a slice of lemon over the flesh of the papaya for added flavor and Vitamins before eating, or sprinkle with a Tablespoon of wheat germ for a nutty flavor. If papaya is not available in your area, pick up some papaya tablets at the health food store. Read the label to be sure they do not contain any salt, sugar or sorbitol (sugar substitute).

However, after more digging, it seems there's still no real evidence, or consensus on Papaya: 

Papaya Enzyme 
One of the alternative treatments for GERD that you may have heard about is papain, or papaya enzyme.Papaya enzymes occur naturally in the fruit of the papaya plant, and they have well established proteolytic properties, meaning that they help digest proteins. For this reason, one of the historical uses of papaya has been as a meat tenderizer -- marinading tough cuts of meat in papaya for several hours can soften the muscle fibers, making the meat easier to chew.

Enzyme FunctionThere simply isn't any scientific evidence that papaya enzyme can help reduce symptoms of GERD. In part, this is because enzymes are very reaction-specific, as explained by Drs. Mary Campbell and Shawn Farrell in their book "Biochemistry." Enzymes with roles in metabolism don't play a part in digestion. Enzymes that digest fats can't affect carbohydrates. In the specific case of papaya enzyme, because it digests protein, it has by definition no effect whatsoever upon acid production or reflux.

Other Considerations

A further reason that papaya enzyme can't affect or reduce your GERD is that enzymes operate within a very narrow range of temperatures and acidity levels. Very few enzymes can survive the highly acidic interior of the stomach, and papaya enzymes aren't among them. As such, when you consume papaya enzyme, your stomach acid renders it inactive. You simply digest the enzyme, which is itself a protein, as you would any other dietary protein.

For now, I've added papaya to my list of items to buy at the super market.  We'll see how it goes.

Garlic Helps with GERD

You may have read in many places how garlic should be avoided if you have GERD.  However, I've read tons of blogs where people have said the opposite.  I found this article that may help to explain why garlic may or may not help:

Eat Garlic & Parsley: This is one of the biggest myths you will see on line, not to eat garlic. Garlic is one of the great plant healers. The garlic must be crushed or chopped up to release the components. Don't buy garlic that is shipped in from over seas. All garlic that comes into America from over seas has to be irradiated before entering the country. This kills the healing properties. Only buy local grown garlic. Parsley is another great healer. It is not only for garnish. Get fresh parsley, mince it up with the garlic and add it all fish, chicken or meat dishes. Add parsley minced (stems too) to all types of salads, soups and stews. Add a handful into the juicer when juicing other vegetables to pack a healthy punch.

 So, I ran to the store and bought myself some locally grown garlic.  I can't say it's cured me, but it definitely has not hurt.


Also, take a look at more information:

How Garlic Works

• Garlic contains the enzyme allinase and alliin, an amino acid. When a garlic clove is attacked by bacteria or crushed, the enzyme reacts with the amino acid to produce allicin. The new compound is known to fight off bacterial infections, such as those which cause acid reflux symptoms.

Using Garlic

• In order for allicin to be produced, a garlic clove must be damaged, either through biting, chewing or crushing. To relieve acid reflux, you should chew garlic thoroughly before swallowing, or blend a clove with fruits or vegetables in a juicer and consume immediately.

Prevention/Solution

• Whether garlic will be good or bad for acid reflux relief depends on how it is consumed. Despite the known health benefits, in some instances, garlic remains listed as a food to avoid to prevent acid reflux, as are other foods used to create spicy, highly seasoned dishes. These types of foods aggravate the condition rather than help it.

I think the reason why garlic is still listed is because we're all so use to just buying garlic from the super market.  According to articles, this garlic has lost all its original healing properties because import regulations require that the garlic be irradiated (exposed to radiation).

GERD Remedy: Apple Cider Vinegar

I think if you do a search of the internet you'll find that Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is considered almost a universal cure.  I tried it myself and it did provide some relief, but just not enough.  Nevertheless, there's plenty of people that swear by ACV and how it both helps and removes their symptoms.  Just note, that, currently, there's no studies to support if ACV does or doesn't help with acid reflux.  

Some people say that ACV helps to tighten the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES).  The LES is the valve separating the stomach and the esophagus that when weak is said to be the reason why stomach acids flow back up towards your throat.  Some people say ACV encourages the production of acid in your stomach, and so helps if you have low stomach acid.  Others still say that ACV helps in the digestion of fats.

What Kind of ACV

People recommend Bragg's raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar because it retains the natural enzymes that are lost during pasteurization. You can try finding other brands, but Bragg's seems to be the most popular.  Just make sure it's organic and raw unpasteurized.

How to Drink It

1. Try two tablespoons with a glass of water.  If you hate the taste then mix in a tiny bit of honey.

2. Another GERD remedy I found:
Heaping teaspoon of bee pollen granules. (Let them soak in 8 to 10oz of Purified or Alkaline Water for 15minutes
1/4 teaspoon pure cinnamon (I use Saigon)
1 tablespoon Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother
Mix them together after the bee pollen granules have soaked, and drink it down. Don't sip, gulp.  

Possible Side Effects

1. Teeth Enamel Damage - Make sure to dilute the vinegar.
2.  Apple cider vinegar is suspected to negatively interact with:

• Diuretics
• Laxatives
• Heart disease medication
• Diabetes drugs

3. DO NOT TAKE IF YOU SUSPECT AN ULCER.  ACV can seriously aggravate your ulcer.  Check with your doctor before taking ACV to make sure you're not making your condition worse.

What are H2 Blockers and GERD

Many of us run to the pharmacy as soon as we feel any kind of heartburn. When we get to the pharmacy, we're bombarded by different remedies.  One type of remedy we can take are called H2 Blockers.

I thought maybe you'd like some more information on these drugs:

Examples of H2 Blockers

Generic Name	Brand Name
cimetidine	Tagamet
famotidine	Pepcid
nizatidine	Axid
ranitidine	Zantac

H2 blockers (also sometimes referred to as acid reducers or H2 receptor antagonists) are available in nonprescription and prescription forms. Prescription forms are stronger than the nonprescription forms.
H2 blockers are usually taken by mouth, although some can also be given as an injection. Two doses (morning and evening) are generally recommended to control both daytime and nighttime symptoms. Doctors sometimes recommend a single dose, taken at bedtime, for people who have difficulty remembering to take their medicines.

How It Works

H2 blockers reduce the production of stomach acid. This makes the stomach juices less acidic so that any stomach juice that gets into the esophagus is less irritating. This relieves symptoms and allows the esophagus to heal.

Why It Is Used

H2 blockers are used to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They may be prescribed for your symptoms without any diagnostic testing if your symptoms point to GERD.

• H2 blockers may be used together with antacids.
• Nonprescription H2 blockers may be used for up to 2 weeks for short-term symptom relief. But if you have been using nonprescription medicines to treat your symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. If you have GERD, the stomach acid could be causing damage to your esophagus. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment.
• H2 blockers may be used on a long-term basis to relieve persistent GERD symptoms.

How Well It Works

All of the H2 blockers in this class are about equally effective.
H2 blockers heal the damage done to the esophagus by GERD (esophagitis) in about 5 out of 10 people.

H2 blockers also work to help symptoms of GERD. But the number of people who take H2 blockers and who have no GERD symptoms is usually less than 5 out of 10 people. That means that of the people taking H2 blockers, more than 5 out of 10 still have some GERD symptoms.

Side Effects

H2 blockers have been in use since the late 1960s. H2 blockers are well studied and are considered very safe.
Minimal side effects occur with use of H2 blockers. Side effects may include:

• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Real GERD Cause

High Stomach Acid GERD

HSA

This is what is treated with the proton pump inhibitors.  This also explains why PPIs may not work with everyone, because


Low Stomach Acid GERD

LSA

HCL supplements



I recommend asking your doctor to test your stomach acid levels before accepting any type of medical treatment.

GERD Remedy: Raw Potato Juice - My Current Treatment

So after my HCL supplementation did not work, I was at a loss.  I needed something that would work.  Since I reacted so badly to the HCL supplements, I decided that it cannot be low stomach acid but perhaps the opposite.

I heard from a family friend a while ago that the juice from raw potato can help.  I had tried it a while ago but we messed up the recipe and I got worse so I put that away.  However, he recently reminded me of this remedy so I went researching on the internet again.  I found several articles about potato juice being used as a natural home remedy for GERD and ulcers.  The starchy part of the potato is no good, but the juice itself - fresh juice - is very good for GERD because it acts like an alkaline.

I was already supplementing with DGL Licorice - to help rebuild the mucous lining of my stomach.  I'm also taking Similase to help replenish the enzymes in my stomach.  But this was not enough, so I thought I'd try the potato juice:

Raw potato juice

This is another natural remedy that can help on you acid reflux.
Get two medium sized potatoes, wash clean and leave the skin intact. Remove the buds and cut into pieces. Make sure that you remove all those sprouting and greenish parts, as these are poisonous if consumed. Then use a juicer to extract about 200cc of juices. Set it one side and allow to stand for three minutes, filter the residue and only take the liquid on top.
If you do not like the taste of raw potato juice, add in an apple will make it taste better. 

Do not consume the white sediments at the bottom as the starch will only worsen your condition. You can consume this for twice a day and remember that it must be consume with an empty stomach, for example, you can take it in between your meals. 

Since the sedimentation of starch is still edible, you can keep it and use it to thicken food.

I generally just drink the juice, making sure to keep away from the starch part.  I've consumed the starch part and I almost ended up in the hospital.

Progress:

I'm at the end of day 3 and so far my GERD symptoms have almost disappeared completely.  I'm still not at 100% but I'm definitely better.  I've stopped losing weight and overall feel like maybe this will be it.  I'm hoping.

I'll keep you updated on my potato juice progress.

GERD Causing Foods to Avoid

Tangy Citrus Fruits

Oranges, grapefruits and orange juice are classic heartburn foods

Tomatoes

They're highly acidic and are likely to trigger your GERD.

Garlic

Onions

Spicy foods

Peppermint

Cheese

Nuts

Avocados

Greasy redmeat (rib eye)

Alcohol

Caffeine

Chocolate

Carbonated Beverages

Fried/Fatty foods

Vinegar 

Excluding apple cider vinegar which has been known to help some GERD sufferers

High sugar foods (including fruits)