In this guide, you’ll learn practical at-home tools to support brain fog and focus, plus how Northshore Naturopathic (northshorend.ca) can help you personalize the root-cause plan with naturopathic medicine, testing, and education.

What is brain fog (and why it happens)?

“Brain fog” isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a symptom cluster. Common drivers include:

• Poor sleep quality or circadian disruption
• Blood sugar swings (skipping meals, high-sugar breakfasts)
• Chronic stress and nervous system overload
• Low iron, B12, vitamin D, or omega-3 intake
• Thyroid imbalance
• Inflammation (gut issues, food sensitivities, autoimmune patterns)
• Hormone shifts (perimenopause, postpartum, high cortisol)
• Medication side effects

If your brain fog is new, severe, or paired with red flags (fainting, chest pain, sudden weakness, severe headaches, confusion, or neurological symptoms), seek urgent medical care.

The “3 Foundations” framework for clearer thinking

At Northshore Naturopathic, we often start with a simple, teachable framework:

• Fuel (steady energy from nutrition + hydration)
• Restore (sleep + recovery)
• Move (exersize + stretching)
• Connect (regulate stress response + balance nervous system)

When these improve, focus and cognition often improve too.

10 basic at-home tools for brain fog + focus

1) A 7-day brain fog tracker (your fastest win)

Track once daily for one week:

• Sleep: bedtime, wake time, night wakings
• Energy (0–10) and focus (0–10)
• Meals: timing + protein at breakfast
• Caffeine: amount + time
• Stress level (0–10)
• Movement: minutes

Patterns show up quickly—and they guide what to change first.

2) Protein-first breakfast

A high-carb breakfast can spike and crash blood sugar, worsening fog by mid-morning. Aim for 25–35g protein at breakfast.

Simple options:

• Eggs + sautéed greens
• Greek yogurt + berries + chia
• Protein smoothie (protein powder + frozen berries + spinach)
• Leftovers (yes—dinner for breakfast works)

3) Hydration with minerals

Dehydration and low electrolytes can feel like fatigue and poor concentration.

At-home tool:

• Start your day with water, and consider adding electrolytes (especially if you sweat, exercise, or drink coffee).

4) The “caffeine cut-off” rule

Caffeine can be helpful—but late caffeine can quietly wreck sleep quality. And if you are already over the edge, no caffeine or light caffeine may be the only solution.

At-home tool:

• Choose a cut-off time (often 10–12 hours before bed). If you sleep at 10 pm, stop caffeine by noon.

5) Morning light (a free circadian reset)

Natural light in the morning anchors your sleep-wake rhythm and supports daytime alertness.

At-home tool:

• Get 10–20 minutes of outdoor light within an hour of waking.

6) A 10-minute walk after meals

Post-meal walks improve blood sugar handling and can reduce the “afternoon crash.”

At-home tool:

• Walk 10 minutes after lunch (or dinner) most days.

7) Breathwork to shift out of “wired and tired”

When the nervous system is stuck in stress mode, focus often suffers.

At-home tool:

• Try physiological sighs (2 short inhales through the nose, long exhale through the mouth) for 1–3 minutes.

8) A simple sleep upgrade checklist

Sleep is the brain’s cleanup crew.

At-home tools:

• Keep the room cool and dark
• Consistent sleep/wake time (even on weekends)
• Screens off 60 minutes before bed (or use blue-light reduction)
• Magnesium glycinate may help some people (ask your clinician if it’s appropriate)

9) “One thing” focus blocks

Brain fog often worsens with constant context switching.

At-home tool:

• Set a timer for 25 minutes (one task only), then 5 minutes break. Repeat 2–4 rounds.

10) Connection booster (short and structured)

Some people notice that focusing on gratitude can reduce common interpersonal triggers that trigger stress and worsen cognitive function.

At-home tool:

• Try a 2–3 week simplified plan (guided, not extreme), then reintroduce foods systematically.

This is an area where naturopathic guidance can help you avoid unnecessary restriction.

When to consider deeper root-cause testing

If brain fog persists despite solid basics, it may be time to look deeper. Common areas to assess include:

• Iron status (ferritin), B12, vitamin D
• Thyroid function
• Blood sugar markers
• Inflammation and gut health patterns
• Hormone patterns (when relevant)

How Northshore Naturopathic can help (care + education)

If you’re tired of guessing, Northshore Naturopathic (northshorend.ca) supports patients with a root-cause, education-first approach.

Clinic support may include:

• Naturopathic consultations (in-person or virtual) to map symptoms, triggers, and priorities
• Personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans for energy, mood, and cognitive performance
• Targeted lab review and functional assessment (when appropriate)
• Supplement and botanical guidance to support sleep, stress resilience, and inflammation balance
• Education-focused coaching so you understand the “why,” not just the “what.”

A simple 7-day plan to start today

If you want a clear starting point, try this for one week:

• Protein-first breakfast daily
• Morning light 10–20 minutes
• 10-minute walk after lunch
• Caffeine cut-off by noon
• 3-minute breathwork once daily
• Track sleep, focus, and meals

Then reassess: what improved, what didn’t, and what feels most doable to continue.

Ready for a personalized plan?

Brain fog is common—but it’s not something you have to “just live with.” If you want a structured, root-cause approach with clear education and practical steps, book a visit with Northshore Naturopathic at northshorend.ca.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

The post Clear Brain, Clear Day: At‑Home Tools for Brain Fog + Cognitive Health appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

In our North Vancouver naturopathic clinic, I see this pattern all the time: people doing “all the right things” (supplements, workouts, productivity hacks) while their body is quietly waving a white flag. The good news? When we simplify and work with your biology, you can start feeling steadier—often faster than you think.

Burnout vs. anxiety (and why they often travel together)

Anxiety is often the alarm system—racing thoughts, tight chest, irritability, insomnia, a sense of urgency.

Burnout is often the battery depletion—low motivation, fatigue, brain fog, reduced resilience, feeling overwhelmed by normal tasks.

When the alarm system is constantly on, the battery drains. And when the battery is drained, the alarm gets easier to trigger. That loop is what we want to interrupt.

The “Nervous System Stack”: 5 foundations that calm the alarm

Think of this as stacking small, repeatable inputs that tell your body: you are safe enough to recover.

1) Breathing: the fastest lever you have

A simple rule: longer exhale to engage the diaphragm = stronger “brake pedal.”

Try this for 3 minutes:

• Inhale through the nose for the count of 4 (make sure you bellys is rising)
• Exhale slowly for 6–8
• Repeat 8–12 rounds

Do it before you check your phone, before meals, or before bed. Consistency beats intensity.

2) Blood sugar: stabilize the body, stabilize the mind

Blood sugar swings can mimic (or amplify) anxiety: shakiness, heart racing, irritability, cravings, and that “I can’t cope” feeling.

Start here:

• Eat protein at breakfast (aim for 25–35g)
• Add fiber (berries, chia, veggies)
• Include healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)
• If coffee makes you edgy, don’t drink it (listen to the inteligene of your body)

3) Sleep: protect the first hour, not just the last

Most people focus on bedtime routines. Helpful—but the first hour of your day matters just as much.

Try this “bookend” approach:

• Morning: get outdoor light in your eyes within 60 minutes of waking (even on cloudy days)
• Evening: dim lights and reduce screens 60 minutes before bed when possible

If you wake at 3 a.m. with a busy mind, that’s not a personal failure—it’s often a stress chemistry pattern we can work with. Remind yourself a rested brain can deal better with its workload, then focus on your breaths instead of the thoughts.

4) Movement: choose “downshifting,” not punishment

When you’re burned out, intense workouts can sometimes add fuel to the fire.

For 2 weeks, experiment with:

• 20–40 minutes of walking (ideally outdoors)
• Gentle strength training 2–3x/week
• Mobility or yoga that leaves you feeling more grounded, not depleted

5) Inputs: reduce “micro-stress” where you can

Your nervous system doesn’t just respond to big life events—it responds to a thousand tiny signals.

Pick one:

• Turn off non-essential notifications for 7 days
• Create a “single-task zone” (no multitasking during meals)
• Add a 5-minute buffer between appointments and tasks

Small changes compound.

A 7-day reset you can actually follow

If you want a simple starting plan, try this for one week:

• 2 minutes of long-exhale breathing once per day
• Protein-forward breakfast (within 90 minutes of waking)
• 10–20 minutes outdoor walk (light + movement)
• Caffeine only in the form of tea and only after food
• One screen boundary (e.g., no phone in bed)

Track just two things:

• Your midday energy (0–10)
• Your evening calm (0–10)

We’re looking for trends, not perfection.

When it’s time to get support

If your anxiety is escalating, your sleep is consistently disrupted, or you’re feeling stuck in survival mode, it can help to get a personalized plan. In naturopathic care, we look at the full picture—stress physiology, digestion, nutrient status, hormones, inflammation, and the daily habits that either drain or restore you.

Want help building your nervous system reset plan? Book an appointment with Northshore Naturopathic and we’ll map out the most effective next steps for your body and your life.

The post Burnout + Anxiety: A Simple Nervous System Reset Plan (That Actually Fits Real Life) appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

Alter Your Diet

Nutrition has a large impact on how your body and mind function. Getting the right amount of nutrients will help to maintain your neurotransmitters and neuronal structures within your nervous system. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, folate, and vitamin B are all essential when it comes to managing anxiety. Eating foods like eggs, salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, avocados, bananas, yogurt and so on will help in easing your anxiety.

Make Time to Exercise

Being active throughout your day will get rid of any nervous energy you’re carrying with you. Regularly exercising also helps to improve your sleep, especially if you struggle with insomnia. Raising your heart rate while exercising will increase your body’s endorphin production, improving your mood.

Relax in Your Own Way

Whether it’s through taking a warm bath, turning to a book that brings you comfort or practicing yoga, it’s important that you find something that helps to clear your mind and relax your body. Even a quick technique like deep breathing will help you calm your mind before the anxiety takes over.

Develop a Positive Pep Talk

Negative thoughts about yourself are a common way to worsen any anxiety you’re already experiencing. An effective way to get a handle on your anxiety is to identify those thoughts and replace them when any kind of positive ones. Doing so will help you from spirally further into an episode of intense anxiety. Reframing the situation can help you change those habitual thoughts over time.

Quit Smoking

A quick fix rather than a long term solution to anxiety, smoking is a dangerous habit that can help during a stressful moment but isn’t worth the health problems that will follow. To effectively manage your anxiety in a way that’s best for both your mental and physical health, quit smoking. Studies have shown that nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes are actually linked to anxiety.

Try Meditation

Removing chaotic thoughts from your mind is one of the main goals of meditation. Replacing them with a sense of calmness for the present moment will help you to relieve anxiety. Studies conducted at John Hopkins showed that just 30 minutes of daily meditation can ease anxiety symptoms and work as an antidepressant. Adding in the relaxing scent of essential oils like lavender will help to promote good health and well-being.

Get Expert Advice

At Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, we are committed to helping patients achieve the best possible results through naturopathic treatments. Sometimes the answer can be as simple as a change in hormones or low levels of certain nutrients, and underlying changes in the gut microbiome. Located in North Vancouver, British Columbia, our naturopathic doctor offers treatments including anxiety treatments, allergy testing, food sensitivity testing, IV therapy, and more. For more information, give us a call or visit our website to book a consultation.

The post How to Effectively Manage Your Anxiety? appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

Supports Cardiovascular Health

It’s said that garlic is one of the best foods to keep your heart healthy. It’s been shown to reduce cholesterol while lowering lipid content within the blood. Studies have shown that garlic has a positive effect on hypertension, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. It seems that the miracle food also has the potential to prevent blood clots from forming.

Helps with Hypertension

In both human and animal studies, garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure when administered orally. So much so that improvements can be seen after a single dose. There are long-term, positive effects to eating garlic, as the acid it produces can relax the muscle cells that make up the pulmonary artery, while allows it to expand more. When combined with a balanced diet, garlic can improve your blood pressure immensely.

Nutritional Support Against Cancer

There’s been a correlation shown in many studies done around the world between the higher consumption of garlic and a decreased risk of cancer. Increasing the amount of garlic taken into the body is related to the reduction of cancer cells in the stomach, pancreas, colon, breast, throat and prostate. Established cancer research institutes are claiming that garlic is the most effective food in the prevention of cancer.

Liver Protection

This is one of the best foods you can consume to help detoxify your liver. Garlic can aid in lowering the effects of liver disease while also preventing liver damage caused by certain toxic factors. According to studies, garlic can protect cells in the liver from nitrates, acetaminophen and gentamicin.

Antimicrobial Properties

Studies have shown that the antibacterial properties in garlic can effectively treat salmonella, Proteus, staph infections and more. The workings of garlic can also be antifungal, antiprotozoal and antiviral in some cases. Through test tube studies, it was found to fight against viral pneumonia, the common cold, influenza, herpes and HIV. When cold sufferers consumed garlic extract, they experienced milder symptoms and shorter illness duration.

A Powerful Antioxidant

Unstable molecules in the body known as free radicals can damage DNA and cause issues with your health. How does garlic come into play? Because it’s packed with strong antioxidants, garlic can fight against the distraction caused by free radicals. When it’s broken down, the garlic’s antioxidants produce acid that both react with and traps these damaging molecules.

At Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, our staff is committed to providing new and existing patients with the most effective naturopathic treatments possible. Our services include IV therapy, anxiety counselling, Bowen therapy, food sensitivity testing, trauma counselling, concussion and brain injury treatment and more. Located in North Vancouver, British Columbia, call to book an appointment with us so we can start the healing process on both your physical and mental health.

The post The Health Benefits of Garlic appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

Why is gut health important?

There is a limited amount of space available along your stomach lining for bacteria to reside. You want to make sure the bacteria that does settle there is the right kind.

Your stomach also impacts the way your brain functions and vice versa. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to keep your mental health in check. When you feel anxious or experience stress, your brain can hinder involuntary actions in your body like digestion. Similarly, when your gut does not feel good, it sends signals to your brain that can affect your emotions and mood. In fact, most of the serotonin – a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and emotions – is made in your gut, not your brain. How you feel and what goes on in your stomach is much more intertwined than scientists had previously realized. That is why you should make taking care of your gut a top priority on your health checklist.

Eat probiotic foods

Fermented foods contain a large number of good bacteria. Kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, coconut kefir, and microalgae are all great plant-based foods rich in probiotics. When selecting these types of foods, avoid pasteurized and vinegar-based varieties since it can kill good bacteria.

Eat regularly, but do not graze

Give your gut the chance to clear out waste including bad bacteria. Every one and a half to two hours your intestines contract to keep the waste in your stomach moving throughout the rest of your digestive system. When you eat, this process comes to a stop. That means snacking constantly can lead to overgrowth of bacteria and slow down digestion. You do not have to go to the extent of fasting, but you should give your body breaks between meals to prevent bloating and constipation.

Drink water

This tip is on pretty much every wellness blog and for a good reason. Your gut needs to be hydrated to keep waste and bad bacteria out of your system. You should drink about half your body weight in ounces of water a day. That means if you weigh 130 lbs, you should drink about 65 oz of water each day. Dehydration can cause the bad bacteria to outnumber the good bacteria and lead to inflammation.

Avoid stress

Easier said than done, right? While a stress-free life is what we all strive for, it can feel impossible to accomplish. Try to cope with your stress in productive ways like through meditation, yoga, therapy, and time outdoors. Letting stress take over cause your brain to slow down digestion, causing bad bacteria to thrive in your gut.

To learn more about which supplements and practices will improve your gut health, consult the professionals at Northshore Naturopathic Clinic. Our clinic is located at NorthVancouver, BC. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us.

The post How to improve your gut health appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

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Contrary to the popular belief, baby blues and postpartum depression are psychologically and
physiologically distinct. Baby blues symptoms include anxiety, crying, sleeplessness, and mood
swings that can last for a couple of weeks. On the other hand, postpartum depression is
characterized by symptoms that are more severe and longer lasting.

Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may experience the following:

● Frequent panic attacks and anxiety
● Constant fatigue and sleeplessness
● Isolation from friends and family members
● Deterioration in good eating and sleeping habits
● Resentment towards the baby
● Emotions of guilt, irritability, and worthlessness

To make matters worse, doctors usually take the route of prescribing antidepressants to
suffering mothers, but instead of having lasting positive effects on patients, antidepressants
pack many side effects. Similar to numerous other physiological and psychological problems,
the holistic treatment of postpartum depression has also begun to gear towards natural
solutions.

Northshore Naturopathic Clinic in North Vancouver, for instance, offers pre and post delivery
treatments that naturally alleviate all negative effects of childbearing and labour. The specialists
at the clinic handle each case with care while acknowledging the mother’s lifestyle,
responsibility, dietary practices, and hormone levels. The information is used to administer
treatments tailored to the specific needs of the mother.

Listed below are a few important daily functions that should be undertaken in order to ensure a
speedy recovery.

Receive help from other People

All mothers understand the difficulty of getting through the first couple months after having a
baby. You barely get any time to sleep, take a shower, clean the house or exercise. It is
important to not hesitate or feel inadequate in receiving help from family members and friends in
taking care of your baby for a few hours while you enjoy some time to yourself and better yet,
step outside.

Get Ample Exercise and Nutrition

New mothers are allowed to exercise after a six-week postpartum recovery period. Moreover,
working out in the presence of your baby has been made easier with workout DVDs, jogging
strollers, and mommy and me yoga regimes. All you have to do is allocated an hour of your day
and release gleeful endorphins.

You must also make it a point to eat healthily as well. A regular intake of protein throughout the
day will help you maintain stabilized sugar levels and mood. Along with appropriate amounts of
protein, make sure to eat whole grains, beans and nuts.

Contact Northshore Naturopathic Clinic

If you are suffering from postpartum depression, we are here to help you! Our facility is
conveniently situated in North Vancouver and you can visit us online at
www.northshorenaturopathicclinic.ca. You can also call to discuss your inquiries with us at 604-
986-7774.

The post Natural Ways to Cope with Postpartum Depression appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

Food Sensitivity tests looks at 96-200 different foods.  It is a blood test that measures the serum concentration of antibodies to specific food allergens. IgG antibodies are the potential indicator of delayed food allergies or food sensitivities. The delayed IgG antibody response often appears 1 to 3 days after exposure to the trigger food. Tiny amounts do not set off symptoms, only excess amounts—overloads. Symptoms are generalized and the delayed onset makes the cause and effect diagnosis difficult.

The symptoms range from a headache, muscle ache, tension and fatigue, to exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and asthma. The benefit of this test is that it can identify unsuspected food sensitivities, which if ignored, may result in stress on the immune system, contributing to the development of additional illness.

Usually foods that are eaten frequently would be the foods suspected in causing symptoms. High IgG levels would indicate a frequent exposure to a particular food. Individuals with inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and dermatitis frequently have high levels of food-specific IgG antibodies. IgG food sensitivity testing is also valuable as a preventive tool for people who are not overtly experiencing symptoms.

Most extended health care plans will reimburse the patient for some or all of the cost of this test, so check with your provider. See our “Services and Fees” page for the new fees.

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The causes of most chronic disease are quite common—and easier to address than you think.

While there are hundreds of chronic diseases, there are only a handful of causes for most of them. Many doctors search for the pathology behind a disease and then attack it aggressively with medications. This often works for acute afflictions, but is likely to cause more harm than good when it comes to chronic diseases, which are typically systemic in nature.

My philosophy is that the body heals itself if you “delete and treat” the under- lying causes. The goal is to learn why certain organs are malfunctioning, and then return them to good working order. Here’s a look at five major causes of chronic disease.

TRAUMA is injury created by mechanical force. While trauma to the body may
be obvious, trauma to the head can linger if not diagnosed and treated properly.
My local hospital missed diagnosing a concussion I sustained after a car accident. Fortunately, one of my patients was able to steer me to people who were able to diagnose the injury accurately. After 10 days of electronic treatment, my memory (which had been fuzzy since the accident) was restored. I was so impressed with the improvement that a naturopathic doctor in my office took the training and now treats head injuries.

STRESS can wear out people, but it can be managed. There is testing that can
determine if the stress is physical and/or mental—and how your adrenal glands are coping with the stress. For stress and anxiety, I often suggest the following herbs to patients: holy basil, passionflower, chamomile, ashwagandha, and rosemary.

POOR DIET is common. Your body needs nutrients, not stimulants.
Processed foods won’t give your body the nourishment and energy necessary to attain and maintain good health.

EATING TOO WELL can be as destructive as eating a poor diet. Eating too well is the third-most-common cause of disease, after metal exposure and poor diet. Your kidneys judge the seasons by the foods you eat, and adjust your activation of vitamin D according to the sodium/ potassium in your diet.

Eating out of season can convince your kidneys that you’re in a warm, sunny season, so they deactivate your stored vitamin D. That causes calcium levels to decline, allowing bacteria and yeast into your small intestine where they wreak havoc with your digestion and vitamin absorption. This is comparable to what Chinese medicine calls, “being too yin.”

METAL EXPOSURE is the biggest cause of chronic disease and the slowest to respond to treatment. The most common contaminating metals are mercury, lead, and aluminum. According to autopsy studies done at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, people with mercury amalgam fillings had three times more mercury in their brains and nine times more mercury in their kidneys compared to people who had no history of mercury fillings.

Removing heavy metals must be done cautiously because you are putting the metals into circulation in the body.

Dr. Matsen’s Essential Supplements

Supplements are important, as they help strengthen and heal the body in numerous ways, including supporting liver detoxification, improving digestion, weakening intestinal yeast, and improving intestinal flora. Here are two key nutrients to consider taking in supplement form:

Vitamin D:           In hot, sunny weather, if your skin makes lots of vitamin D, your kidneys don’t need to activate the D stored in your liver. If there’s not much sunshine, your kidneys can active vitamin D into a stronger form that improves calcium absorption by up to 1,000 times.

Vitamin K:           While the kidneys’ activation of vitamin D is crucial for getting
calcium into the blood, it’s vitamin K that delivers calcium from the blood into the bones. Vitamin K also prevents calcium from sticking in arteries, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The post Healing Chronic Disease appeared first on Northshore Naturopathic Clinic.

Is acid reflux burning you up? Does it feel like there’s lava in the pit of your stomach that then flows up under your sternum to your throat? Is it worse at night, making a good sleep impossible?
You may be surprised to learn acid reflux is not necessarily a stomach problem. Your stomach is more likely reacting to irritation from bile that is made by your liver. When you eat, bile enters the base of your stomach at the duodenum to help digest fats. The more fatty or spicy food you eat, the more bile is secreted to aid digestion.

If your liver is overloaded and has dumped toxins into your bile, the toxic bile irritates your duodenum and stomach. The stomach, which is a muscle, reacts by going into a spasm—it shortens. That shortening of the stomach muscle can force the upper valve of the stomach open, allowing the acid and bile to reflux up into the esophagus that has little protection against the harsh digestive juices; it can become severely irritated.

For many people, the immediate reaction is to calm the stomach acid with antacids but, for a long-term cure, you must get to the root of the problem and concentrate on improving your overall liver function.

Toxins are always present during the digestion of food. Many parts of the body—the brain, nerves, joints, arteries, and DNA—are delicate and can be easily damaged by the gut toxins, so every drop of digestive fluid must be filtered by the liver and neutralized of toxins.

Put simply, liver detoxification uses a two-step process involving Phase I and Phase II enzymes. Phase I enzymes add oxygen to fat-soluble chemicals as the first step in making them water-soluble. In so doing, however, deadly peroxides are created that are up to 50 times more toxic. The production of peroxides is a normal biochemical step; Phase II enzymes should quickly neutralize the peroxides.

Tobacco, alcohol, and coffee stimulate your Phase I liver enzymes to make deadly peroxides, while refined foods (such as white sugar and white flour) and metals (such as Thimerosal, the mercury preservative in vaccines) can dramatically interfere with your Phase II enzymes’ ability to neutralize the deadly peroxides. The net result is that your liver spills the peroxides into your bile.

So to help your liver work more efficiently, avoid (or at least limit) tobacco, alcohol, coffee and refined foods.

If you experience a decrease in your acid reflux symptoms when you take acidophilus capsules, you probably also have a yeast and/or bacterial intestinal overgrowth that is putting pressure on your liver to make more deadly peroxides.

A few things might relieve the immediate symptoms of acid reflux.

• Decrease your consumption of fatty foods and spices so less bile will be secreted, thus decreasing the stress on the base of the stomach.
• Licorice is known to strengthen the stomach membranes, thus blocking the effects of stress and coffee on those valuable defensive membranes.
•  A folk remedy some people find helpful is to consume dill pickle juice. Start with one tablespoon per meal and see how your stomach responds.
• One remedy with a long history of success is mastic gum, resin from a tree of the pistachio family found on the Greek island of Chios. The Phoenicians included it in the repertoire of wares they peddled around the Mediterranean 3000 years ago. It was promoted for gastritis and indigestion. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine (December 1998) showed that two 500 mg capsules of mastic gum at bedtime could also kill most types of H. pylori (the bacteria associated with ulcers) within several weeks. Even lower doses have been shown to give improvement.

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