I see that you are of the "alternate" nature. That is my mind set as well and while I am seeking to find a "cure" for my LUMP I am hoping to find relief in the natural antacids. I did get some pH paper and set out to test everything in sight. I can't believe that ketchup is the same as lemon juice, 4.5 pH (as acidic as the chart will even register). No wonder tomatoes are a big NO NO! My health book says that the ideal body pH is slightly acidic, between 6.0 and 6.8, below 6.3 is considered on the acidic side and above 6.8 on the alkaline side. Water is neutral at 7.0. My saliva was a 6.0 and my urine was perfect at 6.5. Urine is the standard for measurement, according to my book, so I assume that I don't have an acid problem at all. Why should I be taking PPI's? Having a system that is over alkalinized can be harmful as well. What do you suggest for lowing pH? I have just started drinking chamomile and marshmallow root tea -- twice daily. Chamomile soothes and marshmallow actually absorbs the acid. Also added Flaxseed Oil for Omega 3's and 6's, good for digestion. Taking 2 acidophilus first thing in morning before breakfast. I will be starting my Calcium Magnesium supplement this evening with dinner. I know you recommend them separate, but Calcium is also a very good antacid -- hence the reason it is in so many OTC antacids (i.e. Tums, Rolaids). Magnesium, as you know, is also a great antacid (i.e Maalox, Mylanta, and Milk of Magnesia). I am thinking some enzymes, for improved digestion. I guess I'll know if it is working really well if I can get my saliva pH upto 6.5 also. The funny thing is I am very particular about the water that I drink, I insist on distilled -- it is the only way I feel sure that I know there is nothing weird in it, and I tested the pH of the water I faithfully drink 80 ozs of everyday and it was 6.0. Keep in mind that water is suppose to be neutral at 7.0. I was so mad. Here I am trying to alkalinize and I'm drinking lots of something that turns out is mildly acidic. So I am absolutely changing water brands. Let me know if you have suggestions. Thanks for the ear.

Aloe vera juice is the best! it balances PH levels out :)

I dont understand your problem? You have a lump in throat? I do too, when i swallow i fell lump kinda makes a noise too. I was diagnosed with an esophogeal ulcer.

I take ranitine. But what is your diagnoses? I am interested in your way of moderating accidity levels. Moreover, I eat what i want and i only stay away from spices and hot sauce and such. Seems like ranitidine neutralizes it. But, I am wondering what the lump has to do with the acidity being digested.

I too would like to know what goes into my body, if it has a negative effect on me, i would liek to know. Maybe i should start measuring accidity levels, where do you get that stuff. And is it important to do this, whY? Also measuring urine acidity? I'm just trying to put 2 and 2 together to find out the importance of acidity levels when dealing with ulcers.

ALL Bacteria grow and thrive in an alkaline environment. And, all bacteria die in an acid environment !! From Strep to vinerial diseases. So you want a slightly acidic saliva and urine

Your intake should be 75% alkline of both food and drink. Your bodies job is to make it slightly acidic for many reasons. All meats and most grains are acidic where as most fruits and veggies are alkaline.

You can take Magnesium supplements with meals but calcium being most anti acid interfere with digestion and there for absorption of other nutrients-- digeastion with stomach acids, and enzymes make a difficult combination to explain both you need both inthe proper proportion??

You are doing well. I get the address of a chart of both acidic and alkaline foods and drinks.

I write later--- Harry

That would be good to get a chart and some keto strips for urine, because thats the most accurate way to measure ph.

When you said this: "ALL Bacteria grow and thrive in an alkaline environment. And, all bacteria die in an acid environment !! From Strep to vinerial diseases. So you want a slightly acidic saliva and urine-"

-I went to the school health center the day of my final. Because I was feeling sick. My throat was hurting felt tired. I didn't sleep or eat well for few days. But I got tested for strept and mono(bacterial and venarial), I had neither. But I took a Z pack for the hell of it. I am wondering if my esophageal ulcer was causeing my throat to hurt from bacteria or acid. I was drinking tons of coffee and other hi acidic foods.

(I was taking adderal for studying and the day before i got sick i think i didn't eat much. The adderal is an amphetamine(for A.D.D.), and it suppresses my appetite which in turn caused big acid build up like 7am when i was sleeping.I woke up with horrible stomach pains like never before.

Anyways, after that bad night i thought i was sick but maybe my throat was killin me from the ulcer. I couldn't swallow well at all. But the next day after taking z pack and prevacid i felt fine. Do you think it could of been the ulcer. Cause the results were negative for bacterial and venarial.

Jon
You really need to go get an ulcer in the esopdagus checked out by a Medical care Professional. Ulcers can be a serious problem in that area.

The bacteria I was referring to are germs and viruses not digestive bacteria that inhabit your entire Gastro tract. Acid does not have to be that of lemon juice or the phosphoric acid in sodas(low pH) to be antibacterial. When you catch a cold --- your saliva will become alkaline. Gargle with a slighly acid water/vinegar 3 or 4 times will change the environment like a teaspoon of vinegar per 8 oz glass of water.

The site for a pretty complete chart of acidic / alkaline food is:

http://www.godsdirectcontact.com/vegetarian/alkalineoracid.html

It is pretty complete-- you may want to print it out as a referance ---
To follow a diet with 75% alkaline is no small feat-- It will take a serious committment-- drink only stream distilled water is almost a must.

Thanks for your response Harry. I think that the foods will be the best way to keep alkaline. I now that it will be difficult to follow 100% but I have change my eating in the last few days and seen an improvement in symptoms. The best thing has been walking 2 miles a day. It seems to really keep things moving. Also, not eating until I feel full. In other words leave your dinner plate half full and walk away. I am encoutering a few problems in my plan. I am having pregnancy complications and the doctor said no more 2 mile walks. Also, I seem to be better if I can keep myself from vomiting. Even though I am now in my 2nd trimester. I still throw up. I didn't for three days and my lump was gone. Last night however, I couldn't keep it in and today I have extreme throat irritation. It makes sense though that those sensative tissues being exposed so violently to pure acid would be adversly affected. I have read your posts about your wifes diagnosis, nutcraker syndrome. Those seem to be my main problems now. Sensation of food being stuck. It is difficult to take supplements. They seem to be stuck somewhere in there. Again I do not have heartburn or GERD, but I do seem to have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). Seems very similiar and may be directly related or the involved in the same process as the Nutcracker Syndrome. Well thanks again, if you have any additional comments I'd be grateful.

Srry for posting on your stuff hylnna.
Harry:
I did go to a GI, and had a barrium enema. reulsts were a very small esophageal ulcer. I think i might of got it from vommiting so much when i would get really drunk at college (still there). Also I thought it was from stress too. The doc gave me ranitidine and now im trying prevacid.

i agree with you when u say iys hard to get this diet down. Last night im drinking corona and eating cheesey goldfish. I doubt that was good for me. ANyways Im going to print this chart out and at least get my diet 50% better. It will be hard to cut out alcohol completely. But now i am going to watch out for getting too drunk. Because now i realize throwing up is very harmfull when i have this throat ulcer.

2 more questions: How does smoking effect these ulcers? I dont smoke cigaretted. But i do smoke a little of the "other stuff" around bedtime. I notice that sometimes, my throat is on fire, burning. I drink some juice or get a hard candy and it soothes it, but i wonder the damage im doing if any?

Mints and menthol, i was told that those irratate ulcers? I asked a MD at my school, she didn't know. But at the GI they said its bad, no reason, but thats what they said.