The vitamins that cause acid reflux are zinc and calcium, iron and potassium, B complex vitamins and vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).
These vitamins and supplements can cause or even worsen acid reflux in some cases, often by irritating your esophageal lining and triggering excess stomach acid or by relaxing your sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus.
Zinc and calcium are minerals also common in multivitamins can irritate your stomach lining if taken on an empty stomach.
Iron and potassium, which is also often found in multivitamins can actively trigger heartburn or aggravate existing acid reflux.
Unbuffered vitamin C is also highly acidic and can trigger a burning sensation in sensitive people, especially in high doses, often over 2,000 mg.
And for B complex vitamins, many people who take B complex vitamins often report burning, burping and heartburn symptoms after they take the B complex vitamin supplements.
To avoid the vitamin induced acid reflux, take the vitamins with food, and never take them on an empty stomach.
You can also try chewable vitamin tablets, powders or liquid form vitamins to make them easier for you to digest.
And look for buffered vitamin C like calcium ascorbate which is much gentler on your stomach.
And avoid taking the vitamins before laying down, and instead take the vitamins and supplements well before bed or exercising to allow them to digest fully.
A vitamin deficiency can also cause or worsen acid reflux in some cases, like a vitamin B12 deficiency as well as a vitamin B6 deficiency and vitamin D deficiency, which often is linked to worsening acid reflux or GERD symptoms.
Reflux medications like PPIs also frequently cause secondary deficiencies by blocking the stomach acid that is needed to absorb the nutrients.
The Vitamins B12 and B6 aid in production of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates your sleep and wake cycle and also helps to lower your esophageal sphincter, which is "the muscle that stops the acid from coming back up", to close properly.
And a deficiency in vitamin D is also tied to poor muscle contraction and relaxation, which can also weaken the lower sphincter, which increase your likelihood of acid backflow.
Stomach acid is also required to extract and absorb these nutrients from food and long term use of antacids or even proton pump inhibitors severely reduce stomach acid, which regularly results in deficiencies of magnesium, iron, calcium and vitamin B12.
The best probiotic for acid reflux is Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 (LG21).
Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 (LG21) is a great probiotic for acid reflux as it helps to digest proteins and also accelerate stomach emptying and keeps acid from lingering.
Other probiotics that are good for acid reflux include.
Bifidobacterium bifidum YIT 10347, which promotes mucin production and reinforces the stomach's natural barrier against acid.
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, helps acid reflux by reducing regurgitation, abdominal pain and gurgling.
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, is also proven to speed up gastric emptying and reduces the frequency of acid reflux episodes.
Good probiotic formulas and food sources for acid reflux include.
BioGaia Gastrus is a well-researched supplement tablet containing Lactobacillus reuteri.
UltraFlora or Multi-Strain GI blends are formulas that combine both Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species are shown to target multiple upper GI symptoms simultaneously.
If you tolerate dairy, plain unsweetened Greek yogurt can soothe and "cool" the stomach while supplying natural probiotics.
Other fermented options include kimchi, sauerkraut, or kefir.
And because the probiotic bacteria doesn't work directly in the harsh environment of the stomach, taking them consistently over 4 to 12 weeks allows them to shift the lower microbiome and regulate gut function over time.
Most experts also recommend starting with 1 to 10 billion CFUs daily, taken between meals (e.g., between lunch and dinner) so they can travel effectively into your intestines
Bye Bye Acid Reflux & Gerd liquid zeolite, Florastor Dual Action Probiotic, Seed DS-01 Synbiotic Probiotic Supplement and Now Acid Relief with Enzymes and even Dr. Berg Probiotics with prebiotic blend are all good supplements for acid reflux.