Reflux Gourmet FAQ
Reflux Gourmet’s Proprietary Alginate Complex (Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Alginate, Sodium Bicarbonate), dextrose, deionized water, natural flavor, grapefruit seed extract, polylysine
(Our “natural flavors” are simply highly purified extracts of the noted flavors. We do not hide any ingredients.)
The general directions for use are as stated on the packaging: Take 1 teaspoon (5 ml), or more as needed or as directed by your physician, after meals and before bed.
These general directions address the most common times for reflux to occur, but our Rescue products may be taken anytime. Some individuals may take our product preemptively, when they know they will suffer from reflux, or as needed – when discomfort arises. (If taken around food, it should be consumed last.)
That being said, there are as many experiences of reflux as there are reflux sufferers. You must work in partnership with your physician to ensure that your individual needs are thoroughly assessed and safely addressed.
With this vast spectrum of needs in mind, it is safe to experiment with our formula to discover what best meets your needs.
You do not have to take 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the product. While one teaspoon (5ml) may be the perfect average amount to relieve reflux suffering in some, others may require more or less. You may adjust the amount of Mint Chocolate Rescue and Vanilla Caramel Rescue to the lowest amount necessary to meet your individual needs to improve your quality of life.
Our Rescue formula performs best if it is consumed last and the alginate barrier raft is left to set up and protect your esophagus undisturbed.
Some individuals drink water without regard to the Rescue product they have consumed without losing the effect they desire, and others choose to wait for a while.
If you eat again soon after taking our Rescue products, you may need to take another serving to achieve the relief you need.
Again, the bottom line is that our formula is basically a foodstuff and very safe to experiment with to find what works best for your individual needs. There is nothing in our formula that is not in the average grocery cart.
Yes, you may dilute the product if it is too viscous for you to consume. Keep in mind, however, that the thickness of the product was formulated to provide optimal coating and protection of your throat and esophagus. Though diluting the product is possible, it may reduce the protective function and/or length of action.
Our formula does not interfere with the actions of any medications or vitamins/supplements. Our protective barrier raft does work best undisturbed, so remember to take any pills before our Rescue products, consuming our formula last in order to allow the alginate barrier to set up and provide optimal protection.
Each 5 ml serving of our Rescue products contains 425 mg of Reflux Gourmet’s Proprietary Alginate Complex. Due to the proprietary nature of our formula, we cannot disclose exact amounts. However, we have come to understand that the quality of the alginate far outweighs the quantity when it comes to the barrier raft formation and protecting the esophagus. We are proud that the form and function of our all-natural raft consistently out-performs all of our competitors in lab comparisons. We are committed to remaining 100% all-natural while maintaining such stellar quality of performance.
The all-natural dextrose does double duty. Alginate tastes terrible, and the sweetener plays a part in covering that up; but most importantly, dextrose is one of nature’s original preservatives. We are happy to use sugar since it means keeping our formula 100% natural and safe.
The FDA requires us to round up on labels, so the actual sugar content per 5 ml is 7 calories, the industry equivalent of many vitamins and supplements. Also note that while dextrose does begin the list of “other” ingredients, Reflux Gourmet’s Proprietary Alginate Complex makes up the bulk of the product.
Our product is the only 100% all-natural alginate on the market with a patent-pending all-natural preservative profile that not only prevents bacteria from growing in it (should it be accidently exposed) – which is the FDA’s bar for safety, but it will kill any contaminant should the product be accidentally exposed – this is OUR bar for safety. We would have to resort to synthetic preservatives (such as the cancer-causing paraben used in other formulas) to achieve this level of protection if we removed the dextrose, and we are committed to remaining entirely natural and safe.
Our product is used by the most fragile and vulnerable populations – children, pregnant women, immunosuppressed patients, immunocompromised patients – and we are committed to providing a formula with this gold standard of safety.
No. Unlike other alginate products on the market, our products do not contain any potassium to worry those with kidney issues, or glycerin to cause GI upset and irritation.
The recommended dose (1 teaspoon or 5 ml) of Reflux Gourmet’s Rescue products has only 40 mg of sodium.
Yes. Our plant-based products are gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty free.
Our products are also free from common allergens (such as peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish, crustacean, tree nuts, and wheat), as well as any artificial additives (including sweetener, flavoring, or color), and dairy-free.
Reflux Gourmet’s products are proud to be all-natural and made in the USA.
While patients taking certain medications are warned of grapefruit juice, grapefruit seed extract is a different substance.
There is 25-30 mg of grapefruit seed extract per 5 ml. If taken three time daily, it will not exceed 100 mg, and there is no maximum daily allowance for grapefruit seed extract.
The capacity for grapefruit seed extract to produce drug interactions remains unknown. Like all botanical products, grapefruit seed extract is a complex material with numerous phytochemicals that remain largely uncharacterized with respect to drug pharmacokinetics.
That being said, any decisions regarding medication regimen and potential for interactions should be made in partnership with your treating physician and pharmacist.
While it is true that PPIs will decrease the acid in your stomach, studies are showing evidence that even while being treated with PPIs, there is consistently an “acid pocket” on top of your stomach contents. Thus, those still experiencing discomfort while on their PPIs may feel relief using our product as it would be activated by this very “acid pocket.”
Sodium Alginate is an extract of brown seaweed and is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It should not have an effect on bowel movements. Nonetheless, alginate may not be for everyone, and if you experience any untoward GI side effects it is prudent to stop the supplement and consult with your physician.
No. Although products that have these elements as active ingredients may exacerbate reflux in people with a predisposition (mint chocolate ice cream, for example), the amounts of all-natural mint and chocolate extract in Mint Chocolate Rescue are not in sufficient quantities to be considered “mint” and “chocolate” by the FDA and do NOT promote reflux. Our physicians are well-aware of common triggers for reflux and would never create a product that would exacerbate reflux. Instead, we have created the only “mint and chocolate” that is actually good for reflux!
Yes. We have, of course, tested just such scenarios to ensure product stability and safety. The product should be fine and perform as intended, but the product should be allowed to return to room temperature before consuming. And note that the color may darken after being exposed to such temperatures, but the function will remain unaffected.
While the FDA does not require an expiration date on nutritional supplements, you will find the expiration date stamped into the flat end of the tube where it is sealed, and/or laser printed on the cap.
This is actually a “best if used by” date. However, just as with any other product, if at any time your product appears compromised, please do not consume it.
We are actively working to make our products internationally available. If you would like to be notified when Reflux Gourmet products are available in your country, please share your email and country of residence with us at info@refluxgourmet.com.
Our Rescue products are not yet certified Kosher. We are working on it. While our ingredients are all kosher, there is a packaging process we are in the midst of adjusting. Once this is accomplished, we will submit for Kosher certification.
Yes, these changes are normal. Our all-natural formula may separate a bit when resting, or vary in color/consistency, especially after being exposed to the extreme temperatures.
We recommend rotating the way the tube is stored to promote mixing – one side, then the other, each end. But the product remains effective and safe either way – so, if you stir it up, the issue should be resolved.
Our functional alginate gum for reflux, the first of its kind in the world, can be used anytime. It really is that simple. Stick a pack in your pocket, and if you feel any reflux discomfort during your day, chew a piece!
Chew your piece of gum for as long as you desire relief. In addition to the active ingredients there for your benefit, the act of chewing itself stimulates saliva production (which contains your body’s own bicarbonate, or antacid) and swallowing (which mechanically returns food to where it belongs).
For more information on this cutting-edge innovation, read through our section on GUM FOR REFLUX RELIEF, https://refluxgourmet.com/gum-for-reflux-relief/
(If you rely on our Vanilla Caramel Rescue and Mint Chocolate Rescue to address your reflux, keep in mind that our gum does not take the place of our Rescue products in your daily routine; it is simply another tool in your box to fight reflux on the go.)
Functional gum is not candy. Unlike confectionary gum such as Wrigley’s and Bubbalicious that have no health benefits, functional gum contains active ingredients intended to help the chewer – this is what makes it a dietary supplement.
In order to protect the active ingredients and ensure their effectiveness, functional gum cannot be manufactured in the same way as candy gum. This means that you may notice that the supplement crumbles in your mouth when first chewed, and then gums together; or that the gum tablet is sensitive to temperature – becoming harder at colder temperatures; or that the gum itself is slightly stiffer than confectionary gum.
This is also why you will feel better!