I am most thankful this week that I now understand that most of my acid reflux problems stemmed from GLUTEN INTOLLERANCE SINCE CHILDHOOD.

IF I DO NOT EAT GLUTEN FOODS (WHEAT, RYE, BARLEY, OR REGULAR OATS PROCESSED WITH WHEAT, OR MODIFIED FOOD STARCH) I DO NOT HAVE ACID REFLUX PROBLEMS UNLESS I EAT LYING DOWN AND OVER-INDULGE. I ONLY TAKE NEXIUM IF I HAVE CHEATED ON MY NEW DIET AND CONSUME WHEAT OR OTHER GLUTEN CONTAINING FOODS.

I AM FREE OF THE PAIN AS LONG AS I AVOID GLUTEN-RICH FOODS LIKE WHEAT.

Best of all, my local supermarkets, bakery and health food market all offer a wide range of officially marketed GLUTEN-FREE alternative grains, baked goods and cereals. I also have been a label reader for years due to the other food sensitivities and allergies related to CELIAC DISEASE cause by gluten intollerance or allergy.

Now, if I could just convince my family not to use toxic waste such as black pepper when I visit them for the holidays.

Esther of Kent