Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What's the best way to take Refluxter?
A: For people taking Refluxter as a general preventative measure against acid reflux or LPR, it is best to take Refluxter 15-20 minutes after meals to allow the food to settle and mix with stomach acid. Do not take Refluxter before or with meals, as the food entering the stomach will disrupt the raft. * It is very important to remember this. Refluxter will not work well if you take it before or during meals. It must be taken after meals. * Also, do not eat food after taking Refluxter as food will disrupt the raft. It is ok to drink a small amount of liquid, but avoid eating solid foods. The raft lasts up to 4 hours so plan your meals accordingly.
For overt heartburn symptoms, as a rescue measure Refluxter can be taken at the time of symptoms. For more severe/extreme symptoms you can take an extra capsule if you feel that 2 capsules isn't relieving the heartburn.
In our opinion, everyone who often suffers from reflux and heartburn should take a daily serving of Refluxter 30 minutes before sleeping to help prevent acid reflux from damaging the esophagus and throat while laying flat during sleep. This is regardless whether one actually feels active reflux or heartburn symptoms. Also, sleeping on one's left side will allow the stomach and its gastric juices to remain lower than the esophagus, thereby preventing easy flow of acid up.
Q2: Why does Refluxter have a “Warning: Reproductive Harm” statement on it?
A: There is a California law called Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”) that mandates warnings be given to consumers in various circumstances. For example, under Prop 65 an exposure to an amount of lead over 0.5 micrograms (mcg) per day would require a reproductive toxicity warning. The level requiring a reproductive toxicity warning is set at a level around 1000 times less than the level of exposure where there is no observable effect of harm, a level which is far lower than that set by the FDA. One serving (2 capsules) of Refluxter contains less than 0.5 mcg of lead. If we had stated to take Refluxter only once a day we would not have been required to give a Prop 65 warning for California residents. However, we wanted people to be aware that they can take Refluxter after every meal and before bedtime if desired. 8 capsules of Refluxter (~1.76 mcg) contain far less lead than found in common food items such as 8 oz of raw dark tuna (~39.1 mcg) and a 40 g chocolate bar (~3.0 mcg). Even fruits can contain lead. A single serving (one cup or 230 grams) of grapefruit contains approximately 5.98 mcg of lead, which exceeds the Proposition 65 limit by nearly 12 times. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates the average adult consumes around 50 micrograms of lead per day, which is 100 times the Prop 65 limit. The FDA's interim reference level for lead is 8.8 mcg/day for females of childbearing age, with a 10x safety factor built in (the FDA had determined 88 mcg is the upper limit of safety, but wanted a 10x safety factor to err on the side of caution). This ensures lead intake stays well below levels associated with health risks.
Some Prop 65 chemicals, such as lead, are prevalent in the soil of the natural environment, and they unavoidably end up in supplements that contain natural ingredients. Products with synthetic ingredients or which are heavily processed can more easily avoid introducing or remove natural contaminants. This unfairly impacts natural products.
Q3: Does Refluxter work for LPR?
A: Yes, Refluxter works great for LPR. Make sure to take 2 capsules after every meal. Do not skip a dose since LPR is more difficult to treat since pepsin can be a gas. You may need to take an extra capsule at night before sleep for severe LPR. Alginate is safe at even high doses, but monitor calcium and sodium intake if you have kidney or blood pressure issues.
Source: Lechien, J.-R., Mouawad, F., Bobin, F., Bartaire, E., Crevier-Buchman, L., & Saussez, S. (2021). Review of management of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. *European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases*, *138*(4), 257-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anorl.2020.11.002
Q4: Can I take Refluxter after every meal?
A: Yes, you can take Refluxter after every meal and before bedtime. However, be mindful of the calcium and sodium intake if you have any kidney or blood pressure issues.
Many people like to take Refluxter just before going to sleep to help them deal with the acid hitting their throat when laying flat during sleep.
Q5: Is Refluxter safe to take during pregnancy?
A: Yes the non-systemic nature of the ingredients used in Refluxter make it safe for use while pregnant.
From the literature on alginate use during pregnancy, no particular risks have been shown to date for both the mother and unborn baby when alginate had been administered during all the pregnancy trimesters.
Source: Quartarone G. Gastroesophageal reflux in pregnancy: a systematic review on the benefit of raft forming agents. Minerva Ginecol. 2013 Oct;65(5):541-9. PMID: 24096290.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24096290
Q6: How long does it take for Refluxter to start working?
A: Refluxter starts to work very quickly. You should feel its effects within 10-15 minutes after taking it. The “raft” that is formed can last up to 4 hours.
Q7: Are there any dietary restrictions when taking Refluxter?
A: There are no dietary restrictions. You can take Refluxter without it affecting your lifestyle. Carry Refluxter with you when you know you are going to eat something that will cause heartburn.
Q8: Can I take Refluxter with other medications like proton pump inhibitors?
A: After thoroughly reviewing the scientific literature on potential interactions, we found no evidence that the nutrients in Refluxter would adversely interact with prescription medications or interfere with the formation of the raft. However, it is best not to take Refluxter and other medications or supplements at the same time. You can take other medications or supplements 1 hour before Refluxter (at the minimum 15 minutes before) or 4 hours after Refluxter. This allows other medications or supplements to not be caught in the alginate raft. If you take medications at the same time as Refluxter there is a chance the medications can be caught in the raft and absorption will be delayed until the raft itself dissolves, which could take up to 4 hours. If you are taking prescription medications and considering taking Refluxter, we recommend consulting with your physician first.
With regards to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), Refluxter can still form its protective raft as long as there’s some acid in the stomach. Research shows that taking a PPI once a day reduces acid by about 70%, while taking it twice a day reduces it by up to 95%. Even with PPIs, most people still produce enough acid for the raft to work effectively.
Studies have also been done where it was shown that adding an alginate to a PPI regimen improves symptomatic control. Refluxter, unlike PPIs like Prilosec and H2 blockers like Pepcid AC, does not interfere with your body's natural production of stomach acid.
Q9:Can I eat or drink after taking Refluxter?
A: For the best results, it’s best to avoid eating or drinking right after taking Refluxter. However, if you do, it won’t cause any harm. The protective alginate raft has a foamy, gel-like consistency, allowing liquids and food to pass through with the help of natural digestion. Drinking small amounts of liquid shouldn’t have much impact, but eating can significantly disrupt the raft’s effectiveness.
Q10: Where do the ingredients for Refluxter come from and where is it made and packaged?
A: The ingredients for Refluxter come from all over the world. Our suppliers for the raw ingredients change often so we can not legally say exactly where each ingredient comes from because that could change from batch to batch. Each raw ingredient for every production run is tested for purity to meet strict industry regulations. Refluxter is manufactured and packaged in the USA at a facility that is certified to follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and whose factory is routinely inspected and audited by NSF International, the leading authority in supplement regulation in the USA. Please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSF_International to learn more about NSF.
Q11: Why is Refluxter the best sodium alginate supplement for acid reflux in the USA?
A: Refluxter delivers the highest sodium alginate content per serving of any supplement in the U.S.—with 4x to 8x more sodium alginate than its two largest competitors. Our 1,400 mg proprietary alginate complex contains slightly over 1,000 mg of pure sodium alginate per serving, making it the most concentrated option available.
In comparison:
• A leading competitor has a 425 mg proprietary alginate complex, where sodium alginate is not the first ingredient. By law, this means it must contain less than 212.5 mg of sodium alginate—at least 4x less than Refluxter.
• Another competitor has a 245 mg proprietary alginate complex, again with sodium alginate not listed first. This means it contains less than 122.5 mg of sodium alginate—8x less than Refluxter.
Beyond its unmatched potency, Refluxter is unflavored, avoiding common reflux triggers like chocolate and citrus, which are found in other brands. Its easy-to-swallow capsule format eliminates the mess and hassle of gels and liquids. Plus, it contains no preservatives or sweeteners, ensuring a cleaner formula.
When you compare the facts, it’s clear—Refluxter is the most powerful and convenient sodium alginate supplement available today.