The Secrets to Training in MMA While You Have Acid Reflux
For those with acid reflux problems including acid reflux disease, GERD, and hiatus hernias MMA training and diet can sometimes be a challenge. However, at the same time, those who suffer from these problems can benefit greatly from MMA training and using some aspects as part of a natural treatment program even if they never intend to jump in the octagon for real. Of course, the right training and exercise can even help prevent medical conditions like this from occurring in others.
Acid reflux and GERD cause heartburn and other symptoms including regurgitation of food and stomach contents. A big part of this is due to diet and exercise which are obviously also the two biggest factors in MMA training.
Of course, if you have a hiatal hernia, you do need to be careful not to cause yourself further injury. However, building core muscle and strength can help prevent getting a hiatus hernia. There is a potential link between those with GERD and hiatus hernia, so you should spend extra time working your center body and abs.
Part of the root cause of reflux problems is digestion. Regular exercise and training promote good digestion and better metabolism. This prevents food from remaining in the stomach too long and has the potential to cause heartburn.
This doesn’t necessarily have to be incredibly grueling training for hours every day, but hitting an MMA class or the gym for an hour 3-5 times a week can do wonders along with regular walks. If you are currently suffering from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux you do need to be careful when you work out. Avoid training right after meals as bending over and laying down can trigger symptoms.
Diet can seem like a difficult issue for those who are really serious about their MMA training and have acid reflux. It can seem like what you want to achieve and what you need to do to avoid irritating symptoms requires two completely opposite diets. This is because it is highly acidic foods like eggs and red meat that are the biggest culprits in causing overproduction of stomach acid but are also favorites for those desiring to pack on muscle.
However, there are plenty of foods that can be incorporated into your diet that can keep you healthy and help you keep in incredible shape. MMA fighters also often eat a meal plan that is very effective for reducing reflux problems as it most often involves 6-7 small meals throughout the day as opposed to only a couple of large ones and encourages you to stay well hydrated with 6-10 glasses of water a day.
