While we all know the feeling, nearly half Americans regularly experience heartburn and reflux, and most statistics we have underestimate its prevalence because this condition is so commonly undocumented and simply treated with antacids from the Citgo down the street.

That being said, acid-reducers are the third most commonly prescribed drugs, pulling in between 15 and 20 BILLION dollars annually (I’m almost tempted to change careers).  All of these drugs essentially have the same goal- suppress stomach acid (HCl). But what if having too much acid isn’t really the problem and our body is saying something entirely different?

Current experts agree that although these drugs can temporarily relieve symptoms of heartburn and reflux, they do nothing to deal with the underlying causes (what our bodies are saying) and usually make things worse!  From key nutrient deficiencies, cognitive impairment, auto-immune risks, kidney and skeletal issues, there is a hefty price to pay for being on acid reducers for more than a short time. These drugs were only approved for short-term use: 3 weeks or less, a fact that has been lost on many. From the hundreds of people I’ve worked with concerning this issue, I believe long-term use of medication for acid reflux to be equally as devastating as the condition itself.

So what are the true underlying causes of acid reflux?

• Insufficient stomach acid (HCl) If you’ve believed that reflux was the result of too much acid, you’re not alone.  But quite the opposite is true.  When researchers at the Tohama Clinic in Washington measured the stomach acid of those suffering from acid reflux, 90% of the time it was low.  Moreover, they found that excess stomach acid was extremely rare and was hardly  ever associated with acid reflux.  Turns out the commercials were wrong!
• Dysfunction of the LES.  The LES is the muscle that separates your stomach from your esophagus.  Enormously important, it only opens to let foods and liquids enter the stomach, and occasionally to let gases and food come back up.  Dysfunction of the LES can allow stomach acid to leak upwards into the sensitive esophagus, bronchial tubes, and throat.  Here a few causes of this dysfunction:
  • Inflammatory foods- this list is different for every person but can include alcohol, sugar, soft-drinks, excess caffeine, nightshade plants, vegetable oils (especially fried).
  • Hiatal hernia- This uncomfortable condition happens when you have a stretching or tear in the diaphragm, allowing part of your stomach to protrude up into the thoracic cavity.
  • Inflammation- from stress, smoking, and taking certain medications.
  • Food allergies or sensitivities
  • Obesity- puts pressure on the stomach and causes LES dysfunction.
• Bacterial or yeast infection

WHY WE NEED STOMACH ACID (The darkside of acid reducers)

One of the most important functions of stomach acid is to inhibit bacterial growth.  It’s our first line of defense against harmful bacteria that enter us through the mouth or nose. Stomach acid kills off many intruders.  As you might guess, when our stomach acid is low, or when we reduce it, pathogenic bacteria can survive and create lots of problems.  H. Pylori is a specific type of bacteria that can flourish when stomach acid is low, causing bacterial infections that lead to acid reflux, ulcers, and bloating.

We need stomach acid for other things as well.  Without adequate levels of stomach acid, the body cannot properly digest and absorb protein, calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin D and B12 from our food.  Without sufficient stomach acid, we’ll become increasingly deficient in these nutrients, leading to a myriad of conditions like dehydration, anemia, fatigue, depression, or even osteoporosis over time.  When people tell me that they suffer from leg cramps, muscle fatigue, or bronchial issues like asthma, one of my first questions is if they take medication for acid reflux.  They almost always do!  Moreover, when protein isn’t properly digested, it can wind up in our blood, causing a cascading immune response that can lead to food allergies and autoimmune conditions like Hashimotos, lupus, fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis.

So, if insufficient stomach acid leads to bacterial infections, poor digestion, and nutrient deficiencies, you can understand why taking acid reducing drugs, while offering immediate and short-term relief, ends up making all these worse! There continue to be new reports each year about side-effects of taking acid-reducers long-term: kidney failure, memory loss, osteoporosis, and more.

*If you have severe bacterial or yeast infections, these must be addressed before sustained healing can occur.

1. Put out the FIRE and heal the DAMAGE

• Drink lots of water! The skin around your GI tract requires even more hydration than your outer skin does. The best way to avoid and treat ulcers is to be well hydrated!
• Avoid the inflammatory foods that trigger acid reflux for you (listed on pg 1). Depending on severity, you may consider an elimination or rotation diet to further determine food sensitivities.
• Aloe Vera-  One of my favorite anti-inflammatory herbs–drinking aloe is one of the best things you can do to put out the fire. Use a trusted practitioner to help you pick a good quality aloe.
• Collagen/Bone broth/L-Glutamine: These are great aids for any type of gut healing.
• B12 -  if you’ve had gut problems or been on the meds, you’re probably low in B12. But your body needs it for repairing your gut!2. Reestablish healthy levels of stomach acid and enzymes. This is a critical step in knocking out acid reflux.

2. Reestablish healthy levels of stomach acid and enzymes.

• HCl/ Digestive Enzymes: For many people, restoring healthy digestion will involve taking HCl and enzymes in a supplement form. When taking HCl, make sure it is Betaine HCl that contains Pepsin, and be sure to work with a knowledgeable practitioner.
• Digestive Bitters: Used by various cultures for thousands of years, they naturally stimulate stomach acid and digestive enzyme production by our bodies.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Use as a digestive aid 15 minutes before a meal.

3. Reestablish healthy gut flora

• Supplement with probiotics, particularly those with SaccB and soil-based organisms (SBOs).
• Minimize exposure to antibiotics, GMOs, and highly processed carbohydrates.
• Eat probiotic and fiber-rich foods. Some of my favorites are yogurt (without added sugar), kefir, kombucha, kimchi and fermented vegetables of all kinds.

Want more information on this subject, check out Jonathan Wright’s book, Why Stomach Acid is Good for You.  Don’t want to read a 300 page book on stomach acid?  Make an appointment to come talk to me through message on our facebook page or call the Natural Food Store at 501-268-9585.  God bless.

Eric McMullen, C.N.C, M.Ed.