UGH, I have heartburn....or DO I?

I have lost track of how many friends and family members take medication because they have ‘heatburn’ or ‘acid reflux’.   As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner I try to practice what I preach to the very best of my ability, I like to enlighten them as to what is really going without being to pushy and wordy….it doesn’t always work though. So I thought I would blog about the facts and misconceptions etc.  Here it is..

If you have ever gone to your Dr. because you were experiencing heartburn they most likely gave you a prescription right?   And most likely it gave you the much-needed relief of your symptoms, right?

 Heartburn and Indigestion

Myth:

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid is too high and should be treated with antacids (Tums, sodium bicarbonate, milk of magnesia) or drugs which inhibit stomach acid secretion (Prilosec, Zantac, Pepcid).

Truth:

Heartburn often accompanies LOW stomach acid.  A nourishing diet accompanied with supplemental support instead of drugs (which can further increase nutrient malabsorption therefore aiding in the possibility for new health issues) can very often be the answer one is looking for.

The causes

Heartburn, indigestion and GERD result when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (the valve that closes of the stomach from the esophagus) malfunctions. Rather than tightly closing after food enters the stomach, it loosens and acidic stomach fluid escapes into the lower part of the esophagus causing a burning sensation.   90% of people with heartburn have low stomach acid… coincidence?                        This can happen from caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, food allergies, low stomach acid, acidic fruits, carbonated beverages, sugar, overeating, certain prescription drugs… Obviously, a lot of factors play into LES malfunction.  Dietary changes can go a long way in fixing this.

Heartburn RX negatives

So, why is reducing stomach acid with over-the-counter acid neutralizers (bicarbonate of soda, milk of magnesia, Malox, Tums…) or prescriptions (Prilosec, Zantac, Pepcid…) dangerous? Well..

• Low stomach acid cannot properly breakdown proteins into amino acids. Lack of amino acids in the bloodstream means less available neurotransmitters which can mean mood disorders like depression.  Further, food allergies can result when the undigested proteins escape into the bloodstream.
• Low stomach acid fosters imbalanced gut flora. Pathogenic bacteria, usually killed by the low stomach pH, can make their way into the intestines.  Also, lack of acidity in the stomach makes it more hospitable for bacterial growth (your the stomach should be relatively sterile).
• Low stomach acid leads to nutrient malabsorption. Specifically, when proteins aren’t fully broken down, B12 absorption is disrupted. Folate and iron absorption are affected as well.

Source: Why Stomach Acid is Good for you: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indegestion, Reflux and GERD

So what is the RIGHT treatment?

Now that medications and pills are pretty much out of the question, what is the real heartburn cure? Well, it is necessary to strengthen the LES by transitioning to a nourishing diet . It may also be necessary to remove any allergens from your diet and determine if you any sensitivities/allergies that you may not even be aware of.

Look into taking hydrochloric acid supplements (HCL) and digestive enzymes with your meals. This helps your body break down and absorb the nutrients in your food and can reduce heartburn. It is easy to determine your optimal HCL dosage. 

Finally, there are many steps to naturally bring your stomach to the proper pH, including both supplements like vitamin U and specific foods like raw honey and sea salt.  

If this hit home with you, then I highly suggest looking into a few simple changes.  Your Nutritional Therapy Practitioner would be happy to help you with this.

I hope this was helpful for you.