The Shocking Truth About Reflux And Antacids
Did you know that the vast majority of people who suffer reflux and heartburn actually don’t produce enough acid in their stomach, and antacids make the problem worse?
Too much stomach acid is a very rare condition. Too little stomach acid is called hypochlorhydria and it affects more than 50 percent of people over the age of 40.
Low stomach acid can produce a lot of the same symptoms as high stomach acid, helping to explain why antacids are so frequently used.
Long term use of antacids can do enormous harm to your health.
What are the symptoms of insufficient stomach acid?
Each of the symptoms below may give you clues that your stomach is not producing enough acid:- Abdominal bloating after meals
- Feeling tired after meals
- Reflux and heartburn
- Weak nails
- Ridges on the nails
- Weak and thinning scalp hair
- Red cheeks
- Burping and passing gas
- Bad breath
- Eczema and acne
Why are antacids given to people with low stomach acid?
The interesting thing is that in the vast majority of cases, people with heartburn and reflux do not make too much stomach acid; the acid is just in the wrong location, causing burning and irritation to the esophagus (food pipe) and throat. The esophagus transports food to your stomach after you’ve swallowed it. There is a valve at the end of the esophagus, controlling the entry of food to the stomach. This valve is known as the esophageal sphincter, cardiac sphincter or gastro-esophageal sphincter (all names for the same thing). Once food has entered your stomach and your stomach has secreted some acid, the sphincter tightens, helping to prevent food and acid from traveling in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. The stomach contents need to be at a sufficiently low pH (meaning very acidic) in order to keep that valve closed tightly. If there is not enough acid in the stomach (as occurs in people with hypochlorhydria), the valve becomes more loose and allows acid and stomach contents to travel upwards and cause the symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn. If there is too much bad bacteria in the stomach and intestines, they release gases which travel upwards and compromise the integrity of the eophageal sphincter. Giving the patient an antacid does control those symptoms, by severely blocking acid production, but it is not addressing the source of the problem.What causes low stomach acid?
Low stomach acid is an incredibly common problem and there are several factors responsible:- Stress, anxiety and tension are your digestive system’s worst enemies. If you eat while in an emotional state, you will not be making enough stomach acid or digestive enzymes.
- Food allergy, intolerance or sensitivity. The irony is that low stomach acid makes you more likely to develop a food allergy, and having a food allergy can inhibit normal acid production. It is very important to identify and remove problematic foods. Gluten and dairy products are a common culprit but there could be others. Our book The Ultimate Detox contains a gluten and dairy free eating plan.
- Mineral deficiencies. Zinc and sodium are required for hydrochloric acid production. Zinc deficiencies are very common, especially among vegetarians. Sodium deficiency is not common; it can occur in athletes or people who have experienced diarrhea or vomiting.
- High sugar diets.
- Inflammation of the lining of the stomach, known as gastritis can inhibit acid secretion.
- Food allergy, autoimmune disease and infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori can all result in gastritis.
What to do about hypochlorhydria
The most important initial strategy is to take a hydrochloric acid supplement. This is known as betaine hydrochloride and is available in capsule form combined with digestive enzymes, known as Super Digestive Enzymes. People who don’t make enough stomach acid generally don’t produce enough digestive enzymes either. Taking a supplement will help you absorb more goodness from the food you eat, and in this way help to correct the symptoms of hypochlorhydria listed above. This supplement is particularly good for strengthening the hair and nails.Other recommendations
- Make sure you obtain plenty of zinc in your diet. Zinc is found predominantly in seafood, eggs, poultry and red meat. Nuts and seeds contain some zinc, but the phytic acid in these foods impairs its absorption.
- Increase your consumption of bitter foods. When your taste buds register a bitter taste, signals travel along your vagus nerve that stimulate your stomach to secrete acid. It’s a good idea to nibble on something bitter tasting at the beginning of a meal, to trigger acid production. Examples of bitter foods include radicchio lettuce, endive, chicory and bitter melon.
- Include natural acids in your diet. These include vinegar, lemon and lime juice. It is a good idea to put a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a quarter of a mug of warm water and sip it before a meal.
- Glutamine is healing and soothing to the entire lining of the digestive system. It offers wonderful symptomatic relief for burning and irritation.
- Give your digestive system a rest. Sometimes acid production is inhibited by rushed eating and over eating. Try having a day every so often where you only consume raw vegetable juice. The nutrients in raw juices are extremely easy to absorb because the tough cell walls of the vegetables have been broken down. Cabbage is particularly soothing to an inflamed stomach. Try making juice from a combination of raw cabbage, celery, carrot, parsley and pear. There are more recipe ideas in my book Raw Juices Can Save Your Life. If you are a diabetic please do not undertake a juice fast.
A word of caution
Antacids do have a role to play in managing severe heartburn or reflux. If allowed to continue, these conditions can cause inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, and that is a risk factor for esophageal cancer. Sometimes antacids are necessary, but in general they are very over prescribed and only mask symptoms; they do not address the underlying digestive disorder. Please consult with your doctor before discontinuing any medication. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.Know someone who might benefit from this article? Share it!
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If it’s faulty or wrongly described, we’ll replace it.
Your hair loss may be secondary to your medications.
Statins are prescribed for high cholesterol not GERD.
It may be that the overuse of antacids may be causing poor digestion of proteins and, depending on your age, causing the roots of your hair to become closer to the surface of the skin and less able to be tightly anchored to the scalp.
Increase your protein consumption by following Dr Cabot’s Keto Diet Guide, which also reduces the consumption of inflammogens in your diet and GERD may disappear.
Supplementation is very important and Dr Cabot prescribes Collagen Food, Tyrosine Pure and Thyroid Health Capsules.
Kind regards
Victoria
Naturopath for Dr Cabot
This article offers advice for reflux:
https://www.liverdoctor.com/reflux/
Kind regards,
Louise
Thank you for your enquiry,
Some medications can cause constipation, so if you are taking any drugs it may be causing stool hardening.
Rather than concentrating on additional supplements to relieve your constipation, it may be diet and lifestyle factors that are still contributing to your constipation.
Before adding more supplementation we suggest you adopt an anti-inflammatory diet and we are delighted to let you know that Dr Cabot’s highly acclaimed 15 Day Cleanse is available and provides you with two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. This is an anti-inflammatory program and the supplements are immune boosting, body alkalinising and gut healing.https://www.liverdoctor.com/15-day-cleanse.html
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan.https://www.liverdoctor.com/dr-cabot-ultimate-maintenance-plan.html
Remember to drink sufficient water each day (70 fluid ounces/2 litres) and daily exercise of at least 30 minutes brisk walking.
Constipation may also occur when the liver is not producing sufficient or toxic bile and Dr Cabot prescribes
Livatone Plus – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function.https://www.liverdoctor.com/livatone-plus.html
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.https://www.liverdoctor.com/msm-plus-vitamin-c-powder-100-grams.html
If the above do not rectify your constipation concerns, ask your doctor to do a thorough check of your thyroid. As a preliminary test, you can check your basal temperature each morning for a week and if it is under 360C for most of the readings there is a stronger reason to have your thyroid checked. This is how you do it,https://www.liverdoctor.com/know-theres-easy-way-test-thyroid-function-home/.
Kind regards
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
not take this. this can cause more problem. need help finding a healthier solution.
Thank you for your enquiry/email.
There are many causes of stomach pains and bloating, and the ER doctors may have considered you had a case of reflux and they usually prescribe these quite dangerous drugs to relieve symptoms that are usually a result of eating an inflammatory diet.
We are delighted to let you know that Dr Cabot’s highly acclaimed 15 Day Cleanse is available and provides you with two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. This is an anti-inflammatory program and the supplements are immune boosting, body alkalinising and gut healing.https://www.liverdoctor.com/15-day-cleanse.html. Most people find they are able to stop taking any PPIs that have been prescribed for them.
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan.https://www.liverdoctor.com/dr-cabot-ultimate-maintenance-plan.html.
Kind regards
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
My name is Rita, very good information
I being strangled with different health problems barret esofagous, gall stones,cist in the liver, fatty liver,cist in my uterus, inflammation in the uterus, inflammation ,every time after eating my stomach is burning, I'm overwhelming can you please reply to me thank-you so much.
Thank you for your enquiry.
Most of your health concerns may have arisen from your present diet and lifestyle.
In light of having Barrett’s Oesophagitis, it is likely that you have had digestive concerns for a considerable time, and depending how long you have been taking reflux medication you may have other concerns that have not been revealed.
To effectively reverse your many concerns there are some changes to be made to diet, as well as supportive supplements to support reversal of your many ailments.
We are delighted to let you know that Dr Cabot has recently released her 15 Day Cleanse - Two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. This is an anti-inflammatory program and the supplements are immune boosting, body alkalinising and gut healing.
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan.
To boost liver health and your vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes
Livatone Plus – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant and potent detoxifier.
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.
You may purchase these supplements and Dr Cabot’s books athttps://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Please send us another email in 2 – 3 months to let us know of your progress and how we can help you more.
Kind regards,
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
Celiac disease causes malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies, and that can cause hair loss.
Glutamine should help to make your gut lining healthier, thus allowing you to absorb more nutrients. Iron or B12 deficiency can cause hair loss. Hair, Skin & Nails Food capsules should improve the quality of your hair and reduce tendency to fall out.
Kind regards,
Margaret Jasinska- Naturopath for Liverdoctor.com
A gluten, dairy and sugar free diet should help.
Glutamine is wonderful for providing symptomatic relief and also healing and protecting the gastrointestinal lining. You may benefit from taking one teaspoon after each meal.
Kind regards,
Margaret Jasinska- Naturopath for Liverdoctor.com
Many thanks!
We recommend you read this article for further info:https://www.liverdoctor.com/acid-reflux-how-can-we-treat-it/
You may benefit from taking
Magnesium Powder – In a dose of ½ teaspoon twice daily in water or vegetable juices to strengthen the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach.
Glutamine – Is an amino acid that can reduce inflammation in the lining of the stomach and good results can be achieved by taking one teaspoon of pure glutamine powder twice daily in coconut, dairy or almond milk.
Probiotics – Adding healthy bacteria can help to balance out the digestive tract and stop the proliferation of bad bacteria that can lead to indigestion, leaky gut and poor nutrient absorption. Probiotic foods include kimchi, sauerkraut, miso and kombucha.
These can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Let us know how you get on.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
No red base food , no coffee, no chocolate and careful with spicy food .
I just recently had serious back surgery and have been experiencing acid reflux constantly
I’ve been diagnosed with GERDS 9 years ago
Now I’m experiencing swollen ankles
Recently blood work shows my liver enzymes are high , non alcohol fatty liver when I had two epidermals in 2017
My cholesterol is high but refuse to take any of the statins they aggravate my stomache
I had h pylori but not any more
I’m tired of looking like I’m pregnant and with back surgery it’s extremely hard to deal with in the middle of the night with reflux
I don’t know what to do any more
Help me
Try turmeric.
They help me.
Sometimes sparkling mineral water also helps.
A gluten, dairy and sugar free diet that is low FODMAP should help significantly to give you relief.
Glutamine is soothing to the entire digestive tract. If you have a teaspoon in a little water after dinner this should reduce reflux in the night.
It’s very likely you don’t produce enough digestive enzymes. Taking a supplement should improve digestive comfort.
Regards,
Margaret Jasinska,
Naturopath for Liverdoctor.com
MS is an autoimmune disease, and as such, you should follow a gluten free diet. We have an excellent book called 'Healing Autoimmune Disease' that can enlighten you.
Dr Cabot recommends you take SELENOMUNE one capsule daily, and NAC 2 capsules twice daily and MAGNESIUM ULTRA POTENT POWDER 1 tsp daily.
You also need to take Betaine HCL capsules in middle of your meals, otherwise you are not digesting your food.
Please get blood test to check your levels of vitamin B 12, as Omeprazole can cause B 12 deficiency which will worsen MS.
You can follow the eating plan in Dr Cabot's book titled FATTY LIVER – You Can Reverse It.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant