Introduction
It's estimated that 25-40% of Americans suffer from GERD and acid reflux symptoms. These can commonly be paired with other symptoms such as:
Dry mouth
Bitter taste in mouth
Excessive belching (especially after meals)
Bloating
Hiccups that are tough to stop
Difficulty swallowing
Bad breath
Ulcers
Most people who experience this unpleasant symptom often avoid trigger foods or reach for antacids and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) for relief. However, food avoidance and turning off functions of the body is not the answer for healing from this disease. This article will explore common contributors to acid reflux as well as dive into the mechanisms of its origin.
Mechanism of Action
The commonly accepted belief is that acid reflux, and similar symptoms, are a result of too much stomach acid being produced and therefore making its way up the esophagus. However, this has only been speculated. Research has actually observed the opposite to be true. Acid reflux commonly results from the body making too little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). This may sound counterintuitive, however let's dive into this.
There is a valve where the esophagus and stomach meet called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The LES is a band of muscle fibers that close the contents of the stomach off from the esophagus. It is hypothesized that the LES needs to sense adequate stomach acid levels before sealing. Low stomach acid can cause this valve to remain open and allow for a backward movement of contents into the esophagus causing GERD and acid reflux.
Possible Contributors
While it is useful to know the mechanism behind acid reflux and similar disease, it is important to understand the cause. Chronic stress is the simple answer for low hydrochloric acid (HCL) production. As mentioned in RH 101, chronic stress contributes to the suppression of "non-survival" systems in the body, and being in this sympathetic nervous system state can lower HCL production and allow the LES to remain open.
Here are some common contributors to chronic stress as it pertains to acid reflux:
Poor diet
H. Pylori overgrowth/infection
Poor gut health
Poor diet
Histamine overload
Smoking
Alcohol
Dysbiosis
Nutrient deficiencies
HCL's Role
Our stomach produces HCL in response to eating. For simplicity, HCL serves three primary functions:
Wash the food we eat
Breakdown protein into amino acids
Stimulate the gallbladder to release bile and neutralize HCL
As you can see, synthetically lowering HCL long-term could have major implications in our overall health.
Action!
If you or someone you know suffers from acid reflux or similar conditions, there are ways to optimize HCL, reverse the disease and improve gut and overall health!
Supplements for Relief
DGL - Calms the stomach and helps repair the mucosal lining of the stomach.
Ginger - Reduces indigestion and also improves emptying of the stomach. Delayed gastric emptying can contribute to heartburn and acid reflux.
Supplements to Support Digestive Function
Betaine HCL with Pepsin - Supplementing with HCL is a great way to immediately improve digestion and reduce acid reflux. Use caution with this, however. Supplemental HCL should be avoided if ulcers are present.
Ox Bile - This may be needed if there is a long history of PPI use or if the gallbladder has been removed. This provides bile salts to neutralize stomach acid before getting to the small intestine. Additionally, bile is responsible for emulsifying fats for further digestion.
Digestive Enzymes - Usually when the body is under producing HCL, enzymes are also in short supply. Supplementing with digestive enzymes to further break down food after it leaves the stomach helps ease the overall mechanical burden of digestion.
Investigation
As always, guessing with supplements can be helpful for short term relief, however, the symptom is not the problem - the symptom is the result of the problem. Thorough investigation with functional lab work will uncover the problem. With this insight, focused intervention can be applied so you can live the healthiest version of yourself free from pharmaceuticals and supplements!
If acid reflux is bothering you and keeping you from enjoying your life, start with a free consultation call with Board-Certified Holisitc Health Practitioner, Ryan Hysinger, and get to the root cause!
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