More than 40% of Americans suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD every month! 20-30% experience it every week, and 10% of people struggle with it every day!
That’s millions of people who regularly deal with a condition that conventional medicine honestly gets completely wrong.
The hard truth is that most people have been misinformed about the real cause of acid reflux. Conventional medicine tells us that heartburn is caused by having too much stomach acid and that the only treatment is to take acid-blocking medications. What they often don’t tell you is that these drugs increase your risk of heart attacks, dementia, kidney disease, and even death.
The reality is that these medications carry serious risks, and most acid reflux is actually caused by having too little stomach acid.
The real key to overcoming acid reflux is to restore optimal pH levels and healthy digestion.
Let’s take a look at why that is.
The Root Cause of Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD
The burning sensation in your chest associated with acid reflux and heartburn is caused when your lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly, allowing stomach acid to come into your esophagus and damage the tissue.
That’s why conventional medicine reaches for acid-blocking medications, which can temporarily relieve symptoms but don’t solve the real problem. Stomach acid plays a very important role in proper digestion, helping you break down food and also killing off bad bacteria, yeast, and parasites.
Without enough stomach acid to digest your food, it’s left sitting in your stomach, leading to acid reflux.
Root Cause Solutions for Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD
If acid reflux were caused by having too much stomach acid we would expect people with lower levels to have lower rates of heartburn. However, acid reflux is most common in people over the age of 60, when stomach acid levels decrease.
On the flip side, most people can resolve acid reflux by supplementing with HCL, your primary stomach acid.
When someone comes into my functional medicine clinic dealing with acid reflux, I typically have them try our HCL Supreme supplement. This allows them to properly digest their food, and they often experience immediate symptom relief.
Wondering if you have low stomach acid? Take this free quiz to find out!
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. My mission is to help you address the root cause of your symptoms and find a real solution that puts you on the path to lifelong optimal health.
In the case of acid reflux, root causes can include an inflammatory diet, food sensitivities, gut infections such as SIBO or H. pylori, or even stress.
It’s time to stop relying on band-aids and find real answers.
So if you’re ready to commit to the lifestyle changes that will stop the cycle and put you back on the road to optimal health, check out our Adaptation Program and book your free 10-minute consult with me. Together we will review your timeline, discuss your goals, and determine whether or not you would be a good fit for our program!
About the Author: Dr. Seth Osgood is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioner. Dr. Osgood received his post-graduate training in Functional Medicine through the IFM and from working with Dr. Amy Myers. He has helped people from around the world improve their health utilizing a Functional Medicine approach.
