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Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux & GERD

If you're suffering from acid reflux and looking for natural medicines, there are a lot that you can try. Acid reflux is a commonly treated condition in naturopathic medical offices. If you've tried natural medicines but the condition keeps returning, consider working with a naturopathic physician, who can evaluate and treat the underlying cause of the reflux.


What is acid reflux?


Acid reflux is a digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus from the stomach, causing irritation and inflammation. If it's been going on for a while, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short.


While both short-term acid reflux and GERD are annoying and uncomfortable, they can both be treated with natural medicines, usually with high success. I treat these cases on a regular basis in my practice.


The symptoms may include:


  • burning sensation in your throat

  • feeling like something is stuck in your throat

  • chest pain (heart burn)

  • stomach pain

  • bad, sour, or metallic taste in your mouth

  • chronic dry cough that's usually worse after eating


What causes acid reflux?


You may think you already know the answer: high stomach acid, right? I thought so too, but after naturopathic medical school I learned something different. It's actually caused by low stomach acid!


Let me explain: in between your esophagus and your stomach is a flap called the lower esophageal sphincter. This flap opens to allow food to descend into the stomach, and is supposed to close when there is no more food coming in.


Guess what regulates the opening and closing of this flap? Your stomach acid. Makes sense right? When food comes in, your stomach is signaled to release acid to digest the food. As the acid builds up, more pressure is created in your stomach (since the flap is closed and there's food in there). Then you feel full and stop eating.


Diagram comparing esophagus and sphincter in normal vs. GERD condition. Shows acid reflux with labels. Text: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
The LES is mainly just a ring of muscle tissue

The lower esophageal sphincter is then supposed to stay closed due to the production of high levels of stomach acid needed to digest the food inside of it. But if not enough acid is produced, the flap doesn't stay closed! Need I say more?


Actually yes, I do need to say more. You might be wondering why acidic foods like tomatoes, soda, and coffee cause reflux even though I just said that low stomach acid is the reason for reflux. Acidic foods cause issues for a different reason: because they're irritating.


If your esophagus has been irritated by reflux for some time, then it's probably inflamed. Naturally, eating more acidic foods will add to the inflammation.


Microbial Influences

Reflux can be caused by changes in your microbiome, which helps to regulate stomach acid production levels. H. pylori is usually implicated in reflux, but isn't always the main offender. And, taking antibiotics for H. pylori can sometimes create acid reflux because it wipes out other important species!


Food Quantity and Quality

Both the type and amount of amount of food you eat can also influence stomach acid levels and production. Fast foods, sugar, and processed foods wreak havoc on your stomach and gut.


Overeating can also play a role in reflux. This is because more food in your stomach will require more stomach acid. If you're underproducing acid, the food is not going to digest efficiently.


Stress

What doesn't stress cause? It probably causes every disease. But it definitely contributes to reflux. When you're stressed and worried, more blood goes to your brain, and less blood goes toward your gut.


This means that your body is more preoccupied with protecting you against your perceived threat (stress), rather than providing you with nutrients. Naturally, when you're in stress mode, your body is concerned with escaping from danger, not digestion.


What natural remedies will immediately help acid reflux?


One of the earliest natural remedies I learned about for acid reflux to get immediate relief is baking soda. My father used to complain of reflux for some time and I came across the baking soda remedy somewhere in my childhood studies and suggested he try it.


My father was extremely grateful that I shared that tip with him! Years later, I complained to him of reflux and he reminded me that I should try the baking soda. In his words " it totally wipes it out." He's right, it does. But be warned, it's not something you want to do frequently.

Close-up of a ginger root with one sliced piece on a light wood surface. The ginger is pale brown and the slices reveal a yellow interior.
Have you tried fresh ginger root for reflux?

Remember that the main cause of reflux is low stomach acid. When you introduce a strongly alkaline substance like baking soda, it neutralizes stomach acid. It's the same premise as using proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole, but those work in a different and more aggressive way.


The problem with neutralizing or lowering your stomach acid, which is what most drugs and OTC medicines do, is that it shuts down acid production, placing more demand on the liver and pancreas to pick up the slack for your stomach.


As food moves from the stomach to small intestine, it gets smothered in digestive enzymes from your pancreas and bile from your liver. Since all food must be completely broken down into tiny particles before it can be absorbed, the gall bladder and pancreas have to work harder to digest the food.


In other cases, bacteria can pick up the slack and start digesting food as well, creating uncomfortable gas and bloating.


What about tums and other chewable tablets?

Do these work for you? I don't find that they're all that effective. But if they do work, you should avoid using them frequently because they're just neutralizing your stomach acid and further weakening your digestion.


They can also create mineral imbalances in your body because these tablets are usually made from calcium carbonate. Basically, you're taking a calcium supplement if you use these.


Can anything be used to immediately help that won't create harm?

I like to use fresh ginger root or microgreens. Ginger works tremendously well to stimulate and strengthen digestion, gently encouraging food to leave your stomach. Cut a piece about half an inch long and chew on it. It usually works!


Microgreens can also help because the many bitter compounds in the greens help to stimulate digestion. If you like greens, try microgreens! They're also more nutritious and easier to digest than regular salad greens.


How do you get rid of acid reflux?


A vibrant salad in a wooden bowl with lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrots. Surrounded by a bowl of dressing, tomatoes, avocado.
Are you eating healthy greens yet?

Ideally, you'll want to strengthen your stomach acid production on a regular basis. This involves eating bitter foods like salad greens and ginger, as well as avoiding foods that tend to weaken stomach acid production.


Processed foods and bread are the worst offenders when it comes to weakening digestion. These usually absorb stomach acid, making less available overall.


If you're still eating fast food, you should really consider stopping. It's some of the worst food you can eat . . . it's poison!


Lifestyle tips to prevent reflux:

  • Eat smaller portions

  • Chew thoroughly and eat slowly

  • Eat salads on a regular basis

  • Work on stress reduction

  • Avoid low-quality food

  • Minimize coffee

  • Avoid antacids

  • Avoid proton-pump inhibitors (omeprazole, etc.)

  • Avoid anti-histamines (famotidine, etc.)

  • Avoid NSAIDs


Try Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be very helpful for digestive complaints! The basic premise is that the acupuncture needles can open up the energy meridians involved in organ function. Consequently, the organs can function better, and changes can happen quickly.


Although I don't practice acupuncture, I frequently refer patients for it. I find that it's one of the best, minimally invasive natural remedies available to the public!


What should you do next?


Diet and stress are the most important considerations to work on. The food you eat

directly impacts the gut, so you'll want to pay close attention to your dietary habits!


Working with a naturopathic physician can help determine which changes you should make and which medicines may help you in the meantime. I recommend trying ginger to start and using baking soda only when you're in a pinch and suffering badly!


Keep in mind that this is a commonly treated and resolvable condition in the naturopathic medicine world. Stay optimistic; there are plenty of solutions available to you.



(959) 333-9128

Hamden, CT

© 2020 by Dr. Pistoia, PLLC

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