Heartburn, also referred to as ‘acidity‘, is one of the many common symptoms that we’ve come to accept as normal. As with most health problems, conventional medicine treats the heartburn symptoms of acid reflux without making any effort to understand or address it’s cause. Thisactually worsens their most common cause and can potentially lead to significant health issues.

The Irony of Conventional Heartburn and Acid Reflux Treatment

The pain associated with heartburn is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus through the valve at the entry point of the stomach. The lining of the esophagus is not able to handle the extreme acidity of stomach acid, and because of this, acid reflux can cause considerable damage and lead to ulceration and even cancer. It’s commonly believed that acid reflux is caused by excess production of stomach acid, but when you take a closer look at how the stomach functions, this doesn’t make any sense at all. The production of stomach acid naturally declines with age. In fact, we produce about half as much stomach acid by the time we’re in our forties as we did in our teens. Despite this decline, the incidence of acid reflux increases considerably with age. If acid reflux is far more common with older people who are producing less stomach acid, then how could excessive acid production possibly be the cause? Children and teenagers tend to produce much more stomach acid than adults and have a very low incidence of acid reflux. As such, it’s obvious that the stomach is very capable of containing high levels of acid without any reflux into the esophagus or symptoms of heartburn. A better explanation of acid reflux is based on the function of the lower esophageal sphincter which is the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. As long as this valve is functioning properly, it will prevent stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus. However, if it’s function is impaired, stomach acid can much more easily make it’s way into the esophagus and cause painful damage to it’s lining. Ironically, impaired function of the lower esophageal sphincter is often associated with low levels of stomach acid which completely contradicts the basis for conventional heartburn and acid reflux treatments. While there are some cases of acid reflux that are caused by excessive amounts of stomach acid, it’s very rare.

Why Stomach Acid is So Important

Stomach acid breaks down the dense food we eat into small molecules that are absorbed by the intestines and distributed throughout the body. This absorption, which is critical to our health, can only occur when an adequate amount of stomach acid is available to create an acidic environment in the small intestine. If stomach acid levels aren’t high enough, food won’t be fully digested and it’s nutrients won’t be absorbed well. Even the absorption of supplements is impaired when stomach acid levels are low. People who aren’t absorbing much of the nutrients from the food they eat due to low levels of stomach acid are likely to be suffering from malnutrition, even if they’re overweight. This can lead to a wide variety of conditions and diseases including anemia, heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. It can also inhibit the digestion of dense proteins into amino acids. Because these amino acids are precursors to the neurotransmitters that promote mental stability, an inadequate production of stomach acid can even result in mood disorders. Stomach acid also protects us from infection. Because of the extremely acidic environment it creates in the stomach, it prevents intestinal bacteria and fungus from migrating into the stomach, and more importantly, kills infectious organisms and prevents them from entering the intestines and the blood stream. Without this protection, infection from such organisms can result in a wide variety of illnesses and even cause death. Low levels of stomach acid increase susceptibility to infection and allow more undigested protein molecules to enter the intestines. As a result, the intestinal lining becomes susceptible to damage that can lead to hyperpermeability and allow undigested protein molecules to be easily absorbed into the blood stream. This often provokes immune responses throughout the body that lead to food sensitivities and autoimmune diseases.

The Grave Mistake of Conventional Heartburn Treatment

Based on the symptom chasing mentality of conventional medicine and the misconception that heartburn and acid reflux are caused by excessive levels of stomach acid, the most common treatment protocol for these problems is to reduce stomach acid levels with antacids such as Tums, Rolaids or Alka-Seltzer or acid suppressors such as Nexium, Prilosec or Zantac. While antacids work by simply neutralizing existing stomach acid, suppressants are much more invasive because they directly inhibit the stomach’s ability to produce acid. The fault with most conventional medical treatments is that they’re aimed at relieving symptoms and do nothing to address the problem that’s causing them. Conventional treatments for heartburn and acid reflux are even more flawed because the symptom relief that they provide comes at the cost of more significant problems. They relieve the pain of heartburn by reducing stomach acid levels, and in turn, reducing the chance of it refluxing through the malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter. In fact, some heartburn treatments nearly reduce acid levels down to nothing. While this may relieve pain, it worsens the digestion and absorption problems associated with low levels of stomach acid and increases susceptibility to serious health issues.

How to Resolve Heartburn and Acid Reflux Naturally

The best way to avoid heartburn and prevent acid reflux is to support proper function of the lower esophageal sphincter. The following are some practical ways to do this.

• Drink more water. Dehydration can lead to acid reflux by causing the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.
• Avoid foods and beverages that can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. This includes chocolate, coffee, mints, sugar, alcohol and onions.
• With the agreement of your physician, avoid medications that can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. This includes bronchodilators such as theophylline, albuterol and ephedrine, and NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. It also includes calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, diazepam, valium, nitrates and demerol. Cigarettes should be avoided as well.
• Don’t overeat. Excessively large meals put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and encourage it to open when it shouldn’t.
• For the same reason why you shouldn’t overeat, you should also avoid anything that increases intra-abdominal pressure such as bending, heavy lifting and tight clothing.
• Elevate the head of your bed by 4 to 8 inches. This will keep gravity working in your favor and make it less likely for stomach acid to drain into the esophagus.
• Get tested for food sensitivities and avoid the reactive foods that may be interfering with the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. If it’s not practical for you to get tested, at least consider a trial of eliminating grains and dairy from your diet. These are the two most likely food groups to cause sensitivities.

It’s also helpful to avoid foods and beverages that can irritate the lining of the esophagus. This includes citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, coffee and carbonated beverages.

Supplementing with Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid is naturally produced by the stomach and is the primary constituent of it’s digestive fluid. It’s commonly available in supplement form and is a convenient way to increase low levels of stomach acid. For people who have a chronic insufficiency of stomach acid, hydrochloric acid supplementation can be a very effective way to improve digestion, absorption and many of the health issues that can be caused by malnutrition. People who need hydrochloric acid supplementation tend to also benefit from digestive enzymes, especially pepsin. Although hydrochloric acid supplementation is generally safe, it does pose some risk. People who have a damaged gastrointestinal lining could potentially worsen the damage by taking hydrochloric acid. As such, it’s recommended that you find a physician who is knowledgeable about acid reflux and its frequent association with low stomach acid levels.

Stay Healthy.

Many nutrients are absolutely essential for good health. It is possible to get most of them from a balanced, real food-based diet.

However, the typical modern diet lacks several very important nutrients.

This article lists 7 nutrient deficiencies that are incredibly common.

1. Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is very common, especially among young women, children and vegetarians. It may cause anemia, tiredness, weakness, weakened immune system and impaired brain function.

The best dietary sources of non-heme iron include:

• Beans: Half a cup of cooked kidney beans (3 ounces or 85 g) provides 33% of the RDI.
• Seeds, such as pumpkin, sesame and squash seeds: One ounce (28 g) of roasted pumpkin and squash seeds provide 11% of the RDI.
• Broccoli, kale and spinach: One ounce (28 g) of fresh kale provides 5.5% of the RDI.

Vitamin C can enhance the absorption of iron. Eating vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, kale and bell peppers along with iron-rich foods can help maximize iron absorption.

2. Iodine Deficiency

Iodine is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. It may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland. Severe iodine deficiency can cause mental retardation and developmental abnormalities in children.

Thyroid hormones are involved in many processes in the body, such as in growth, brain development and bone maintenance. They also regulate the metabolic rate.

There are several good dietary sources of iodine:

• Seaweed: Only 1 g of kelp contains 460–1000% of the RDI.
• Fish: 3 ounces (85 g) of baked cod provide 66% of the RDI.
• Dairy: One cup of plain yogurt provides about 50% of the RDI.
• Eggs: One large egg provides 16% of the RDI.

However, keep in mind that these amounts can vary greatly. Iodine is found mostly in the soil and the sea, so if the soil is iodine-poor then the food growing in it will be low in iodine as well.

Some countries have responded to iodine deficiency by adding it to salt, which has successfully reduced the severity of the problem.

3. Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that works like a steroid hormone in the body.

It travels through the bloodstream and into cells, telling them to turn genes on or off.

Almost every cell in the body has a receptor for vitamin D.

Vitamin D is produced out of cholesterol in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. So people who live far from the equator are highly likely to be deficient, since they have less sun exposure.

Adults who are deficient in vitamin D may experience muscle weakness, bone loss and increased risk of fractures. In children, it may cause growth delays and soft bones. Also, vitamin D deficiency may play a role in reduced immune function and an increased risk of cancer.

Unfortunately, very few foods contain significant amounts of this vitamin.

People who are truly deficient in vitamin D may want to take a supplement or increase their sun exposure. It is very hard to get sufficient amounts through diet alone. Blood levels should be maintained around 50 – 70 ng/ml and supplementation should be 2000 – 5000 IU/day.

4. Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common, especially in vegetarians and the elderly. The most common symptoms include a blood disorder, impaired brain function and elevated homocysteine levels.

5. Calcium Deficiency

Calcium is essential for every cell. It mineralizes bone and teeth, especially during times of rapid growth. It is also very important for the maintenance of bone.

Additionally, calcium plays a role as a signaling molecule all over the body. Without it, our heart, muscles and nerves would not be able to function.

The calcium concentration in the blood is tightly regulated, and any excess is stored in bones. If there is lack of calcium in the diet, calcium is released from the bones.

That is why the most common symptom of calcium deficiency is osteoporosis, characterized by softer and more fragile bones.

One survey found that in the US, less than 15% of females aged 9–18 and less than 10% of women over 50 met the recommended calcium intake.

In the same survey, less than 22% of teenage boys aged 9–13 and men over 50 met the recommended calcium intake from diet alone. Supplement use increased these numbers slightly, but the majority of people still were not getting enough calcium.

Symptoms of more severe dietary calcium deficiency include soft bones (rickets) in children and osteoporosis, especially in the elderly.

Dietary sources of calcium include:

• Boned fish: One can of sardines contains 44% of the RDI.
• Dairy products: One cup of milk contains 35% of the RDI.
• Dark green vegetables, such as kale, spinach, bok choy and broccoli: One ounce of fresh kale provides 5.6% of the RDI.

The effectiveness and safety of calcium supplements have been somewhat debated in the last few years.

Some studies have found an increased risk of heart disease in people taking calcium supplements, although other studies have found no effects.

Although it is best to get calcium from food rather than supplements, calcium supplements seem to benefit people who are not getting enough in their diet.

6. Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. It helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, bones and fat membranes.

Furthermore, it produces our eye pigments – which are necessary for vision.

While it is very important to consume enough vitamin A, it is generally not recommended to consume very large amounts of preformed vitamin A, as it may cause toxicity.

This does not apply to pro-vitamin A, such as beta-carotene. High intake may cause the skin to become slightly orange, but it is not dangerous.

7. Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium is a key mineral in the body.

It is essential for bone and teeth structure, and is also involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions.

Low intake and blood levels of magnesium have been associated with several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and osteoporosis.

The main symptoms of severe magnesium deficiency include arrhythmias, muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, fatigue and migraines 

More subtle, long-term symptoms that you may not notice include insulin resistanceand high blood pressure.

Dietary sources of magnesium include:

• Whole grains: One cup of oats (6 ounces or 170 g) contains 74% the RDI.
• Nuts: 20 almonds provide 17% of the RDI.
• Dark chocolate: 1 ounce (30 g) of dark chocolate (70–85%) provides 15% of the RDI.
• Leafy, green vegetables: 1 ounce (30 g) of raw spinach provides 6% of the RDI.

Take Home Message

It is possible to be deficient in almost every nutrient, but these 7 are by far the most common.

Children, young women, the elderly and vegetarians seem to be at the highest risk of several deficiencies.

The best way to prevent a deficiency is to eat a balanced, real food-based diet that includes nutrient-dense foods (both plants and animals).

However, supplements are necessary when it is impossible to get enough from the diet alone.

Stay Healthy.