Many different things can cause hypoacidity, including: chronic stress, chronic fatigue, age and the presence of H. Pylori infection.  As we age, we produce less stomach acid which always needs to be addressed for optimal mineral absorption for bone health.  We are often given Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like: Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, etc, or an H2 Antagonist like: Pepcid, Zantac for treating the burning sensation at the base of our sternum. Some of the side effects of these OTCs include: B12 deficiency, Magnesium deficiency, increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fracture, and more.  These drugs were originally designed for short term use but have developed into long term usage.  JAMA Internal Medicine, 2013 stated “...physicians need to use caution and balance benefits and harms in long-term prescription of high-dose PPIs”.  These medications basically tell our stomach cells (called intrinsic cells) to stop working because “the pill can handle the job”.  The concern with long-term PPI use, is that when we stop taking these drugs, our body has to work again and ends up “overcompensating” with a large surge of stomach acid and we hurt again.  Then we run back to our reflux medication and the vicious circle begins. 

What can we do to naturally ease this acid reflux/GERD issue?

1. Relax before and during meals
2. Chew, Chew, Chew your food
3. Hydrate - ½ your body weight in ounces per day
4. Cook/steam most veggies (& possibly fruit) and add raw as tolerated
5. Cooked veggies are easier to digest as we transition to actually digesting our foods again
6. Eat ripe fruit (only) in season dailyUnripened food is harder to digest
7. Decrease dairy, red meat, sugar and gluten