Heal Acid Reflux/GERD Naturally
A natural approach to healing from Acid Reflux/GERD.
YES, you can heal from acid reflux/GERD! Or atleast get it under control where flare ups are few and far between.
The clinical approaches below are the foundations for GERD but a personalised plan is absolutely required for each individual to address other areas and imbalances in their body. Each person has unique circumstances, medical history, health conditions and symptoms. Our body systems are all connected and an imbalance in one system can have an effect on one or more other systems which can differ for each person.
For example client Melissa suffers from GERD but is going through peri-menopause (there is a link with hormonal fluctuations and acid reflux) this requires a protocol for balancing hormones + acid reflux. Client Sam suffers from GERD and chronic stress/anxiety (there is a link with nervous system dysregulation) this requires a protocol to regulate the nervous system + acid reflux.
Keep reading to learn about the clinical approach I apply to help clients heal naturally from chronic acid reflux.
Improve digestion
Long term use of proton pump inhibitor medication such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and esomeprazole (Nexium) suppress stomach acid production causing slow breakdown of food and slow movement of digested food into the duodenum. This increases gastric pressure which weakens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and result in reflux of partially digested food into the esophagus and throat.
Stimulate stomach acid and enzyme production through bitter greens or bitter herbs to breakdown proteins. A handful of arugula/rocket chewed slowly 20 minutes before main meals will stimulate saliva production and signal to your stomach to produce stomach acid and bile to prepare for breaking down food.
Practice mindful eating by chewing slowly until food is soft before swallowing. Avoid any distractions such as watching TV or scrolling on your phone whilst eating.
Include prokinetic foods to increase digestion and gut motiliy such as a fresh ginger, fennel, chamomile or cardamom tea after meals.
2. Reduce and repair inflammation
Chronic reflux of stomach acid and enzymes into the esophagus, throat and even lungs can damage the protective lining resulting in inflammation, pain and discomfort, especially when eating or drinking. Stomach acid has a pH of 1.5-2 making it extremely acidic which helps break down food for easier digestion.
Remove acidic and spicy foods such as citrus, tomatoes and pineapple and chilli/spicy foods to avoid irritation of an inflammed throat and esophagus. Acidic foods can activate the presence of enzyme pepsin found in stomach acid that is present in the esophagus from reflux. Pepsin breakdowns protein and when activated in the esophagus this can cause mucosal damage and inflammation of the esophagus. It’s important to reduce mucosal inflammation and irritation to allow the esophagus the ability to heal.
Increase alkaline foods and drinks/smoothies such as non-citrus fruits, green salads, root vegetables, good quality protein, bone broths, lean meat and fish when needed to calm an inflammed throat and esophagus. The digestive tract is made up of muscle and muscle is made up of protein. Therefore, protein and bone broths can be very healing in supporting the healing protein of a damaged esophageal mucosa.
Include mucilaginous foods such as chia seeds, milled flax seeds, okra, figs and ripe banana. Mucilage such as chia and milled flax seeds swells up and becomes gelatinous and gooey when it makes contact with water is gentle on the esophagus and creates a coating in stomach to soothe inflammation (perfect for those that also suffer with gastritis).
Herbal remedies of slippery elm and marshmallow root bark powder when the powdered inner bark is mixed with water it becomes mucilaginous. They are moistening herbs that soothes and protects irritated tissues, it is nourishing, anti-inflammatory and healing. Not only this, slippery elm and marshmallow root causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract leading to increased mucus secretion. This action protects the gastrointestinal tract from excess acidity and stomach ulcers.
3. Strengthen lower esophageal sphincter
Normally the LES will only relax to allow food to pass through into the stomach. In GERD, the LES pressure is weaked and allows reflux every time pressure in the stomach is higher than the LES pressure. Many factors can weaken the LES pressure such as hiatal hernia, being overweight, pregnancy, low vagal tone, emotional stress, anxiety, smoking, alcohol, certain medications and high saturated fat foods.
Avoid mediators that weaken the LES such as smoking, alcohol, caffeine, high saturated fatty foods, chocolate and mint.
Stimulate vagus nerve to strenghten LES and diaphragm pressure such daily diaphgramatic breathing, meditation, humming, singing, social interaction, gargling and cold water therapy.
Identify and address underlying cause of weakened LES such as low vagal tone, hiatus hernia, chronic stress, anxiety or obesity etc. This is where working with a nutritional therapist will help you to successfully identify the root cause and take a wholistic approach to in providing a personalised nutrition and lifestyle programme to address the cause of your reflux/GERD. For example, if stress or anxiety is your main trigger for acid reflux then a nutrition and lifetyle strategy focussed on regulating your nervous system is tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.
4. Address other imbalances in the body
Often GERD sufferers have other contributing factors such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut, gastritis, lack of gall bladder, poor liver function, fatty liver, H.pylori, gastric ulcer, insulin resistance, diabetes, etc. It’s imperative to work with a health practitioner to address these factors as part of the GERD healing plan.
Are you fed up of suffering with ongoing acid reflux/GERD symptoms and want to stop living in fear and anxiety?
Have you been living with chronic acid reflux and taking PPI's for many years and wondering if you will ever be symptom and medication free?
Are you on long-term Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) or antacids and want to wean off with nutrition and lifestyle support to avoid rebound and achieve a medication free life?
Then it's time to stop suppressing symptoms and get to the root cause of your acid reflux symptoms to heal through a personalised nutrition and lifestyle programme.
Learn about my Reverse Reflux Naturally 90-Day Nutrition & Wellness Programme for a 1:1 personalised programme.
Unsure if this programme is suitable for you? Book a free 30 minute health review to ask your questions.
DISCLAIMER: All content in this blog including: information, opinions, content, references and links is for informational purposes only. The Author does not provide any medical advice here. Nothing contained in this blog is intended to establish a practitioner-client relationship, to replace the services of a trained health care professional, or otherwise to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult a licensed physician or appropriately-credentialed healthcare professional in all matters relating to your health.