Re-Reflux

Written By: Dr. Sue Aery - Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture | Issue: August - 2022

So, you’ve been told that youhave Acid Reflux (AR) orGERD (GastroesophagealReflux Disease)?This can be uncomfortable and bother-some, if left alone can lead to moreserious issues, or it can go away withsome educated help and No Drugs!The most common and quick medicalremedy for AR/GERD is medications,either over the counter or prescription.These are called PPI’s or ProtonPump Inhibitors.Unfortunately, these medicationsactually stop the production of allstomach acid and that’s not good. Manypeople don’t know much about digestionand wouldn’t think twice about a PPI toblock stomach acid, thereby stoppingacid reflux, and causing further healthissues by not actually addressing thetrue problem.First and foremost, good health dependshugely on good digestion and good nutri-tion. We get our fuel, nutrients, vitaminsand minerals from healthy and real foodsand excellent digestive function. Thisstarts in the stomach with the productionof HCL or Hydrochloric Acid.HCL is essential for proper digestionand food breakdown, which is whatallows the body and small intestineto absorb the micronutrition for yourhealth. If a drug blocks the productionof HCL, we absorb very little of ourfoods, we can develop gas and bloat-ing, discomfort and irregular bowelmovements, ultimately causing healthproblems due to limited absorption ofessential vitamins and minerals, andeven leading to degenerative diseases.So here is how this works: as weage and often eat more processedfoods, sugars and alcohol, we can develop GERD due to the lack of HCLin the stomach, a condition known asHypochlorhydria. The problem here isthat the food stays undigested and inthe stomach longer than it should, andit putrefies or ferments, thereby causingan acidic condition which then bubblesback up through the esophagus andcauses “reflux.”This is a very unpleasant experience!The stomach is designed to produce justthe right amount of HCL to break thefood down quickly so that it can continueinto the intestines for nutrient deliveryand formation of good BM (bowelmovement).The problem is not this, but the immedi-ate action of taking a medication to stopthe acid, destroying the body function,denying nutrient absorption and, overtime, leading to a breakdown of otherareas of the body, namely bone densityand the nervous system.The easier and healthier solution is totake a simple supplement of betaine HCLwith your meal.But be careful if you have been on PPIsfor a long time, there must be a knowl-edgeable health provider to help with thetransition so that the body has time toadjust to this process of supporting thesystem instead of blocking the naturaldigestion. Reach out if you’re looking forbetter health and AR relief!

by Dr. Sue Aery, Aery Chiropractic & Acupuncture