Acid reflux and Heartburn Remedies

 The Instagram poll results are in! You want to know more about heartburn. I actually got a message from a family member this morning asking what to do. I took it a sign from the universe that I should write the blog post. I’m into my 7th year consulting with 1:1 clients and heartburn is so common. Today, I’ll share reasons why it’s high, foods I often suggest avoiding and my favourite tips to help reduce that uncomfortable feeling. Send this to a friend in need so they can also protect their precious tissue in the esophagus from stomach acid.

acid reflux: a form of indigestion felt as a burning sensation in the chest, caused by acid regurgitation into the esophagus

The valve, lower esophageal sphincter (LES), isn’t closing properly and the contents from your stomach are coming back up the esophagus into the throat. The distinguishing factor between heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is that that burning sensation is chronic with GERD. It’s time to seek some help with a holistic practitioner to get to the root cause if you’ve been suffering for weeks or months.

Please note, you may have GERD without heartburn. Other sensations are pain in the chest, regurgitation, sore throat, coughing or feeling like food is stuck in your throat.

Causes of heartburn

• pregnancy, I don’t think I got this because of my long torso ; )

• low stomach acid, not high like most doctors suggest

• dysbiosis, microbiome health

• hiatal hernia

• smoking

• age (can link back to lower stomach acid as we age)

• H. pylori

• small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

• side effect of medications

• overeating

• ulcer, speak to your doctor to rule out

If you lie down after a meal and feel worse, it’s time to alter your diet slightly.

Foods that may trigger heartburn & GERD

• spicy food

• peppermint

• coffee

• high fat foods, think fried foods or bacon and sausage

• onions

• dairy

• carbonated beverages

• alcohol

• tomatoes

• citrus foods

• chocolate : (

Should I just take medication?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s), antacids (rolaids, tums), and h-2 receptor blockers help, but they aren’t getting to the root cause of why you have low stomach acid or acid reflux. They also reduce your stomach acid further, which makes digestion and absorption of food even harder. Stomach acid is also required to help kill off any pathogens and unwanted bacteria. I always recommend working with a practitioner first to address lifestyle, diet, supplements and herbs before trying medication with undesirable side effects.

Looking for relief?

Always work with a practitioner as there can be contraindications with conditions or medications

• DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) to repair lining and promote mucous (avoid if you have high blood pressure)

• inner leaf aloe helps as much as medication

• chamomile tea is soothing

• HCL or digestive bitters for digestion

• apple cider vinegar, I see this helping clients in practice a lot. have it 10-15 minutes prior to a meal or first thing in the am. always dilute it water and you can use a straw if you’d like

• marshmallow root or slippery elm (sustainably harvested) to soothe

• ginger to reduce inflammation and support digestion as a prokinetic

• Including high fibre foods (plants!) will help you stay full longer and prevent overeating

I’d love to hear if any one these have helped you.

My clients and I work together to determine why they have heartburn in the first place and use herbs, food and lifestyle tips to soothe on our healing journey. Reflux is a ping from the body asking you to listen. I love using the GI-MAP to uncover H. pylori, causes of low stomach acid and other gut health imbalances that lead to acid reflux.

If you’d like to work together, please head to services.

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