Gastric reflux is linked to LOW stomach acid. Yes, you read right. Let me explain. Your stomach is designed to make hydrochloric acid or HCl. HCl does 2 things: 1. Sterilise food as it comes in, so you don’t pick up a bug and 2. Chemically break down protein into smaller fragments so the next phase of digestion can happen. A study published in the journal of gastroenterology in 2013 [1] showed the lower (more inadequate) the stomach acid, the worse the reflux and associated discomfort. This isn’t the only study proving the connection.
When you eat a meal and there’s not enough acid to start breaking it down, it stays longer in your stomach. It starts to ferment. Gas is given off. This increases upward pressure on a special valve called your lower oesophageal sphincter or LOS. Your LOS is there to stop stomach contents regurgitating towards your mouth. It should only open to allow food and fluids down after you swallow. If this valve is really strong, stomach contents can’t regurgitate. But if you’re not able to make enough acid in your stomach, you are not digesting nutrients needed to keep this valve strong. Nutrients like protein, zinc and selenium.
Diets that are too low in protein, vitamins and polyphenols (natural plant bioactives) can eventually lead to your LOS becoming weak. Flopping open inappropriately and allowing stomach contents to leak upwards. Causing damage to your oesophagus. This is definitely not good news. And that’s why your doctor will encourage you to take acid-blocking medication. Which usually works. The problematic issue with long-term acid-blockers is that they stop you breaking down protein and minerals. Which you need for growth and repair. For muscle strength. For your immune system and your brain. So if you resolved the causes of the reflux your need for medication could reduce, right?
So what causes inadequate stomach acid?
You need clean water, vitamin B12, zinc and vitamin B6 in order for your stomach to be able to make hydrochloric acid. That’s the acid produced as you start to smell or eat a meal. Western diets, vegetarian diets and vegan diets tend to deplete some of these nutrients. Poorly-managed stress is another major factor in depleting this precious acid. When you’re stressed, energy goes to getting you ready to run, fight or hide. And away from digestion, growth and repair.
Chronic stress also degrades the lining of your oesophagus and your stomach. This makes them prone to further damage by your own natural acid. Better nutrition makes you less susceptible to feeling stressed. In my experience, clients that participate in learning how to stop their day spiralling into stress get rapid results from the nutritional changes they make.
Hiatus hernia
Hiatus hernia is where your stomach gets pinched by your diaphragm, your breathing muscle. This constricts your stomach, causing pressure. Nutritional intervention aimed at strengthening the tissues in that area is powerful in helping any physical adjustment (e.g. osteopathy) to re-align the position of your stomach compared to your diaphragm.
So when I help clients support their body’s own natural healing ability to overcome reflux the intervention is three-fold. 1. A simple exercise you can do at home in 1 minute to tighten and strengthen your lower oesophageal sphincter 2. Foods and nutrients that help your body repair the sphincter, repair any inflammation in oesophagus and stomach and 3. Simple training that helps you stop your day spiralling into stress. Stress spirals are a major cause of overweight, another trigger for reflux because excess pressure is put on your internal organs, including your stomach.
For most people, addressing these 3 is a game changer. We also screen for (depending on your case history) vagus nerve dysfunction (your brain not talking to your stomach properly), SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), food sensitivities and mineral imbalances. And they are all fixable. Your body is amazing. It wants to be well. Given the right gentle nudges, it will do the healing for you.
Ready to take ownership of your health?
Whatsapp 087 9816666 to book your free 15 minute zoom health strategy call.
[1] Iwai et al. Gastric hypochlorhydria is associated with an exacerbation of dyspeptic symptoms in female patients. J Gasteroenterol 2013. Feb;48(2):214-21
