The mainstream medical approach to treating heartburn and GERD involves taking acid stopping drugs for as long as symptoms are present. Unfortunately, these drugs fail to address the underlying cause of heartburn and GERD. Evidence also shows they may make matters worse.
Acid stopping drugs are known to promote bacterial overgrowth weakening our resistance to infection, reduce absorption of essential nutrients (especially minerals), and increase the likelihood of developing IBS, other digestive disorders, and cancer. Pharmaceutical companies have always been aware of these risks. When acid-stopping drugs were first introduced, it was recommended that they be taken short-term, no more than six weeks. Unfortunately, many people have been on these drugs for decades, not realizing that they fail to resolve the issues with their digestive tract.
Fundamentally, heartburn, GERD and other digestive related symptoms are indicators that the body’s digestive faculties fail to function optimally. Other digestive distress type symptoms can begin with bloating, flatulence, belching, constipation and diarrhea. These are easily preventable and reversible by making simple nutritional upgrades and lifestyle modifications.
Digestion is primarily regulated by the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system, stomach, pancreas, spleen, liver, small and large intestines. If you have digestive health challenge, investigate which of those organs require nutritional support.