The typical treatment for GERD is antacids that neutralize stomach acid or prescription medications that reduce or block stomach acid production. However, stomach acids are critical for proper digestion, and if you don’t digest and absorb your food correctly, you will ultimately increase your risk for many chronic degenerative diseases.
Further, despite the temporary relief, medications designed to reduce acid may exacerbate the underlying causes of acid reflux and one of its most annoying symptoms.
The stomach acid insufficiency is made worse by neutralizing what little acid the stomach may produce. Then, in a desperate attempt to correct the problem, the stomach occasionally has a surge of too much acid, causing an uncomfortable burning sensation.
Also, reducing acid in your stomach reduces your primary defense mechanism for food-borne infections, thereby increasing your risk of food poisoning.
Many commercial antacids contain toxic ingredients such as aluminum, artificial colors, and sweeteners. These chemicals disrupt digestion and alter the structure and function of stomach lining cells and cause side effects like headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Is There a Natural Solution for Treating GERD and Other Digestive Issues?
There certainly are natural ways to store optimal function in your digestive tract by getting acupuncture and helping to reduce digestive disturbances, according to Dr. Bennett. Combining acupuncture with traditional Chinese herbs, whole food supplements from Standard Process, and MediHerb are three common product lines that Dr. Bennett uses. Dr. Bennett’s functional medicine program can also address many digestive issues, hormone imbalances, weight gain, fatigue/tiredness, and other issues. In the functional medicine program, we use state-of-the-art lab tests to determine deficiencies or irregularities.