Acid reflux affects 50% of Americans. The hallmark symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. Acid reflux is not a disease caused by excessive acid production in your stomach; your stomach makes hydrochloric acid for many reasons including digestion of protein and uptake of calcium. Acid reflux frequently occurs because of low stomach acid which is why proton pump inhibitors typically just perpetuate the problem, hide the symptoms but cause a cascade of dysfunction over time.
Drugs like Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac and Prilosec may deplete the body of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, vitamin D, Calcium, Iron and Zinc. The result of these depletions may be anemia, depression, tiredness, increased cardiovascular risk, birth defects, osteoporosis, tooth decay, weak immunity, hair loss, weak nails and sexual dysfunction.
The answer to heartburn and acid indigestion is to restore your natural gastric balance and function. Digestion is fundamental to nutritional therapy. It's out of my scope of practice to recommend
