If you’ve already taken the health red pill, you know this space is full of lies.
Well, here’s another for you.
Acid reflux is a problem of too little stomach acid, not too much.
This will come as a shock to you because mainstream authorities rave about how you need to take antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Furthermore, every other commercial is a pharmaceutical company sponsored piece of propaganda designed to lure you in due to your ignorance on the subject.
Acid Reflux: Defined
Acid reflux is a symptom where gastric juices rise to the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat and stomach.
Yet counterintuitively, the cause has nothing to do with an excess of stomach acid.
The root cause is focused on too little stomach acid and, more importantly, the esophageal valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach.
An over production of stomach acid is incredibly rare.
The condition is known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
1 in a million have the condition.
Knowing this, we can finally put the “too much stomach acid” lie to rest. It also begs the question.. where did this lie come from and why is it pervasive?
Inappropriate Relaxation of the Esophageal Valve
The tube which connects your throat to your stomach is “confused" in a sense.
Acid reflux occurs when this valve stays open when it’s supposed to be closed, allowing gastric juices to sneak up. The logic for too much stomach acid seems to make sense on the surface, but that’s not how it works.
The result is a myriad of unpleasant chronic symptoms such as:
Heartburn
Bitter taste in your mouth, periodically or (for some people) throughout the day (some taste regurgitated food or sour liquid at the back of their mouths/throats)
Waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you’re choking or coughing
Dry mouth
Gum irritation, including tenderness and bleeding
Bad breath
Regurgitation of acidic foods
Bloating after meals and during bouts of symptoms
Nausea
Bloody vomiting (possible sign of damage in the lining of the esophagus)
Black stools
Belching, gassiness, burping and flatulence after meals
Hiccups that are difficult to stop
Difficulty swallowing (a possible sign of narrowing esophagus)
Unexpected weight loss
Increased discomfort when bending over or lying down
Hoarseness upon waking or throughout the day
Chronic throat irritation, soreness and dryness
Nothing about this situation is pleasant which is why ignorant people flock to Big Pharma in an attempt to solve their chronic issues.
Billions Made From One Lie
The antacid market will be worth $18.7 billion (with a B) globally by the end of 2025.
Big Pharma makes a killing off shilling these destructive drugs because there is a strong financial incentive which they don’t intend on stopping any time soon.
You must educate yourself knowing this because it will leave you in the drivers seat rather than money hungry conglomerates.
I’ve been chewing (pun intended) on this idea for some time. We can cripple and entire industry just by understanding how human digestion and physiology work.
The Conventional “Solutions”
There are 3 main types of medicines used to treat acid reflux symptoms or those caused by GERD:
1. Antacids
2. Histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers)
3. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) Fuck all three of these options
All three of these options are unnecessary and add more fuel to the fire of poor metabolic health and acid reflux.
Antacids
Most practitioners recommend over-the-counter antacids as a first line of defense against heartburn and reflux. A medication such as TUMS can give quick relief (within a matter of minutes) to a case of heartburn — but, like most conventional medicine, this is used to treat a symptom rather than an underlying disorder.
Repeated use of antacids also create an ungodly number of symptoms:
Diarrhea
Constipation
Nausea
Vomiting
Feelings of discomfort
Loss of appetite
Mood/mental changes
Weakness
Calcium loss
Osteoporosis
Kidney stones
Wrist/ankle swelling
Bone pain
Discolored stool
Aluminum toxicity
Slow breathing
Frequent urination
Headaches
Muscle pain
Drug/supplement interactions
H2 Blockers
These work more slowly than antacids to reduce stomach acid and take longer to treat symptoms (about 60 to 90 minutes), but are intended to last for longer periods of time.
They include Pepcid/Pepcid AC, Axid, Tagamet and Zantac. They work by blocking a substance in the body that encourages acid production in the stomach.
By stopping the production of hydrochloric acid (your stomach’s natural acid), these medications also stop pepsin production, the digestive enzyme responsible for breaking down protein so it can be digested.
This allows for undigested protein to make its way to your intestines, further increasing intra-abdominal pressure which makes the problem worse.
H2 blockers have several drug interaction warnings and might can the following side effects, especially when taken in large doses over time:
Headaches
Anxiety
Depression
Mental disturbances
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Rash
Headache
Impotence
Breast enlargement in men
Confusion
Hallucinations
Heart issues
Kidney problems
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Constipation
Cough
Liver damage
Stomach cancer (in people with untreated H. pylori infection)
Pneumonia (in hospitalized patients, the elderly and children)
Ulcer perforation and bleeding
Iron deficiency
Decreased folate absorption Calcium deficiency
Decreased zinc absorption
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
These are the most dangerous option because they permanently block an enzyme which tells your stomach to produce acid, H+/K+ ATPase, found in the parietal walls of the stomach lining.
Popular PPIs include Nexium, Aciphex, Prevacid, and Prilosec.
The FDA has released warnings about PPIs in the last several years regarding magnesium deficiency, increased risk of bone fractures and C. diff-related diarrhea.
You can expect the same symptoms found in the first two class of acid reflux drugs, but there are some notable things to consider such as an increase in SIBO, vitamin B12 deficiency, stomach cancer, ulcers, asthma, arthritis, and increased risk of death.
The Real Root Causes
1. Awful nutrition
2. Enzyme deficiency
3. Misaligned lifestyle
All of these are interconnected which is why it’s important to address each one simultaneously.
Awful Nutrition
It’s best to cut/drastically minimize:
• Alcohol
• Sugary beverages/energy drinks
• Coffee
• Fried foods
• Vegetable oil & processed junk
Replace all of these options with real, nutrient dense food that supplies the proper level of enzymes and digestive co-factors.
Enzyme Deficiency
This stems from years of poor nutrition with “food” devoid of enzymes & digestive co-factors. Eating real food is crucial for this process to work because that’s how you build your digestive capacity.
Proper supplementation is also key in the short term:
• Betaine HCI (once the meal starts)
• Bromelain (eat more pineapple)
And others (you can find all in one supplement here).
Misaligned Lifestyle
Unhealthy habits cause and contribute to every case of acid reflux.
• Black coffee on an empty stomach
• Abuse of stimulants
• Chronic stress
• No exercise, sunlight, etc
• Ridiculously large meals
• Stressed eating
Get these things in check quickly and you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in symptoms. You’ll also likely see the symptoms of acid reflux disappear altogether.
The Best Solution
Stop eating past sunset (~ 7:30 PM).
Your esophageal valve is CLOSED in the late evening to prepare for bed.
Late night meals open the valve up inappropriately.
Circadian biology and a misaligned rhythm play a huge role in acid reflux and simply making this one switch can resolve it for many people.
Bonus Tips
Keep these tips in mind:
Chew your food well (to liquid)
Apple cider vinegar pills: https://cymbiotika.com/products/apple-cider-vinegar
Avoid drinking anything during and 60 minutes after a meal
I hope this helps, my friends.
Again, if you’re a man who wants to solve his digestive and other health issues for more energy, better stamina, and stronger gains.. click this link here to get in touch.
My goal is to help you feel as good as you did when you were 21.
Much love,
Zaid
Loved this post brother Zaid. I did suffer from this for a long time, and the only way I used to stop the acid reflexes was by consuming milk, buttermilk, or a sip of Gaviscon just to relief the pain. I started drinking water with a squeeze of lemon two times a day and for a few week, it’s gone. Better digestion, and no more acid reflexes. Great post as always brother!