Getting To The Root Of And Getting Rid Of Heartburn And Reflux

Lifestyle Factors

Mark Hyman and Todd LePine discuss how lifestyle choices significantly impact heartburn and reflux. Todd explains that certain foods like chocolate, alcohol, citrus, and spicy foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to move upward and cause pain 1. Mark adds that being overweight or pregnant can exacerbate these issues by increasing pressure on the stomach 1. Todd also highlights the long-term consequences of acid-blocking medications, such as increased risk of food allergies, vitamin deficiencies, and osteoporosis 2.

It's like adding gasoline to the fire. It truly and truly is, and they're not cheap.

--- Todd LePine

Mark emphasizes that these medications often swap one gastrointestinal problem for another, like irritable bowel syndrome and bacterial overgrowth 2.

   

Dietary Impact

Mark and Todd explore the role of diet in managing heartburn and reflux. Mark notes that while traditional medicine often prescribes acid-blocking drugs for these conditions, functional medicine seeks to identify and treat the root causes 3. Todd explains that a functional medicine workup might include testing for stomach acid levels and autoimmunity, and sometimes even recommending stomach acid support like apple cider vinegar 4.

It's counterintuitive, but in the right patient, it can be very effective.

--- Todd LePine

Mark emphasizes that these drugs are not benign and have serious side effects, making it crucial to address the underlying issues rather than just suppressing symptoms 3.