GERD is characterized by chronic heartburn, damaged esophogeal lining, scarring and eventually cancerous cell changes.  The cause is a weakness of the sphincter that closes off the top of the stomach from the esophagus, allowing a “reflux” of acid.  GERD can be triggered by hiatal hernias, consumption of irritating foods, ulcers, stress, allergies, and digestive enzyme deficiencies.

Slow stomach acid can also be a cause of GERD. With a stomach acid deficiency, there is not enough acid to signal a closing of the gastroesophageal sphincter (as would happen with normal acid levels) and the sphincter stays open, again making the more sensitive mucosal membrance of the esophagus susceptible to damage from the small amount of acid that is present and able to splash up (known as esophagitis). If this process is happening, either due to to much or too little stomach acid, chronically, it is known as GERD.

Some common symptoms of GERD include chest pain that is worse lying down, coughing, wheezing, asthma and sore throat, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, regurgitating food and a sour taste in the mouth. The damage to the mucosal membrane of the esophagus is more than simply uncomfortable. It can lead to narrowing of the esophagus, esophageal ulcers, and Barrett's Esophagitis. The latter is highly associated with a form of esophageal cancer called adenocarcinoma. When left untreated, the irritated esophageal cells can mutate into these cancer cells, making it imperative that individuals seek treatment if they have been dealing with a chronic problem.

DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, is an herb that helps to soothe and coat the mucous membranes of the entire gastrointestinal tract, protecting it from acid. Digestive enzymes, as well as probiotics can be used to help improve digestion as a whole, often compromised by both high or low acid levels.

Several studies have shown a strong correlation between body weight and symptoms of GERD. If you are overweight, consider weight loss as an effective way to eliminate symptoms of GERD and prevent the dangerous complications associated with it.

Symptoms of GERD are noticeable after a meal.  Heartburn occurs along with a reflux of stomach fluid into the throat.  Lying down after a meal makes the symptoms worse.

Conventional treatment of GERD involves symptomatic treatment.  Prolonged use of antacids can cause mineral imbalances because they contain large amounts of sodium, aluminum, calcium and magnesium.  Excess sodium can worsen hypertension and aluminum has been connected to Alzheimer’s disease. 

If you have low stomach acid take lemon juice or take apple cider vinegar with your meals.  Avoid any foods that you are sensitive to.  An elimination or rotation diet may be necessary to uncover specific food allergens.  Combinations of certain foods can also be difficult to digest.  Use food-combining guidelines to make digestion easier. 

Eat papayas, pineapple and kiwi with your meal because they contain protein digestive enzymes.  To help fat digestion take unrefined, cold pressed nut or seed oils, like walnut, pumpkin or flax, with your meal.  Eat bitter green leafy vegetables like endive, lettuce and artichokes to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes.    Prepare them as a salad or steam them and eat them with boiled potatoes.  Carrot and cabbage coleslaw with yogurt or kefir helps with heartburn.  

The following list of supplements can be used for GERD.  Adult doses are given.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).