Freedom from Heartburn and GERD
Did you know that 40 percent of all Americans have a serious problem with their upper intestinal tract— indigestion, hiatal hernia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers, belching, burping and bloating?
Ulcers notwithstanding, the most intense of these conditions is often referred to as “heartburn,” but is really the invasion of acidic stomach contents into the much more tender alkaline membranes of the esophagus. It has been popularized as “Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease” (GERD).
The natural protection against this reflux is the one-way esophageal valve, which allows the stomach to regurgitate only under extreme circumstances, such as a toxic presence it wishes to evacuate immediately. At that point, the stomach will begin cramping rather violently and vomiting results.
GERD is not that severe and is probably the result of low production of stomach acid, which causes the stomach contents to remain for longer periods of time in the stomach before moving on to the duodenum.
Under normal circumstances, the pyloric valve at the lower end of the stomach will open when the stomach contents are adequately acidified— that is the signal. If your stomach acid content is low, it takes much longer and the contents tend to ferment. Gas causes the stomach to enlarge, which then presses constantly against the esophageal valve.
Over a period of time, the valve weakens and small amounts of stomach contents reflux into the esophagus causing intense burning. Allowed to continue, this will often lead to cancer of the esophagus (Barret’s Esophagus). The preceding information is exactly opposite of what you have been led to believe from the billion dollar ad agencies who tout Turns®, Rolaids®, Prilosec®,Nexium®,Zantac®, Prevacid®, Pepcide, Maalox® and a host of other acid modifying products. But the truth is that individuals suffering from these disorders (“too much stomach acid”) almost always find out when their stomach acid is tested that they have serious deficiencies of stomach acid.
If that is true, then why do these “acid neutralizers” give relief? When the stomach—a normally acid to very acid organ—is exposed to concentrated alkaline substances, it opens the pyloric valve in a reflex defensive action that dumps the too-alkaline contents into the more alkaline media of the duodenum. Problem solved— temporarily! Now proteins which were supposed to be broken down into peptides in the stomach are in the digestive area. if those proteins have not been broken down, they can act as an allergen.
The stomach acids also sterilize the stomachs’ contents so that the bacteria count is very low. If that has not been accomplished, it results in more problems for the lower digestive tract!
In summary, due to misinformation, serious lower intestinal problems and malnutrition can result from the lack of proper exposure of foodstuffs to an acidic environment in the stomach. To use acid neutralizers, or worse, acid production inhibitors (Protonix®) can and does jeopardize your health.
What is the solution for GERD and heartburn? There are actually two very beneficial nutritional remedies that will help eliminate this harmful condition. Taking a combination of D- Limonene and licorice extract before each meal and betaine hydrochloric acid (HCL) after each meal will solve the problem within a matter of weeks. Start with a small dosage of the HCL after each meal and gradually increase until you no longer have the problem. Increase the dosage slowly, because there is no true dosage that meets everyone’s needs. Use a step ladder technique to gradually increase the dosage. If you take too much HCL, you’ll get a warming sensation in your stomach which can he easily neutralized by drinking a little water. The next time just take a smaller dosage.
This may sound strange to add acid to your meals when you think you already have too much acid. However, the symptoms of too little acid and too much acid are identical. In fact, 95% of people who are taking antacids are only making the condition worse and should be taking hydrochloric acid, which is a natural acid secreted from the stomach lining to digest proteins and minerals.
As we get older, our ability to secrete the acid diminishes as do many of our metabolic processes. People who rely heavily on antacids can eventually become malnourished because they are no longer able to break down proteins and minerals. I would never recommend antacids since you are not deficient in antacids; you are most likely deficient in hydrochloric acid.
Other minor symptoms that can also he eliminated when using this method are excessive gas, bloating after meals, having a heavy feeling after eating and general indigestion. Also keep in mind candida (yeast infection), bacteria and viruses cannot survive an acid medium. Many of our health problems begin because we do not have the proper pH in the stomach. The proper pH should he approximately 1.2- 2 on a pH scale. n