If you are suffering from heartburn or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease ("GERD" or "reflux"), or know of someone else who does, take heart - there are many things you can do to alleviate it. Some people say, "Well, I no longer suffer from it because I take medication. I don't have any problems with it." Well, sorry to say, you have more problems than you realize.

We have done a good job in this country of making people scared of their own acids in their stomach. The truth is, we NEED stomach acid. It plays a very critical role in health. The primary enzyme in the stomach, hydrochloric acid (HCL), is supposed to be acidic. HCL triggers the production of pepsin, necessary for protein digestion. Without proper protein digestion, not only will you lack usable protein for health and healing, but the unbroken down protein molecules set the stage for allergies and autoimmune responses.

HCL is responsible for the breakdown of many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and proteins, and triggers the release of bile necessary to emulsify fats. HCL is also the first line of defense against bacterial invasion. Without sufficient levels of HCL in the stomach, bacterial overgrowth now becomes problematic. H. Pylori, C. Difficile, etc. are more apt to thrive in pathogenic numbers. Some blame H. Pylori as the cause of heartburn, other research states it is the result of low stomach acid - I agree with the latter. If your HCL levels are up to par, you should not get food poisoning or any other bacterial, viral, parasitic, yeast, mold or fungus invasion via ingestion. HCL is protective. Research has found that with low HCL levels, you have a decreased resistance to infections, and have an increased risk of cancer, pneumonia and other diseases. This makes sense:

When you can't digest or absorb nutrients, it is logical that disease will follow. For instance, Iron has been found to be 80 percent lower in people with low HCL secretion. Keep in mind that acid suppressing or lowering medications adversely affect stomach acid (HCL). These medications were found to decrease iron absorption by 28-65 percent (depending upon dosage). They also lower B12 and folate. This means you are at greater risk of anemias. Researchers in Sweden discovered that if you gave an anemic person hydrochloric acid along with the iron pills, instead of only the iron, that there was a 400 percent increase in iron absorption.

Calcium and magnesium breakdown is also dependent upon HCL. With HCL inhibiting drugs, the risk of osteoporosis and fractures increase. Researchers also found that if they gave hydrochloric acid to ulcer patients (the opposite of how we treat ulcers) that their calcium levels went up 500 percent!

Now, don't go throwing your acid-suppressing meds away. There's more to the story, including how to alleviate this and other digestive disorders. The best way to stop taking medications (if that is your goal) is to no longer need them. We'll discuss that in Part II.

Meanwhile, register to attend my upcoming class, Overcoming Digestive Challenges, Wednesday, March 25th 7 p.m. in Coeur d'Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 36 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit her website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Holly, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Holly Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994, and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.