Heartburn and acid reflux effect millions of Americans. Medications for treating acid reflux seek to neutralize stomach acid or prevent the production of it. While they are generally well tolerated, these medications don’t address the root of the problem.

The real cause of heartburn isn’t the body’s production of stomach acid, it’s the result of digestive insufficiency. Parietal cells in the stomach are responsible for producing hydrochloric acid (HCl). These cells are in the gastric glands of the stomach lining and secrete HCl into the stomach lumen. The production of gastric acid is regulated by various factors including histamine, acetylcholine, and gastrin, which stimulate parietal cells to increase HCl secretion. This acid plays a crucial role in protein digestion by activating digestive enzymes and breaking down proteins into smaller polypeptides.

The pH of the stomach is highly acidic, typically ranging between 1.5 and 3.5. Battery acid, typically sulfuric acid used in lead-acid batteries, has a pH level between 0 and 1. But the acid in the stomach is naturally buffered so we don’t normally feel the burn. When parietal cells become compromised, the stomach produces less acid. When less acid is produced, the body can’t properly break down and digest foods.

So when this happens, the body resorts to fermentation. During fermentation different organic acids are produced by the rotting food in our stomach. Over time, and constant exposure these acids start to wreak havoc on the tissues of the esophagus causing damage and the dreaded heartburn we feel.

It’s counter intuitive, but heartburn and acid reflux aren’t caused by too much stomach acid, they are actually caused by a lack of it. So in order to effectively treat heartburn and acid reflux we need to understand the true cause: physical degeneration of the body’s digestive system, specifically the parietal cells.

At Vital Health we help people with heartburn two ways; by building the body up with key nutrients that support the stomach’s ability to make stomach acid and supplementing the digestive system with HCL. We also use acupuncture to regulate digestive function, help reduce inflammation, calm the burning and pain, regulate acid production, improve the condition of the gastric mucosa and stimulate blood flow to the stomach to aid in healing. This approach works wonderfully!

We can’t assimilate all the nutrients in our food if our digestive system isn’t working effectively. If we are deficient in nutrients, our body can’t function properly and the cycle of physical degeneration continues. But if we understand the true mechanisms of heartburn and acid reflux we take action and end our suffering.

Do you want to have great digestion, assimilate your nutrients well and not have heartburn? Come see us at Vital Health. We are here to help you get better.

Want to hear more from Vital Health? Check out our podcast. Search for VitalHealth4You on your favorite podcast listening app or go to vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/

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Greg Anderton holds a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a Licensed Acupuncturist. He is additionally trained in Clinical Nutrition and Herbal Medicine. He has over 20 years of experience in natural medicine. Anderton is a “Health Detective,” he looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place.

Anderton is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements at Vital Health in Coeur d’Alene. Visit our website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Anderton, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Greg can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.