Dietary modifications are an effective strategy for preventing GERD. Patients should avoid foods and beverages that trigger acid reflux, such as spicy foods, fatty meals, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and citrus fruits. Eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than large portions can also help reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and prevent reflux. Avoiding late-night eating, remaining upright for at least two to three hours after meals, and elevating the head of the bed while sleeping on your left side can reduce the likelihood of nighttime reflux.
Weight management is another critical component of non-drug GERD management. Excess body weight, particularly around the abdomen, increases pressure on the stomach and LES, which can exacerbate reflux. Even modest weight loss can significantly reduce GERD symptoms.
One natural gut-soothing supplement to consider is DGL Synergy by Designs For Health. When chewed and mixed with saliva, the DGL can promote mucus activity which can act as a barrier to acid and allow tissues to heal and prevent further acid reflux.
GUT-FX by Healthology contains slippery elm, marshmallow root, L-glutamine, aloe, and NAG which all help to repair the gut lining and make the tissues more resistant to acid. It also contains probiotics which can help displace the bad bacteria, which can cause gas.
Many patients believe heartburn is from the overproduction of acid coming up into the esophagus. You may be surprised to learn that most of the time, it is caused by low acid production. If you do not have enough acid to fully digest your food, it will stay in the stomach too long, ferment, and cause gas which pushes the acid up towards the esophagus. Some patients will benefit from taking MORE acid with meals with or without digestive enzymes.
One digestive enzyme with Betaine Hydrochloride acid is Advanced Digestive Enzymes by Thorne. If your gut is very sensitive to acid you may need to repair the lining of the gut first with GUT-FX before trying acid supplements like Betaine HCl (with meals). Taking Betaine HCl will help train the LES muscle to start working again but it may take some time to start working effectively. You can also take digestive enzymes without Betaine HCl to help digest your food e.g. Digestzyme by OrthoMolecular.
Some patients have GI motility problems where the GI tract is not moving food as fast as it should because of a backing up from being constipated or from stress. Taking Magnesium Bisglycinate by CanPrev can help with the smooth muscle contractions of the GI tract but also can help with stress. Another product to consider is GI Motility Matrix (Cytomatrix), which tells the migrating motor complex from the gut-brain connection to help with GI motility. Bitters found in Canadian Bitters (St. Francis) can also help with motility issues.
Lyle Sunada is a compounding pharmacist and NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner specializing in hormone balancing and alternative medicine at Cloverdale Pharmasave. Everything mentioned in the article is available In-Store.
