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What Your Physician Never Told You About Heartburn/GERD & PPI's.
Today, we’ll discuss acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn, along with continuing our conversation on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). My focus is on helping patients resolve root causes of digestive issues using functional lab testing, virtual coaching, and tailored anti-inflammatory meal plans. These plans are based on testing food sensitivities, microbiome imbalances, micronutrient deficiencies, and more.
Let's start with PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) and outline the differences between acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD. There’s also Barrett’s esophagitis, a pre-cancerous condition that can result from untreated GERD. Being proactive with your health—beyond standard screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms—is vital. My Bio-Unique Boutique program emphasizes functional, proactive testing for true root-cause resolution. Find out more about this program and so we can test, not guess what will help you. Schedule your free call with me today.
Previously, we covered three types of gut dysbiosis and their potential to cause intestinal permeability (or “leaky gut”), which can lead to various health issues. SIBO affects 60–70% of people who undergo GI testing yet often receive only a general IBS diagnosis without actionable guidance. That’s not our approach here—we strive to get to the root of the issue and offer solutions beyond temporary relief.
What Are PPIs?
Today, we’ll delve into PPIs, the risks of long-term use, and why short-term relief may eventually lead to worsening symptoms upon stopping. While doctors may attempt to taper patients off PPIs, the rebound effect can leave patients with even more severe reflux, heartburn, or GERD symptoms, often leading to prolonged PPI use despite the risks. Even manufacturers advise against long-term use, recommending a maximum of 8 to 12 weeks.
A core issue is that PPIs do not address the root cause, and long-term suppression of stomach acid can prevent the body from absorbing essential nutrients, like B12, magnesium, and proteins, leading to secondary health problems like IBS, bloating, osteoporosis, and even pneumonia.
Functional testing helps us look deeper, particularly when diet, stress, and lifestyle changes alone are insufficient. Diet plays a key role: common foods that aggravate reflux include chocolate, mint, tomatoes, fried foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Eating late at night or to the point of being overly full also worsens reflux. Chronic stress, weight gain, and specific food sensitivities may exacerbate GERD symptoms. Functional testing enables us to tailor dietary plans and identify any food sensitivities or microbiome imbalances that may be at play.
Role of Micronutrients
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly magnesium, can also contribute to reflux. Magnesium is necessary to relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing food to pass smoothly. Yet, 45% of Americans have magnesium deficiencies, which can aggravate GERD. Testing can pinpoint these deficiencies so we can incorporate foods high in magnesium, like greens, beans, nuts, and seeds, or consider supplements.
Furthermore, SIBO, Candida overgrowth, and other gut imbalances are often underlying issues in reflux, as bacteria thrive in a low-acid environment. These microbial imbalances can drive symptoms, yet functional medicine offers non-antibiotic approaches, such as specific probiotics or natural antimicrobials, proven to help balance gut bacteria.
Finding the Underlying Issues
It’s crucial to be an advocate for your own health, seeking the root cause rather than relying solely on medications. Conventional medicine can overlook the connections between diet, gut health, and overall wellness. We have tools that go beyond masking symptoms and truly support digestive health by restoring balance, addressing deficiencies, and customizing your diet.
If you’re dealing with unresolved digestive issues, consider exploring natural, evidence-based options to achieve lasting relief. Remember, we can take a proactive approach to our health, breaking the cycle of temporary solutions and investing in wellness that supports both the gut and the whole body.
Schedule a call with me today to get you started on the journey to good health. Remember we will test, not guess and get you on the right track.
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