GERD: Too Much Acid or Not Enough? Unraveling a Medical Divide, By Mrs. (Dr) Abigail Knight (Florida)

The following is not medical advice, for information purposes only. Heartburn, that burning sensation in your chest after a spicy meal or a late-night snack, is a hallmark of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For millions, it's a daily struggle, but the way we treat it depends on a critical question: Is GERD caused by too much stomach acid or too little? This question exposes a deep rift between mainstream medicine and alternative health approaches, each offering a different lens on the same problem. Let's enter into this debate, explore the science, and consider what it means for those seeking relief.

Mainstream Medicine: Too Much Acid, So Suppress It

Walk into any doctor's office with heartburn, and you're likely to leave with a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole (Prilosec) or esomeprazole (Nexium). I do it all the time. Mainstream medicine views GERD as a problem of excess stomach acid. When acid escapes the stomach and creeps into the oesophagus, often due to a malfunctioning lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), it causes irritation, pain, and sometimes serious damage like oesophageal erosions.

The logic is straightforward: reduce acid production, reduce harm. PPIs and H2 blockers (like ranitidine) work by shutting down acid production in the stomach, creating a less acidic environment. Decades of research back this approach. Clinical trials show PPIs heal oesophageal damage in up to 80% of GERD patients and significantly reduce symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. Guidelines from organisations like the American College of Gastroenterology endorse PPIs as the gold standard, citing their efficacy and safety for short-term use.

But there's a catch. Long-term PPI use can lead to side effects like nutrient deficiencies (e.g., magnesium, vitamin B12), increased risk of infections, and even dependency, where stopping the medication causes rebound acid production and worse symptoms. Critics argue this approach treats symptoms without addressing the root cause. If acid isn't the whole story, what else could be going on?

Alternative Health: Too Little Acid, So Restore It

Enter the alternative health perspective, which flips the mainstream narrative on its head. Practitioners like Dr. Jonathan Wright and functional medicine advocates argue that GERD often stems from too little stomach acid, a condition called hypochlorhydria. The theory goes like this: low acid impairs digestion, particularly of proteins, which slows gastric emptying and increases pressure on the LES. This pressure causes the sphincter to relax improperly, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the oesophagus. Adding insult to injury, low acid fails to signal the LES to close tightly, exacerbating the problem.

The solution? Supplement with betaine hydrochloric acid (HCl), a compound that boosts stomach acid levels to restore proper digestion and LES function. Anecdotal success stories, like that of Senator Ron Johnson, who reportedly cured his chronic GERD with betaine HCl after years of ineffective PPI use, fuel this perspective. In a widely shared interview with Tucker Carlson, Johnson described how HCl supplementation resolved his symptoms, a claim echoed by thousands in alternative health communities.

Some evidence supports this view. A 2016 case report in Integrative Medicine described a patient whose GERD symptoms improved after betaine HCl supplementation, particularly after long-term PPI use had suppressed their natural acid production. Small studies, like one with six participants cited in Healthline (2021), found that betaine HCl increased stomach acidity and alleviated symptoms in those with low acid levels. Dr. Wright's book, Why Stomach Acid Is Good for You (2001), argues that hypochlorhydria is a common but underdiagnosed cause of GERD, based on his decades of clinical experience.

The Evidence: A Tale of Two Worlds

The mainstream approach has a stronger evidence base, built on large-scale randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and decades of clinical data. PPIs are proven to heal oesophageal damage and relieve symptoms in most patients, making them a reliable choice for managing GERD. However, the alternative perspective points out gaps in this model. For example, not all GERD patients respond to PPIs, and long-term use can create new problems, suggesting acid suppression isn't always the answer.

The low-acid hypothesis, while compelling, lacks robust support. Most evidence comes from case reports, small studies, or anecdotal accounts, not the rigorous RCTs needed to shift medical guidelines. A 1500 mg dose of betaine HCl was shown to increase stomach acidity in a small study, but the FDA has stated there's insufficient evidence to confirm its efficacy for GERD. The "HCl Challenge," a method used by functional nutritionists to assess acid levels, is empirical and not standardised, making it hard to compare across patients.

There's also a mechanistic plausibility to the low-acid theory. Stomach acid plays a critical role in digestion and triggers the LES to close. Chronic PPI use can reduce acid production, potentially worsening GERD in some cases by creating a cycle of dependency. Aging, stress, and certain medical conditions can also lower acid levels, lending credence to the idea that hypochlorhydria affects a subset of GERD patients.

Risks and Considerations

Both approaches have risks. Long-term PPI use is linked to side effects like kidney disease, bone fractures, and gut microbiome imbalances. On the other hand, betaine HCl supplementation isn't risk-free. Taking too much can cause heartburn, stomach pain, or, in rare cases, damage to the stomach lining. Without medical supervision, self-administering HCl can be dangerous, especially for those with ulcers or normal acid levels.

The divide also reflects broader philosophical differences. Mainstream medicine prioritises standardised, evidence-based treatments, often focusing on symptom management. Alternative health emphasises individualised care and root-cause solutions, even if the evidence is less robust. For patients, this can feel like choosing between a well-trodden path with known limitations or an uncharted one with promising but unproven potential.

Bridging the Gap: A Balanced Approach

So, who's right? The answer likely depends on the patient. GERD is complex, driven by factors like acid levels, LES dysfunction, diet, obesity, and even gut bacteria. For some, excess acid is the culprit, and PPIs work wonders. For others, especially those on long-term PPIs or with naturally low acid due to age or other factors, betaine HCl might offer relief. Complementary strategies, like dietary changes (e.g., avoiding trigger foods, adopting a low-carb diet) or alginate supplements that form a protective barrier against reflux, can also play a role.

The key is personalisation. If you suspect low stomach acid, consult a healthcare provider who can assess your condition, possibly through tests like the Heidelberg pH test, which measures stomach acid levels. Avoid self-diagnosing or starting HCl supplementation without guidance, as it's not a one-size-fits-all fix. Meanwhile, mainstream treatments like PPIs remain effective for many but should be used judiciously to minimise long-term risks.

The Bigger Picture

The GERD debate reflects a broader tension in healthcare: the clash between conventional wisdom and alternative innovation. Mainstream medicine offers reliability but can overlook underlying causes. Alternative approaches push for holistic solutions but often lack the rigorous evidence needed to gain widespread acceptance. For patients, navigating this divide means asking questions, seeking second opinions, and considering both science and personal experience.

At the end of the day, your stomach is designed to produce acid for a reason. Whether it's too much or too little, finding the right balance could be the key to lasting relief.

https://www.vigilantfox.com/p/tucker-carlsons-face-drops-as-ron

"Modern medicine wants you to believe heartburn comes from too much acid.

But after years of pharma pills, Senator Ron Johnson still found no relief.

Then he discovered something called hydrochloric acid, and once he started taking it, everything changed.

Watch him explain in this must-see clip. Tucker Carlson's reaction says it all.

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Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson just dropped two bombshell personal health stories on Tucker Carlson.

It all started when Carlson asked why Americans keep getting sicker, even as healthcare costs skyrocket.

That's when Johnson opened up about his personal experience with statin drugs—and what happened after he stopped taking them.

He told Carlson that his severe dizzy spells vanished the moment he quit statins.

Tucker Carlson was astonished. "What?!" he exclaimed.

The dizzy spells weren't the only thing that went away.

Senator Johnson explained that he's had "a number of health conditions that just improved as a result" of stopping statins.

One possible way Johnson believes statin drugs may have harmed him is through his sudden loss of hearing. It's difficult to prove, but he can't help but wonder if the statins played a role.

Even more concerning, many doctors in the alternative health space are now suspecting that statin drugs could be associated with dementia.

Carlson responded to the claim, saying, "That's really scary right there."

Senator Johnson declared that the medical establishment would never admit statins cause dementia—even if it were true—because they're the most commonly prescribed drugs in America, and there's too much money at stake.

"That's a multi-billion dollar industry right there," he said.

Senator Johnson's personal story about statins is not unique. Dissenting doctors have been warning about the dangers of statins for some time.

Medical researcher

"There is a widespread belief that elevated cholesterol is the "cause" of cardiovascular disease. However, a large body of evidence shows that there is no association between the two and that lower cholesterol significantly INCREASES one's risk of death."

"Unfortunately, the benefits of these highly toxic drugs are MINISCULE (e.g., at best taking them for years extends your life by a few days) and the harms are VAST (statins are one of the most common pharmaceuticals that severely injure patients)."

After shocking Carlson with a bold story about statins, Senator Johnson hit him with another jaw-dropping tale about how he cured his acid reflux disease with hydrochloric acid after years on Zantac, Prilosec, and Nexium with no luck.

Tucker Carlson's reaction said it all.

The medical industry wants you to believe heartburn is caused by too much acid.

Senator Johnson discovered the opposite—the real issue was too little.

After he started supplementing with betaine HCl, his reflux symptoms disappeared.

Johnson says it worked better than anything doctors ever gave him, even when he only remembers to take it about half the time before meals.

Editorial credit: photo_gonzo / Shutterstock.com

The work of Dr. Jonathan Wright explains exactly why Senator Johnson suddenly found relief.

He documented that hydrochloric acid plays a critical role not just in digestion, but in triggering the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close.

Without enough acid, the LES stays loose, allowing stomach contents to leak into the esophagus and trigger reflux.

As Wright showed over two decades ago, supplementing with betaine HCl can often reverse acid reflux by restoring this natural closure mechanism.

Johnson's experience mirrors what thousands have seen after restoring their stomach's natural acid levels.

At the end of the day, hydrochloric acid is exactly what your stomach is designed to produce.

Sometimes the solution isn't high-tech. It's just common sense.