The recent piece on Natural News.com nails a longstanding frustration in alternative health circles: the so-called "heartburn paradox." We're told heartburn is too much acid burning up your oesophagus, so doctors prescribe antacids, H2 blockers like Zantac (before its recall drama, now I think re-released), or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium and Prilosec to shut down acid production. Yet for millions, symptoms persist or worsen over time. Why? Because in many cases — especially chronic ones — the root issue isn't excess acid at all. It's too little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). Dousing the "fire" with suppressants can actually make the flames roar hotter by crippling digestion further.

This isn't fringe theory anymore. It's backed by clinical observations, patient anecdotes, and even high-profile stories. Take U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, who went on Tucker Carlson's show in 2025 and dropped a bombshell: after years of popping Zantac, Prilosec, and Nexium with zero lasting relief, he reversed his GERD by supplementing with betaine HCl (a form of hydrochloric acid). His symptoms vanished — often even when he only remembered to take it half the time. Johnson cited the work of Dr. Jonathan Wright, a pioneer who documented decades ago that adequate stomach acid triggers the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) to close properly, preventing reflux. Low acid? The LES stays lax, food ferments, gas builds, pressure rises, and up comes the acidic, partially digested mess, burning just like "too much acid," but for the opposite reason.

Breaking Down the Paradox: Low Acid as the Hidden Culprit

Here's how it works from an alternative medicine perspective:

Stomach acid's real job goes beyond just breaking down food. HCl sterilizes incoming bacteria, activates pepsin for protein digestion, signals the LES to seal shut, and cues the stomach to empty efficiently into the small intestine.

When acid levels drop (due to age, stress, poor diet, chronic PPI use, H. pylori infections, or nutrient deficiencies like zinc/B vitamins), food lingers and ferments. This produces gas, bloating, and upward pressure that forces contents, including whatever acid remains, back through a weakened LES.

The burning sensation? It's not pure hydrochloric acid torching your oesophagus; it's often the fermented, semi-digested slurry (with bile, pepsin, and bacteria) irritating the lining. Symptoms mimic hyperacidity, so the quick-fix response is more suppression, creating a vicious cycle.

Long-term PPI/antacid use compounds the problem: reduced acid impairs nutrient absorption (B12, magnesium, calcium, iron), alters the gut microbiome (allowing overgrowth of pathogens), and can lead to rebound hyperacidity when you stop. Studies link chronic PPI use to risks like nutrient deficiencies, increased infection susceptibility, kidney issues, and even bone fractures.

The Natural News article echoes this: processed desserts, fried foods, and other modern culprits, relax the LES and slow gastric emptying, turning a mechanical issue into a chronic one. It's not "excess acid" — it's dysfunctional digestion screaming for help.

Real-World Proof: Senator Johnson's Story and Beyond

Johnson's experience isn't isolated. He described how mainstream meds failed him completely, but adding HCl restored balance. Tucker's visible shock captured the moment perfectly; here was a sitting senator saying the opposite of what Big Pharma and standard gastroenterology push. Dr. Wright's research (from the 1980s onward) showed many GERD patients test low on acid via Heidelberg capsule or baking soda burp tests, and supplementing often resolves symptoms by restoring proper sphincter function and motility.

Alternative practitioners have long recommended a simple home test: dilute apple cider vinegar (1-2 tsp in water) before meals. If symptoms improve, low acid is likely the issue (the added acidity signals better digestion). If they worsen, it might point to true excess (rarer in chronic cases). Other natural supports include:

Bitters like gentian root to stimulate vagus nerve signals for acid, bile, and enzyme production.

Activated charcoal to adsorb excess gas and fermentation by-products, easing pressure.

Dietary shifts: ditch processed/fried foods, eat smaller meals, chew thoroughly, avoid lying down post-meal.

These approaches aim to restore the system, not suppress it — optimising the gut ecosystem for long-term relief.

Why This Matters in 2026: Questioning the Pill-for-Every-Symptom Model

The paradox exposes a deeper flaw in conventional care: treating symptoms as enemies rather than signals. Heartburn isn't always "too much acid" — often it's the body saying, "I'm struggling to digest properly." Suppressing it masks the root while risking side effects. Alternative views prioritise bio-individual testing (e.g., functional labs for acid levels) and holistic fixes over lifelong pharma dependency.

If you're dealing with persistent heartburn, don't just reach for the antacid — consider the low-acid possibility. Consult a knowledgeable practitioner (naturopath, functional GP) before supplementing HCL, especially if you have ulcers, hiatal hernia, or other conditions. Start low, titrate up, and pair with lifestyle tweaks. Check everything out with a reliable GP first.

Senator Johnson's viral moment reminds us: sometimes the cure is counterintuitive. Restoring what the body naturally produces can outperform blocking it.

Not medical advice; for information purposes only!

https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-02-06-the-heartburn-paradox-why-dousing-the-fire-may-fuel-the-flames.html