Acid Reflux: Why You Have It, and How to Stop It

August 13, 2024 Dr Livingood

Alright, let’s talk about GERD — that painful condition that plagues millions of Americans.

It all boils down to acid reflux, a situation where stomach acid, which is supposed to stay put down below, decides to take a little sightseeing trip up your esophagus.

Now, there’s a gatekeeper at the bottom of your esophagus called a sphincter, and when it’s working right, it keeps that acid firmly in its place. But sometimes, this sphincter weakens, or it just doesn’t close all the way, and that’s when the trouble starts.

GERD can cause a whole lot of discomfort — a lump in your throat, that burning feeling in your chest (heartburn, of course!), and even problems with your teeth. On top of that, it can make you super sensitive to certain foods, turning mealtimes into a guessing game.

If you’ve been struggling with acid reflux; don’t worry, you’re not alone. But here are 3 easy tips to banish it for good.

The Common Culprits

Painkillers/NSAIDs: These pain relievers, like aspirin, ibuprofen, and their cousins, are wreaking havoc on your gut lining. They poke holes, cause ulcers, and basically create an open invitation for acid to sneak up. So, the first step? Ditch the NSAIDs! Luckily, there are natural alternatives. Turmeric and Omega-3 fatty acids are superstars when it comes to pain relief. Studies show that doubling up on omega-3s is just as effective as an Advil for pain.

Cigarettes, Cigars, and other Smoking Habits: Smoking is a double whammy for your gut. It irritates the lining and weakens that all-important sphincter muscle. So, if you’re serious about kicking GERD to the curb, it’s time to kick the smoking habit to the curb as well.
The Wrong Foods: Certain foods just don’t play nice with GERD. Dairy, spicy foods, gluten, processed sugars, caffeine, and alcohol — these can all be triggers. The best way to figure out your personal food foes is to follow a gut-friendly nutritional plan.

The Remedies

Gut Reset: This is where the Livingood Daily Lifestyle program comes in. We’ve got a basic and advanced version, both designed to walk you through exactly what to eat and what to avoid. We’ll help you flush out your gut, rebuild it back up stronger, and then slowly reintroduce foods to see which ones cause problems. This way, you can save money on those expensive food sensitivity tests!

Nutrient Refresh: The right nutrients are essential for healing and strengthening your gut. Collagen helps seal up any leaky spots, digestive enzymes make sure you’re breaking down your food properly (which can reduce irritation), and probiotics, prebiotics, and post-biotics work together to build up the good bacteria in your gut.
Breathing Exercises: Paced breathing, which we teach in week two of our Livingood Daily Lifestyle challenges, stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, strengthens that sphincter muscle, making it a better guard against rogue stomach acid.

By following these steps — ditching the NSAIDs, quitting smoking, following a gut-friendly diet, taking the right supplements, and practicing paced breathing — you can take control of your GERD and get back to enjoying life, heartburn-free.

For more tips and information on how to beat the battle against acid reflux for good, check out my free book on how to overcome the broken healthcare system, and take control of your health again.