A Case for Heartburn

Expert Author
Dr. Keith Giaquinto Internist Naperville, IL

Dr. Keith Giaquinto is a graduate from National University of Health Sciences with a Doctorate of Chiropractic and an Internal Health Specialist Certification from Logan University.  He is a published author, writing articles for national chiropractic and local health magazines.   In 2015 and 2016, Naperville... more

According to Healthline.com, approximately 7 million people suffer from GERD in the United States. Two of the main contributing factors the medical establishment says cause heartburn are the overproduction of stomach acid and structural problems that allow acid to reflux back into the esophagus.  The usual course of treatment is to prescribe a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Prevacid, Nexium or Prilosec. These medications should only be taken short term, if at all, because research shows long term use can cause serious health consequences like an increased risk of chronic kidney disease1, heart attacks2, hip fractures3, dementia4 and esophageal cancers5.

The true cause of heartburn is a combination of:

  • Subluxations at C1-C3, T4-T9
  • A poor diet
  • A compromised mucosal lining of the stomach (due to stress)
  • The inability of the body to digest food properly
  • Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) and
  • Bowel toxicity.

Chiropractic adjustments, modifying your diet and taking digestive food enzymes can strengthen the digestion of food but also nourish the mucosal lining of the stomach. This approach can be an easy fix for some heartburn cases. In more difficult cases, correction of SIBO and bowel toxicity need to be considered. 

Nutritionally speaking, a strong digestive system is paramount to great overall health. There is a misconception that when we put food in our mouth and swallow it, that the food is automatically 100% digested, absorbed and utilized by your cells and organs.  This is not always the case, especially when there high or prolonged stress on the body.  The body knows what it needs to heal. Find the source of stress, manage it better and give the body the nutrition it needs so it can express health, and you will get better results.

It is physiologically impossible for the body to make too much stomach acid. Taking a PPI diminishes the acid production, which in turn weakens digestion, which may lead to leaky gut syndrome, SIBO and bowel toxicity. Using chiropractic adjustments and food enzymes is a better and safer way to support your health.

Sources:
1.  JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(2):238-246.
2.  http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0124653
3. Journal of the American Medical Association December 27, 2006; 296(24): 2947-2953
4. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(4):410-416. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.4791
5. Arch Surg. 2011 Jul;146(7):851-8. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.2011.174.