Chronic heartburn often stems from low stomach acid and H. pylori, not excess acid. Addressing root causes supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and lasting reflux relief.
Do you experience frequent heartburn/reflux? Indigestion? Maybe you take over the counter antacid relief, or your doctor prescribed you Nexium (the purple pill) or Prilosec. After all, it makes sense: If you have stomach acid burning your esophagus, you need an antacid to neutralize it for pain relief, right?
Actually, this is not always the case. The majority of reflux patients (> 90 percent) actually have LOW stomach acid, not high stomach acid (called hyperchlorhydria), which is actually not common (source). Conventional medicine has a knack for treating the symptoms without uncovering the underlying cause of what causes the reflux.
In the case of chronic heartburn, 9 times out of 10, the cause is insufficient or alkaline stomach acid, not too much stomach acid.
You Need an Acidic Stomach
Your stomach acid should be around a PH of 2, incredibly acidic, so that it can break down food into a liquid (chyme) that travels to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed, and then the large intestine, where waste travels onward and outward to be excreted.
If your stomach acid is at a higher PH, more alkaline, food cannot be properly broken down, and any pathogens, bacteria, or anything else that might be possibly contaminating your food won’t be killed, putting you at risk for food poisoning or intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
When food is not properly broken down, it ferments/putrefies in the intestinal tract, giving off gases and causing a burning sensation that then travels up the esophageal tract. This causes reflux. It also travels out the other end, causing gas and bloating. A lazy esophageal sphincter (LES) that fails to close properly also allows gas and acid to travel backwards and up the esophagus.
Gastritis, inflammation of the stomach lining, is a result of chronic heartburn.
Why Antacids are Not The Solution for Reflux
If you have chronic heartburn, GERD, or ulcers, you may have h pylori, a nasty bacteria that causes ulcers, gastritis, and systemic inflammation that can lead to stomach cancer. The 2005 Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to 2 scientists for “the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.”
Antacids make heartburn worse because they neutralize acids and therefore raise stomach acid pH further, making it easier for h pylori to thrive and making it harder for you to digest food. That’s why reflux worsens over time. No purple pill will kill h pylori; it will only make conditions in the stomach better for it to thrive over time.
Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is a common problem and worsens with age. If you see undigested food in your poop, or if you belch or fart a lot, you likely have low stomach acid and are not absorbing necessary nutrients from your food. Also, low stomach acid makes it easier to contract h pylori and other bugs in the first place.
Of course, reflux can also result from consuming foods to which you’re allergic, and there are many common heartburn triggers such as spicy foods and citrus. But if you are experiencing reflux regularly, time to figure out the cause.
H Pylori and other bugs can be tested for via stool test. Once the h pylori is gone, your stomach and gut can heal; both will be inflamed as a result of the infection. You can take digestive enzymes to help digestion and to increase stomach acid. Follow up the program with a good course of probiotics to recolonize the gut. I cover in depth how to get rid of h pylori here. Check out my 4 step plan to heal your gut here.
Don’t live your life covering up symptoms of a very uncomfortable problem. Why take a pill for the rest of your life when you can get rid of the problem itself?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can heartburn be caused by low stomach acid?
Yes. Many reflux cases are linked to low stomach acid rather than excess acid. When acid is too weak, food is not fully broken down. It can ferment and create gas pressure that pushes upward, causing burning, chest discomfort, and symptoms similar to GERD.
Why does the stomach need strong acid for digestion?
Stomach acid normally has a pH near 2, which helps liquefy food and activate digestive enzymes. Strong acid supports protein breakdown, mineral absorption, and protection against harmful microbes. Without adequate acid, digestion slows and nutrient uptake may decline.
How can low stomach acid lead to bloating and gas?
When acid levels are low, food lingers in the stomach and small intestine. This delayed digestion allows fermentation by bacteria, producing gas and pressure. Gas may travel upward as reflux or downward as flatulence, contributing to bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Do antacids address the root cause of reflux?
Antacids and acid blockers reduce stomach acid further. If low acid is the underlying issue, this may worsen digestion over time. Suppressing acid can also increase risk of bacterial imbalance, poor protein digestion, and reduced absorption of nutrients such as iron and B12.
What is H. pylori and why is it important?
Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that can inflame the stomach lining and contribute to ulcers and chronic gastritis. It may interfere with acid production and digestive function. Stool or breath testing helps confirm infection so targeted treatment can be started safely.
What are common signs of low stomach acid?
Frequent belching, bloating, gas after meals, and undigested food in stool may suggest low acid. Nutrient deficiencies, especially iron or B12, can also appear. Mary Vance notes that acid levels often decline with age and should be evaluated rather than masked.
What natural steps may support reflux healing?
Testing for H. pylori is a first step. Digestive enzymes and targeted probiotics may improve breakdown of food and gut balance. Mary Vance emphasizes identifying root causes, improving diet quality, and supporting healthy digestion instead of long term reliance on acid suppressing drugs.
Welcome to my site! I am a holistic nutrition consultant based in California, though I work with clients all over the world. I love houseplants, dogs, snow sports, and music that doesn't suck.
