GERD & Acid Reflux: Healing Beyond the Antacids

If you’re tired of living with daily discomfort, you’re not alone.

Heartburn. Chest tightness. That burning in your throat after meals—or even when you're just trying to sleep. If you’ve been told you have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) or acid reflux, the usual advice probably looks like this:

“Take a PPI. Avoid spicy food. Sleep propped up.”

And yet… despite all of this, the reflux keeps coming back.

Whether you're on long-term medication or managing it without, these symptoms can wear you down physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s time for a different approach—one that looks at the underlying reasons your body is reacting this way, not just the symptoms.

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation we know as heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the more chronic form of acid reflux and is usually diagnosed when acid reflux occurs two or more times per week or causes inflammation and damage in the esophagus.

GERD and acid reflux are common, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them forever. There is a better way—and it starts by treating the root cause.

The Real Risks of Long-Term PPI Use

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most prescribed drugs for reflux—but while they’re useful for short-term relief, they were never designed for long-term use. And yet, many people stay on them for years, even decades.

The long-term risks are real and often overlooked:

⚠️ Reduced bone density and increased fracture risk
⚠️ Increased risk of stomach and esophageal cancers
⚠️ Malabsorption of key nutrients like magnesium, B12, calcium, and iron
⚠️ Impaired digestion of protein and other vital nutrients
⚠️ Disrupted gut microbiome, making the gut more vulnerable to infections
⚠️ Higher risk of Clostridium difficile, pneumonia, and SIBO
⚠️ Potential increased dementia risk in older adults

These are not rare side effects—they’re well-documented and still under-discussed in conventional care.

A Functional Medicine Approach That Works

As a Functional Nutritionist I help you go deeper than symptom management.

Together, we’ll:

✅ Get you short-term relief of symptoms the natural way: with soothing dietary or supplemental strategies that start the repair process and get you feeling better while working on long-term solutions.

✅ Identify underlying causes like low stomach acid, H. Pylori, SIBO, food intolerances, or microbiome imbalance
✅ Use advanced functional testing when needed
✅ Rebuild digestive strength and microbiome diversity
✅ Support your nervous system and inflammation naturally
✅ Work toward medication reduction—safely and gradually, in collaboration with your GP.

✅ A personalised strategy for your root causes so you get long-term relief.

What’s Possible When We Work Together

Imagine a life where you can:

✨ Enjoy meals without discomfort
✨ Sleep soundly without reflux waking you up
✨ Reduce reliance on medications
✨ Understand what your gut is really telling you
✨ Feel confident and in control of your health