Ever feel like you’re on a merry-go-round of prescriptions, each one leading to another? You’re not alone. Many of us are taking medications that might not be helping, and in some cases, could be making things worse.

One of the biggest culprits? Stomach acid suppressants. We’ve been taught that acid reflux means “too much acid,” but what if that’s completely wrong? Dr. Jonathan Wright, a pioneer in integrative medicine, spent decades uncovering the truth, and his findings are a game-changer for your health. This is a summary of his recent article, “Stomach Acid Is Vital For Health – by A Midwestern Doctor”

The Problem with Over-Prescription: A Hidden Danger

Let’s start with a sobering fact: most American adults are on multiple medications. For the elderly, this number jumps significantly. A landmark study revealed that simply stopping unnecessary prescriptions in older adults led to a staggering 53% drop in death rates and a 60% reduction in hospital visits. This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about saving lives.

Among the most frequently prescribed, and often most harmful, medications are:

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): The strongest stomach acid blockers.

• SSRI Antidepressants: Often prescribed for mood issues that can be triggered by other medications.

• Statins: Widely used for heart health, but with minimal life-extension benefits and significant side effects like cognitive impairment.

• NSAIDs: Common pain relievers with their own set of risks.

These drugs often create a “sales funnel” effect, where one prescription leads to side effects, which then get treated with another drug, and so on. It’s a cycle that can leave you sicker, not healthier.

Stomach Acid: More Than Just Digestion

Forget what you thought you knew about stomach acid. It’s not just there to digest your steak. It’s a fundamental pillar of your health with multiple critical roles:

• Bodyguard Against Invaders: Your stomach acid is your first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, and parasites in your food. Without enough acid, you’re at a much higher risk of food poisoning and other gut infections.

• Nutrient Powerhouse: Acid helps you absorb vital minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as crucial vitamins like B12. Low acid means nutrient deficiencies, impacting everything from energy levels to bone health.

• Digestion’s Conductor: Stomach acid signals the pancreas and gallbladder to release digestive enzymes and bile. If your acid is low, your entire digestive process can go awry, leading to bloating, indigestion, and poor nutrient uptake.

• Protein Breakdown Artist: It activates the enzymes needed to break down proteins into essential amino acids, which are the building blocks for nearly everything in your body, including neurotransmitters that regulate mood.

The Reflux Riddle: Not Too Much Acid, But Too Little!

This is where Dr. Wright’s insights are revolutionary. The muscle at the top of your stomach, the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), is designed to close only when it senses sufficient acid.

Think about it:

• Low Stomach Acid = Open LES. When there’s not enough acid in your stomach, the LES doesn’t get the signal to fully close. This allows even small amounts of existing acid to splash back up into your esophagus, causing that familiar burn.

• The PPI Trap: Taking acid blockers just makes this worse! It reduces the little acid you have, ensuring the LES stays open, and you become dependent on the medication to prevent severe heartburn.

This “silent reflux” can manifest in surprising ways beyond heartburn, including:

• Chronic sinusitis

• Allergies and asthma

• Ear infections

• Chronic cough or throat clearing

Autoimmune Conditions & Beyond: The Hidden Link

Dr. Wright discovered that low stomach acid is a common thread in a wide array of chronic and autoimmune conditions. He found that by simply restoring stomach acid function and addressing nutrient deficiencies, many patients experienced significant improvements in conditions like:

• Asthma (he saw complete cures or major improvements in 80% of cases!)

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lupus

• Type 1 Diabetes

• Macular degeneration

• Osteoporosis

• Even stomach cancer risk can double with long-term PPI use!

What’s Causing Your Low Stomach Acid?

Several factors contribute to this often-overlooked problem:

• Aging: Acid production naturally declines as we get older.

• Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential minerals like sodium chloride (salt) and trace minerals from our diet.

• Chronic Stress & Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Acid production is an energy-intensive process.

• Medications: Many drugs, including those for asthma or blood pressure, can relax the LES.

• Diet: Certain foods like coffee, chocolate, and mint can weaken the LES.

Restoring the Gatekeeper: A Holistic Action Plan

If you’re ready to move away from the “acid-is-bad” myth, the goal is to get your Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) working again. We aren’t just stopping the burn; we are restoring the functional “grip” of your digestive system through these six pillars.

1. Re-Acidify to Signal the Valve

The LES is a pH-sensitive muscle. It only receiving the signal to “clamp shut” when it detects sufficient acidity.

• Betaine HCl Therapy: Supplementing with Betaine HCl and pepsin at the start of protein-heavy meals restores the acidic environment ($pH$ of $1.5$ to $3.0$) required to trigger the LES to close.

• Digestive Bitters: Herbs like gentian or dandelion root stimulate the vagus nerve, “waking up” your natural acid production before you eat.

2. Nutritional Support for Muscle Tone

The LES requires specific chemical messengers to maintain a steady resting “tone”:

• Mineral Co-factors: Zinc is required to manufacture HCl, while Ionized Calcium triggers the LES to contract. Magnesium ensures the valve doesn’t spasm or behave erratically.

• Melatonin & Choline: The gut uses melatonin to regulate LES pressure, while choline supports the acetylcholine needed by the vagus nerve to maintain valve “grip.”

3. Reduce Physical and Chemical Pressure

If the valve is physically forced open or chemically relaxed, acid will leak regardless of your levels.

• Mechanical Fixes: Address hiatal hernias (where the stomach slides too high) through visceral manipulation. Maintain proper posture and manage visceral fat to reduce upward pressure on the stomach.

• The “Relaxant” Avoidance: Limit coffee, chocolate, mint, and alcohol, especially within two hours of training at the X Gym, to prevent chemical relaxation of the LES.

4. Heal and Support the Lining

You can repair a damaged GI tract without shutting off the acid necessary for life.

• Mucosal Repair: Use demulcent herbs like DGL (Licorice) or Slippery Elm to coat the esophagus. Zinc Carnosine is particularly effective at healing the stomach lining and ulcers without the need for PPIs.

• Enzyme Support: While your acid levels normalize, supplement with Pancreatic Enzymes. This ensures food is fully broken down, preventing the fermentation and gas that create upward pressure.

---

The Bottom Line for Longevity

As an anti-aging researcher, I cannot overstate this: if you can’t digest protein or absorb minerals, you cannot maintain the muscle tone or cognitive health required to stay young. By restoring your stomach’s natural acidity, you aren’t just treating reflux—you are reclaiming the nutritional foundation of your biological age.

It’s Time to Re-think Your Approach

If you’re struggling with reflux, digestive issues, or chronic health problems, it might be time to look beyond simply suppressing symptoms. Understanding the vital role of stomach acid could be the missing piece of your health puzzle.

Talk to an integrative, functional medicine practitioner who can help you explore approaches that restore, rather than hinder, your body’s natural functions.

---

References

• Stomach Acid Is Vital For Health – by A Midwestern Doctor: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/stomach-acid-is-vital-for-health

• Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You – by Jonathan Wright, MD: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Stomach-Acid-Good-You/dp/0871319314

• The Great Statin Scam and Adverse Effects – by A Midwestern Doctor: https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-great-statin-scam

• The Clinical Evidence for Discontinuing Medications in the Elderly (Archives of Internal Medicine): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1108519

• Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Risk of Stomach Cancer (Gut Journal/BMJ): https://gut.bmj.com/content/67/1/28

• The Link Between PPIs and C. Difficile Infections (JAMA Internal Medicine): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1108731

• Melatonin and LES Pressure Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821302/

• Zinc Carnosine and Gastric Mucosal Healing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146259/