The link between GERD and Osteoporosis

There is evidence suggesting that most cases of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) might actually be caused by deficient stomach acid production rather than hyperacidity, and this has implications for the link between GERD and osteoporosis:

◦ Low Stomach Acid and GERD:

◦ Underproduction Hypothesis: Some research indicates that GERD symptoms may arise from low stomach acid rather than an excess. This perspective suggests that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) might not function properly without adequate acid to trigger its closure, leading to reflux.

◦ Treatment with Acid Suppression: Ironically, the common treatment for GERD involves medications like Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) which further reduce stomach acid. This treatment strategy might exacerbate the condition in some cases if the root cause is low acid.

◦ Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and Osteoporosis:

◦ Calcium Absorption: The use of PPIs, which can exacerbate or be a response to low stomach acid, has been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. This is thought to occur because stomach acid is necessary for calcium absorption. Reducing acid levels could impair this process, leading to reduced bone density over time.

◦ Nutrient Deficiencies: Beyond calcium, low stomach acid can affect the absorption of other nutrients like vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which are crucial for maintaining bone health.

◦ Observational Evidence:

◦ Bone Health Before PPI Use: There's evidence suggesting that individuals with GERD might already have compromised bone quality, possibly due to the effects of low stomach acid on nutrient absorption before even starting PPI therapy.

◦ Increased Fracture Risk: Observational studies have linked long-term PPI use with an increased risk of bone fractures, particularly in older populations or those with other risk factors for osteoporosis.

◦ Alternative Perspectives on GERD Management:

◦ Reassessing Treatment: If GERD is more commonly linked to low stomach acid, treatments that aim to increase or normalize acid levels might be more beneficial in some cases. This could reduce the reliance on PPIs and potentially mitigate the risk of osteoporosis.

◦ Public and Medical Awareness:

◦ There's an evolving understanding among healthcare providers that not all GERD cases might benefit from acid suppression in the long term, especially considering the potential for adverse effects like osteoporosis. This has sparked discussions on alternative GERD management strategies that support or maintain adequate stomach acid levels.

In summary, the link between GERD and osteoporosis can be viewed through the lens of low stomach acid production. If most GERD is indeed caused by deficient acid rather than excess, then the traditional approach of using acid-suppressing medications might inadvertently contribute to conditions like osteoporosis due to impaired nutrient absorption. This underscores the importance of personalized treatment based on understanding the underlying cause of GERD in each individual.

Increased Blood Flow

Did you know that many health issues stem from poor circulation? Acupuncture has a remarkable ability to improve blood flow, benefiting various conditions:

1. Fertility: Enhances blood flow to reproductive organs, supporting egg quality and uterine health.

2. Pain Relief: Increases circulation to affected areas, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

3. Headaches: Improves blood flow to the head and neck, easing tension and discomfort.

4. Digestive Issues: Boosts circulation to the gut, aiding digestion and nutrient absorption.

5. Stress Reduction: Promotes overall circulation, helping to calm the nervous system.

The Long-haul

It’s obvious to anyone treating patients that there has been an influx of Dysautonomia. That’s a big word, and I don’t want to get into the weeds here, but it’s basically the inability of the autonomic nervous system to self regulate properly. It may make me sound smart, but I had no idea what that word meant until I started seeing patients presenting with it in 2021…A LOT of patients. It presents itself in various ways in different individuals. Many diseases such as POTS, Brain/Gut axis disorders such as IBS with anxiety, Vagus nerve disorders such as abdominal pain, reflux, and dysphagia can all be symptoms of Dysautonomia due to Long-Haul COVID or Long post-COVID vaccination syndrome.

Take POTS for example. POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and basically means that when you go from a reclined position to standing you could feel quite dizzy and see your heart rate go into the hundreds. As debilitating as POTS is, I had never seen a patient with that diagnosis nor even heard of it until 2021. Then all of a sudden I was seeing it in new patients every week. Odd, right? I had been in medicine in 2002 and never seen it, nor in 2003 or 4 or 5 or lets skip to 2020, yup still never seen it. What was so special about 2021?

That’s right, we had a a novel new virus, a never used before vaccine technology and a lot of isolation without human contact. What could go wrong? It seems to me that a lot has gone wrong, and many of my patients, young and old alike, are suffering from these diseases, undiagnosed, unsupported, and often unheard.

Please let people know that Chinese Medicine can provide them the explanations, treatments and relief they are seeking. We have been treating post-infectious diseases for thousands of years with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture. The name for these Long-haul syndromes in Chinese Medicine is Gu-syndrome. The NIH looked at the idea of using the principles of Gu Syndrome for the treatent of Long COVID and defined Gu syndrome as: diseases that are recalcitrant, debilitating, present disparate symptoms, are resistant to standard forms of treatment and originate from an external infection. However, part of the syndrome definition notes that there is often a preexisting condition that has enabled the infection to take root.“

That’s what is happening today. People with underlying (undetected) conditions are infected with a strong pathogen at a vulnerable time. Their iimmune system is weakened and the pathogen , unchecked, invades through multi system pathways. It’s a long process to reverse these conditions as often times the patient has had them for years, but with commitment and persistence one can make a full recovery, and maybe even start feeling better right away.

Inflammation Starts in the Gut

Do you have Endotoxins leaking from your colon into your bloodstream right now? Don’t be so quick to think you don’t. It's a staggering statistic but “leaky gut” actually affects about 80-90% of people today, and the symptoms affect the whole body not just the digestive system. I assume that most people coming to see me for Acupuncture and are complaining of chronic systemic inflammation are also suffering from leaky gut.

This problem is made even worse because most drugs that Doctors use to allay the symptoms and that most of my patients are initially using such as NSAID’s, Statins, PPI’s (reflux), laxatives, and of course antibiotics all create more metabolic dysfunction within the gut. They disturb the balance of the gut microbiome and further enhance gut dysbiosis. That is why they come with a long list of side effects that appear to be worse than the original disease. Everyone knows that antibiotics are not good for the body’s microbiome, but try and digest this little known fact; IBUPROFIN can wipe out your gut flora on par with antibiotics. But I’ll bet your Doctor has never suggested probiotic therapy after Ibuprofin use.

Acupuncture in most instances can alleviate physical symptoms of disease better than drugs or any other intervention and meanwhile we address the underlying causes through acupuncture, dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications. After all, you can’t drug yourself back into good health.

Here in my clinic I realize that you want to get to the root of your issues. You want to feel great and you don’t mind making changes if they make a real difference. You don’t want to pop pills and mitigate their side effects with more pills that will have more side effects. I like my job because I get to provide you with real answers, solutions you can implement and a path forward that looks like it is leading you out of the tunnel instead of into it.

Please take the time to watch this video by Cardiologist Dr. Pradip Jamnadas at Cardiovasular Interventions in Orlando, Fl. Dr. Jamnadas is at the top of his field and after 35 years of practicing cardiology, he has come to some pretty amazing conclusions that can change your life.