Root Cause healthcare for Heartburn, Acid & Silent Reflux
resolve Acid Reflux and Heartburn naturally Functional Medicine
Acid reflux and heartburn can make daily life insufferable, and conventional approaches often only mask the problem. At our Functional Medicine Clinic in London, we focus on the root causes of reflux, including gut imbalances, stomach acid regulation, and digestion.
With over 15 years’ clinical experience, we use a personalised, science-based approach to restore digestive health and address the underlying issues driving symptoms.
end reliance on anti-acids
Understanding the Root Causes of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux isn’t just about too much stomach acid — it often stems from deeper digestive imbalances. Common underlying factors include gut microbiome disruption, low stomach acid, delayed gastric emptying, thyroid medication, histamine issues and bile flow issues.
By addressing these root causes rather than just suppressing symptoms, our functional medicine approach helps restore normal digestive function, reduce burning and discomfort, and support long-term gut health. Our personalised programmes combine clinical expertise with lifestyle and nutrition strategies tailored to your unique needs.
CASE STUDY 1:
FEMALE, age 48 was looking for a way to support her acid reflux. she needed help as the diet wasn’t working. She exhausted everything that NHS and private consultants had to offer, and she felt unheard by her GP who simply prescribed more PPI’s.
She felt trapped in a constant cycle of trying to manage her condition, avoiding food or taking anti-acids, and it was causing her a lot of worry. She found the reflux debilitating.
After working with us for 3 months, she very rarely needed to take her PPI’s, she no longer needed to be careful with her diet, except fast food or fish and chips, and was over joyed at being able to sleep a whole night again, flat on her back. Her constantly blocked sinuses had also completely cleared, as well as much of her bloating.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOUR ACID REFLUX OR HEARTBURN?
You prefer not to take anti acid suppressants, and you worry you about not addressing the root of the problem
You likely have tried to help yourself with anti acid diets, which have either not helped, or have had limited success in calming the burn
You feel lost and have no idea how to eat
You find it hard to sleep sitting up, making you feel sleep deprived, desperate and low
You can no longer enjoy food or eat freely
You’d like to understand what you can do, how you can eat and how you can help yourself overcome this problem
Wondering if we can help?
If you're wish to finally start being free of your uncomfortable Reflux, book your consultation today.
FAQs
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Yes we can. Your GP will remain responsible for your medication, our work with sit alongside their care. We hope to support you so that you’ll have a less need for PPI medication.
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Yes, science does not support this, but clinically we frequently observe this. We are attuned to ‘different types of reflux’, and will be able to estimate if this is the case for you (followed by tests).
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In some people, we see SIBO and heartburn together, yes. We can test for SIBO.
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Functional medicine approaches acid reflux and heartburn by looking beyond just alleviating symptoms and aims to identify the underlying causes of these conditions. This might involve examining factors such as diet, lifestyle habits, stress levels, gut microbiome health, and potential food sensitivities. Functional medicine practitioners often use a combination of dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and supplements. For instance, they might recommend altering eating patterns, reducing intake of trigger foods (like spicy, fatty, or highly acidic foods), and incorporating stress-reducing practices. Additionally, they may explore potential issues like low stomach acid or bacterial overgrowth in the gut as contributing factors.
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In functional medicine, several lifestyle and dietary changes are often recommended to help manage acid reflux and heartburn. These may include eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones, avoiding eating right before bedtime, and elevating the head while sleeping to prevent nighttime reflux. Dietary changes typically involve reducing the intake of foods and beverages that can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, such as alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and peppermint. Acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus, as well as spicy and fatty foods, might also be limited. In addition, practitioners might suggest increasing fiber intake and consuming more alkaline foods to help balance stomach acidity. The inclusion of probiotics and digestive enzymes can also be part of the strategy to improve gut health and digestion.
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There is a strong relationship between histamine and Reflux, as well as skin reactions. You can read more about below
SHOP gut health tests
Functional Gut Health Tests
Whilst skin issues can have a complex set of causes that differs from person to person (even with the same condition), research has long suggested a strong link with gut health and bacteria. Many of our clients start off with skin issues, and we tend to get good success in addressing it when we work on their gut bacteria balance.