When we hear the word reflux, most people instantly think of too much stomach acid. That familiar burning feeling in the chest, the sour taste in the mouth, the discomfort after eating — it all points to what we call GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), or acid reflux.
But here’s something many people don’t realise: those same symptoms can also come from the opposite problem — too little stomach acid. Sounds strange, right? Yet it’s surprisingly common, especially as we age or if digestion has been under stress for a while.
Let’s break it down.
GERD (Acid Reflux / Over Acid)
This is the “classic” reflux that most of us know about. GERD happens when the lower oesophageal sphincter — the little valve between your oesophagus and stomach — doesn’t close properly.
When that valve relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid can rise back up into the oesophagus (where it definitely doesn’t belong), causing:
A burning feeling in the chest or throat (heartburn)
A sour or bitter taste in the mouth
Bloating or burping after meals
Discomfort when lying down or bending over
Certain foods and habits can make this worse — things like coffee, alcohol, fatty foods, chocolate, spicy meals, citrus fruits, and eating late at night. Stress can also play a big role in keeping that valve a little too relaxed.
Hypochlorhydria (Under Acid)
Now for the other side of the coin. Hypochlorhydria means your stomach isn’t producing enough acid to break down and digest food properly.
When stomach acid levels are low, food can sit in the stomach longer than it should, leading to fermentation, gas, and pressure. That pressure can push stomach contents (including mild acid) back up the oesophagus — creating the same burning feeling you’d get with GERD, even though the cause is completely different.
Common signs of low stomach acid include:
Reflux or heartburn (especially after eating protein-rich foods)
Bloating, burping, or feeling uncomfortably full after meals
Feeling sleepy or sluggish after eating
Nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12, zinc, magnesium)
Constipation or slow digestion
A general sense that food “just sits there”
Low stomach acid can also lead to poor absorption of nutrients, meaning your body isn’t getting everything it needs from your food — which can then lead to fatigue, poor immunity, and other ongoing issues.
The Big Difference
GERD = Too much acid or acid in the wrong place.Hypochlorhydria = Not enough acid to do its job properly.
And here’s where it gets tricky: both can cause the same symptoms, so it’s easy to mix them up. The big difference lies in the cause — and therefore, the treatment.
While GERD is often managed with acid-suppressing medications, hypochlorhydria has no specific medication. Instead, it’s supported with targeted supplements, minerals, and vitamins designed to help your stomach relearn how to produce acid naturally.
The goal isn’t to stay on them forever — it’s to gently “retrain” your digestion so it starts doing what it’s supposed to do on its own again.
However, long-term use of acid-suppressing medication can have side effects. Suppressing acid for too long can upset the balance of your gut microbiome, reducing good bacteria and allowing bad bacteria to thrive. This imbalance can lead to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), the development of peptic ulcers, and, in more serious cases, an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
H. pylori infections can cause symptoms such as:
An aching or burning pain in the upper abdomen
Indigestion or nausea
Bloating and excessive burping
A feeling of fullness even after small meals
So while acid-suppressing medication can provide short-term relief, it’s not always the right long-term solution — especially if low stomach acid is the underlying issue.
Supporting Your Digestion Naturally
The key to feeling better is first understanding what’s really going on. A thorough consultation, along with some simple functional tests, can help determine whether you’re dealing with too much or too little acid.
From there, we can work on supporting your digestion naturally — reducing triggers, improving meal timing, supporting the gut lining, and restoring healthy stomach acid levels so your food is digested and absorbed properly.
Your digestive system is smarter than it gets credit for. It just needs the right environment to function the way it was designed to. Once that balance is restored, reflux symptoms often improve dramatically — and you can enjoy your meals again without the burn, bloat, or post-dinner fatigue.
Safety of Natural Health
Please remember whilst natural health is generally safe, it may not be safe for everyone, especially if you are on medication. Please consult a qualified health practitioner before starting any natural remedies or supplements to receive guidance to make effective and safe choices that suit your individual needs.
Jacqueline Stenhouse, naturopath and nutritionist from the The Healthy Alternative offers iridology consults and natural health advice in Donnybrook, Balingup, Stratham, Bridgetown & Collie as well as servicing surrounding areas.
You can contact her on 0428 921656 to book an appointment.