Help for heartburn

Michael Ventresca • April 7, 2022

Do you suffer from heartburn, or have you been diagnosed with GERD? If so, you have likely taken an acid neutralizer. Makes sense, right? After all, if you have acid indigestion then you must have too much stomach acid, right? Actually, in most cases the answer is no. In fact, if you have acid reflux you probably don't have enough acid.


It is estimated that approximately 40% of people over the age of 40 may suffer from hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid secretion, while only 20% of people have excess stomach acid. Yet, most of the attention (and OTC medications) is geared towards reducing stomach acid.


So, how can too little stomach acid cause heartburn? Here’s how it works. When you eat, your body produces more acid. This acid production sends a signal to a valve in your stomach to close, keeping the acid in your stomach from creeping up into the esophagus. However, if your acid production is deficient or suppressed, you’re still producing acid it’s just not enough to send the message to close the valve. Due to inadequate acid, food sits in the stomach longer and eventually acid begins to creep up the esophagus, creating the symptoms of heartburn. So, treating too little acid with an acid neutralizer only makes the problem worse in the long-term!


So first, how do you know if your heartburn is from too much or too little acid and second, what can you do?


While hardly scientific, one at-home test that many use is the vinegar test. The idea is try some vinaigrette or apple cider vinegar and see how you feel. If you quickly feel discomfort or burning, then you may have too much acid otherwise, acid may not be the culprit of your heartburn.


For too much acid, a great option is DGL. DGL is a special preparation of licorice that has been shown to relieve symptoms of heartburn and repair stomach lining without elevating blood pressure. Enzymedica’s Chocolate DGL Gummies are a perfect option. For too little acid, we have had great results with a product called Superzymes. Superzymes combines digestive enzymes with Betaine HCL to enhance digestion and increase stomach acid. For more information or to further discuss your digestive needs, please stop in.


Please note, if you are currently taking an acid neutralizer, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before discontinuing as an acid rebound can occur.


Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

By Michael Ventresca • October 28, 2026
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By Michael Ventresca • October 14, 2026
Have you ever eaten a meal with garlic or onions, and almost instantly had stomach upset? Does it seem like just about everything you eat causes gas, bloating or indigestion? If this sounds like you, or if you’ve been told to try a FODMAP diet, today’s article could be the missing piece to a very frustrating puzzle. I know it was for me. Most people have heard of lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, but far fewer are familiar with fructan sensitivity. Fructans are naturally occurring carboyhydrates found in a wide variety of foods but in especially high concentrations in everything from garlic and onions, to asparagus, wheat and even watermelon. For people who have difficulty digesting fructans, these foods can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes diarrhea. The frustrating part is that fructans are found in so many seemingly unrelated foods that it can feel like almost everything you eat is causing a problem. That was my experience for years. Over the years, I tried a number of digestive enzymes. While many of them helped, none of them were a perfect match for the garlic, onion and pasta found in some of my favorite Italian meals. Then I stumbled across a product called FODZYME. FODZYME contains three digestive enzymes, including fructan hydrolase, an enzyme specifically designed to help break down fructans. FODZYME is a tasteless powder that you sprinkle directly on your food just before eating. The enzymes mix with the food and begin breaking down the fructans as you chew, before they cause problems further down the digestive tract. For me, the difference has been night and day. I am finally able to enjoy foods I have avoided for years. It’s important to note, there is still some trial and error involved regarding dosage. Because the amount of fructans varies from meal to meal, I find I need to adjust how much I use. Sometimes, one scoop is plenty, other times, I’ll use two. But if garlic, onions, wheat, or other high-fructan foods consistently leave you feeling miserable, FODZYME may be just what you need to start enjoying the foods you love. To learn more, or to try FODZYME, please stop in today. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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