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MOThe truth is, I used to be my own worst enemy.
I spent years in a high-stress loop, ignoring the “alarm bells” my body was sending.
I thought I just had a “weak stomach,” but what I actually had was a nervous system that was stuck in overdrive. When you’re constantly in “fight or flight,” your body de-prioritizes digestion.
Your gastric emptying slows down, your diaphragm tenses up, and that internal pressure pushes acid exactly where it shouldn’t be.
I wasn’t just dealing with “stomach acid”—I was dealing with a total barrier failure.
But here is the shift: healing didn’t come from a more restrictive diet or more “don’t eat” lists. It came from Barrier Optimization.
I stopped fighting my body and started supporting the mechanics of my LES (lower esophageal sphincter).
Here is exactly how I shifted from erosion to remission:
1️⃣ The “LES Lock”: I started practicing diaphragmatic breathing for 5-10 minutes, especially an hour after meals. This strengthens the crural diaphragm—your “extrinsic sphincter”—to physically prevent backflow.
2️⃣ Nervous System Snacks: I stopped scrolling while eating and started taking 1-5 minute “regulation breaks” throughout the day. Stress impacts your digestive juice production; chewing until your food is “applesauce consistency” reduces the mechanical load on your stomach.
3️⃣ The 4-Hour Buffer: I made it a non-negotiable to stop eating 3 hours before lying down. This ensures gastric emptying is complete, so there’s no pressure forcing that valve open while I sleep.
4️⃣ Left-Side Gravity: I started sleeping on my left side with a slight elevation. This keeps the LES in an “air pocket” above your stomach contents—using physics to keep the acid down.
If you’ve been told your “normal” tests mean nothing is wrong, but you’re still hurting, I see you.
You aren’t “broken,” your barrier just needs better support.
I built the FLORA app to be the bridge between the clinical research and your kitchen, so you don’t have to guess anymore.
Follow along and comment REFLUX to my bio to grab my free Reflux Revolution guide. 👇🏻
#acidreflux #GERD #LPR #reflux #guthealing
@mollypelletier.rd
