With roots in both Western and Eastern medicine, Dr. Troncozo explains how bridging these worlds helps patients better understand and heal digestive issues like reflux.
Personal Health Journey and Transition to Integrative Medicine
Josef Kreitmayer:
Hello and welcome to another great interview here at the Reflux Summit. We have here an amazing speaker, Dr. Rommy Troncozo. Wonderful to have you.
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
Hi, wonderful to be here as well.
Josef Kreitmayer:
May I introduce you a little bit?
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
I am a former family doctor turned integrative medicine expert, blending my background in traditional Western medicine with holistic approaches like traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, moxibustion, plant therapy, and nutrition. After working in care during the COVID-19 pandemic, I shifted my focus to personalized health solutions. My journey as both a patient and a doctor has empowered me to help others through customized health coaching and alternative therapies.
Josef Kreitmayer:
Rommy, you have a unique approach to helping people with digestive conditions and reflux. How did your own experience as a patient and a medical doctor influence your perspective and practice?
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
I consider myself lucky to have experienced all three sides—being a sick kid, then a sick doctor, and finally a practitioner who found healing through integrative medicine. Being a patient gave me empathy and helped me see the blind spots that many doctors miss. Instead of focusing only on symptoms, I started seeing patients as a whole, recognizing their fear and questions because I had those too.
Western medicine gave me a solid foundation in science and helped me “translate” concepts from Chinese medicine into something patients can understand. For example, people often think terms like “Qi” or “meridians” are esoteric, but when you understand the science behind them, they’re not mystical—they’re just differently framed. My role often becomes one of bridging those two worlds for my patients.
Eastern and Western Perspectives on Chronic Illness and Reflux
Josef Kreitmayer:
What brought you to explore integrative medicine? There’s often a perception that Western medicine focuses on the details—like lab results—while holistic medicine looks at the bigger picture.
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
Exactly. I came to integrative medicine as a patient. At 26, I had two strokes. Western doctors told me I’d never fully recover. I lost half my vision and strength on my left side, and there were no clear solutions. I became desperate and started trying everything—from alternative therapies to traditional medicine. That’s when integrative medicine changed my life. It gave me science-backed options beyond just medications.
Western medicine excels in emergencies and acute conditions, but it often falls short in managing chronic illness. Doctors may treat a symptom, like high cholesterol, with a pill, but they miss the bigger picture. I use the analogy of a river. Lab tests show just a snapshot of the river’s health, not whether the whole ecosystem is thriving.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), for example, are commonly prescribed for reflux. But long-term use can cause problems like nutrient deficiencies, gut microbiome disruption, and poor digestion. An integrative approach helps zoom out and see the person—emotions, lifestyle, and root causes, not just their lab values.
Why PPIs Work for Some and Fail for Others
Josef Kreitmayer:
PPIs work for many, but for others, they don’t. Why is that?
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
Because the root causes differ. If someone truly has high stomach acid, PPIs can help. But many have low acid, which leads to poor digestion, fermentation, gas, and pressure that forces the esophageal sphincter open, causing reflux.
Giving PPIs to someone with low acid only worsens the issue. Other causes include stress (affecting the gut-brain axis), food sensitivities, or gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying). These cases aren’t solved by lowering acid. In fact, long-term PPI use can lead to nutrient deficiencies, like B12 and iron, and even neurological symptoms like memory loss.
Identifying Food Triggers Through Functional Nutrition
Josef Kreitmayer:
How do you work with people who eat a wide variety of processed foods?
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
Information is key. I have patients keep detailed food diaries—what they eat, where it comes from, and how it’s prepared. It’s not just about “meat” or “eggs,” but whether it’s grass-fed, seasoned, or processed. Then we remove common triggers for a short time, typically three weeks, no more than eight.
These removal diets aren’t meant to be long-term. They’re diagnostic tools. Long-term restriction harms the microbiome. Once we identify triggers, we focus on lifestyle and behavior, tailoring recommendations to each person’s routine, gender, and stress levels.
Hot vs. Cold Patterns in Chinese Medicine and Reflux
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
In Chinese medicine, we group people by patterns—hot or cold—based on symptoms, microbiome, and even personality traits. For example, those with a hot constitution often thrive with intermittent fasting. Cold types—more common in women—don’t do well with fasting as it stresses the body and raises cortisol and histamine.
This affects reflux, too. Reflux is generally a “hot” pathology. But when you dig deeper into root causes like gastroparesis or low acid, they may be more “cold.” So we can’t generalize—we have to personalize.
The Integrative Reflux Healing Framework
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
My general process includes:
Remove triggers — Start with diet, identify intolerances, and eliminate problematic foods.
Assess lifestyle — Tailor plans based on the person’s routines, stress, and environment.
Evaluate micronutrients — Ensure the person is nourished.
Introduce supplements — Only when foundational aspects are in place.
Support nourishment — Address food quality, sleep, and stress.
Restore — Detox pathways (lymphatic system) and gut barriers, which are critical for healing.
Detox, Lymphatic Health, and Leaky Gut
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
Detoxification isn’t about juice cleanses—it’s about supporting the lymphatic system. One simple method is dry brushing, always moving toward the heart. Hydration is also essential.
We also need to restore gut barriers. “Leaky gut” happens when the tight junctions between intestinal cells loosen. This lets undigested food enter the bloodstream, triggering immune reactions and reflux. We remove triggering foods temporarily, and while doing so, work to repair the barrier.
Processed Foods, Gums, and Gut Irritants
Josef Kreitmayer:
Are things like gums and fillers significant triggers?
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
Absolutely. Ingredients like xanthan gum and fillers, common in processed foods and even in so-called health foods like almond milk, can be very irritating. Many of these products contain very little of the actual food—almond milk often contains more gums and oils than almonds.
Healing the Gut with Food and Supplements
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
For gut healing, I love using bone broth—it contains glutamine, which helps rebuild the gut lining. Foods with gelatin-like textures, like chia seeds (if tolerated), also help. Supplements like glutamine and a diet rich in protein are essential because the body prioritizes organs like the brain and heart. The gut needs adequate building blocks to regenerate. Sleep is also critical, as it’s when most regeneration happens.
Advanced Tools: Infections, Herbs, and Acupressure
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
The next phase is to defend—identify any infections or bacteria that may be interfering—and then optimize with herbs and traditional techniques.
I use licorice root for pain and ginger to support motility in gastroparesis or low-acid cases. Ginger also helps with food intolerances and energy after meals.
Two acupressure points I love:
“Tip of the mountain” — trace from your pinky down the outside of your hand. Press this spot for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, twice daily. It helps especially if stress is a trigger.
Stomach 36 — located on the leg near the knee. It supports digestion and motility. We’ll add a picture below so viewers can locate it.
These practices won’t bring instant relief like pills, but consistent use over time creates powerful change with no side effects.
Final Advice for Reflux Recovery
Dr. Rommy Troncozo:
The key is to find someone committed to identifying the root cause. Reflux doesn’t appear overnight—it builds through stages, and healing also takes time. Treat symptoms in the short term with something that won’t cause long-term harm, but keep your focus on reversing the root imbalance.
One last point we didn’t dive into is posture, which is another overlooked root cause of reflux. If poor posture is the issue and we’re only treating digestion, we’re missing the mark.
