What I’m Doing About Acid Reflux and Heartburn
I have been keto for over 6 months now and generally feeling really well. At 50 pounds lighter, I decided to stop taking drugs for acid reflux and heartburn.
Last year I changed from Prilosec to Pepcid AC Max. That took many months and lots of Tums (sometime I’ll write up my notes on Prilosec rebound). But finally my stomach problems were in control on a much less potent medication.
A month ago I reduced my Pepcid AC to the normal dose, which is half as much as the Max. It was a much easier transition, still using Tums as needed. When I was at the point where I only took one Pepcid in the morning and no Tums, I was ready to try no drugs.
But I had another problem. I had been feeling terrific on keto, but when I reduced the drugs for the stomach problems, I became lethargic and in a mental fog. I started reading more about Acid Reflux and Heartburn and discovered the problem is LOW stomach acid. Without the drugs, I am not completely digesting the food I eat and so I am becoming undernourished (good thing I take daily supplements)! Taking antacids only makes the problem worse.
I do not want to take drugs all my life. But I also want to feel good and have a healthy body. I want a cure.
I found some terrific suggestions by Jonathan Wright, M.D. and Anne Louise Gittleman, Ph.D. Before a meal, put 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a glass of water. Drink this about 30 minutes before the meal. At the start of the meal, the first thing you taste should be bitter. This stimulates the production of stomach acid. Try bitter greens in a salad or a handful of brined olives.
Something else I have tried for a bitter taste (especially when eating out) is aromatic bitters and digestive bitters (recommended on various naturopathic websites). I found a spray bottle of digestive bitters at a local store that is handy to keep in my purse. A spray onto the tongue gets the digestive juices flowing. I have also found if I feel discomfort after the meal, another spray of bitters and I feel better. Or a drop of aromatic bitters if I am at home. (BH bought a couple of bottles of bitters to make cocktails then decided he did not like them. So I have plenty to experiment with!)
Another tip for preventing acid reflux and heartburn is to drink very little or nothing during the meal. This is to avoid diluting the stomach acid so it can be more effective.
Something I thought of on my own is to use visualization. Before a meal and anytime I feel discomfort, I envision my stomach producing the right amount of stomach acid. Dr. Wright also suggests using meditation to reduce stress.
For the last few days I have not been taking Pepcid or Tums and I’m feeling terrific again. My energy is back up, my head is clear. While I’m not taking drugs, I still want a cure for acid reflux and heartburn.
Researchers speculate that some bad gut bacteria release a substance that causes the acid producing cells in the stomach to be less effective. If your stomach acid is where it should be, it kills these bacteria. Michelle Schoffro Cook, Ph.D. recommends Saccharomyces Boulardii probiotic to knock out the bad bacteria and to nourish the acid-producing stomach cells.
I just got some and will be trying it out. While I’m fine with the lemon juice and bitters, it would be even better to not have the problems at all.
