Research Spotlight: Health Coaching And Gerd
A High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet Benefits Women with GERD
Previous research indicates clear associations between insulin resistance, overweight, and GERD. A high intake of refined carbohydrates is known to trigger insulin resistance and overweight. This study sought to examine the effects of carbohydrate reduction, via a low-carb, high-fat diet, on GERD symptoms in a cohort of insulin-resistant, obese women.
Study Summary
Key Findings
This study indicates that a reduction in dietary carbohydrates benefits women with GERD, reducing both the severity of their symptoms and the need for medication. From an ancestral health perspective, an intake of 35 percent carbohydrates is quite high for an obese, insulin-resistant individual as a result, this research may have underestimated the impact of carbohydrate reduction on GERD. A carbohydrate intake of 10 to 15 percent of total calories, low by ancestral health standards, may produce even greater benefits. Furthermore, the carbohydrates allowed on the low-carb diet were formulated to include half complex carbs and half simple carbs if simple carbohydrates had been removed entirely, it is possible that greater improvements in GERD symptoms might have been observed.
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Consequences Of B12 Deficiency
Whats the big deal about plummeting your B12 absorption due to PPIs?
Vitamin B12 is necessary to make red healthy red blood cell cells and nerve cells. Low B12 can cause PERMANENT nerve damage, memory loss, and mood disorders.
B12 deficiency is now extremely common, and no doubt that heartburn drugs are contributing to these issues.
Deficiency of B12 also interferes with energy production and liberation of energy from food.
Even the most skeptical nutrition critic probably doesnt want low energy. Im pretty confident of this.
It would be all still manageable if it was just B12 deficiency. However, there are some other consequences of blocking acid.
I Stopped Eating Cultured Foods ~ Heres What Happened
If you read one of my previous posts, I Stopped Eating Cultured Foods ~ Heres What Happened! you know that one of the first things that happened after a few weeks of no cultured foods was I got the worst heartburn! It was awful and it started coming on and off every few days. I was really surprised that this would happen. My body really needs its daily kefir and anytime your body gives you a symptom, it’s a warning sign. You should heed the call and pay attention to these cries for help that your body sends you. Once I went back to having kefir every day , my symptoms vanished and no more acid reflux.
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Are Probiotics Effective For Acid Reflux
If you suffer from a burning feeling in your chest or throat after eating, you may have acid reflux. And youre not alone.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Digestive Diseases, over 25 million people suffer from reflux symptoms daily.
In fact, the reflux medication Nexium is the second-highest selling drug behind Lipitor.
Unfortunately, the ready availability of over-the-counter antacids means most people self-medicate without trying to solve the cause of their problem, or even seeing a doctor.
Best Probiotic Strains For Ibs:
The probiotic strains that work for IBS are summarized in this table.
| IBS Subtype or prominent symptom | Possible probiotic strains that can help |
| IBS Diarrhea. |
Lactobacillus Plantarum CECT 7484
Lactobacillus Plantarum CECT 7485
Pediococcus acidilactici CECT 7483 .IBS-Constipation.Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 Gas and BloatingLactobacillus Plantarum Best overall, mixed, or unspecified types of IBS
Combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 Tips on Selecting the best probiotics for your IBS
- Results are not typical, Trial & Errors is The Best strategy.
- Select multi-strain probiotics containing combinations of the above according to your main complaint.
- Stick to one type at least 4 weeks Before experimenting with another type.
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Does anyone out there have any suggestions for someone who had their gallbladder removed and has a hiatal hernia? I am over weight and suffer from what feels like a tight band around my chest and back and burning in my upper abdomen. The doctors want to put me on antacids but they dont help.
Can I give Primal Probiotics to my 3 month old son ? He has reflux issues and eczema. Exclusively breastfed and I have changed my diet and taken all allergens out. Just waiting for it to clear out of my milk and his system. He had to be on an antibiotic for his eczema because of an infection and I know he needs a probiotic ! What do you suggest for a baby ? Thank you. I am desperate to know the best thing to give him.
for me and my baby shortly after she was born. It helped her a lot. I sprinkled some on my nipple just before nursing her, but Im sure mixing a small amount in with some breastmilk would be fine too. Just a tiny bit made a big difference. Be sure to take it yourself, because your baby will get it from you too. Good luck!
Best Probiotics For Acid Reflux
Given that an imbalance of bacteria in your gut can play a role in reflux, do probiotics help with acid reflux? Lets talk about the current research on probiotics for acid reflux.
Probiotics are the good bacteria in your gut that are vital for both your gut and overall health. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi as well as in supplement form, which is what well discuss here.
Probiotic effects are strain-specific, meaning that one strain will have an entirely different effect from another. That means its especially important to pay attention to the specific strains used in research while one strain may be really great for reflux, another could have no effect whatsoever.
Unfortunately, only recently have researchers begun to disclose the specific probiotic strains they have used into their research instead of just discussing the more general probiotic species.
To date, only 2 strains of probiotics have been studied for their potential benefit of improving reflux symptoms in adults.
The best probiotics for acid reflux include:
While there may not be much research on probiotics for acid reflux symptoms quite yet, Im confident that well see more research on this in the future. Ill be sure to put any updates I see into this post!
But beyond their ability to affect reflux symptoms, probiotics may play another key role when it comes to this condition: preventing the dysbiosis that goes along with PPI use.
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Acid Reflux And Poor Gut Health
Bacterial and yeast imbalances are major risk factors for acid reflux. When your gut contains more bad microorganisms than good, it can affect your levels of stomach acid and leave you more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens and infections.
Research shows that reflux symptoms are often triggered or worsened by gut dysbiosis and/or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth .
SIBO occurs when bad bacteria move from the large intestine to the small intestine, where they dont belong. Here, they begin to ferment carbohydrates.
This fermentation along with the bacteria itself often leads to a range of unpleasant symptoms such as gas, poor gastric motility, pressure in the abdomen, and weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter. These physiological effects all contribute to acid reflux.
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
In his book “Fast Tract Digestion,“ Norman Robillard, Ph.D., makes a case that small intestine bacterial overgrowth may be the real cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease .
SIBO is a health condition in which there are too many bacteria in the upper part of the small intestine, a place where these microorganisms really shouldn’t be. GERD is a disease in which stomach acid burns the lining of the esophagus , causing the symptoms of heartburn.
How might these two be connected? Dr. Robillard’s theory is that the gas produced by the bacteria residing in the small intestine puts enough pressure on the small intestine and stomach that it can push the acid from the stomach into the esophagus.
In addition to identifying a new way to look at thecause of GERD, Dr. Robillard also offers a new look at treatment. He does not endorse the use of acid-reducing medications, particularly the use of proton pump inhibitors , which is currently the standard treatment for GERD.
His theory is that the reduced stomach acid resulting from PPIs contributes to the bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine in the first place, as stomach acid serves a preventative role in terms of keeping bacteria from populating the small intestine.
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Kombucha Probiotics And Benefits For Acid Reflux Gerd And Heartburn
The probiotics in kombucha help in restoring a natural balance in the gut bio, which plays a role in protecting the stomach lining and even preventing regurgitation. Its important to note that these are only preventative effects, not curative effects.
Other Drinks That Are Good for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and GERD
1. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea has a natural soothing effect on the stomach, which helps in reducing the production of stomach acid, thus cutting back on the occurrence of heartburn, acid reflux, and to some extent GERD. If the drink is too spicy for your preference, you can sweeten it with a little honey. Avoid ginger ale as it is carbonated, which can worsen the situation.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt thats not too sour does contain live probiotics, which help in restoring the gut bio balance, thus preventing acid reflux.
3. Low Fat Milk
Low-fat milk can relieve heartburn and is also a rich source of calcium. However, full-fat dairy contains fat molecules which only serve to worsen the heartburns.
Food Triggers And Eating Habits
Some of the obvious food triggers for acid reflux are hot peppers, spicy foods, caffeine, and tomato sauces. However, it is often other foods or beverages that are causing reflux like dairy, gluten, fried foods, sugar, and alcohol.
These foods and beverages can cause the lower esophageal sphincter, or valve, to relax and open up, which causes acid and food contents to back up into the esophagus. They can also throw the microbiome out of balance.
Food sensitivities can cause inflammation and result in indigestion. When foods arent properly digested, they are more likely flow back into the esophagus.
Many people also eat too fast, too, causing the stomach to be overloaded, resulting in reflux. Thoroughly chewing your foods will help reduce your heartburn and indigestion by simply helping to break down your food before it hits your stomach.
Chewing foods well and avoiding trigger foods eases all aspects of digestive health, by the way.
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Huge Variety And Selection
The online platforms around the world are growing exponentially in size, and that applies to the selection of products as well. As they get more popular, more and more brands sign up to sell their products on online platforms.
They have a wide range of products across many categories, divided and organized well. This helps you find exactly what you are looking for easily. You may even get software-generated recommendations for products you may need. This includes probiotic brand for acid reflux and many more.
Having a huge variety means that you can assess your preferences and choices. You can choose from a range of alternatives before purchasing. This is often not the case in most physical stores, where there is a limitation to the number of brands.
Other Acid Reflux Treatments
If your acid reflux is more severe or isnt responding to probiotics, there are other steps you can take. The first is to see your healthcare professional.
When acid reflux progresses to GERD the symptoms are much more severe, they can disrupt your life in a variety of ways, and they can lead to permanent damage. Some other treatments for acid reflux include:
Lifestyle changes: Your lifestyle choices have a big effect on your health, but you may be making some choices that cause acid reflux that you didnt realize were bad for you.
| Related: 8 Surprising Ways You Can Damage Your Healthy Gut Bacteria |
The obvious changes that most doctors prescribe are to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake. These changes also help acid reflux sufferers. But did you know that eating fatty foods, consuming caffeine, having a pre-bedtime snack, and loving spicy foods can be the cause of your acid reflux?
Have your doctor give you a complete list of things that can cause acid reflux, it, unfortunately, may include some of your favorites, so you can make the lifestyle changes youre comfortable with.
Lose weight: Being overweight definitely seems to be a trigger for acid reflux and GERD. Exercising and losing weight both decrease the occurrence of acid reflux. Its a win/win situation.
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Gastric Benefits Of Probiotics In Healthy Adults
People who are healthy experience gastric benefits of probiotics too.
For example, a follow-up study of Bifidobacterium bifidum YIT 10347 fermented milk in healthy adults found that this supplement reduced gastric pain and overall post-meal comfort compared to a placebo too.
This particular strain of probiotic is helpful at alleviating gastric pain because the results have been duplicated in two different clinical studies .
Interesting Tip: Another perk to the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri yogurt is that it may reduce abdominal fat by as much as 8-9 percent compared to conventional yogurt over a 12 week period .
Lactobacillus gasseri also reduced waist circumference and abdominal fat according to another study especially when using a higher dose .
Acid Reflux Dietary Guidelines
Speaking of food, it is also important to avoid fried foods, cakes, and industrialized precooked foods as they can worsen gastritis symptoms.
Some effective natural remedies can be included in your daily diet, such as drinking potato juice or preparing a chard teamore details in the bonus section below.
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Deep Breathing For Acid Reflux
Beyond taking probiotics for reflux, there are a couple other ways you can help yourself manage this condition. Lets discuss those.
Your gut and your brain are connected, which means they talk to each other constantly. This explains why uncontrolled anxiety, depression, and stress can lead to an increase in GERD symptoms. Not dealing effectively with these conditions also makes it difficult for your body to heal and respond well to reflux treatment.
One simple strategy that can calm your mind and also help improve your GERD symptoms over time is diaphragmatic breathing.
To familiarize yourself with deep breathing, you can lay on the floor with a book on top of your belly. Breathe in deeply and you should see the book rise up from your stomach. What youre trying to avoid is breathing from your chest. Now, simply lay there and continue breathing deeply for a few minutes.
One of my favorite recommendations to clients is to incorporate a deep breathing practice at mealtime to help relax their body before its time to digest. To do this, they take 1-2 minutes before eating their food to sit down, relax, and breathe deeply. Bonus point for having your food in front of you so that you can smell it this gets the digestive juices flowing.
I have found this practice to be incredibly effective for just about all my digestive health clients, but especially those who deal with reflux.
How A Doctor Can Help
If you have heartburn two or more times a week and changes to your diet or eating pattern haven’t helped, consult a doctor. A gastroenterologist can perform tests to measure the acidity in your stomach and see if frequent acid reflux has damaged your esophagus.
GERD is often treatable through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. But persistent symptoms of reflux need thorough evaluation by a gastroenterologist who can find the underlying cause and discuss available treatment options.
The Johns Hopkins Heartburn Center
GERD is an ongoing condition that often requires more attention than over-the-counter treatments can offer. The Heartburn Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine provides personalized care to help patients find relief.
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Are They All The Same Condition
While the three conditions might seem to be the same thing, they are different in more than one way.
Differences
1. Heartburn is common and can even affect perfectly healthy people, and its occurrence once in a while doesnt spell any significant health complication. Acid reflux, on the other hand, is what causes heartburns. Finally, GERD is merely chronic acid reflux, and it indicates underlying severe medical issues.
2. GERD requires medical intervention in order to cure/ reduce its chronic symptoms. However, acid reflux can be fixed by lifestyle changes, while heartburn can simply go away on its own or by taking over the counter antacids.
Similarities
1. Heartburn is the most common symptom of both GERD and acid reflux
2. Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD are all caused by the same factors albeit at different levels
How Can Probiotics Help Acid Reflux
Heartburn and acid reflux symptoms are irritations of your digestive system that usually results in discomfort and pain. Probiotics are friendly bacteria and may help your body to maintain a healthy balance between the good and the harmful bacteria in your digestive system. They will help with the balance of acids in your digestive system hence easing your heartburn and acid reflux.
When you have eaten a lot of food, it will fill your stomach to the brim. Any excess food will be pushed up close to the esophagus. As it ferments, the acid begins to bubble up, thus causing heartburn. Spicy foods and coffee are known to cause heartburn when combined with foods with high acidic contents.
Probiotics are known to possess characteristics that will help in alleviating acid reflux. They ensure that your body has a balance of gut bacteria.
The probiotics will also interact with the epithelial cells on the stomach lining to manage the secretion of proteins that might cause heartburn.
The best probiotics that can help with acid reflux are those that contain Lactobacillus strains.
Saccharomyces boulardii is also known to reduce any side effects that you might be feeling, thus reducing the risk of diarrhea. You can also take an antiacid together with the probiotic to ensure that your acid reflux is better addressed.
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