Teri,
For creeal, try Low Carb Special K - only 9 grams carb and plenty of fiber. Put blue berries on top or strawberries.
Dr Norm
Okay, I will give that a try! :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Jocaste,
Just notices your post. Great news and contrats. You are realizing the benefit of limiting those bad carbs. There are plaenty of good carbs left. Fiber is not digested or absorbed and the microbes stuggle with fiber as well, so not to worry about eating all the fiber you want. I know you're temped by the bread, but you need to be firm until you get your symptoms under control, if that is what you want. There are many alterantives. As you learn more about acceptable and unacceptable foods to keep your carbs under control, you will be able to stop you acid reflux permenantly.
Best of Luck
Norm
Just notices your post. Great news and contrats. You are realizing the benefit of limiting those bad carbs. There are plaenty of good carbs left. Fiber is not digested or absorbed and the microbes stuggle with fiber as well, so not to worry about eating all the fiber you want. I know you're temped by the bread, but you need to be firm until you get your symptoms under control, if that is what you want. There are many alterantives. As you learn more about acceptable and unacceptable foods to keep your carbs under control, you will be able to stop you acid reflux permenantly.
Best of Luck
Norm
Hello,
I've had very similar problems. I took Pepsid throughout the day and at night, but still have problems. Last year I decided to try a Aktin's based diet to try to lose some weight as I was quite overweight. During the induction period I had lost over 20 pounds and have still to date continued to lose weight a total of 37 pounds, so it has worked very well for me as a diet.
However, I did notice a great side-effect... that my acid reflux and heartburn problems practically disappeared. I have hardly any problems at all. I also had more energy and just felt far healthier in general. I think the main reason why the low carb diet works for acid reflux and heartburn problems is that the carbs turn into sugar and sugar turns into acid, therefore resulting in the problems.
I have also noticed that if you must consume carbs you should eat them for breakfast and lunch and stay away from them at night. I found that I could eat an all carb breakfast and not have much of a problem for the rest of the day and night. Basically, try keeping the majority of your carb consumption before 2pm, if you sleep at night.
Also, if you drink coffee, this will cause a lot of acid reflux and heartburn problems. A while back, I found a low acid coffee called Hevla that works very well
Respectfully,
Jeremy Ryan
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Post Edited By Moderator (~Jennifer~) : 9/9/2005 9:13:12 AM (GMT-6)
Hello Jeremy Ryan
I'm curious to know if you also suffer from a hiatus hernia?How low do you go with carbs? Are you sure you are not having reflux at night even though you don't feel the pain of HB.
I am knew to low carbing and have found relief from Hb and I'm just interested to know about somebody else's experience.
many thanks
Hey Norm,
I think I should interject to say that for the young person who is suffering from Diabetes, GERD with Barrett's, COPD, HTN, etc. -- this diet would not be an appropriate option for you, in my opinion. I say this because of the severity of Barrett's -- as the liklihood of progression to adenocarcinoma is much higher once this process has begun (without proper acid suppression therapy, most notably, a PPI). Additionally, the low-carb approach is not reccomended for any diabetic patients because of the metabolic pathways involved in the pancreas (and liver) specific to insulin digestion.
Further, specific to Barrett's Esophogus --- you need to keep the pH in your stomach > 4 for the largest number of hours in a day --- I don't believe (and Norm, please correct me if I'm wrong) that there have been intragastric pH studies demonstrating the efficacy of this diet specific to this facet of the body and the mechanism of action of carb-suppression on intragastric pH.
However, Norm & I will continue to debate his theory for those patients who are not as complex a medical case (and possibly, expanding usage from there).
keep healthy.
best,
ckgMD
I think I should interject to say that for the young person who is suffering from Diabetes, GERD with Barrett's, COPD, HTN, etc. -- this diet would not be an appropriate option for you, in my opinion. I say this because of the severity of Barrett's -- as the liklihood of progression to adenocarcinoma is much higher once this process has begun (without proper acid suppression therapy, most notably, a PPI). Additionally, the low-carb approach is not reccomended for any diabetic patients because of the metabolic pathways involved in the pancreas (and liver) specific to insulin digestion.
Further, specific to Barrett's Esophogus --- you need to keep the pH in your stomach > 4 for the largest number of hours in a day --- I don't believe (and Norm, please correct me if I'm wrong) that there have been intragastric pH studies demonstrating the efficacy of this diet specific to this facet of the body and the mechanism of action of carb-suppression on intragastric pH.
However, Norm & I will continue to debate his theory for those patients who are not as complex a medical case (and possibly, expanding usage from there).
keep healthy.
best,
ckgMD
ckg,
Great to have you back. You challenge me and have me thinking. I am of this belief that excess carbs (high sugar/starch) are the worst thing for diabetics. Type I diabetics can't produce insulin and without injected insulin, can't metabolize the blood glucose and end up with too much in blood - dangeous, but at least in this case, you can inject insulin. Type II diabetes are insensitive to insulin, so after a high carb meal, the spike in insulin is not recognized by the cells that need to respond and take up the excess blood glucose. In both cases, too much glucose in the blood - dangerous. As you know, high blood glucose is what leads to the terrible consequences of this disease, blindness, circlulatory problems, heart attachks, foot ulcers, etc. So why on earth would you say that low carb is not good for diabetics. This makes no sense to me. (In type II you can't just take more insulin either.)
On Barrett's, my theory states that if you remove the carbs, you remove the gas that causes reflux in the first place so niether stomach acid or duodenal contents enter the esophasus - good for healing esophageal damage though I don't know much about healing the precancerous condition, Barretts. Does it heal if left alone? A new cell type similar to stomach lining has taken hold and is growing in place of the normal cells. Can you stop progression to adenocarcinoma with PPIs. I am unaware of any such evidence. Surely, with PPIs while staying on high carb, you will still have reflux, missing the acid but not the other intestinal contents that are also believed to cause significant damage to the esophagus. As I said, I am for the pH studies. I suspect that the high protien in low carb diet uses up the acid (the role of acid is primarily the denaturation of protein at it's own expense) and results in a less acidic stomach environment after the meal. However, that remains to be tested. I would also bet you dinner at a steak house (save this post) that low carb is superior in healing esophageal damage than is PPIs.
Going out cuz its Friday. More tomorrow!
Take Care,
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
Great to have you back. You challenge me and have me thinking. I am of this belief that excess carbs (high sugar/starch) are the worst thing for diabetics. Type I diabetics can't produce insulin and without injected insulin, can't metabolize the blood glucose and end up with too much in blood - dangeous, but at least in this case, you can inject insulin. Type II diabetes are insensitive to insulin, so after a high carb meal, the spike in insulin is not recognized by the cells that need to respond and take up the excess blood glucose. In both cases, too much glucose in the blood - dangerous. As you know, high blood glucose is what leads to the terrible consequences of this disease, blindness, circlulatory problems, heart attachks, foot ulcers, etc. So why on earth would you say that low carb is not good for diabetics. This makes no sense to me. (In type II you can't just take more insulin either.)
On Barrett's, my theory states that if you remove the carbs, you remove the gas that causes reflux in the first place so niether stomach acid or duodenal contents enter the esophasus - good for healing esophageal damage though I don't know much about healing the precancerous condition, Barretts. Does it heal if left alone? A new cell type similar to stomach lining has taken hold and is growing in place of the normal cells. Can you stop progression to adenocarcinoma with PPIs. I am unaware of any such evidence. Surely, with PPIs while staying on high carb, you will still have reflux, missing the acid but not the other intestinal contents that are also believed to cause significant damage to the esophagus. As I said, I am for the pH studies. I suspect that the high protien in low carb diet uses up the acid (the role of acid is primarily the denaturation of protein at it's own expense) and results in a less acidic stomach environment after the meal. However, that remains to be tested. I would also bet you dinner at a steak house (save this post) that low carb is superior in healing esophageal damage than is PPIs.
Going out cuz its Friday. More tomorrow!
Take Care,
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
Post Edited By Moderator (~Jennifer~) : 9/9/2005 9:21:51 PM (GMT-6)
ckg,
One very important point I need to add. Diabetics, should absolutely consult their physician, particularly if they are either on insulin or taking any meds that modulate insulin or blood glucose, because low carb will change blood pressure (so those on diuretics need also consult physician) and blood sugar. This makes the current dose of meds too high! That should tell you something right there. The physician needs to taper the meds as you initiate carb reduction. The Eades new book, The Protein Power Life Plan has an excellent section on this starting on Page 333.
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
One very important point I need to add. Diabetics, should absolutely consult their physician, particularly if they are either on insulin or taking any meds that modulate insulin or blood glucose, because low carb will change blood pressure (so those on diuretics need also consult physician) and blood sugar. This makes the current dose of meds too high! That should tell you something right there. The physician needs to taper the meds as you initiate carb reduction. The Eades new book, The Protein Power Life Plan has an excellent section on this starting on Page 333.
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
Hello,
"Doctor means teacher in Latin. It has been used continuously as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread to the Americas, former European colonies, and is now prevalent in most of the world. As a prefix – “Dr” – its primary designation is a person who has obtained a doctorate — that is, an advanced university degree whose completion involves extensive research."
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
"Doctor means teacher in Latin. It has been used continuously as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread to the Americas, former European colonies, and is now prevalent in most of the world. As a prefix – “Dr” – its primary designation is a person who has obtained a doctorate — that is, an advanced university degree whose completion involves extensive research."
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
Good morning,
Just kidding above.... Of course we all need to see our Dr (licences physician) about our health concerns. I know I do.
norm
Just kidding above.... Of course we all need to see our Dr (licences physician) about our health concerns. I know I do.
norm
I've been reading these comments about GERD and low carbs, etc. and was especially interested to read Dr Norm's biochemical explanations for avoiding a lot of carbs. In basic terms I think the idea is to starve out the critters inside who thrive on sugars, etc. This is more or less the same explanation that Elaine Gottschall (also a biologist rather than MD) comes to in her book about controlling Crohns by a special carb diet. The similarities are really striking. Wondering if Dr Norm is familiar with her work.
PennyLane,
Thanks for your post. Are you referring to "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet?" I have not read this book but if this is the book you recommend, I will order and read. Thank you for this recommendation. I am very interested.
Have you read the Eade's new book "The Protein Power Life Plan"? This is a remarkable book that tops "Protein Power" if that is possible (I am still reading it). In this new book the Eades explore the connection between carb excesses and a number of intestinal and immunological diseases and conditions. This is one of the most facinating books I have ever read. Mike and Mary Dan thoroughly reseach their topics and present very objective, science-based views on a wide range of health issues. The also have some information on Chrons, IBS, etc. I can comment more after I finish it, but I find it very thought-stimulating reading.
Take Care,
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
Thanks for your post. Are you referring to "Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet?" I have not read this book but if this is the book you recommend, I will order and read. Thank you for this recommendation. I am very interested.
Have you read the Eade's new book "The Protein Power Life Plan"? This is a remarkable book that tops "Protein Power" if that is possible (I am still reading it). In this new book the Eades explore the connection between carb excesses and a number of intestinal and immunological diseases and conditions. This is one of the most facinating books I have ever read. Mike and Mary Dan thoroughly reseach their topics and present very objective, science-based views on a wide range of health issues. The also have some information on Chrons, IBS, etc. I can comment more after I finish it, but I find it very thought-stimulating reading.
Take Care,
Norm
Comments based on my own experience and reseach
Yes, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" is the book I was referring to. I'd be very interested to hear your reaction to it, Dr. Norm. There's also some info about it on her website (easily googleable). Thanks for the Eades recommendation. Sounds intriguing.
The science behind it, as well as behind your thoughts and Gottschall's (if I understand things right) makes a lot of sense to me. Biggest problem for me though is incorporating the ideas into daily life. After all, one important reason carbs (i.e. grains and sugars) are so popular, and have been for however many hundreds of years, at least since Biblical times when bread was considered the staff of life, is that they are so quick and handy, don't spoil so fast and are transportable. So I'm looking for ways to make low-carb just as quick and handy, well, at least to some extent. Looking for alternatives to sandwiches to take to work / school, etc.
Thanks.
The science behind it, as well as behind your thoughts and Gottschall's (if I understand things right) makes a lot of sense to me. Biggest problem for me though is incorporating the ideas into daily life. After all, one important reason carbs (i.e. grains and sugars) are so popular, and have been for however many hundreds of years, at least since Biblical times when bread was considered the staff of life, is that they are so quick and handy, don't spoil so fast and are transportable. So I'm looking for ways to make low-carb just as quick and handy, well, at least to some extent. Looking for alternatives to sandwiches to take to work / school, etc.
Thanks.
Another thought re similariities between diet advice / theories in Crohns and GERD:
Was reading an old thread here about typical GERD triggers (coffee, tomatoes, onions etc) that Dr Norm tried to fit into his low-carb theory by speculating that the so-called triggers maybe were just being eaten together with a high-carb "real" culprit - i.e. it wasn't the tomato sauce, but the noodles that were the problem. Makes sense.
But I think it's more a matter of there being two very different ways of looking at the role of diet in the diseases, whether the point is to avoid surface irritation (no "scratchy" stuff like seeds or nuts rubbing against the sensitive irritated gut in Crohns, or no acidic stuff like tomatoes or oranges irritating the lower esophagus / stomach in GERD) OR to get at the real root of the problem (unwanted critters feeding and thriving on carb byproducts in the digestive system in both diseases - and others too for that matter).
I think most advice books / doctors / nutritionists, etc. just stay on the level of avoiding surface irritants, "triggers" - without getting to the real root of the problem. At least I have heard of people with Crohns who follow a low-carb diet who CAN eat nuts and spicy things, etc. just as Dr Norm seems to enjoy coffee and wine, which are on many no-no lists for people who only look at the surface / trigger level.
Milk CAN be a quick fix because it neutralizes the acid in the short run, BUT its lactose can also feed the critters to perpetuate the problem in the long run.
My two cents for the day.
Was reading an old thread here about typical GERD triggers (coffee, tomatoes, onions etc) that Dr Norm tried to fit into his low-carb theory by speculating that the so-called triggers maybe were just being eaten together with a high-carb "real" culprit - i.e. it wasn't the tomato sauce, but the noodles that were the problem. Makes sense.
But I think it's more a matter of there being two very different ways of looking at the role of diet in the diseases, whether the point is to avoid surface irritation (no "scratchy" stuff like seeds or nuts rubbing against the sensitive irritated gut in Crohns, or no acidic stuff like tomatoes or oranges irritating the lower esophagus / stomach in GERD) OR to get at the real root of the problem (unwanted critters feeding and thriving on carb byproducts in the digestive system in both diseases - and others too for that matter).
I think most advice books / doctors / nutritionists, etc. just stay on the level of avoiding surface irritants, "triggers" - without getting to the real root of the problem. At least I have heard of people with Crohns who follow a low-carb diet who CAN eat nuts and spicy things, etc. just as Dr Norm seems to enjoy coffee and wine, which are on many no-no lists for people who only look at the surface / trigger level.
Milk CAN be a quick fix because it neutralizes the acid in the short run, BUT its lactose can also feed the critters to perpetuate the problem in the long run.
My two cents for the day.
PennyLane,
Gret thoughts. For quick and easy low carb meals, I would recommend Dana Carpenter's 15 minute low carb cook book (can get exact name tomorrow if needed). Really good stuff. Try brining the sandwiches with out the bread or use low carb tortillas. I eat meat and cheese roll ups on the fly along with deviled eggs, penut butter celery or veggies and sour cream dip to mention a few. Add a few mixed nuts to a baggy. Dried strawberries too.
If our digestive systems are more akin to the wolf than sheep as has been suggested, we should not have to worry about a few rough seeds, etc. My son's dog (young small headed pit) eats through bones like crazy. If we are even close, I would not worry. I do know that carbs equal reflux. Last night I had a few Coronas, which is unusual for me, and tonight out to dinner in Santa Barbara I eat a molases muffin and garlic potatoes (don't know what got into me). No relfux after the beers, but tonight it caught up to me and was having some reflux, but not burning, on the way home. Mild and will subside now that I will be back to low carb tomorrow. I think I have really found a system to beat this thing. What a difference in quality of life.
Gret thoughts. For quick and easy low carb meals, I would recommend Dana Carpenter's 15 minute low carb cook book (can get exact name tomorrow if needed). Really good stuff. Try brining the sandwiches with out the bread or use low carb tortillas. I eat meat and cheese roll ups on the fly along with deviled eggs, penut butter celery or veggies and sour cream dip to mention a few. Add a few mixed nuts to a baggy. Dried strawberries too.
If our digestive systems are more akin to the wolf than sheep as has been suggested, we should not have to worry about a few rough seeds, etc. My son's dog (young small headed pit) eats through bones like crazy. If we are even close, I would not worry. I do know that carbs equal reflux. Last night I had a few Coronas, which is unusual for me, and tonight out to dinner in Santa Barbara I eat a molases muffin and garlic potatoes (don't know what got into me). No relfux after the beers, but tonight it caught up to me and was having some reflux, but not burning, on the way home. Mild and will subside now that I will be back to low carb tomorrow. I think I have really found a system to beat this thing. What a difference in quality of life.
Hey Norm,
Interesting that you bring up the "quality of life" issue. Wasn't the main reason that most people failed on the Atkins Diet was that they couldn't maintain a normative "quality of life."
an interesting discussion to further ...
-ckg
Interesting that you bring up the "quality of life" issue. Wasn't the main reason that most people failed on the Atkins Diet was that they couldn't maintain a normative "quality of life."
an interesting discussion to further ...
-ckg
ckg,
You're a tough nut to crack. I will give it another try later today, need to run out for a bit. I enjoyed your other post and will respond. For the moment, I have to say my quality of life is much much higher without GERD in it.
Take Care,
Norm
You're a tough nut to crack. I will give it another try later today, need to run out for a bit. I enjoyed your other post and will respond. For the moment, I have to say my quality of life is much much higher without GERD in it.
Take Care,
Norm
Dr. Norm, that's what my PCP always tells me, that "I'm a tough nut to crack?" Do you know him? lol
ckg, that's been my argument from the beginning re the Atkin's Diet and this Low Carb craze - it is and has been a diet that I've known many to try and loose weight, only to go back to previous eating habits and gain weight back. So, as Dr. Norm knows, (we've basically agreed to disagree :) ), I already keep my carbs low, I'm not a big eater to begin with...and even with Aciphex and Zantac, I'm still having problems with my GERD and I do have Barrett's.
I don't know if either you have read in any of prior posts of mine where I've mentioned that one year ago after biopsies were done during an EGD, it was discovered that I had mild dysplasia as well. And though, I know that is still a far cry from cancer, it sure had me scared! However, continuing to stay on the PPI's, though changing the brands as they seem to stop working after a time, my EGD just a few months ago revealed that while the Barrett's remained, the dysplasia was gone! Apparently, something worked?
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
ckg, that's been my argument from the beginning re the Atkin's Diet and this Low Carb craze - it is and has been a diet that I've known many to try and loose weight, only to go back to previous eating habits and gain weight back. So, as Dr. Norm knows, (we've basically agreed to disagree :) ), I already keep my carbs low, I'm not a big eater to begin with...and even with Aciphex and Zantac, I'm still having problems with my GERD and I do have Barrett's.
I don't know if either you have read in any of prior posts of mine where I've mentioned that one year ago after biopsies were done during an EGD, it was discovered that I had mild dysplasia as well. And though, I know that is still a far cry from cancer, it sure had me scared! However, continuing to stay on the PPI's, though changing the brands as they seem to stop working after a time, my EGD just a few months ago revealed that while the Barrett's remained, the dysplasia was gone! Apparently, something worked?
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
sounds great ...
i'm so happy you're feeling better!
best,
ckg
i'm so happy you're feeling better!
best,
ckg
Teri,
Please explain what "keeping your carbs low" means. I don't want people to get the idea that this approach does not work based on your statement, if in fact, you don't actually practice the approach.
Thanks,
Norm
Please explain what "keeping your carbs low" means. I don't want people to get the idea that this approach does not work based on your statement, if in fact, you don't actually practice the approach.
Thanks,
Norm