LC diets and Acid Reflex

[dina1957]

Hello All:
I'm not sure if this is the right place to start this thread but still I've decided to post it. I've read that many folks on this forum saw a big improvement in their digestion, got rid of heartburn, cleared acid reflex and such since started LC WOE.
Au contrary, this WOE brought up acid reflex, hertburn and indegestion for me. Initially, I didnt connect these two but as time passed by, almost 2 years of low carbing, I'm positive that low carb meal containing little carbs and mostly protein/fat brings on heartburn and acid reflex that can last days. I'm not a big kin with antiacids and can' take PPI like Prevacid because of the side effects.
So, I wonder if anyone else experinced something like this, or I'm the only one who's stomack can't tolerate high fat/protein diet. Back before my strict low carbing, I 've used to eat apples, carrots, lots of other vegetables and fruit, no sweets at all, and never suffered from indegestion and heart burn. As long as I eat very little protein and lots of vegetables some berries, I feel a bit better but FAT in any form, gives me horrible heartburn. At this point I don't care about my weight anymore, I'm struggling to cope with my stomach problems. I got all the test performed including upper EGD and so far it's just some mild irritation in my esophagus/stomack lining but I'm afraid it will progress if I won't find a way to put brakes on it.
Any suggestions are greately appreciated.
Reagrds,
Dina

[tofi]

Hi Dina. I'm really sorry to hear that you have had so many problems. If low carbing (or perhaps, high proteining is more accurate) increase your gastric reflux, then you must go back to eating in a way that does not provoke it.

You were wise to seek medical treatment for these symptoms and isn't it great that they haven't found anything horribly serious. That said, you have to find a way of eating that stops the reflux. Lots of people can lose weight on a Weight Watchers sort of diet and you are already so close to your goal that it is well worth trying.

Many people have found that going onto an LC way of eating helps rid them of chronic indigestion, gastric reflux or GERD (= gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and other digestive problems. But not everyone.

You've lost well and are close to goal. I wish you all the best in losing those last few pounds, but more importantly, in finding the best way to eat for you.

[dina1957]

Thanks for reply and encouragement, Barb but I've adopted LC lifestyle more for my blood sugar control than for weight loss per se. I'll try to adjust my diet to cut on fat and to add more cooked vegetabes, cooked with free chicken broth, instead of olive oil, I have to be creative now. I still hope that other fellow low carbers will share their own experince in this matter.
Reagrds,
Dina

[cats4jan]

Husband had acid reflux for years - but while on l/c and now at goal weight - his acid reflux is gone.

My minor - on again/off again - acid reflux left me until I started having my "binge" days or days when I ate a rich dessert. When I am "good" I have no acid reflux.

My normal herediarily low cholesterol went up 30 pts while l/c - that's been a real disappointment. Plus, I am thinning on the top of my head.

What price - weight loss? So far, it's kind of a high price, but I was 100 lbs overweight and that couldn't have been good either.

Hope you find the answer, but it looks like l/c isn't it for you.

[CindySue48]

Dina....were you tested for H Pylori? The "bug" that can cause ulcers? Has your gallbladder been checkd too?

Most people do have improvement in GI symptoms when LCing....but if fat or protein bothers you then, yes, avoid it!

If prevacid didn't work for you, did you try any others? Prevacid made me sick.....nausea all the time....but others have worked well (at least for a while).

Prior to LCing, I've taken them all.....up to my latest being Nexium 2X/day and a nausea pill as needed....up to two a day. My GI doc told me it was the best diet for anyone with GI problems. Now I take 1 Nexium at most daily, usually once every two or three days.....and I can't even remember when I took the last nausea pill!

Good luck.

[dina1957]

Dina....were you tested for H Pylori? The "bug" that can cause ulcers? Has your gallbladder been checkd too?
CindyCure:
my gall bladder showas no signs of stones and such, and i was tested positive for h-pylori but a course of antibiotics took care of the bug. actually, i had a very low count of this bug, almost normal titre, and on a top upper GI X-rays and showed no sign of hernia and GERD.

Most people do have improvement in GI symptoms when LCing....but if fat or protein bothers you then, yes, avoid it!
I wish I could but what is left to eat to control BG, high carb/low fat? I doubt high carb will work for this matter.

If prevacid didn't work for you, did you try any others? Prevacid made me sick.....nausea all the time....but others have worked well (at least for a while).
I was on Prevacid for 2 months, and ended up being so nauseated that I couldn't eat at all. also, I had non-stop head aches . so, my GI Rx me Protonix which was a bit easier but doesn't do much for my heartburn. my main concern that acid blockers can create digestive problems in a long run, we need acid for a good digestion. OTC antiacids are even worse. so, i'm trying to find a solution, which doesn't involve this types of meds.

My GI doc told me it was the best diet for anyone with GI problems
my actually said the opposite, that high fat food takes longer to digest, so the food sits in the stomack longer and this keeps the LES relaxed. in addition, high protein/fat meal requires more acid to be digested.

in any case, thankyou for your input, i was wondering if anyone has any old folks remedies for heartburn. i can go without it for months and eat everything, but when it strikes, it lasts long time too and nothing seem to be working.
Regards,
Dina

[CindySue48]

There are foods that relax the cardiac spincter. Butter, chocolate, peppermint (some say all mints), and wine are the ones I remember. I've also have problems tolerating raw fruits and veggies.

Is it both protein and fat that is bothering you? or just one?

I feel for you! I've been having trouble since I was 27. I've had the constant nausea....I've taken antacids to the point of not being able to tolerate even looking at the bottle!

I have several problems...history of esophageal stricture, esophageal spasm, hiatal hernia, low motility and low cardiac spincter pressure. I've been thru all of the tests and then some! LOL

I don't think anyone understnds what you're going thru unless they've experienced it themselves.

What are you currently using to control the pain? Other than generic fat and protein can you identify specific foods? Or specific ways they're cooked?

I hope you can figure this out!

[jimjam]

Same problem - I was put on some medication called protonex and told that fatty foods are a very common source of acid reflux and to curb them if I wanted to help myself. I have and coupled with the medicine, it's been much better.

[dina1957]

There are foods that relax the cardiac spincter. Butter, chocolate, peppermint (some say all mints), and wine are the ones I remember. I've also have problems tolerating raw fruits and veggies.
add coffee, even decaf, tomatoe products, mayoniese, raw onions, alcohol, and all artificial sweeteners to the list

Is it both protein and fat that is bothering you? or just one?
looks like saturated fat triggers it rather than protein, if I eat just lean protein I feel better. red meat is the worst, and fish and sea food are the easiest. also soft boiled eggs are OK. ironically, what makes LC diet good for keeping the hunger at bay for hours, is actually a cause of acid reflux. the longer food stayes in the stomach for digestion (protein/fat), the longer the LES will be opened.

What are you currently using to control the pain? Other than generic fat and protein can you identify specific foods? Or specific ways they're cooked?
i try not to take OTC antiacid, I drink lots of water to wash the acid down, and also chewing gum helps, drink chamomile, dandelion, and other herbal teas. i'm researching herbal supplements at this point, i've read many times that any acid blocker and especially PPI in a long run can do more harm to the stomach lining and digestion is general. as for special food preparation, i try to stem, sautee, bake and broil my protein rather than frying, actually, i never eat deep fried food. also, stemed vegetables drizzled with some olive oil and flux seed oil taste really good and easy to tolerate. i try to stay away from tomatoes, cream, bacon, beef, etc. eat more fish, skinless poultry, ect. i've noticed that a small amount of cheese like parmesian after a meal helps too, speading up digestion. i also started takin pobiotics and eat plain goat milk yougurt and kefir. apparently, i've never ate so much fat before, and not used to large amounts of saturates before either. for what i've read, liver is not too fond of saturated fats. i also suspect that too much fat triggers release of biles salts, which cause hertburn too. FWIW, I'll start taking 1 tbs olive oil mixed with some lemon juice before bedtime, and first thing in the morning. you should wait 30 minutes before eating after this, if you will be able to eat anything, LOL.
this helps to detox the liver and suppose to improve digestion too.
I'll report the results. There gotta something that is working!
Regards,
Dina