MARCH 20, 2012 GASTROINTESTINAL REFLUX PART ONE

"Your very own inner wisdom should be valued more than any other and will always guide you in the direction you need to travel. WHEN THE HEART SPEAKS....TAKE GOOD NOTES.

"Enjoy life....it has an expiration date.."

I was going to discuss heart disease, but I want to discuss a very prevalent disease with increasing rates - Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). The reason it is so prevalent is the bad dietary habits of Americans, as well as the over-the-counter antacids that are available. Many people seem to think they can eat whatever they want if they take an antacid.
Studies have shown that many OTC medications can be the cause of memory loss.

GERD could be reduced or eliminated if you change your dietary lifestyle. The most important factor is the consumption of simple carbohydrates. You need to eliminate sugar. I am talking about simple carbohydrates as bread, cookies, pasta, etc that convert to sugar quicker than table sugar. This is the glycemic index. In order to alleviate GERD try to eat low glycemic foods.

I want to help my patients support, maintain and restore their digestive systems. I do this with three changes to the diet: 1. elimination of the above mentioned foods, 2. the addition of amino acid L - glutamine, and 3. the addition of probioitc. These should be in powder form as it is better for the gut to absorb. Of course, I will discuss herbs tomorrow - GERD PART TWO. There are many beneficial herbs for the GI tract and GERD.

One epidemiological study showed that aspirin overuse and psychosocial stress contributed to GERD. There is also a statistical correlation between halitosis (bad breath - probably originating from gum disease), pickle consumption and headaches with GERD. Smoking is a well known contributing factor to GERD. Some even say coffee causes GERD. This may be so, but what happens if you want it black which studies show prevent Alzheimer's. It is a double edged sword.

So, this weekend while visiting the New York Botanical Gardens ( http://www.nybg.org/) Orchid Show which I highly recommend, I bought a book in the garden store called The Devil's Cup. I started to read it last night. It is about COFFEE. So far very entertaining and informative.

Until tomorrow...