The medical industry says heartburn comes from too much acid. But when Senator Ron Johnson cured his heartburn, he discovered the real problem was something entirely different.
While this may speed digestion, what I discovered, not from my doctor but from a sleep therapist, is that I had serious sleep apnea which initiated a gag response that caused my stomach to contract based on the perception of choking when the back of the tongue blocks the airway. Each time this happens the stomach pushes fluid into the esophagus (reflux) causing burning and damage. For the sleep therapist, this was common knowledge. For my doctor – he told me he had never heard of this! I tried a CPAP machine and it immediately stopped the reflux. I chose instead however to get accustomed to sleeping on my stomach and within less than two weeks the reflux disappeared and my esophagus began to heal!
For me, this was a Godsend revelation and I was concerned that I would end up with esophageal cancer as my father had and ultimately died from.
Jesus: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life!” John 8:12
Right - so here's what I do and it took a lot of thought and trial and error. First I had a medium density foam ramp or wedge made up. It's about 30 inches wide from shoulder to shoulder, about 6 inches thick on one end tapering down to 1 inch at the other end
and maybe 3 foot long. I'm not home now or I would measure it.
I also have a foam pad on top that fits a crib fitted sheet so I can change it just like any other sheet. Then I have three pillows that I place in front of it against the wall or headboard of the bed and set the foam ramp with pad perhaps 3 inches away from the pillows to make a slight gap. You can adjust the number and thickness of the pillows for your comfort.
So there are a lot of advantages of this. First the foam wedge helps to direct fluids into your stomach and not the other way. But most importantly it prevents the back of the tongue from blocking the airway and causing sleep apnoea and regurgitation (gag reflex). So now for the neck, and I am older 69 so yes the neck can get stiff. The magic with the ramp is that it gives you some three-dimensional possibilities. You are raised up so if you move to the right for example, your right shoulder can overhang the ramp and rotate your chest slightly to the left or downwards on the right side. This of course means the neck does not have to rotate as far to the left. You can also drop your arm and shoulder into the gap between the pillows and the ramp and once again partially rotate your upper body relieving the twist to the neck. It took me some time to get used to this but your body learns the most comfortable positions and I find myself shifting during the night unconsciously in comfortable positions to the right and to the left. I am sleeping now and it's made a huge difference to my life. I used to just basically not sleep the reflux was just so bad. I thought that I may refine the ramp and put rounded corners on it on the left and right side running from the 6 inch height down to the 1 inch height - that edge on each side. That may allow me to more easily rotate my chest on the left side and on the right side. You can also let your forearm drop down into the gap between the wedge and the pillows and place your other arm along your side. There may be other ways to do this but this works quite well for me. The trick of it is to get your chest and head raised up some so you have some three-dimensional possibilities. I don't know why so many people have sleep apnoea and so many use CPAP machines. If I had to guess I would say it is neurological damage from vaccines - my opinion.
In any case I wish you well and prayers. So many people suffer from this condition and it really is horrible to be sleep deprived and in that kind of pain and worry that there seems to be no treatment. The docs can send you for esophageal scopes, barium swallows, electrodes into the stomach measuring pH - basically put you through hell and they don't have a clue about the association with sleep apnea. It is truly shameful - for the most part they are just so trained they are incapable of thinking – in my opinion! And they can put you on all kinds of pills and proton blockers that damage your digestive system preventing you from producing acids that are absolutely necessary for breaking down proteins properly otherwise you end up with terribly irritating partially digested proteins in your gut that cause inflammation and all kinds of other problems like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's. I still take the NOW brand of Super Enzymes that has digestive enzymes and betaine HCL and seem to need it now probably from damage from Losec, Nexium and all of that crap. I can't believe they give that to the elderly who already have difficulty producing sufficient acid to digest their foods.
"And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28
Over 25 years ago, I bought a book called “4 Blood Types, 4 Diets, Eat Right 4 Your Type,” by Peter D’Adamo. It changed my life. The author and his father were naturopathic physicians with a fascinating history of time spent in European spas, watching some people thrive on the food and others crumble. It’s an amazing story of discovery, but the point I want to make here is that each blood type has certain food types that don’t process well for them. I’m a type O+ and I learned (in short) that wheat is a huge enemy for me because of the processing, but that most meats are restorative for my body. He tackles every food group. I stopped eating bread, cakes, cookies, etc. and all my acid reflux completely stopped. I was able to stop the Prilosec altogether. Now I can have the occasional cookie, or bread, but if I overdo it, I have to take a Prilosec tablet.
I wonder if research has investigated the correlation between blood types and acid reflux or whatever you want to call it. Because it may be as simple as taking certain foods out of your diet like the D’Adamos discovered decades ago.
Yes, I just don’t understand that this article says it’s not enough acid that causes the problem when I can literally feel and taste acid in my mouth with the reflux.
If the valve doesn’t close properly, of course you’ll get stomach acid, though at low levels, migrating upwards. Re-read the part about sufficient acid triggers that valve closing.
If I eat wheat that’s processed, I get acid reflux. If I eat wheat with all the components like Ezekiel bread has, I don’t get acid reflux. The question is what impact does wheat have on my body in varying forms of processing. I’m just saying there can be other things you can do to stop the reflux. Type O blood people have more acid in their stomachs than other blood types because their best energy comes from meat and the juices digest meat better. One of the blood types should not be eating much, if any, meat. Check out the book. It’s a lot more complex than what I wrote here. It also includes medical things that have been scientifically proved such as Type O people were 16-20% less likely to get COVID. That’s because our blood type fights viruses better than other types. Not so much for bacterial infections though. I’ve never had the flu, for example, but can’t count the number of bacterial infections I’ve had.
Blood type has nothing to do with it. Stomach acid levels vary throughout life, and change in response to various things such as the thought of food, chewing, what was consumed, etc.
And various factors can affect how much stomach acid can be formed as I mentioned in an earlier post.
Processing can lead to a greater level of fermentable sugars, which is why processed foods can increase the risk of acid reflux in some people.
If I take a digestive enzyme containing hydrochloric acid it goes away. So how does that work if you already have too much acid? If you want the correct answer take what the Med Ind Complex tells you & do the opposite.
Hmm. Do some acids neutralize each other? Chemistry is my nemesis. All I know is “burning” acid comes into my esophagus when I eat certain foods. Interestingly, in sudden high stress situations it has happened too. I just don’t eat processed wheat and all is good. I suppose processed foods are generally not good for us anyway because they strip so much good stuff away.
One issue with enzymes is that long term use of enzymes being substituted for enzymes normally produced by the body, shuts down the body’s production of those enzymes.
Another issue is that many of the enzymes raise blood sugar by breaking down polysaccharides into simple sugars. This includes breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose, which starves the intestinal flora that is so vital for health in various ways.
Ingesting more acid, when you already have an over production of it, tells the brain to signal the body that there is enough acid already & to shut down the production mechanism causing the reflux. This is how it works. 👍🏻
Perhaps, but Blood Type O people naturally produce more acid, and Type A people produce almost none. Maybe if people (scientists) would look at these studies with the unique qualities of each blood type, they would find more answers and connections, understanding better the process.
Hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid) is so extremely rare that it is almost non-existent.
Most people with acid reflux/GERD have insufficient stomach acid, which leads to fermentation in the stomach. The resultant gas pushes on the LES, which is a muscle, until it tires out. The LES relaxes and the gas races up the esophagus, carrying traces of acid with it.
Ingesting betaine HCl, or another acid like vinegar increases stomach acidity thereby inhibiting the fermentation, and promoting digestion.
I posted a more detailed response to this article in an earlier comment.
James, it is a fact that people with Type A blood produce less acid; type O (the carnivores) produce more acid so they can effectively digest meats. Read “4 Blood Types, 4 Diets…” by Dr Peter D’Adamo. Have your argument with him and the millions whose lives have changed because they now understand what foods are beneficial or detrimental to them.
I just posted a detailed response on this. There is more to acid reflux than was stated.
In short though, what you taste is traces of stomach acid. Stomach acid is hydrochloric acid, which is a relatively strong acid. It does not take much to taste, or to cause a burning sensation.
Enzymes, such as pepsin, activated by the acid do most the esophageal erosion with chronic reflux.
I never liked that book a it fails to take in to account things like metabolic diseases that can change what you can and cannot eat regardless of blood type. Or other things that can affect what you can, or cannot eat such as age, or adaptive eating.
A Tbs of Apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, or lemon juice works for me. Once a day or a couple times a week is all it takes.. No more Gerd issues at all, and when they do come back I just take a little ACV or lemon juice and I'm good to go.
Yes, the increased acidity inhibits the fermentation that leads to the acid reflux, and promotes digestion. I posted a much more detailed response on acid reflux earlier.
An even simpler solution is apple cider vinegar. Take 1 tsp. straight, if possible. Lightly diluted if need be. Wait a minute & you are all better! The acid in the ACV turns off the mechanism that is causing the reflux and heartburn. It tells the brain to signal the body to turn off the excess acid production. Works fairly quickly too! Cheap and easy. Give it a try!
Stress does not cause ulcers. That myth was dispelled many decades ago.
The main cause of ulcers is infection by Heliocobacter pylori bacteria. This bacteria screws into the stomach wall, and uses the enzyme urease to produce ammonia that reduces stomach acid for its survival.
The second most common cause of peptic ulcers is the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), celecoxib (Celebrex), naprosyn (Aleve), etc. These drugs interfere with prostaglandin synthesis. While primarily known for causing inflammation, prostaglandins also play other roles in the body as well, such as lowering blood pressure, preventing depression, and forming the stomach’s protective lining. It is that later that is related to the ulcers. By inhibiting the formation of that protective lining, the stomach’s protein digestive enzymes, activated by acids, can digest though the stomach wall forming ulcers.
Steroids, like Prednisone, can increase the risk of ulcers by suppressing the immune system, increasing the risk of H. pylori infection. If a peptic ulcer is present, the steroid can aggravate the ulcer by increasing stomach acidity.
Stress DOES cause ulcers. I had 6 flaming ulcers that caused chest pain, jaw pain, upper back pain, stomach pain and water brash and not one of those ulcers was bacterial.
That’s NOT A myth that was dispelled many decades ago.
It took me 9 months of this suffering to finally find ONE doctor who knew exactly what I was going on and he’s the ONLY doctor who knew what water brash was.
Zero bacterial issues or the 6 ulcers would have gone away faster.
I was on no medications whatsoever after trying to treat them as bacterial while I knew the stress I was under was causing so much pain. Not even an ibuprofen.
90% of ulcers are bacterial. Not arguing that. I’m also not going to explain the incredible amount of stress I was under at the time but it was a LOT and from many different parts of my life.
My sympathetic nerve was alarming my body. I ignored it. My Parasympathetic (vagus nerve) was extremely low. I didn’t have time to deal with it.
My adrenaline & Cortisol levels were always high. I was in a fight or flight situation in several different areas in my life.
My immune system was down bc of the stress.
After 9 months I FINALLY was referred to a gastroenterologist who did a biopsy where NO h-pylori was found but 3 ulcers were. (Don’t cop out on h-pylori is hard to find BS. I know what I’m talking about!) There was NO h-pylori!
The 2nd biopsy 6 weeks later I had 6 ulcers, 3 of which were flaming red and burning.
I removed myself from one of the biggest stressors and took a high dose of PPI for a few months. Next EGD showed all 6 were mostly gone. Chest, jaw, upper back, stomach pain & water brash went away.
He’s the only doctor who knew what water brash is. I couldn’t even find the word that was happening to me when my glands would just start pumping fluid into my mouth. I could have my head over a sink and it would just pour out. That’s water brash. I’m guessing you had no idea what water brash is. Few people do.
The point I am trying to make is that there is no direct mechanism by which stress can cause ulcers.
Let’s even assume for a second that stress increased stomach acid, which is generally low after the age of 40 anyway. Even if the person could produce an excess of stomach acid, the stomach still normally has a protective lining to protect it, technically from the proteolytic enzymes that cause the ulcers, not the stomach acid.
Assuming no H. pylori was present (again it can be difficult to detect), and you said you were not taking any NSAIDs. then the other thing I would have looked at would be the possibility of Crohn’s, which can lead to ulcerations anywhere along the digestive system, even up to the mouth. Stress definitely aggravates autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s, by atrophying the adrenal glands. This leads to both increased production of low affinity antibodies, also known as autoantibodies, and increased inflammation.
There is no excess acid production. That is medically called hyperchlorhydria, and is so rare it is almost unheard of.
A lack of stomach acid inhibits digestion. This lead to gas formation from fermentation. The gas pushes on the LES until it tires, and relaxes. The gas races up the esophagus, carrying the traces of stomach acid with it.
Ingesting acids such as betaine HCl, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice increases stomach acidity, which inhibits the fermentation that leads to the acid reflux, and promotes proper digestion as the stomach’s protein digestive enzymes are acid dependent for activation.
Since i've been trying to eat right by controlling portion size and sticking to more protein/fewer carbs the last couple of years, the only times i have had acid indigestion is when i've over-eaten. Spicy food hasn't triggered it, only eating too much. And when i do get indigestion, a little bit of baking soda in water knocks it out immediately every single time.
Ingesting baking soda too often makes things worse as lower stomach acid increases acid reflux. Same with other antacids, such as Tums. They mask the symptom while making the underlying condition worse.
This is the basis for antacid dependence.
Ingesting baking soda also increases the risk of numerous diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, some forms of arthritis, hormone imbalances, neurotransmitter disorders, etc. I posted a whole article on this exact topic.
Yes, the baking soda masks the symptom of low stomach acid by wiping out the little stomach acid left. That way, when there is reflux, there is no burn.
This is like getting morphine for a gunshot. You may not feel the pain, but the problem is still there.
Stomach acid is needed for a variety of reasons. Destroying ingested pathogens, including cancer and food poisoning pathogens, activation of proteolytic enzymes, to increase absorption of minerals, to convert silica polymers into orthosiliciic acid for absorption. for the absorption of B6, B12, and folate, etc.
This is why people with low stomach acid levels have a higher risk of cancer and so many other diseases and conditions such as bone and cartilage loss, hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, immune disorders, heart disease, collagen and elastin disorders, wrinkles, etc.
If a person has their gallbladder, and no stomach ulcers, I primarily recommend digestive bitters (liquid) on the tongue to stimulate the vagus nerve. This prevents acid reflux by increasing stomach acid and enzymes to promote digestion, and inhibit fermentation.
Zinc is also important as it is needed for proper stomach acid formation.
I’ve been taking Betaine HCL and digestive enzymes for nearly 10
years now. The best advice my naturopath ever gave me. My sister is hooked on Prilosec. Refuses to even entertain trying a better way of managing her GERD and heartburn problem. Better health through chemistry!
Well, since you refuse to even consider another line of thinking, it’s pointless for you to argue with the millions of us whose lives have changed because we modified our diets to avoid certain foods that are like poisons to our bodies. You are apparently a doctor or researcher who thinks he has all the answers bundled up in a neat package. How sad.
Next time I talk to her I’ll ask her. Right now she’s not speaking to me because I told her I thought she took too many prescription meds. Meloxicam, Gabapentin, Prednisone, Synthroid. She hung up on me. I was just trying to tell her I was concerned about all those meds and she just didn’t want to hear it. I’m her only blood relative so I worry about her. She’s 72 and if her doctor told her to cut off her left tit to prevent having heartburn she’d do it. She thinks doctors are God.
Ok, check out 3/12/24 article, 3 Alternatives to Statins…; 3/1/24 Do Statins Really improve Health; 12/1/22 Strange side effects from Statins; and 5/29/23 Just Say No to Statins. There are more. I happened to save these and more. It’s frustrating that we can’t print them, and digital titles differ from printed articles with same data. I think the ‘No Statins’ train is gaining speed though. Only Big Pharma benefits from keeping it on the market.
BTW, I got the printed version too for two years. 🤗. Maybe you could get your sister to stop the statins for two weeks to see if things improve. And if they don’t you’ll never mention it again. Those articles will arm you with data (that she will likely ignore, right?).
The Meloxicam is an NSAID, which deteriorates cartilage, can cause heart attacks, strokes, liver and kidney failure, etc.
Gabapentin is a GABA agonist. Lots of side effects, and various safer substitutes including GABA, glycine, ashwagandha, DLPA, etc. The first 3 raise GABA, and DLPA works for pain by increasing dopamine.
Prednisone is some really nasty crap that will suppress immunity, increases the risk of cancer, breaks the bones down, suppresses the adrenals which can lead to numerous health issues including increased inflammation and thyroid suppression. Not a fan of thyroid medications either since they are hard on the bones and atrophy the thyroid further, but she has likely been on it a long time, which would make coming off very difficult.
Well, Synthroid doesn’t count. Either your thyroid works or it doesn’t. Not taking the meds means your whole system grinds to a halt, literally. I’ve been on it for 60 years, since I was 18. Without it you literally have to sleep all the time. Is Meloxicam for acid reflux? (I’m too lazy to check right now. 🤗). Gabapentin is a sleep aid. (Haha I just gave my cat some for a vet visit in 2 hrs so she doesn’t scratch out the doctor’s eyes.). And Prednisone is likely keeping an infection or some swelling at bay. It’s usually temporary. My take on her meds is “only 4, at 72?” Maybe you could buy the book and send it to her with an “I’m sorry” note, along with a copy of my comment above that started this conversation. For the record, it’s a great resource book. What’s your blood type. You’re probably the same if you’re full blooded sibs. If you don’t know yours, you can buy a kit on Amazon for $10 or so. It’s important to know in a crisis.
I know several people who have either been on it or tried it got off it lately, but Gabapentin is actually a very old epilepsy drug. After they came up with newer treatments I think they wanted to use it for something, so now they're giving it to people for chronic nerve pain. It does minimal to nothing for pain except add to the side effects of the other pharmaceuticals they're on.
I had no idea they gave it to cats for sleep, nor have never heard of it being used for people to sleep. One of my friends is on quite a high dose and she's awake half the night.
Strange! I checked the spelling on the bottle again. Gabapentin 100 mg. Who knew? I just assumed it was used for human sleep because that’s what it’s for in cats. (And maybe dogs??)
Cats metabolize things differently than other animals and people, and are very sensitive to most pharmaceuticals. Things like aspirin that people and dogs can take will actually kill a cat. It looks like they discovered that gabapentin is safe for them and that it puts them to sleep. Pretty sure it doesn't work that way on most people though, as I said I know lots of folks who take or took it.
People can come off of thyroid medications slowly, but the longer they are on the thyroid hormones the longer it takes as the thyroid medication atrophies the thyroid further. This is why they gradually increase the dose to make up for the deficit the atrophy from the medication causes.
The thyroid has to be supported as well, addressing the cause of the hypothyroidism, which has a long list of causes. Hypothalamic or pituitary disorders, high or low iodine, adrenal dysfunction, high rT3 levels, low cyclic adenosine monophosphate or high cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase expression, exposure to fluorine, chlorine or bromine, excess salt intake, high intake of goitrogens, high estrogen, levels, Hashimoto’s thyroidosis, etc. Hypothyroidism can be reversed in most cases if the cause is addressed.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Very dangerous drugs.
Gabapentin is a gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) agonist. GABA functions as both a neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter inhibitor. It is the later effect that makes it helpful for pain and sleep. Lots of side effects though. Glycine on an empty stomach is a better choice. Glycine on an empty stomach is readily absorbed and raises GABA levels in the brain.
Prednisone does not treat infections. To the contrary, it is a powerful immune suppressant, and steroidal anti-inflammatory. Although, long term use increases inflammatory responses by suppressing the adrenal glands. Prednisone is used as both a strong immune suppressant and anti-inflammatory. It is another very dangerous drug, and adversely affects bones, raises blood pressure, increases cancer risk, and suppresses the thyroid among other side effects.
She was on Armour for years and doing well. Not sure why she switched to synthroid. Also, she’s been on HRT for 17 years and a statin. She’s taking the gabapentin, prednisone and Meloxicam for a sore quadricep. Perhaps she could have tried RICE first? She just runs to the doctors constantly. I think she likes the attention. She’s got two new knees, some weird device implanted in her bladder, and I think she’s itching to get a new hip. I’m O+. She probably doesn’t know her blood type, but I’ll ask her. But she doesn’t believe that diet has anything to do with health. We’ve been down that road before. LOLOL. Thanks for the info.
I just noticed she’s taking a statin. Research has shown it really doesn’t help and it has many side effects. Search in Substack and/or Epoch News. I actually convinced a doctor friend of mine to go do the research and he got off his statins too (20 years he was on them). A friend stopped hers and her legs stopped aching within two days.
Oh yes, statins are useless at best and dangerous at worst. Maybe her legs hurt because she’s been taking statins for years. But she won’t listen or do
any research because she says her doctor knows better than she does. She told me today that they put her in Hydrocortisone because her cortisol level was low. So now add that to her list of pharmaceuticals.
Prednisone
Hydrocortisone
Statin
Gabapentin
Synthroid
Meloxicam
HRT
Studies now show there is a correlation between statins and dementia. I would never, under any circumstance, take a statin.
But she was tickled when I called to tell me about her new medication. I give up.
The muscular pain from statins is known a rhabomyolosis, and is a very serious condition. It is due to the statins decreasing CoQ10 levels, which in turn reduces adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the fuel for cells, and helps them to work properly. The lack of ATP leads to muscle breakdown, which is rhabdomyolosis.
Keep in mind the heart is also a muscle. This is how statins cause heart failure.
Ironically, statins can also damage the liver, leading to higher cholesterol levels.
The 2 primary ways to have high cholesterol is either the liver is not functioning properly, or hypothyroidism. Diet has virtually nothing to do with it in most cases as plant sterols bind to cholesterol preventing absorption or resorption.
I remember hearing some years ago that doctors switched to prescribing Synthroid instead of Armour and that lots of people were very upset by that because it doesn't work the same. Sorry I don't know any other details though, if they let people switch back again or took it off the market.
Armour is way better than Synthroid in my opinion if someone has to be on thyroid hormones. Synthroid is only T4, which is barely active. The adrenals have to be working properly to convert T4 into the more biologically active T3. The Prednisone will atrophy her adrenals though,
On top of that, if taking estrogen for the HRT, estrogen further suppresses the thyroid. This is why women are more prone to hypothyroidism.
Statins are also very dangerous crap. High cholesterol does not even cause heart disease. Around 50% of people having heart attacks have normal to low cholesterol. And abnormally low cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, depression, bone loss, etc.
The other thing doctors fail to mention about statins is that they significantly increase the risk of heart failure.
I am not a fan of the ice part of RICE either. While the cold does reduce the swelling by constructing blood vessels, it also inhibits the healing process and contracts everything. I prefer warmth to promote circulation, healing and mobility. Safe oral or topical anti-inflammatories can be used for the inflammation and edema.
The bladder implant is likely a bladder stimulator to control urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.
Oooh, I can't wait for some Pharmaceutical exec to figure out that a wonderfully effective, non-patentable, cheap, super-safe dietary supplement extracted from nontoxic plants, that controls GERD, promotes healing of esophagus and stomach lining, makes H. Pylori uncomfortable, and helps nutrient assimilation, gallbladder function and all the downstream digestive processes without adverse effects, could be fused with toxic fluorine molecules and patented as a lucrative long-acting drug to cure GERD. And then the idiots in those government committees that make our lives hell in every way by trying to get rid of DSHEA can convince the FDA that betaine hydrochloride supplements must be withdrawn from the market and made unavailable to the public for safety reasons.
I see Marie C blocked me saying I must also think statins are good for people as well after I just got done pointing out that they are a dangerous drug that can induce heart failure among other problems. No clue how she could derive that I would think such a dangerous drug that I would never recommend to anyone would be good for humans.
She also did not like my questioning the lack of science for the Eat for Your Blood Type nonsense. I went to post this reply to her erroneous comment, but she blocked me.
If it is a fact, then show us some independent research proving this.
I serious doubt it exists because again there are numerous things that affect stomach acid levels.
I looked at various studies, and cannot find anything to confirm your claim. Actually the evidence shows just the opposite. For example, this study:
DOI:10.1093/aje/kwq299Corpus ID: 24643047
Risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcers in relation to ABO blood type: a cohort study.
G. Edgren, H. Hjalgrim, O. Nyren
Published in American Journal of… 1 December 2010
Medicine
This large, population-based cohort study has confirmed the association between blood group A and gastric cancer and given further support to the notion that individuals with blood group O have a higher risk of peptic ulcers than those with other blood groups.
Abstract
Blood group A was found to be associated with gastric cancer in the 1950s. Strikingly, for peptic ulcers an increased risk has been shown for blood group O. However, previous investigations have generally been poorly conducted and have failed to take a unifying approach to these observations. Using the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions (referred to as "SCANDAT") database, the authors established a cohort of Swedish and Danish blood donors with known blood type and followed these for the occurrence of gastric cancer and peptic ulcers through December 31, 2002. Cases were ascertained by using nationwide cancer and hospital registers. Altogether, 1,089,022 donors were followed for up to 35 years, during which 688 gastric cancer cases and 5,667 peptic ulcer cases accrued. Poisson regression analyses confirmed an increased risk of gastric cancer among individuals with blood group A (incidence rate ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 1.42) and conversely that peptic ulcer risk was instead highest among those with blood group O. In this large, population-based cohort study, the authors have confirmed the association between blood group A and gastric cancer. In addition, they give further support to the notion that individuals with blood group O have a higher risk of peptic ulcers than those with other blood groups.
We have long known that low stomach acid significantly increases the risk of stomach cancer. Yet, this study, as many others I saw that came to the same conclusion, that people with type O blood have a significantly greater risk of stomach cancer as opposed to those with type A blood. How can that be when you claim people with type A blood have lower stomach acid levels, and people with type O blood have high stomach acid levels?
I tried apple cider vinegar, bitters and betaine hcl. It helped but I still had problems. What cleared it up was Thorne's EnteroMend and cabbage juice. Seems odd but they really did the trick. And I cough less and breathe better now.
I first proposed and wrote about this concept of low stomach acid being the primary cause of acid reflux/GERD over 35 years ago. It was not until Kevin Trudeau stole the information from my old website to put in his book, Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About, that the concept really took off. Although, he never did explain the mechanism, which is more involved that just relaxation of the LES. If you really think about it, the LES must relax every time we swallow, or what we swallow would not even go into the stomach. relax every time we swallow, or what we swallow would not even go into the stomach.
The lack of stomach acid inhibits digestion, and promoted fermentation. The fermentation leads to gas formation that puts pressure on the LES, which is a muscle. That muscle will tire from the gas pressure, and when it relaxes, the gas with traces of acid rush up the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia increases the risk of reflux because the stomach is compressed by being pushed up through the diaphragm. This constriction leads to less room for the gas from the fermentation to expand.
Stomach acid does have various roles. I posted an article on the roles of stomach acid a while back. A lack of stomach acid can lead to numerous health issues including cancer, heart disease, cartilage loss, immune disorders and infections, hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, etc. These are mainly due to decreased methylation, which further reduces stomach acid formation as well.
Stomach acid levels generally start declining around the age of 40, but various things can interfere with stomach acid formation earlier such as antacids, acid blockers such as proton pump inhibitors, antihistamines, Helicobacter pylori infection, ingesting baking soda, high pH (ionized) water, calcium carbonate, or magnesium hydroxide common in many supplements. A lack of sodium chloride salt intake, or zinc deficiencies also inhibit proper stomach acid formation.
Food allergies, but not other allergies can result from low stomach acid as antigenic protein solutes can absorb intact through the gut if the gut is inflamed, which makes it more permeable.
As for many of the other conditions mentioned, no, low stomach acid does not play a role. For example, autoimmune conditions are the result of adrenal dysfunction, not low stomach acid. This is because the adrenals regulate the specificity of antibodies. Therefore, improper adrenal function can lead to the overproduction of low affinity (nonspecific) antibodies, also known as “autoantibodies”. The rest of the immune system is working as it is designed to do. I have been writing on autoimmunity for decades as well. Doctors really have no understanding of autoimmunity, which is why they think it is due to an overactive immune system, and thus use immune suppressants that make the underling condition worse.
Many autoimmune conditions do have microbial triggers. Multiple sclerosis is viral triggered. ALS is viral triggered. Some cases of type 1 diabetes have been linked to several viral triggers. Rheumatoid arthritis is bacterial triggered. Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are both triggered by the same mycobacterium. Some of these pathogens may enter through the gut by surviving due to low stomach acid, but this is not true for all autoimmune triggering pathogens.
Finally, several things I did not see on the list that relax the LES, increasing the risk of reflux are caffeine, nicotine, and mints, or plants in the mint family.
Nearly 20 years ago now, I went to a GI doctor, had an endoscopy and prescribed Prilosec due to stomach issues. I took it for a few days and thought I was going to die. 2 years later, I found an amazing doctor- independent allergist who performed the Heidelberg test, which tests your stomach PH and the acid response. As a young person, I was told I had practically no acid.
I’ve slowly found healing, which I think it is autoimmune related, but my mother has been going through the same thing. Her GI doctor, which whom I spoke and explained this very process by which reflux can be caused by low acid, brushed me off and prescribed acid blockers.
I've been through all of this.
While this may speed digestion, what I discovered, not from my doctor but from a sleep therapist, is that I had serious sleep apnea which initiated a gag response that caused my stomach to contract based on the perception of choking when the back of the tongue blocks the airway. Each time this happens the stomach pushes fluid into the esophagus (reflux) causing burning and damage. For the sleep therapist, this was common knowledge. For my doctor – he told me he had never heard of this! I tried a CPAP machine and it immediately stopped the reflux. I chose instead however to get accustomed to sleeping on my stomach and within less than two weeks the reflux disappeared and my esophagus began to heal!
For me, this was a Godsend revelation and I was concerned that I would end up with esophageal cancer as my father had and ultimately died from.
Jesus: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life!” John 8:12
All kinds of discoveries and solutions. Interesting.
This is helpful.
But , where do you put your face if you lie on your stomach? How can the neck cope with this?(especially if you have a damaged neck?)
Right - so here's what I do and it took a lot of thought and trial and error. First I had a medium density foam ramp or wedge made up. It's about 30 inches wide from shoulder to shoulder, about 6 inches thick on one end tapering down to 1 inch at the other end
and maybe 3 foot long. I'm not home now or I would measure it.
I also have a foam pad on top that fits a crib fitted sheet so I can change it just like any other sheet. Then I have three pillows that I place in front of it against the wall or headboard of the bed and set the foam ramp with pad perhaps 3 inches away from the pillows to make a slight gap. You can adjust the number and thickness of the pillows for your comfort.
So there are a lot of advantages of this. First the foam wedge helps to direct fluids into your stomach and not the other way. But most importantly it prevents the back of the tongue from blocking the airway and causing sleep apnoea and regurgitation (gag reflex). So now for the neck, and I am older 69 so yes the neck can get stiff. The magic with the ramp is that it gives you some three-dimensional possibilities. You are raised up so if you move to the right for example, your right shoulder can overhang the ramp and rotate your chest slightly to the left or downwards on the right side. This of course means the neck does not have to rotate as far to the left. You can also drop your arm and shoulder into the gap between the pillows and the ramp and once again partially rotate your upper body relieving the twist to the neck. It took me some time to get used to this but your body learns the most comfortable positions and I find myself shifting during the night unconsciously in comfortable positions to the right and to the left. I am sleeping now and it's made a huge difference to my life. I used to just basically not sleep the reflux was just so bad. I thought that I may refine the ramp and put rounded corners on it on the left and right side running from the 6 inch height down to the 1 inch height - that edge on each side. That may allow me to more easily rotate my chest on the left side and on the right side. You can also let your forearm drop down into the gap between the wedge and the pillows and place your other arm along your side. There may be other ways to do this but this works quite well for me. The trick of it is to get your chest and head raised up some so you have some three-dimensional possibilities. I don't know why so many people have sleep apnoea and so many use CPAP machines. If I had to guess I would say it is neurological damage from vaccines - my opinion.
In any case I wish you well and prayers. So many people suffer from this condition and it really is horrible to be sleep deprived and in that kind of pain and worry that there seems to be no treatment. The docs can send you for esophageal scopes, barium swallows, electrodes into the stomach measuring pH - basically put you through hell and they don't have a clue about the association with sleep apnea. It is truly shameful - for the most part they are just so trained they are incapable of thinking – in my opinion! And they can put you on all kinds of pills and proton blockers that damage your digestive system preventing you from producing acids that are absolutely necessary for breaking down proteins properly otherwise you end up with terribly irritating partially digested proteins in your gut that cause inflammation and all kinds of other problems like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's. I still take the NOW brand of Super Enzymes that has digestive enzymes and betaine HCL and seem to need it now probably from damage from Losec, Nexium and all of that crap. I can't believe they give that to the elderly who already have difficulty producing sufficient acid to digest their foods.
"And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28
Thank you thank you thank you. VERY much. Super helpful. Will try.
Thank you, For All of it, top to bottom, and the excellent and encouraging scripture.
Indeed how much we love Him, may we love and serve Him more. The Great I Am. The First and Last. The Bright and Morning Star.
You are very welcome I hope it helps you!
Over 25 years ago, I bought a book called “4 Blood Types, 4 Diets, Eat Right 4 Your Type,” by Peter D’Adamo. It changed my life. The author and his father were naturopathic physicians with a fascinating history of time spent in European spas, watching some people thrive on the food and others crumble. It’s an amazing story of discovery, but the point I want to make here is that each blood type has certain food types that don’t process well for them. I’m a type O+ and I learned (in short) that wheat is a huge enemy for me because of the processing, but that most meats are restorative for my body. He tackles every food group. I stopped eating bread, cakes, cookies, etc. and all my acid reflux completely stopped. I was able to stop the Prilosec altogether. Now I can have the occasional cookie, or bread, but if I overdo it, I have to take a Prilosec tablet.
I wonder if research has investigated the correlation between blood types and acid reflux or whatever you want to call it. Because it may be as simple as taking certain foods out of your diet like the D’Adamos discovered decades ago.
This way of eating has been very helpful to me also. Great book!
Yes, I just don’t understand that this article says it’s not enough acid that causes the problem when I can literally feel and taste acid in my mouth with the reflux.
If the valve doesn’t close properly, of course you’ll get stomach acid, though at low levels, migrating upwards. Re-read the part about sufficient acid triggers that valve closing.
If I eat wheat that’s processed, I get acid reflux. If I eat wheat with all the components like Ezekiel bread has, I don’t get acid reflux. The question is what impact does wheat have on my body in varying forms of processing. I’m just saying there can be other things you can do to stop the reflux. Type O blood people have more acid in their stomachs than other blood types because their best energy comes from meat and the juices digest meat better. One of the blood types should not be eating much, if any, meat. Check out the book. It’s a lot more complex than what I wrote here. It also includes medical things that have been scientifically proved such as Type O people were 16-20% less likely to get COVID. That’s because our blood type fights viruses better than other types. Not so much for bacterial infections though. I’ve never had the flu, for example, but can’t count the number of bacterial infections I’ve had.
You could be reacting to Glyphosate.
Blood type has nothing to do with it. Stomach acid levels vary throughout life, and change in response to various things such as the thought of food, chewing, what was consumed, etc.
And various factors can affect how much stomach acid can be formed as I mentioned in an earlier post.
Processing can lead to a greater level of fermentable sugars, which is why processed foods can increase the risk of acid reflux in some people.
If I take a digestive enzyme containing hydrochloric acid it goes away. So how does that work if you already have too much acid? If you want the correct answer take what the Med Ind Complex tells you & do the opposite.
Hmm. Do some acids neutralize each other? Chemistry is my nemesis. All I know is “burning” acid comes into my esophagus when I eat certain foods. Interestingly, in sudden high stress situations it has happened too. I just don’t eat processed wheat and all is good. I suppose processed foods are generally not good for us anyway because they strip so much good stuff away.
No, acids do not neutralize each other. Bases neutralize acids.
One issue with enzymes is that long term use of enzymes being substituted for enzymes normally produced by the body, shuts down the body’s production of those enzymes.
Another issue is that many of the enzymes raise blood sugar by breaking down polysaccharides into simple sugars. This includes breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose, which starves the intestinal flora that is so vital for health in various ways.
Ingesting more acid, when you already have an over production of it, tells the brain to signal the body that there is enough acid already & to shut down the production mechanism causing the reflux. This is how it works. 👍🏻
Perhaps, but Blood Type O people naturally produce more acid, and Type A people produce almost none. Maybe if people (scientists) would look at these studies with the unique qualities of each blood type, they would find more answers and connections, understanding better the process.
No, that is not even close to how it works.
Hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid) is so extremely rare that it is almost non-existent.
Most people with acid reflux/GERD have insufficient stomach acid, which leads to fermentation in the stomach. The resultant gas pushes on the LES, which is a muscle, until it tires out. The LES relaxes and the gas races up the esophagus, carrying traces of acid with it.
Ingesting betaine HCl, or another acid like vinegar increases stomach acidity thereby inhibiting the fermentation, and promoting digestion.
I posted a more detailed response to this article in an earlier comment.
James, it is a fact that people with Type A blood produce less acid; type O (the carnivores) produce more acid so they can effectively digest meats. Read “4 Blood Types, 4 Diets…” by Dr Peter D’Adamo. Have your argument with him and the millions whose lives have changed because they now understand what foods are beneficial or detrimental to them.
I just posted a detailed response on this. There is more to acid reflux than was stated.
In short though, what you taste is traces of stomach acid. Stomach acid is hydrochloric acid, which is a relatively strong acid. It does not take much to taste, or to cause a burning sensation.
Enzymes, such as pepsin, activated by the acid do most the esophageal erosion with chronic reflux.
Did you not read the Entire article because it clearly explains why acid comes back up.
Thanks for the recommendation, I just ordered it!
Let me know what you think.
I never liked that book a it fails to take in to account things like metabolic diseases that can change what you can and cannot eat regardless of blood type. Or other things that can affect what you can, or cannot eat such as age, or adaptive eating.
A Tbs of Apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, or lemon juice works for me. Once a day or a couple times a week is all it takes.. No more Gerd issues at all, and when they do come back I just take a little ACV or lemon juice and I'm good to go.
Yes, the increased acidity inhibits the fermentation that leads to the acid reflux, and promotes digestion. I posted a much more detailed response on acid reflux earlier.
Isn’t it amazing that so many medications the medical profession suggest we take, do more harm than good or do nothing at all !!!
An even simpler solution is apple cider vinegar. Take 1 tsp. straight, if possible. Lightly diluted if need be. Wait a minute & you are all better! The acid in the ACV turns off the mechanism that is causing the reflux and heartburn. It tells the brain to signal the body to turn off the excess acid production. Works fairly quickly too! Cheap and easy. Give it a try!
Not if your ulcers are caused by stress. It burns 🔥!!! I know.
Stress does not cause ulcers. That myth was dispelled many decades ago.
The main cause of ulcers is infection by Heliocobacter pylori bacteria. This bacteria screws into the stomach wall, and uses the enzyme urease to produce ammonia that reduces stomach acid for its survival.
The second most common cause of peptic ulcers is the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), celecoxib (Celebrex), naprosyn (Aleve), etc. These drugs interfere with prostaglandin synthesis. While primarily known for causing inflammation, prostaglandins also play other roles in the body as well, such as lowering blood pressure, preventing depression, and forming the stomach’s protective lining. It is that later that is related to the ulcers. By inhibiting the formation of that protective lining, the stomach’s protein digestive enzymes, activated by acids, can digest though the stomach wall forming ulcers.
Steroids, like Prednisone, can increase the risk of ulcers by suppressing the immune system, increasing the risk of H. pylori infection. If a peptic ulcer is present, the steroid can aggravate the ulcer by increasing stomach acidity.
Stress DOES cause ulcers. I had 6 flaming ulcers that caused chest pain, jaw pain, upper back pain, stomach pain and water brash and not one of those ulcers was bacterial.
That’s NOT A myth that was dispelled many decades ago.
It took me 9 months of this suffering to finally find ONE doctor who knew exactly what I was going on and he’s the ONLY doctor who knew what water brash was.
Zero bacterial issues or the 6 ulcers would have gone away faster.
I was on no medications whatsoever after trying to treat them as bacterial while I knew the stress I was under was causing so much pain. Not even an ibuprofen.
OK, tell me exactly how stress causes a peptic ulcer. Good luck explaining this myth.
By the way. H. pylori is not always easy to detect.
Mine were Gastric ulcers. No bleeding, just 3 deep ulcerations and 3 not as deep.
I know Gastric is still considered a Peptic ulcer
90% of ulcers are bacterial. Not arguing that. I’m also not going to explain the incredible amount of stress I was under at the time but it was a LOT and from many different parts of my life.
My sympathetic nerve was alarming my body. I ignored it. My Parasympathetic (vagus nerve) was extremely low. I didn’t have time to deal with it.
My adrenaline & Cortisol levels were always high. I was in a fight or flight situation in several different areas in my life.
My immune system was down bc of the stress.
After 9 months I FINALLY was referred to a gastroenterologist who did a biopsy where NO h-pylori was found but 3 ulcers were. (Don’t cop out on h-pylori is hard to find BS. I know what I’m talking about!) There was NO h-pylori!
The 2nd biopsy 6 weeks later I had 6 ulcers, 3 of which were flaming red and burning.
I removed myself from one of the biggest stressors and took a high dose of PPI for a few months. Next EGD showed all 6 were mostly gone. Chest, jaw, upper back, stomach pain & water brash went away.
He’s the only doctor who knew what water brash is. I couldn’t even find the word that was happening to me when my glands would just start pumping fluid into my mouth. I could have my head over a sink and it would just pour out. That’s water brash. I’m guessing you had no idea what water brash is. Few people do.
The point I am trying to make is that there is no direct mechanism by which stress can cause ulcers.
Let’s even assume for a second that stress increased stomach acid, which is generally low after the age of 40 anyway. Even if the person could produce an excess of stomach acid, the stomach still normally has a protective lining to protect it, technically from the proteolytic enzymes that cause the ulcers, not the stomach acid.
Assuming no H. pylori was present (again it can be difficult to detect), and you said you were not taking any NSAIDs. then the other thing I would have looked at would be the possibility of Crohn’s, which can lead to ulcerations anywhere along the digestive system, even up to the mouth. Stress definitely aggravates autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s, by atrophying the adrenal glands. This leads to both increased production of low affinity antibodies, also known as autoantibodies, and increased inflammation.
There is no excess acid production. That is medically called hyperchlorhydria, and is so rare it is almost unheard of.
A lack of stomach acid inhibits digestion. This lead to gas formation from fermentation. The gas pushes on the LES until it tires, and relaxes. The gas races up the esophagus, carrying the traces of stomach acid with it.
Ingesting acids such as betaine HCl, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice increases stomach acidity, which inhibits the fermentation that leads to the acid reflux, and promotes proper digestion as the stomach’s protein digestive enzymes are acid dependent for activation.
Since i've been trying to eat right by controlling portion size and sticking to more protein/fewer carbs the last couple of years, the only times i have had acid indigestion is when i've over-eaten. Spicy food hasn't triggered it, only eating too much. And when i do get indigestion, a little bit of baking soda in water knocks it out immediately every single time.
Ingesting baking soda too often makes things worse as lower stomach acid increases acid reflux. Same with other antacids, such as Tums. They mask the symptom while making the underlying condition worse.
This is the basis for antacid dependence.
Ingesting baking soda also increases the risk of numerous diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, some forms of arthritis, hormone imbalances, neurotransmitter disorders, etc. I posted a whole article on this exact topic.
i trust your knowledge/education, but i trust my personal experience more.
When ingesting baking soda to relieve indigestion, i've not had a single incidence of acid reflux. Not once.
When NOT ingesting baking soda to relieve indigestion, acid reflux occurred EVERY SINGLE TIME.
i'll take my chances. Thanks for the advice, though.
Yes, the baking soda masks the symptom of low stomach acid by wiping out the little stomach acid left. That way, when there is reflux, there is no burn.
This is like getting morphine for a gunshot. You may not feel the pain, but the problem is still there.
Stomach acid is needed for a variety of reasons. Destroying ingested pathogens, including cancer and food poisoning pathogens, activation of proteolytic enzymes, to increase absorption of minerals, to convert silica polymers into orthosiliciic acid for absorption. for the absorption of B6, B12, and folate, etc.
This is why people with low stomach acid levels have a higher risk of cancer and so many other diseases and conditions such as bone and cartilage loss, hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, immune disorders, heart disease, collagen and elastin disorders, wrinkles, etc.
If a person has their gallbladder, and no stomach ulcers, I primarily recommend digestive bitters (liquid) on the tongue to stimulate the vagus nerve. This prevents acid reflux by increasing stomach acid and enzymes to promote digestion, and inhibit fermentation.
Zinc is also important as it is needed for proper stomach acid formation.
I’ve been taking Betaine HCL and digestive enzymes for nearly 10
years now. The best advice my naturopath ever gave me. My sister is hooked on Prilosec. Refuses to even entertain trying a better way of managing her GERD and heartburn problem. Better health through chemistry!
Is she blood type O? If she is I can almost guarantee wheat consumption (except breads like Ezekiel bread) is one of her problems.
Again, blood type has nothing to do with it. The more refined breads simply provide more fermentable sugars that increase the risk of acid reflux.
Well, since you refuse to even consider another line of thinking, it’s pointless for you to argue with the millions of us whose lives have changed because we modified our diets to avoid certain foods that are like poisons to our bodies. You are apparently a doctor or researcher who thinks he has all the answers bundled up in a neat package. How sad.
Next time I talk to her I’ll ask her. Right now she’s not speaking to me because I told her I thought she took too many prescription meds. Meloxicam, Gabapentin, Prednisone, Synthroid. She hung up on me. I was just trying to tell her I was concerned about all those meds and she just didn’t want to hear it. I’m her only blood relative so I worry about her. She’s 72 and if her doctor told her to cut off her left tit to prevent having heartburn she’d do it. She thinks doctors are God.
Gabapentain-addictive. And a lot of other bad side effects. 😔.
Prednizone. Well if she ever does come off it I hope her doctor tells her it MUST be very slowly. It can be deadly to come off it too fast.
Ok, check out 3/12/24 article, 3 Alternatives to Statins…; 3/1/24 Do Statins Really improve Health; 12/1/22 Strange side effects from Statins; and 5/29/23 Just Say No to Statins. There are more. I happened to save these and more. It’s frustrating that we can’t print them, and digital titles differ from printed articles with same data. I think the ‘No Statins’ train is gaining speed though. Only Big Pharma benefits from keeping it on the market.
BTW, I got the printed version too for two years. 🤗. Maybe you could get your sister to stop the statins for two weeks to see if things improve. And if they don’t you’ll never mention it again. Those articles will arm you with data (that she will likely ignore, right?).
She is definitely messing herself up.
The Meloxicam is an NSAID, which deteriorates cartilage, can cause heart attacks, strokes, liver and kidney failure, etc.
Gabapentin is a GABA agonist. Lots of side effects, and various safer substitutes including GABA, glycine, ashwagandha, DLPA, etc. The first 3 raise GABA, and DLPA works for pain by increasing dopamine.
Prednisone is some really nasty crap that will suppress immunity, increases the risk of cancer, breaks the bones down, suppresses the adrenals which can lead to numerous health issues including increased inflammation and thyroid suppression. Not a fan of thyroid medications either since they are hard on the bones and atrophy the thyroid further, but she has likely been on it a long time, which would make coming off very difficult.
Well, Synthroid doesn’t count. Either your thyroid works or it doesn’t. Not taking the meds means your whole system grinds to a halt, literally. I’ve been on it for 60 years, since I was 18. Without it you literally have to sleep all the time. Is Meloxicam for acid reflux? (I’m too lazy to check right now. 🤗). Gabapentin is a sleep aid. (Haha I just gave my cat some for a vet visit in 2 hrs so she doesn’t scratch out the doctor’s eyes.). And Prednisone is likely keeping an infection or some swelling at bay. It’s usually temporary. My take on her meds is “only 4, at 72?” Maybe you could buy the book and send it to her with an “I’m sorry” note, along with a copy of my comment above that started this conversation. For the record, it’s a great resource book. What’s your blood type. You’re probably the same if you’re full blooded sibs. If you don’t know yours, you can buy a kit on Amazon for $10 or so. It’s important to know in a crisis.
I know several people who have either been on it or tried it got off it lately, but Gabapentin is actually a very old epilepsy drug. After they came up with newer treatments I think they wanted to use it for something, so now they're giving it to people for chronic nerve pain. It does minimal to nothing for pain except add to the side effects of the other pharmaceuticals they're on.
I had no idea they gave it to cats for sleep, nor have never heard of it being used for people to sleep. One of my friends is on quite a high dose and she's awake half the night.
Strange! I checked the spelling on the bottle again. Gabapentin 100 mg. Who knew? I just assumed it was used for human sleep because that’s what it’s for in cats. (And maybe dogs??)
Cats metabolize things differently than other animals and people, and are very sensitive to most pharmaceuticals. Things like aspirin that people and dogs can take will actually kill a cat. It looks like they discovered that gabapentin is safe for them and that it puts them to sleep. Pretty sure it doesn't work that way on most people though, as I said I know lots of folks who take or took it.
People can come off of thyroid medications slowly, but the longer they are on the thyroid hormones the longer it takes as the thyroid medication atrophies the thyroid further. This is why they gradually increase the dose to make up for the deficit the atrophy from the medication causes.
The thyroid has to be supported as well, addressing the cause of the hypothyroidism, which has a long list of causes. Hypothalamic or pituitary disorders, high or low iodine, adrenal dysfunction, high rT3 levels, low cyclic adenosine monophosphate or high cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase expression, exposure to fluorine, chlorine or bromine, excess salt intake, high intake of goitrogens, high estrogen, levels, Hashimoto’s thyroidosis, etc. Hypothyroidism can be reversed in most cases if the cause is addressed.
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Very dangerous drugs.
Gabapentin is a gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) agonist. GABA functions as both a neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter inhibitor. It is the later effect that makes it helpful for pain and sleep. Lots of side effects though. Glycine on an empty stomach is a better choice. Glycine on an empty stomach is readily absorbed and raises GABA levels in the brain.
Prednisone does not treat infections. To the contrary, it is a powerful immune suppressant, and steroidal anti-inflammatory. Although, long term use increases inflammatory responses by suppressing the adrenal glands. Prednisone is used as both a strong immune suppressant and anti-inflammatory. It is another very dangerous drug, and adversely affects bones, raises blood pressure, increases cancer risk, and suppresses the thyroid among other side effects.
She was on Armour for years and doing well. Not sure why she switched to synthroid. Also, she’s been on HRT for 17 years and a statin. She’s taking the gabapentin, prednisone and Meloxicam for a sore quadricep. Perhaps she could have tried RICE first? She just runs to the doctors constantly. I think she likes the attention. She’s got two new knees, some weird device implanted in her bladder, and I think she’s itching to get a new hip. I’m O+. She probably doesn’t know her blood type, but I’ll ask her. But she doesn’t believe that diet has anything to do with health. We’ve been down that road before. LOLOL. Thanks for the info.
I just noticed she’s taking a statin. Research has shown it really doesn’t help and it has many side effects. Search in Substack and/or Epoch News. I actually convinced a doctor friend of mine to go do the research and he got off his statins too (20 years he was on them). A friend stopped hers and her legs stopped aching within two days.
Oh yes, statins are useless at best and dangerous at worst. Maybe her legs hurt because she’s been taking statins for years. But she won’t listen or do
any research because she says her doctor knows better than she does. She told me today that they put her in Hydrocortisone because her cortisol level was low. So now add that to her list of pharmaceuticals.
Prednisone
Hydrocortisone
Statin
Gabapentin
Synthroid
Meloxicam
HRT
Studies now show there is a correlation between statins and dementia. I would never, under any circumstance, take a statin.
But she was tickled when I called to tell me about her new medication. I give up.
The muscular pain from statins is known a rhabomyolosis, and is a very serious condition. It is due to the statins decreasing CoQ10 levels, which in turn reduces adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the fuel for cells, and helps them to work properly. The lack of ATP leads to muscle breakdown, which is rhabdomyolosis.
Keep in mind the heart is also a muscle. This is how statins cause heart failure.
Ironically, statins can also damage the liver, leading to higher cholesterol levels.
The 2 primary ways to have high cholesterol is either the liver is not functioning properly, or hypothyroidism. Diet has virtually nothing to do with it in most cases as plant sterols bind to cholesterol preventing absorption or resorption.
I remember hearing some years ago that doctors switched to prescribing Synthroid instead of Armour and that lots of people were very upset by that because it doesn't work the same. Sorry I don't know any other details though, if they let people switch back again or took it off the market.
Armour is way better than Synthroid in my opinion if someone has to be on thyroid hormones. Synthroid is only T4, which is barely active. The adrenals have to be working properly to convert T4 into the more biologically active T3. The Prednisone will atrophy her adrenals though,
On top of that, if taking estrogen for the HRT, estrogen further suppresses the thyroid. This is why women are more prone to hypothyroidism.
Statins are also very dangerous crap. High cholesterol does not even cause heart disease. Around 50% of people having heart attacks have normal to low cholesterol. And abnormally low cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, depression, bone loss, etc.
The other thing doctors fail to mention about statins is that they significantly increase the risk of heart failure.
I am not a fan of the ice part of RICE either. While the cold does reduce the swelling by constructing blood vessels, it also inhibits the healing process and contracts everything. I prefer warmth to promote circulation, healing and mobility. Safe oral or topical anti-inflammatories can be used for the inflammation and edema.
The bladder implant is likely a bladder stimulator to control urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.
Acid blockers like Prilosec increase the risk of numerous diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease, some forms of arthritis, etc.
Although, I am not a fan of long term use of betaine HCl, and especially enzymes for a couple of reasons.
🙏❤🙏❤bless you and thank you I have lost a loved one to this and it was torture 😢 💔 😔
Oooh, I can't wait for some Pharmaceutical exec to figure out that a wonderfully effective, non-patentable, cheap, super-safe dietary supplement extracted from nontoxic plants, that controls GERD, promotes healing of esophagus and stomach lining, makes H. Pylori uncomfortable, and helps nutrient assimilation, gallbladder function and all the downstream digestive processes without adverse effects, could be fused with toxic fluorine molecules and patented as a lucrative long-acting drug to cure GERD. And then the idiots in those government committees that make our lives hell in every way by trying to get rid of DSHEA can convince the FDA that betaine hydrochloride supplements must be withdrawn from the market and made unavailable to the public for safety reasons.
My husband, who was an Internist, told me this 30 years ago. I have taken Betane HCL for years.
I see Marie C blocked me saying I must also think statins are good for people as well after I just got done pointing out that they are a dangerous drug that can induce heart failure among other problems. No clue how she could derive that I would think such a dangerous drug that I would never recommend to anyone would be good for humans.
She also did not like my questioning the lack of science for the Eat for Your Blood Type nonsense. I went to post this reply to her erroneous comment, but she blocked me.
If it is a fact, then show us some independent research proving this.
I serious doubt it exists because again there are numerous things that affect stomach acid levels.
I looked at various studies, and cannot find anything to confirm your claim. Actually the evidence shows just the opposite. For example, this study:
DOI:10.1093/aje/kwq299Corpus ID: 24643047
Risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcers in relation to ABO blood type: a cohort study.
G. Edgren, H. Hjalgrim, O. Nyren
Published in American Journal of… 1 December 2010
Medicine
This large, population-based cohort study has confirmed the association between blood group A and gastric cancer and given further support to the notion that individuals with blood group O have a higher risk of peptic ulcers than those with other blood groups.
Abstract
Blood group A was found to be associated with gastric cancer in the 1950s. Strikingly, for peptic ulcers an increased risk has been shown for blood group O. However, previous investigations have generally been poorly conducted and have failed to take a unifying approach to these observations. Using the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions (referred to as "SCANDAT") database, the authors established a cohort of Swedish and Danish blood donors with known blood type and followed these for the occurrence of gastric cancer and peptic ulcers through December 31, 2002. Cases were ascertained by using nationwide cancer and hospital registers. Altogether, 1,089,022 donors were followed for up to 35 years, during which 688 gastric cancer cases and 5,667 peptic ulcer cases accrued. Poisson regression analyses confirmed an increased risk of gastric cancer among individuals with blood group A (incidence rate ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 1.42) and conversely that peptic ulcer risk was instead highest among those with blood group O. In this large, population-based cohort study, the authors have confirmed the association between blood group A and gastric cancer. In addition, they give further support to the notion that individuals with blood group O have a higher risk of peptic ulcers than those with other blood groups.
We have long known that low stomach acid significantly increases the risk of stomach cancer. Yet, this study, as many others I saw that came to the same conclusion, that people with type O blood have a significantly greater risk of stomach cancer as opposed to those with type A blood. How can that be when you claim people with type A blood have lower stomach acid levels, and people with type O blood have high stomach acid levels?
Stop eating seed cooking oils especially when cooking food. Watch how well this gets. Replace with real butter, tallow, or lard.
I tried apple cider vinegar, bitters and betaine hcl. It helped but I still had problems. What cleared it up was Thorne's EnteroMend and cabbage juice. Seems odd but they really did the trick. And I cough less and breathe better now.
Raw cabbage juice is an old time remedy for stomach ulcers as well.
I first proposed and wrote about this concept of low stomach acid being the primary cause of acid reflux/GERD over 35 years ago. It was not until Kevin Trudeau stole the information from my old website to put in his book, Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About, that the concept really took off. Although, he never did explain the mechanism, which is more involved that just relaxation of the LES. If you really think about it, the LES must relax every time we swallow, or what we swallow would not even go into the stomach. relax every time we swallow, or what we swallow would not even go into the stomach.
The lack of stomach acid inhibits digestion, and promoted fermentation. The fermentation leads to gas formation that puts pressure on the LES, which is a muscle. That muscle will tire from the gas pressure, and when it relaxes, the gas with traces of acid rush up the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia increases the risk of reflux because the stomach is compressed by being pushed up through the diaphragm. This constriction leads to less room for the gas from the fermentation to expand.
Stomach acid does have various roles. I posted an article on the roles of stomach acid a while back. A lack of stomach acid can lead to numerous health issues including cancer, heart disease, cartilage loss, immune disorders and infections, hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, etc. These are mainly due to decreased methylation, which further reduces stomach acid formation as well.
Stomach acid levels generally start declining around the age of 40, but various things can interfere with stomach acid formation earlier such as antacids, acid blockers such as proton pump inhibitors, antihistamines, Helicobacter pylori infection, ingesting baking soda, high pH (ionized) water, calcium carbonate, or magnesium hydroxide common in many supplements. A lack of sodium chloride salt intake, or zinc deficiencies also inhibit proper stomach acid formation.
Food allergies, but not other allergies can result from low stomach acid as antigenic protein solutes can absorb intact through the gut if the gut is inflamed, which makes it more permeable.
As for many of the other conditions mentioned, no, low stomach acid does not play a role. For example, autoimmune conditions are the result of adrenal dysfunction, not low stomach acid. This is because the adrenals regulate the specificity of antibodies. Therefore, improper adrenal function can lead to the overproduction of low affinity (nonspecific) antibodies, also known as “autoantibodies”. The rest of the immune system is working as it is designed to do. I have been writing on autoimmunity for decades as well. Doctors really have no understanding of autoimmunity, which is why they think it is due to an overactive immune system, and thus use immune suppressants that make the underling condition worse.
Many autoimmune conditions do have microbial triggers. Multiple sclerosis is viral triggered. ALS is viral triggered. Some cases of type 1 diabetes have been linked to several viral triggers. Rheumatoid arthritis is bacterial triggered. Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are both triggered by the same mycobacterium. Some of these pathogens may enter through the gut by surviving due to low stomach acid, but this is not true for all autoimmune triggering pathogens.
Finally, several things I did not see on the list that relax the LES, increasing the risk of reflux are caffeine, nicotine, and mints, or plants in the mint family.
Nearly 20 years ago now, I went to a GI doctor, had an endoscopy and prescribed Prilosec due to stomach issues. I took it for a few days and thought I was going to die. 2 years later, I found an amazing doctor- independent allergist who performed the Heidelberg test, which tests your stomach PH and the acid response. As a young person, I was told I had practically no acid.
I’ve slowly found healing, which I think it is autoimmune related, but my mother has been going through the same thing. Her GI doctor, which whom I spoke and explained this very process by which reflux can be caused by low acid, brushed me off and prescribed acid blockers.
I quit sugar entirely, and almost all flour, in 2022. My acid indigestion troubles went away. Sugar is a massive enemy of our health in many ways.