Worse reflux with keto

(Kathi Kellenberger) #1

I’ve been dealing with reflux and IBS for over 30 years. I started keto on Jan 1st, and have had no IBS symptoms so far. (Woo hoo!) My reflux, however, seems worse. I typically have to take an H2 blocker like Zantac or Pepcid to avoid reflux at night. In the past I was OK during the day unless I really overate. This week, I’ve had heartburn during the day some of the time.
I don’t see many posts mentioning reflux, so I wonder if anyone has experienced this.

(Larry Lustig) #2

I personally have no experience but Mr @jfricke has written about treating heartburn (is that similar?) very effectively with a small portion of apple cider vinegar.

(Kathi Kellenberger) #3

At night, if I don’t take an H2, acid actually goes up my throat. It’s really painful. Heartburn is not as bad, but they are related. I am always skeptical when I see something can be treated with apple cider vinegar just because people say it can be used for EVERYTHING. I did see another post talking about a book that suggested lemon juice, the theory being that there is not enough stomach acid. So, since both are acidic, that makes sense.
Thanks for the suggestion, and I’ll check out his post.

#4

Before going keto I had heartburn every now and then. I noticed it happened several times in the first month after starting keto, but then never again since that first month.

(Guardian of the bacon) #5

Here’s a whole thread.

https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/heartburn-solution-not/498

A short video on the subject

https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/magnesium/3707/37

(Kathi Kellenberger) #6

Thanks!

(Bart) #7

I had the complete opposite experience. I used to suffer from extreme acid reflux and had to take antacids constantly. Since going Keto I have been reflux free. I do not remember if it increased at all at the beginning, but then again I had it so bad maybe I would not have noticed. Hopefully yours will soon cease.

(Guardian of the bacon) #8

I think one of my kids friends may have called me “Mr” once…Bout the only other time I can remember…:smile:

#9

I was the same as @Bartdorman. Used to suffer dreadfully from reflux; like you @Kathi_Kellenberger, I would wake up in the middle of the night - usually with a start, thinking I was actually going to choke. I found that my symptoms were more noticeable in the first two weeks, presumably while my gut sorted itself out (I also has IBS), but settled down very quickly after that though. I no longer take any medication and haven’t suffered from a bout of reflux for months.

(Meeping up the Science!) #10

There are two main reasons people have acid reflux. Low carb diets appear to relieve it, allegedly due to the fact they minimize fermentation of digesting food (meat doesn’t ferment - glucose sources do). No idea if that’s accurate or not, however many people see a resolution on low carb diets. Insulin also affects gastric acid production too, though, which I know is true. Most people (anecdotal observation) seem to see an improvement in reflux on keto.

The second reason is physical. Often, pressure from adipose tissue can push acid back up into the esophagus. Also the esophageal sphincter which divides the stomach and esophagus sometimes does not work as well when we get older. A third reason is a hiatal hernia, which is the stomach sliding upwards past the diaphragm. These are typically not able to be resolved by diet.

(Tom) #11

Tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter is also mediated by pH, as well as the presence of melatonin (which also acts to slow gut motility). The proposed mechanism of action of the additional acid is to lower the pH of the stomach to a point where the LES will close firmly.

Another often overlooked cause of acid reflux is obstructive sleep apnea.

(Myke Dowson) #12

Worst ever case of acid reflux, I have been on keto for a month now, it came on after the first bite of my lunch which was mesculin leaves, raw asparagus and steak. Usually omeprezol fixes it but not today, hope it ends soon as I am at work…

(Carmel James) #13

I don’t have access to these links. Is it because I’m new to the forum?

#14

I bumped you to the next level so you don’t have to wait. The links should work now.

#15

Had a discussion about this on another thread, re: the acid reflux and solutions. It was either Dr. Berry or Thomas DeLauer who did a youtube thing about this very topic. The Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is supposed to do wonders in helping to correct the reflux problem. Its important though, that you get the right kind - is what I took away from the video. So, Braggs apple cider vinegar with “The Mother” is what I’ve got here.
Ingesting it is a sticky wicket…because it just isn’t a super tasty thing to drink. Dr. Berry and his wife made up a Keto-ade that is actually pretty tasty, if you tweek it a bit to your likes. I’ve been drinking this since I went carnivore, and wow…feel amazing. No burping, no acid, no indigestion…feeling pretty fantastic.
Here it is, if anyone is interested.
Water bottle
Perrier or some fizzy water like- LaCroix
1/2 tsp no-salt (potassium chloride)
1/2 tsp Real salt
1 ounce ACV - Shake the bottle well to distribute “The Mother”
5 + drops liquid stevia
Essential oil (to erase the taste of the ACV.) I just used about 5 drops of orange oil. I like it better that way.

So, mix all that into your water bottle, add ice. By using the fizzy water, it makes you feel like you’re sipping a sodapop.