Are the Side Effects enough to give you Heartburn?

You had a great time and wonderful evening with friends.  Then lying in bed you are woken up by the burning sensation in your chest and throat.  Advertisements would tell you this is not a problem since there are drugs for heartburn but are they safe?

The most commonly prescribed drugs are PPI’s (protein pump inhibitors), also known as anti-acid drugs.  This category of drugs is one that treats the symptom, not the cause.

What is the cause?  Most of the time heartburn is related to overeating or consuming rich food and alcohol.  Your body can only handle a certain amount of food at one time.  And, it can only handle a set amount of carbohydrate at a sitting. 

So what happens when you eat too many carbs or just eat too much? 

The food sits there and creates pressure in the stomach which over time can create a leaky valve that allow acid to splash up from the stomach and there you have it – acid reflux also known as GERD.

That’s where the PPI’s come in.  So what’s the big deal?  Why not take these drugs?

The risks of PPI’s are not in your favor.

1.  Bone Fractures – A 2006 study in JAMA showed those taking PPI’s for more than a year had a 30-60% increased risk of hip fracture than those not taking acid blockers.

2.  Bacterial Infections – those taking PPI’s who were hospitalized were more likely to contract Clostridium difficile than those not taking acid blockers.

Pharmaceutical firms actively promote PPI’s and they are now marketing them to young adults.  Michael Katz, M.D., director of public health for the city of San Francisco states “I think PPI’s have become more of a lifestyle drug.  People don’t really understand the risks.”

So what do you do if you have heartburn or GERD?  Taking these drugs on a short-term basis is not associated with the risks listed above.  Beyond that however, you need to be treating the cause of your GERD.

1.  Eliminate processed carbs from your diet.  Eat your carbs from fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds, avocado and limited amounts (1/2 cup) of starches like quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat.

2.  Eat small frequent meals – eat when you are hungry and stop when just satiated or a bite or two before so your body can process the food you are taking in.

3.  Increase activity- if you are overweight start becoming more active and consider changing your diet and lifestyle to lose weight.  Losing belly fat will lower heartburn and acid reflux.

4.  Limit rich foods and alcohol – keep your food celebrations to a minimum.  When you eat out, consider eating similarly to how you eat at home.  Have a food plan and take it with you whether you are out or at a party.

A client of mine recently told me he just thought taking anti-acid drugs was just part of his daily routine.  After changing his diet and losing 30 pounds, he hasn’t taken a PPI in over 6 months.

To avoid browsing the antacid aisle try a simpler approach by eating types and amounts of foods your body can actually handle.  Naturally avoiding heartburn and the drugs that treat it are healthy side effects you can live with.

Is There A Male Menopause?

Research on menopause focuses mostly on females and the changes they incur as they age.  However, did you know that men also experience physical changes?  The most frequent disorder of sex hormones in men is called hypogonadism, which is usually associated with a testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dl.

Hypogonadism is linked with an increased accumulation of visceral fat, insulin resistance and a risk of adult onset diabetes.  Overweight or obese men tend to have lower testosterone levels since increases in belly fat converts testosterone to higher levels of estrogen.  Lower testosterone levels can dramatically lower energy levels and increase depression in men.

Men with adult onset diabetes have a 70 percent higher risk of hypogonadism.  A balanced diet with healthy protein sources (lean meat, poultry, wild fish, organic eggs and low fat dairy, nuts/seeds) combined with natural sources of carbohydrate such as fruits and vegetables and healthy fats (avocado, olive oil) can dramatically reduce insulin resistance which can lead to weight and belly fat loss.

Adding a moderate exercise program to the above diet can synergistically lower visceral fat and restore balance in the body.  When weight loss occurs, estrogen coverts to testosterone which begins the process of restoring energy levels leading to vitality and sense of well being.

What can you do if you suspect you have male menopause?  Have your physician measure your testosterone levels and if low, supplemental testosterone may need to be prescribed. 

In addition a diet and exercise adjustment can significantly change your life and restore energy and well-being.  It’s important to realize that men and women share the journey of change and that males can experience changes in the body that need attention to keep harmony within the sexes.

Healthy Carbohydates in the Womb

Since it is Mother’s Day how does a Mother’s diet affect the genetics of what happens in the womb?  Is it really all that significant?  Recent research shows processed foods can do more harm than once realized.

Processed refined carbohydrates are those that are altered from their original form.  Most things you buy in a package fit the definition of a processed carbohydrate – chips, crackers, cookies you buy in the grocery store.

These are “foods” manufacturers alter to make a profit.   Companies add sweeteners, additives, and other ingredients to allow the high markup.

Almost all processed foods come with a price of added sugars, trans fat and other things your body would rather avoid.  These foods are not healthy for anyone, especially not pregnant women.

Recent studies show the blood triglyceride level (fat in the blood) of a pregnant woman is closely tied to the birth weight and body fat of the infant.  Infants born to women with high triglyceride levels have double the body fat of a normal infant.

Even more alarming is high maternal cholesterol and triglyceride levels are associated with a greater risk of fatty streak formation in infant’s arteries, and a high risk of heart disease during childhood.

Eating a balanced diet of healthy protein and fats and unprocessed carbohydrates can keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Healthy carbohydrate-containing foods are those that are in their natural forms – fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, avocado, yams, etc.

What better Mother’s Day gift to give to yourself and your future child than the gift of health?