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🔬 WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT: QUICK RELIEF FOR GASTRITIS & GERD

When health challenges strike close to home, they often become our greatest teachers. My wife Roxi was recently diagnosed with a hiatal hernia after years of battling chronic gastritis and acid reflux. This sent me down a rabbit hole of intense research, uncovering the science behind digestive health and natural solutions for long-term relief.

While the causes of gastric distress vary—from H. pylori infections and medication overuse to structural issues—there is a universal toolkit of strategies that can help heal the digestive tract. Here's some of what I uncovered during my research regarding how to contend with this painful condition.

Understanding and Managing GERD: A Practical Approach

Simple changes to our daily routine can make a big difference in managing symptoms. While medications play their part, the choices we make throughout our day – from what we eat to how we sleep – can significantly impact acid reflux. Let's look at some practical ways to take control of your GERD symptoms, backed by scientific understanding of how these changes affect your digestive system.

The "Maybe Don't Eat That" List:

The foods we consume can either fuel or fight inflammation. Key triggers to avoid include:

• Chocolate 🍫 (Sorry, but it's a trigger!)

• Alcohol 🍷 (That evening glass of wine might not be helping)

• Coffee ☕ (I know, I know...)

• Fried and fatty foods 🍟

• Acidic foods 🍊 (Citrus, tomatoes—yes, that means pizza too)

Lifestyle Changes That Make a Difference

• Weight Management: Losing even a few pounds can significantly reduce reflux episodes.

• Quit Smoking: While short-term evidence is mixed, quitting smoking can improve esophageal health.

• Sleep Position: Raising the head of your bed by 11 inches reduces both the frequency and duration of reflux episodes.

Nature's Medicine Cabinet: Herbs for Digestive Healing

Living with heartburn and acid reflux can make even simple activities uncomfortable, but nature offers some gentle yet effective solutions. Traditional herbal medicine has long valued certain plants for their ability to calm inflammation and support healing in the digestive tract. Here's our evidence-based guide to natural healing:

1. Relieves heartburn symptoms and soothe tissues

• Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

• Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)

• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

2. Reduces inflammation and soothes irritation

• Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

3. Promotes tissue healing in the upper GI tract

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

My wife Roxi has been having some success with GUT-FX—a comprehensive gut health formula packed with L-Glutamine, Marshmallow Root, probiotics, and more to help soothe the digestive lining, reduce inflammation, and support a balanced microbiome. Remember to start low and slow!

The H. Pylori Connection: Natural Solutions with Scientific Backing

Helicobacter pylori, a microscopic master of survival that's been coexisting with humans for millennia, has perfected the art of colonizing our stomach's hostile, acidic environment. This bacterial troublemaker can lead to acid reflux and potentially more serious conditions like ulcers or even gastric cancer, but fortunately, various natural products show promise in combating H. pylori infections through multiple mechanisms - from inhibiting bacterial growth and promoting mucosal health to enhancing the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments.

1. Green Tea

• Inhibits H. pylori growth at concentrations of 0.25-0.5% (Yee & Koo, 2000)

• Blocks urease activity (Matsubara et al, 2003)

• Prevents bacterial adhesion to mucosal cells (Lee et al, 2009)

Animal studies support these findings: When given to H. pylori-infected gerbils in drinking water, green tea extract cleared infections and reduced gastritis in a dose-dependent manner (Matsubara et al, 2003).

Most compelling are the human studies showing that high green tea consumption correlates with less than half the infection rate compared to low consumption (40% vs. 83%) (Yee et al, 2002).

2. Black Seed (Nigella sativa)

A randomized, open-label study with 88 participants tested various doses alongside omeprazole for 40 days, finding:

• Triple therapy: 83% eradication

• Omeprazole + 1g Black Seed: 48% eradication

• Omeprazole + 2g Black Seed: 67% eradication (comparable to triple therapy)

• Omeprazole + 3g Black Seed: 48% eradication

• All groups showed significant symptom improvement (Salem et al, 2010).

3. Broccoli Sprouts

An open-label trial with 9 subjects consuming varying amounts (14g, 28g, or 56g) twice daily showed:

• Day 8: 78% tested negative (7 of 9 patients)

• Day 35: 67% remained negative (6 of 9 patients) Breath testing confirmed a 44% eradication rate (Galan et al, 2004).

Sulforaphane, a compound abundant in broccoli sprouts, has demonstrated potential in combating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections.

A study by Yanaka et al. (2009) found that consuming 70 grams of fresh broccoli sprouts daily for eight weeks significantly reduced H. pylori colonization and associated gastritis in both mice and humans

4. Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus var Chia)

A randomized controlled trial with 52 participants demonstrated (Dabos et al, 2010):

• 350 mg three times daily: 31% eradication

• 1000 mg three times daily: 39% eradication compared to triple therapy's 77% .

5. Cranberries

• Force H. pylori into a dormant form

• Inhibit attachment to gastric cells (Shumely et al, 2004)

• Demonstrate dose-dependent growth inhibition (Matsushima et al, 2008)

Two key clinical trials:

1. Zhang et al (2005):

   • 189 participants in a randomized double-blind study

   • Cranberry juice group: 14.4% became H. pylori negative

   • Placebo group: 5.4% became negative

   • Duration: 90 days

2. Gotteland et al (2008):

   • 295 children in a randomized double-blind study

   • Tested combinations of cranberry juice and probiotics

   • Best results: 23% eradication with cranberry juice + probiotics

6. Dark Grapes and Berries

• Darker grape varieties with seeds show highest efficacy (Brown et al, 2008)

• Berries demonstrate dose-dependent effects:

  • Strongest: elderberries, bilberries, blueberries, cranberries (>90% eradication at 1% concentration)

  • Moderate effect: strawberries, raspberries

Supporting Players: Enhancing Treatment Success

1. Mucolytic Support

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

• Reduces gastric mucus thickness by ~75%

• Improves antibiotic success from 41% to 71% (Zala et al, 1994; Gurbuz et al, 2005)

2. Probiotic Support

Research shows impressive results with specific strains:

Lactobacillus acidophilus NAS:

• 43% eradication over two months (Mrda et al, 1998)

Lactobacillus reuteri MM53:

• Combined with omeprazole: 60% eradication vs 0% in placebo group (Saggioro et al, 2005)

Combination Approaches:

• Probiotic pretreatment improved failed triple therapy success from 71% to 85% (Sheu et al, 2006)

3. Nutritional Support

Vitamin C:

• Improves quadruple therapy success from 49% to 78% (Zojaji et al, 2009)

Zinc Carnosine:

• Increases triple therapy success from 77% to 94% (Kashimura et al, 1999)

Lactoferrin:

• Meta-analysis shows improvement from 74.4% to 86.6% when combined with antibiotics (Zou et al, 2009)

A Multifaceted Approach

While the journey to digestive wellness can seem daunting, understanding these evidence-based approaches offers real hope for recovery. Whether you're dealing with occasional acid reflux or chronic gastric issues, nature provides a remarkable pharmacy of solutions—backed by both traditional wisdom and modern science. Healing is a personal journey, and what works best often combines multiple approaches tailored to your unique situation.

Please note: Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

🦉 DAILY WISDOM: WHEN PERSISTANCE MEETS OPPORTUNITY

“Before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which most people give up. It’s the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one 'dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’”

― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

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🥦 HEALTHY HACKS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND ‘IQoro’

Swallowing is a complex symphony of muscles working together, from your lips to your stomach. Recent research has explored neuromuscular training approaches for strengthening this system, including brief daily exercises that target the entire swallowing pathway. One such method uses IQoro—a small oral device for 30-second daily exercises aimed at enhancing nerve signaling and muscle coordination throughout the digestive tract.

Clinical Support

A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology demonstrated that IQoro training improves esophageal dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and reflux symptoms in adults. In this study, 98% showed improvement in dysphagia symptoms after training, and 86% of those with reflux symptoms reported significant relief.

I have no affiliation with this company. If you’re interested in exploring this innovative strategy for controlling your digestive ailments, visit IQoro's website. If you’re located in the UK, consult your GP for a prescription.

💊 SUPPLEMENT SAVVY: SODIUM ALGINATE, THE NATURAL SHIELD FOR YOUR STOMACH

Scientific innovation sometimes comes from unexpected places, and in the case of acid reflux relief, the answer might just lie in the ocean. Enter sodium alginate: a remarkable compound derived from brown seaweed that's revolutionizing how we think about treating heartburn.

When this natural substance meets your stomach acid, it creates a gel-like floating barrier – essentially forming a protective raft that keeps acid in your stomach where it belongs. And the evidence is compelling: a 2017 meta-analysis shows that alginate-based treatments are up to 4 times more effective than traditional antacids at providing relief.

• Dosage: A typical dose is around 500 mg to 1 g, taken before meals and at bedtime.

• Availability: Sodium alginate is readily available online and in stores as a food additive.

Where to Find the Best Deals on Hoka Shoes

Meaning “to fly” in Maori, Hoka was founded in 2009 so that anyone spending long hours on their feet could get the ultimate experience with optimum cushioning and stability. Less than 15 years after its founding, Hoka is bringing in revenues topping a billion dollars a year, so it’s clear that people are loving this brand. But with quality comes high prices, and Hoka is no doubt in the high end price-wise. Thanks to Brad's Deals, we found the best prices on Hoka.

Here are the top 8 stores where you can find great deals on Hoka.

🫶🏼 BETTER HABITS: THE BENEFITS OF VISCERAL MASSAGE FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Visceral massage is gaining recognition as a complementary therapy for conditions such as hiatal hernia and acid reflux. This gentle technique focuses on manipulating internal organs and surrounding structures, particularly the diaphragm, to relieve discomfort.

Understanding Hiatal Hernia and Acid Reflux

A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, leading to symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and swallowing difficulties.

Osteopathic Manual Treatment for GERD

A clinical trial evaluated osteopathic manual treatment (OMT) for GERD in 60 participants, comparing targeted lower esophageal sphincter treatment to a sham procedure. After one week, the OMT group showed significant improvements in symptom severity, neck mobility, and pain tolerance (Arrieta et al., 2019). Optimal results were achieved with three sessions spaced 48 hours apart.

The Role of Visceral Massage

Visceral massage aims to alleviate tension in the diaphragm and surrounding muscles, potentially reducing pressure on the stomach and esophagus.

Dr. Erik Dalton, founder of the Freedom from Pain Institute, offers a video demonstration of an at-home visceral massage technique:

Incorporating visceral massage into your routine may not only help alleviate digestive discomfort but also promote overall well-being by enhancing organ mobility and function.

📰 HEALTH HEADLINES

From groundbreaking studies to ancient wellness practices, here are the latest insights into natural health and healing.

• 🌾 The #1 High-Fiber Upgrade to Add to Your Smoothies, According to Gut Health Experts

• 🦶 Tai Chong (LR3): The Acupoint That Treats Your Body Head to Toe

• 🦠 Gut Microbiome Regulates Brain Signals Through the Vagus Nerve

• 🧼 Should You Clean Your Cast-Iron Skillet with Soap? Lodge Settles the Debate

• 🧬 CAR T-cells enable record-breaking 18-year nerve cancer remission

🔗 COMMUNITY PULSE POLL

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See you next week! 👋