10 Ways To Reduce Gastric and Heartburn During Pregnancy

My wife has gastric since her teenage days but nothing too serious that requires her to get constant medication. But as she get pregnant, her gastric problem came back and causing her to have this heartburn sensation in the chest and throat, everything to her now taste different and her tongue tasted bitter all the time, the increased amount of acid in her stomach caused her to be 'gassy' all the time. Well research shows that this situation normally happens to most of pregnant women (early pregnancy) and usually it will go away/reduced after the first Trimester. So, as a concerned husband, I did some research on how to reduce the feeling of discomfort caused by gastric and heartburn.

Tips:

1. Avoid food that can trigger acid build-up such as oily food, vinegar, some citrus fruits, chocolate, spicy foods, caffeinated products (Coffee, Tea, Cola), carbonated drinks, anything sourly.

2. Try to eat more regularly with smaller portions. As our wives become pregnant, the content of acid in their stomach increased and the process of food digestion also become slower thus the reason of lowering the volume of food and best if they munch their food as many times as possible before swallowing to help the food to processed faster reducing the acid buildup.

3. No ALCOHOL, Period!

4. Ask them to wear comfortable clothing that didn't restrict/pressing your stomach and waist.

5. Don't overstress them; this can also cause acid reflux to goes wild and your gastric and heartburn worst!

6. Drink yogurt based drinks or milk before sleep.

7. Try chewing gum after eating. Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize acid.

8. Avoid eating close to bedtime.

9. Drinking soymilk and barley also helps.

10. Medication: ALWAYS consult with your gynecologist on what medication that your spouse can take.

So there you go guys, I hoped the info I shared with you is beneficial and helpful in any way possible.
by: Jep Black
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Food Selection for Gastric Bypass Patients

Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively “stuck” with their excess fat may be surprised to learn there is a scientifically-accurate truth to their statement. Fat cells -- which are created when the body is unable to convert excess calories to energy -- are permanent. Fat cells cannot be removed by any diet known to humanity [1]. They can, however, be reduced in size. This is the experience enjoyed by people who lose weight [i].

There is, however, an increasingly popular – and controversial – method to eliminate fat cells permanently via an external, non-diet method. Scientifically referred to as a Gastric Bypass Operation, but more popularly known as “stomach stapling”, this procedure literally staples part of the stomach together. The result is that food intake becomes severely restricted, and the body begins the process of malabsorption, or a decreased ability to absorb nutrients. In addition, the duodenum [2] is bypassed to prevent the absorption of nutrients that could cause excess calories, and as such, the creation of additional fat cells [ii].

In addition to this, a more complex and less frequent procedure called Extensive Gastric Bypass or “biliopancreatic diversion” involves the removal stomach parts, and the circumvention of the duodenum and jejunum – or in laypersons terms, the circumvention of the first part of the small intestine, and the middle portion the small intestine. The result is an even greater malabsorption capacity.

The bulk of concern surrounding stomach-stamping procedures is emanating from the medical community. Some experts are worried that individuals opting for this rather dramatic surgery are not prepared to make post-procedure lifestyle changes. They point out that since stomach stapling reduces the size of the stomach, and therefore the amount of food that a person can digest is severely reduced, an individual must be fully equipped to eat wisely after the procedure. This “wise eating” must include both the volume of post-procedure food that is eaten, and the number of calories that are eaten on a daily basis [iii].

These experts are also quick to point out that the failure to adequately prepare people for post-procedure wise eating habits often leads to various forms of malnutrition. These include anemia due to Iron and B12 deficiencies, hair loss, calcium deficiencies, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, diarrhea, and the loss of water-soluble essential vitamins such as C, Niacin, and B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Biotin, and Folic Acid [iv].

The jury on whether stomach stapling is a “fair” choice, or one that is driven by unhealthy body-image stereotypes propagated by the media and elsewhere, is hotly debated and will continue to dominate conversations about this controversial procedure. Yet what cannot be lost in this debate is that, everyday, real human beings are facing an uphill battle after their stomach stapling surgery. For these people, whether they chose to have the surgery due to body image issues or not, the rationale is rather academic once the surgery is over. What they clearly need at this point are nutritional supplement solutions that cater to their new eating limits and framework.

Profect, which is a nutritional supplement created by Protica Research, does not support the proliferation of unhealthy body image expectations that people are inundated with each day; especially impressionable youth. Yet with this being said, Profect has been engineered to provide those who have opted for this dramatic weight-loss surgery with an ideal source of post-procedure food.

Each serving of Profect is contained in 2.7 fluid ounces, which is significantly smaller than most other nutritional supplements. It is therefore aptly suited for those who must limit their volume of food intake. At the same time, each serving of Profect contains only 100-calories – none of which are from fat -- and as such will not lead to runaway caloric intake.

What is clearly the most appreciated medical quality, however, is Profect’s protein configuration. Each 2.7 fluid ounce serving of Profect contains 25 grams of protein. This is the densest protein available on the market. As such, individuals who are obliged to eat very small food portions can easily ingest 100% of the U.S. Recommended Daily Intake of protein in less than six fluid ounces.

In addition, each serving of Profect contains 50% to 100% of all nine water-soluble vitamins. These vitamins help consumers replenish the vitamin stores that they may be losing due to the post-procedure side effects noted above, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and sweating. In the long-term, daily usage of Profect provides the body with the critically important constant flow of water-soluble vitamins.

Indeed, the controversy surrounding stomach stapling, which also includes its hefty price tag, will continue; and it is important to hear all views. Yet what must also continue is quality education and awareness. People must be adequately informed that while their weight may seemingly “disappear” overnight thanks to stomach stapling, there is still a challenging road ahead. This road includes an eating regimen that will require conscientious food selections, much smaller portions, and careful monitoring of protein and vitamin intake.
by: Protica Nutritional Research

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Dietary Recommendations After Gastric Bypass Surgery

When obesity gets out of hand, unresponsive to dietary, lifestyle and medical interventions, drastic measures are needed to cut down calorie intake. Morbid obesity with a BMI (body mass index, a measure of malnutrition) above 40 kg/m2 is an indication for surgical procedures such as gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass is now a well-trodden path to lower BMI’s and achieve healthier lives in 18 months or so. First used in the 1950’s, only the last two decades have seen safe and successful gastric bypass surgery with any consistency. Half a century of meticulous observations and patient follow-up has led to the formulation of strict guidelines to ensure desired results.

Gastric bypass is a series of steps initiated starting with the decision to undergo the procedure. Identifying existing nutritional deficiencies is the first step towards surgery. Vitamin and mineral deficiency often occur in obesity, and need to be addressed before the procedure. The surgery itself has two goals; to reduce the volume of the stomach and shorten the food transit time in the intestine. After surgery the stomach cannot receive large meals or participate in digestion. This by itself limits food intake. Food also bypasses a large part of the intestine and has little time to interact with liver and pancreatic enzymes. As a result, nutrition absorbed from diet drops drastically. In most types of gastric bypass surgeries done today only 50 cm of the intestine is allowed to function in normal fashion. Compare this to food absorption taking over 7 feet of small and large intestine before surgery.

With such a radical reduction in the capacity to assimilate food, the postoperative period can be rather tricky. Only clear fluids are advised for the first two days while waiting for gut to recover. The gut is then re-trained for about two months before it can go back to a normal diet. During the recovery period the limitations imposed by the gastric bypass procedure should be kept in mind. After surgery the stomach has become much smaller and can only hold approximately eight ounces at a time. The stomach has also lost its ability to pulverize food to initiate digestion. Consequently the appropriate diet for postoperative recovery would be a liquid to soft solid diet that can be taken six to eight times a day in small quantities. Nutrient fluids are preferable since they can provide hydration and energy at the same time. Non-nutrient fluids are best avoided or at least restricted to in-between meals.

The type of nutrient chosen also deserves due consideration. The chosen macronutrient should not affect the stomach emptying time while providing enough energy to recover from the surgery. In this regard carbohydrates and fats are at either end of a spectrum and neither is suitable. Carbohydrates pass through very quickly and produce very uncomfortable symptoms like vomiting, bloating, diarrhea and sweating. Fat slows the gut considerably, and it is oftentimes ruled out because of its direct link to obesity. Research suggests that the macronutrients of choice after gastric bypass surgery are proteins. Proteins do not change gastric transit time significantly. A high-protein diet can also provide enough amino acids for repair and growth after a major surgical procedure like gastric bypass.

Apart from these advantages, a high-protein diet has a special role in the treatment of obesity. Gastric bypass restricts excessive calorie intake to prevent weight gain. However, accumulated adipose tissue also needs to be expended to achieve the desired weight loss. The basal metabolic rate (energy expenditure) should be increased simultaneously to burn stored fat and reduce BMI. This can be achieved by a high-protein diet since proteins in diet increase the basal metabolic rate by stimulating protein synthesis. Observations made during the postoperative period also confirm this proposition. Unless a high-protein diet is provided, weight loss often ceases despite controlled consumption.

Currently, a protein intake of up to 90 grams per day is recommended in the post-operative period. Given the trauma and the limitations the gut is subjected to during the procedure, such a high protein intake can be difficult to maintain. The gut is hardly ready and often fails to assimilate proteins and energy from traditional foods and diets. Therefore, a sugar-free fluid protein concentrate with a high bioavailability, adequate essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals is the most appropriate diet in the post-operative period. Digestion is further facilitated if the protein concentrate is already pre-digested, or hydrolyzed. Such a nutrient fluid can simultaneously supply concentrated energy and hydration even when taken in small quantities.

After recovery and return to a normal diet divided over 3 to 4 meals per day, a high-protein concentrate is still a relevant supplement between or during meals. The protein supplement continues to provide thermogenic action necessary to lose weight essential to sustain weight loss. It also compensates for any amino acid deficiency in the diet and maintains nutrition on bad days not uncommon in the months and years after a major surgery.

REFERENCES

1. Kellum JM, DeMaria EJ, Sugarman HJ. The surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Curr Prob Surg. 1998;35:791-858.

2. MacLean LD, Rhode BM, Nohr CW. Late outcome of isolated gastric bypass. Ann of Surg. 2000. 231:524-528.

3. Nutritional Implications of Bariatric Surgery: Perspectives of Practitioners Audiotape/Handout packages available post-conference.

4. Weight management—Position of ADA. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102:1145-1155

5. Faintuch J, Matsuda M, Cruz ME, et al. Severe protein-calorie malnutrition after bariatric procedures. Obes Surg 2004; 14:175–181.

6. Alvarez-Leite J.I. Nutrient deficiencies secondary to bariatric surgery. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 7:569–575.
by: Protica Nutritional Research

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Gastric Reflux and How To Stop It

The number of people that suffer from Gastric Reflux is in the millions. What people may not know about Gastric Reflux is that there are various of ways to deal with the problem effectively.

As many people suffer from Gastric Reflux, the cases can range from mild to severe. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Gastric Reflux or are suffering from it, this article will explain what steps you can take to cure or reduce the problem.

Defining Gastric Reflux

Gastric Reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). The flow of food from the stomach into the esophagus causes a burning discomfort within the individual.The person can also experience a bitter aftertaste in their mouth and difficulty swallowing. Gastric Reflux disease is often times referred to as heartburn.

Facts

The fact is that many people experience Gastric Reflux at one time or another in their lives.The reason is because a great many people indulge in things that are not good for their health like smoking, greasy and fatty foods. Fatty foods in particular can cause a bout with Gastric Reflux. Why? Fatty foods can remain within a person's stomach for a long time after it has been eaten.

As stated earlier, a person can have an occasional bout with Gastric Reflux or it can become chronic.If a person suffers from chronic Gastric Reflux, other health problems can result ,such as a severe case of inflammation, ulcers, anemia or a low blood count.

Prescribed solutions

There are ways that a person can control Gastric Reflux, if it becomes a chronic problem.

First, if you are suffering from Gastric Reflux and you smoke, stop immediately.Although there is some debate on how much smoking effects gastric reflux, there is enough research to establish that it does have some negative effects. What has been established is that smoking can cause a delayed gastric emptying,which can lead to Gastric Reflux.

Second, if a person is overweight and suffers from chronic Gastric Reflux they should consider losing the excess weight. There is a theory that suggests that when you are overweight and suffering from Gastric Reflux,the weight compresses the stomach and raises the pressure inside.

Third, if a person is suffering from chronic Gastric Reflux they should limit or get rid of alcohol all together.If they continue to drink, then a person should limit himself or herself to one glass of alcohol a day.

Fourth,do not eat two or three hours before going to bed.

Fifth, people who suffer from Gastric Reflux should limited their caffeine. This includes coffee, chocolate and soda.

Sixth, if the Gastric Reflux is severe enough, go see a doctor and they can prescribe medicines to treat the problem. Medications that could be prescribed to you are H2blockers, which lessen gastric acid secretions. There are also Proton-pump inhibitors, which prevent gastric acid secretions as well by stopping the enzyme pump process.

Conclusion

Everyone suffers from Gastric Reflux at one time or another in their lives. When Gastric Reflux becomes chronic, one should see a doctor, and take a close look at their dietary habits. The causes of Gastric Reflux are usually dietary, and can be changed, which is good news. If Gastric Reflux cannot be changed through diet, a doctor can prescribe medication to get it under control.

So, don't wait, take action. What one does not want is to wait for the problem to get worse. Make the necessary changes, and by doing so, you can make the quality of your life so much better.
by: Jacqueline Courtiol

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