Acid reflux, bad breath and all things in between
A few weeks ago I asked you on Instagram (my most active social media, so follow me there!) to ask me your burning questions about gut health so I can transform them into content. some of them really stood out, so I want to answer them here for you.
TL;DR
I answer your questions on pregnancy and gut health: watch out for reflux and constipation!
Bad breath: It's not your toothpaste, it's your gut.
Why antacids are a bad long-term solution for your reflux: Having stomach acid is actually a good thing!
Gut Health and Pregnancy:
We all know that pregnant women tend to constantly use the bathroom to pee. This is because the baby is pressing the bladder. What most people don't realize is that the baby is also pressing against so many other organs of the digestive system, and this greatly contributes to acid reflux AND constipation. Yes, pregnant women often complain about being chronically constipated and suffering from heartburn.
My #1 tip for this is to make sure you're eating enough fiber with enough hydration. Notice how I say 'hydration' and not water, because sometimes too much water can contribute to the reflux by diluting the very precious stomach acid (more on that later). Drink broths with sea salt, eat lots of fruits with the peel, and avoid lying down after meals so your gut is the least of your concerns during this very special time!
Bad breath / Halitosis despite good oral hygiene
Having bad breath (which is also typically accompanied by a white-coated tongue) is a sign of an imbalance of bacteria in your microbiome, a lack of an adequate amount of stomach acid, and possibly a sign that you may be constipated. The bad breath is a symptom of poor gut health.
To fix this, I suggest going on a diet that contains very little sugar (because bad bacteria love to feed on sugar) and enrolling in The No Bloat Code online program where you will learn which supplements, lifestyle changes, and food to eat for your specific condition.
"Why does my doctor prescribe me antacids if they're bad?"
If you don't like to read, go ahead and click on the image so you can watch the video, but if you want to stay here, here's a flash explanation:
Our stomachs need to be acidic so they can digest and disinfect foods. Too little stomach acid is not a good thing. It makes us prone to indigestion and bacterial infections such as H.pylori and more. People with severe reflux and GERD are often diagnosed with bacterial infections because that stomach acid that should've been there to kill bacteria, wasn't there. Stomach acid is important! BUT, stomach acid needs to be in the stomach– anywhere else in the body will burn and cause irritation.
The problem with acid reflux is that the stomach acid is so little in the first place that the food isn't getting properly showered in said acid, so the little acid that's there is left to travel to the esophagus to cause mayhem.
Antacids offer relief because they mitigate the burning sensation in the esophagus (this is a good thing), but then it robs the stomach of the important acid. Antacids create dependence and if you've been on them for a while, you have probably experienced that you've needed more over time and that your reflux gets worse when you are not on them. It's a vicious cycle that can only be ended with the right gut health coaching.
⚠️BEWARE⚠️: antacids should not be cut out cold turkey. You need to wean off very slowly to avoid damaging the esophagus with acid.
If you have mild acid reflux you can FIY (fix it yourself) with The No Bloat Code
If you have moderate to severe reflux, or a GERD diagnosis I suggest you apply to work with me or any gut health practitioner that you trust.