Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Carbohydrates and heartburn

Some months ago, I started a specialized diet; it contains relatively few carbohydrates, and my persistent heartburn went away. I didn't think much of it until I discovered the writings of Dr. Wolfgang Lutz, who notes that:

"Distressing heartburn is often the first symptom to disappear following withdrawal of carbohydrates from the die However severe, and even if made worse by factors like the back-flow of gastric juice into the esophagus in hiatal hernia, the chances of success are good. If patients come back with the complaint that the diet is no longer effective and their heartburn has returned, a closer look usually reveals that some carbohydrates have again crept into the diet. Or a gastrointestinal infection cam be suspected - and treated."

I'm a biochemist, and I don't know enough gastroenterology to figure out why this happens. My only theory is that carbohydrates increase the osmolarity of the stomach contents enough to draw more acid from the stomach walls (as proteins and fats would have a much lower contribution to osmolarity), but that seems simplistic at best.

Anyone have any insights or theories as to why this is? Thanks in advance.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
What did John L. Kitkoski, PhD, say about acid reflux?  Not enough stomach acid... the stomach was not acidic enough to convert all the food to acidic, so there would be some acid-base reaction that bubbles up your esophagus.  When he first told me, I understood the chemistry he was teaching me, but his solution was to take about 6 HCL tablets with half of a glass of milk.  SCARY!  Here my throat and mouth were burning like hell and he wants me to put in lots of hydrochloric acid!!!  Lots... to bring the pH back down to VERY ACIDIC like it is supposed to be.  I didn't do it... too chicken, until one night the reflux was sooooo bad, I got up and took the 6 HCL tablets with 4 oz of milk.. I figured being dead would be better than the acid reflux!  20 minutes later:  No acid reflux!!!  a miracle!  They have stronger capsules (not tablets) nowadays, but maybe like me, getting rid to the fungus gets the stomach acid production back to normal.  I had to take HCL when the eye surgery required antibiotics which allowed the fungus to take over again.  It was only eye drops antibiotics... but the fungus bloomed there, then to my ears.. then all the way down my digestive track (as evidenced by sticky poop... tmi?  )... And I started getting reflux again.  After a year of killing of fungus, no reflux and do not need HCL any more.

John said anti-acids and acid blockers push the chemical equation the wrong way.  Optimal stomach acid is down around 2!  Some of the most acidic stuff on the planet!  And when it is working right it starts the digestion of your food in your stomach.  It is so acidic it changes all your food to acid (hence no acid-base reaction) then the gall bladder covers the food in bile from the liver and changes it to alkaline (basic) for its trip thru your intestines.  If the food is not acidic from your stomach, the bile will make it too alkaline.  Remember, for example lye is alkaline (basic) and it can burn like hell.  Not good to have the food running thru your intestines to be too basic, (alkaline), either.

I think that is why so many people on anti-acids and acid blockers get IBS.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Here is a really good little education about stomach  acid: https://sciencing.com/what-is-the-optimum-ph-for-human-stomach-enzyme-activity-12072183.html
Avatar universal
Good observation. Many others have found the same thing. I believe the reason is because carbohydrate malabsorption feeds small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - producing gas that drives acid reflux. I have listed nine bullet points of evidence withh numerous references for my theory in an article on GERD and asthma at DigestiveHealthInstitute.org.
Norm Robillard, Ph.D.
Founder Digestive Health Institute
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem