DGL chewable tablets : Share your experience

[karie]

Could you share your experience with using DGL ? I am going to try again and hope to heal.
I am using DGL By Natural Factors and it suggests 1 tablet 3 x daily 20 minutes before meals. The tablets are 400 mg. each.
Dr. Murray had suggested months ago to use half considering my specific circumstances, Although after 2 weeks I was still unable to eat more and be all well. My GP said : Well then you most consider trying yet another ppi and more tests. Thanks

[JCLingo]

Is this Dr. Murray from Alabama?  I am also interested in DGL and its success or failures.

[smiles4ever]

I have been using DGL chewable tables for about 3 months now, and they have helped alot.  I have stomach ulcers and gastritis, and usually I take the tables whenever I need them throughout the day.  I take carafate three times a day, along with two 40mgs of Nexium.  I usually take the DGL when I am in alot of pain, and need immediate relief.  I found they work so much better then Tums or Rolaids ever could(as far as some instant relief), and although they don't offer complete relief of course, they have been a big help.  I've heard that some studies have shown they can work just as efficiently as acid supressors and stomach-coating medicines; I don't know about that, but I do know that they provide significant relief for at least a little while for me.  Good luck, and I hope it helps.

[JCLingo]

I bought some DGL Chewable tablets yesterday and they taste HORRIBLE. I mean  was gagging trying to chew these things.  I'm going to call the health store where I bought them and see if I can return them or exchange them.  If Ican't, do you guys have any ideas what I can chew up with them to kill the horrid taste? Thanks

[Jangel]

After experiencing serious side effects and reading into much information about the negative effects PPIs have on your digestive system as a whole, I started taking DGL. I no longer take ANY antacids. When I am having a bad day with heartburn, burning and bloating, I take DGL - two tablets before meals and during the day as needed.

Yes, at first the taste is nasty, but you do get used to it. I never thought I would, but I actually now find the taste is rather pleasant.

Sure, a pill has absolutely no taste, but unlike PPI's, DGL promotes your body's natural healing properties as opposed to shutting your system down by stopping acid production. It encourages the formation of mucous coating of your stomach adn esophagus which protects against acid, and has been proven in studies to heal ulcers as well if not better, over the long run, than PPIs.

I highly recommend it.

[smiles4ever]

i had to laugh when reading about your first experience with the DGL chewable tablets.  I must admit, mine was the same.  I spit it out, tried to return them to the health food store, and actually got swallowable licorice root because there was no way I was going to eat those tablets!  But after reading about the swallowable kinds, I found out it had some bad side effects and decided to try the tabltes one more time.  After sticking it out a couple of days,I started to see how much the DGL chewable tablets were helping me, and belive it or not, you really start to get used to the taste.  The horrible bitterness subsides(not entirely, but alot), and you start to get used to it. I'd really encourage you to try it for about a week, and try to weigh the pros with the cons.  The awful taste really begins to subside, and you grow used to it.  When I take them now, it's nothing like it used to be.  As far as helpful hints in taking them....hmm, well, really, the most effective is just simply completely chewing them up, then quickly swallowing them down with some water to take away the taste.  The purpose of the licorice is to coat the lining of the stomach, and when you mix food and such with it to help the taste, you basically defeat the purpose.  It really only works on an empty stomach.  Well, I'd really encourage you to stick it out; you really will start seeing some results, and I promise you, it does get better.

[Concerned lady]

I agree with EVERYONE! :-)

My husband and I actually didn't mind the taste of the DGL (De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice) chewable tablets. The plain ones (without fructose) really taste "better" than the ones sweetened with fructose! I also notice that some DGL batches taste stronger than other batches. I also agree with those of you who said that the DGL tastes less strong, after you keep using it.

A doctor having GERD told me he couldn't stand the taste of the DGL tablets, but he really wanted to try them. I recommended he mix the 1 or 2 tablets with a tiny bit of (organic) banana, and then chew the mixture thoroughly, to mix with saliva. This worked for him, because the small amount of banana disguised the strong DGL flavor.

I once called the Enzymatic Therapy company to ask them to not add so much anise flavor to their DGL chewable tablets. They listened, but didn't promise to change anything.

It's great to hear how you all are willing to try a safer, yet effective way (without acid blockers in many cases) to heal your stomachs & esophaguses, & also reduce or stop GERD episodes! :-)

It was Dr. Michael T. Murray (ND)'s book that first got us to try the DGL: "Stomach Ailments and Digestive Disturbances", by Michael T. Murray, ND. I stumbled across his book at a health food store. Now, because the book is out of print, anyone can still get it, from Michael T. Murray's website. Type "books by Michael T. Murray" into the address bar of a good search engine, and then, click on "other books" at his website.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[JCLingo]

Well the health food store wouldn't take back my DGL tablets (Enzymatic Therapy), so I am on my 2nd day with them.  Can't really tell if they have helped that much or not yet, but as I said, this is only the 2nd day.  The taste is getting more tolerable.  Hopefully it will continue being tolerable..haha.  I will let you know how well they are working for me.  How long does it take to get results?  I've had some heartburn, but nothing bad.

[Concerned lady]

It varies with each person. Some people feel some good results within a few days. Some need a couple of weeks. Some need a month or more. Let us know how the DGL works for you--try chewing the tablet or 2 tablets, about 20 minutes before EVERY meal, for at least a couple of weeks.

Also, try some of the other "tips", because it usually takes a combination of gentle methods to produce good results with gastric reflux!

If the DGL & the other "tips" help, keep using them, until you are well for about 3 months. Then, you can try using fewer "tips" (if you really want to), and see what happens.

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[feelbetter]

Hi. I have been off of prilosec since Feb. and now I use DGL instead. I feel better than I ever did before. I took 2 DGL before lunch and dinner every day at first but now I mostly take them only before dinner or as needed. I just got back from vacation where I ate very good (and rich) foods and I had no problems at all. I was able to indulge a little with no pain. Last year 2 whole days were ruined because I was in great pain. I still try to eat healthy and I don't eat the "no no" foods and I also take acidipholus as well. I really HATED the taste at first but you do get used to it after awhile. It is funny, I had to open a jar during the car ride and all my kids were like "EEEEEWWWW! Open the window! Mom's got her DGL!" :-) I highly recommend the DGL. I look forward to going back to my Doc and showing him how well I am doing. I wish you all the best.

[karie]

If nothing helps the extreme stomach upset and it continues being harmful ? What
If DGL does not relieve heartburn, pain after taken 3 x daily for a day and drugs effect nervous system.
Oh I hope to heal

[karie]

Taking the DGL for Heal. I read from Dr. Weil that one should take for 6 weeks if you feel better on it.
Natural Factors chewables taste great. Suggest 3 a day 20 minutes before meals.
I take 1/d before each snack since I am eating small every couple of hours.
Hope to be well.