Case Study: Digestive Problems

Ruth is a cheerful, funny 60 year old lady who came to see me for help with reflux, gas and bloating. She had been suffering with those symptoms for a very long time and has been taking the prescription drug Nexium for 5 years. Nexium is a drug that blocks the production of stomach acid. It does work well for Ruth, but since she started taking it, symptoms of abdominal bloating and gas became worse.

Ruth felt uncomfortable taking Nexium for this length of time. She is aware of the fact that it reduces nutrient absorption and increases the risk of osteoporosis. She also read that it depletes the body of magnesium which is true, and felt that’s why she was becoming increasingly anxious and frustrated. Ruth only worked two days a week and said there was no major stress in her life, so she blamed the Nexium.

Ruth has previously been diagnosed as prediabetic and her cholesterol and triglycerides are a little high. She was scared of developing type 2 diabetes because several family members suffer with the disease.

Ruth loves to cook. She loves making bread and cakes. She already knew they aren’t great for her blood sugar or the reflux. She tried to stick to gluten free versions of baking, but even they gave her reflux and gas. I explained to Ruth that gluten free baked goods are usually higher in carbohydrate than the regular wheat versions, so eating them too often could speed up the development of type 2 diabetes.

My recommendations for my patient

• It was important for Ruth to remove grains and dairy products from her diet for the time being. I told her that grain free bread recipes are easy to find on the internet. She could make bread from things like almond meal and coconut flour. Grains can be very difficult to digest and their carbohydrate content fuels the growth of harmful gut bugs that create bloating, gas and reflux. She had small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and Nexium was making it worse by suppressing stomach acid, which is a good disinfectant.
• I gave Ruth Intestinal Parasite Cleanse capsules to help reduce the levels of harmful bacteria, Candida and parasites in her intestines. These capsules are wonderful for easing bloating and gas.
• Glutamine, which is in my Ultimate Gut Health powder,  is healing and soothing to the lining of the entire digestive tract. I asked Ruth to take 1 teaspoon after each meal. I asked her to remain taking Nexium for the time being, but glutamine will be especially helpful for reducing reflux symptoms when she slowly comes off it in the future.
• People who experience reflux, gas and bloating are almost always deficient in bile. Taking an ox bile supplement helps you to digest your food more thoroughly, thereby leaving less waste behind that feeds harmful gut bugs that cause bloating. I asked Ruth to take 1 capsule with each meal.
• Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and muscles, and helps to improve sleep quality. I find that stress levels are high in most of my patients and they love the calming effects of magnesium.

I plan to see Ruth again in another 5 weeks. She did send me an email saying she feels far less bloated and has been waking up feeling more refreshed and optimistic about facing the day ahead.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.