Medslant Acid Reflux Newsletter

Be Happy - Help Your Heart

Here are some bits and pieces of information that may prove helpful:

Many customers have told us that they have been allowed to carry their pillow on as an extra carry on because it is considered medical equipment. To get permission, please check with the departing airport and airline.

According to The People's Pharmacy, chewing tablets with papain, an enzyme from the tropical fruit papaya can help with heartburn. No scientific proof is available to support this claim other than a British Medical Journal article from 1886 (yes, 1886 - this is not a typo) in which a physician wrote that papain was valuable for this form of indigestion.

Celiac Disease And Gerd

Celiac disease, a common, genetic, digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of food nutrients, means that its sufferers cannot tolerate gluten. Heartburn can also be a symptom of gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Celiac disease patients have a high prevalence of GERD and treatment with a gluten free diet has shown to decrease the rate of relapse of GERD symptoms. One of our customers who has both GERD and Celiac disease is an excellent and patient researcher and has sent a couple of book titles and a link to an article that you may find useful. The books are: CELIAC DISEASE - A HIDDEN EPIDEMIC by Peter H R Green, MD, Director of the Celiac Disease Center, Columbia University, and DANGEROUS GRAINS by James Braly, MD, and Ron Hoggan, MA. Both books are readily available on line and in stores.

If you are on a gluten free diet, many major food companies now offer gluten free products including Campbell's soup which has new versions of old favorites that are gluten free. Although many health care professionals recommend a gluten free diet for those of us with GERD or Celiac disease, there are some physicians and researchers who say it isn't always the answer. Here is a link to an article that appeared in the Huffington Post in Jan., 2010 that discusses the dangers of gluten. As always, it is best to discuss your personal situation with your physician or health care professional. There is usually more than one answer to any health question. See the article on Huffington Post

Gerd And Exercise

If your goal is a six pack (abs, not Bud), and crunches aggravate your GERD, there are reflux friendly exercises that can help you get rid of a tubby tummy.

The National Heartburn Alliance admits that more research is needed but there are studies that confirm that almost half of elite athletes experience heartburn after exercising. The thinking is that certain exercises increase abdominal pressure, pushing stomach contents into the esophagus. Suggestions include minimizing high impact exercises and doing more low impact ones such as biking or swimming. However, some experts say swimming isn't good because you are horizontal, making it easier for acid to reflux. You need to experiment. But there does seem to be agreement that you should avoid putting pressure on your abs - crunches, v-ups, anything where you are lying face up.

Jennifer Cassetty, a certified personal trainer agrees and has additional suggestions:

Keep your heart above your hips so you can use gravity to help keep acid down; experiment with equipment to find replacements for traditional crunches.

All experts agree that while core training might produce stronger abs, it won't get rid of the fat covering your abs. You need to include cardio activity and a healthy diet.

Please keep the emails and phone calls coming to customerservice@medslant.com and 1.800.346.1850. I love hearing from you.

Wishing you a good night's sleep,

Adele

Customer Feedback: "I've had my MedSlant for about a month and it is wonderful! I haven't had to take any pills for my GERD. I sleep well and am amazed how you can sleep in various positions including either side or back and still be on the MedSlant. I'm so glad I found out about MedSlant in a MORE magazine article. MedSlant is great - I just love it!"



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