Digesting Carbs

Dear Dr. Meletis,

I have had a problem digesting those tasty carbs like bread, crackers, etc., for about 20 years. I take enzymes, probiotics, GastricAid® and have recently added aloe and even apple cider vinegar to my list. My symptoms are a lot of belching (whether on a full or empty stomach) and indigestion pain until relieved by belching.

Digestive problems run in my family. My sister takes Prilosec® and has been trying to get me to try it, which at this point sounds like a pretty good idea. I have taken a Food Allergy Test. Also, I don’t have the H. pylori bacteria. I eat a low-carb diet now, but would sure like to be able to eat bread or cereal without causing pain or at the very least quit the belching. I sleep elevated, and do not have anything to eat or drink for two hours before bed, since an ENT doctor I saw for a throat issue said that I have acid reflux. I’m a little confused since the GastricAid seems to help me somewhat and my understanding is that is putting more acid in my stomach. I read that you suggest not drinking more than 3-4 ounces of fluids with meals and waiting an hour before or an hour after eating to consume more fluids. Since I have to eat every two hours for my adrenals, if I were to wait to drink water, getting my 64 ounces in a day poses a challenge for me. I should also add that I am going through menopause and am on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism. I take Iodoral®, ATP Cofactors and a lot of vitamin supplements. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Ms. W.

Dear Ms. W.,

Thanks for all the great and important details and clues that you shared in your question. The first thing that comes to mind is the question for you: Could you have celiac disease and/or candida? A Celiac Profile screening test and a Candida Antibodies Test Kit are both available here. Many patients with symptoms of carbohydrate intolerance specifically have one or both issues occurring.

You are doing the right things in general. You may also consider CeaseFire® either in addition to or as a substitute for GastricAid.  A trial of a couple of weeks of the CeaseFire with or without the GastricAid may be telling. The experiment with and without the GastricAid will also examine the question of whether more acid is helping your symptom picture.

I can definitely appreciate how hard it would be avoiding liquids with the need to consume several meals per day. The most important consideration relative to acid reflux is not consuming liquids 2 to 3 hours prior to bed.

Your adrenal glands are almost certainly playing a role in the hypoglycemia and possibly digestive issues. I will assume you have checked your cortisol and DHEA levels through a Salivary Hormone Test, which is available here (Adrenal Function Panel).  Often with hypoglycemia, inclusion of either Rhodiola or CortiTrophin® can help with the fluctuations and will be notable if they are helpful within 1 month of taking them.

Lastly, assuming there is not a candida or celiac issue, consuming carbs away from protein may help you determine if the protein/carb combination is the issue. Yet, of course, carbs by themselves can cause more blood sugar fluctuations, so it would not be a long-term plan, yet may offer insight into your digestive challenges.

If you by chance snore, getting tested for sleep apnea is important, as it is a potential common thread with all the symptoms you have shared.

Sincerely,

Chris D. Meletis, ND