I got an email from a reader (Pauline) last Friday that's
a perfect illustration of true ignorance on the part of the
author of a health article and a doctor on how diet and
drugs affect health.
Pauline had been diagnosed with gastritis and was having
PVCs (irregular heart beats) whenever she laid down.
She read an article that said avoiding roughage, raw
vegetables and nuts would help. Plus, her doctor said that
the irregular heart beats were due to her esophagus
"pressing" on her heart and advised her to continue taking
Nexium.
Pauline wanted to know my take on her situation.
First of all, let me briefly explain gastritis:
Gastritis isn't a single disease, but the result of any of
several different conditions that cause inflammation of the
stomach lining.
It can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged
use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like
aspirin or ibuprofen, or a bacterial infection such as
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). (All of these result in a
very acidic body too, which adds fuel to the stomach fire.)
It can also pop up after major surgery, injury, burns, or
certain diseases such as pernicious anemia, autoimmune
disorders, and chronic bile reflux--again, stressors to the
body that add to acidity and inflammation.
The symptoms of gastritis are similar to acid reflux--
abdominal pain, belching, bloating, nausea, vomiting, a
feeling of fullness or burning in the upper abdomen.
Typically it's is treated with the same drugs that are
used for acid reflux (including Nexium).
Now back to Pauline's situation.
It's mind-boggling that anyone with a quarter of a brain
would recommend that someone with gastritis avoid roughage
and vegetables. That's like saying you shouldn't use water
to put out a forest fire.
In fact, vegetables are some of the BEST foods for someone
with gastritis to eat:
-They're easily digested with a minimal amount of
digestive enzymes necessary (good news for an already
inflamed stomach).
-They're alkaline foods which are essential to neutralize
the acid that's in the body and reach an alkaline pH. This
helps reduce inflammation (in the stomach and everywhere
else) and help prevent disease.
-The body gets the benefit of all of the nutrients from
them because they're not destroyed by too much acid. This
helps contribute to great health and fight disease.
-They pass easily through the rest of the digestive system
too, avoiding constipation and other difficulties "further
down the road."
The best thing for people with gastritis (and everyone for
that matter) is not to AVOID vegetables or nuts--it's
simply to eat them (and all other foods) at the proper time
and with the correct other foods, like I teach you in Great
Taste No Pain - http://greattastenopain.com
This will ensure that your meals and snacks are digested
comfortably, with a minimal amount of acid and no more
irritation to the stomach.
Now, for the irregular heart beats: It makes no sense that
irregular heart beats would be caused by someone's
esophagus leaning up against their heart. And it could not
be stated without medical testing ANYHOW.
What does make sense is that one of the more serious
documented adverse reactions from Nexium is tachycardia--
rapid heart beats. Ah-ha!
I'll bet the doctor didn't mention that to Pauline.
Nexium (and all other drugs) are chemicals--and of course
your body can have any number of reactions to them. They
might mask the symptoms of gastritis or acid reflux or any
other condition, but there's always a cost--both monetary
and to your body. It's just a matter of how and when.
Learn to take care of your body--feed it the way it's
supposed to be fed, and the benefits you'll see and feel
will amaze you. Don't accept a "life sentence" of drugs
and think there's no other way, or let some fool dupe you
into avoiding foods that are good for you.
All you need to know is right here in Great Taste No Pain:
- http://greattastenopain.com
Get it NOW and see how great you can feel.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
PS: Barbara's fibromyalgia has even improved:
*******************
My Dear Sherry:
I am very grateful to you for enduring your "once upon a
time" digestive issues so you could help so many others.
It is (unfortunately) necessary for some of us to walk the
walk before we can talk the talk.
Your suffering has not gone unrewarded. Thank you from my
now quiet digestive system, improved energy, improved and
balanced mood issues and lessened discomfort from my
Fibromyalgia and overall mental, emotional and physical
improvement.
I know it will take awhile for me to become solid and
confident in my food intake but believe me, girlfriend, I
am so improved, and oh so happy to have found a friend in
food enjoyment!!
I had heard about what you teach in your system some
years ago but I guess I just wasn't ready to listen.
There is an old adage that says, "When the teacher comes,
the student learns."
I am ready to learn thanks to you, my teacher and food
mentor.
God bless you, Sherry, for straightening the path for
those of us who just couldn't find our way...this is your
mission and bless you for answering the call!
