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Lisa C (California, US) on 02/17/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I just want to thank you so much, Bill for the advice regarding Betaine HCL in the acid reflux forum. I have been suffering from pylori caused duodenal ulcer for a year and a half. It was so frustrating because I would think I had stabilised through various treatment only to experience a return of the pain. After reading your detailed explanation about low stomach acid I took a chance and started taking some with every meal.

I tried gauging how much to take based on the size or protein and fat content of the meal and I have been given my life back. Most experiences with ulcer cures seem effective mostly with stomach ulcers and very few seemed to make it as fas as the duodenum. I started trying to experiment with alkaline waters and enteric coated alkaline pills but the relief was inconsistent.

When I read about CCK from your link and the impact on the duodenum, I knew this was a major find for me. I am just so happy that I want to scream it from the mountain tops! Things I have tried: antibiotics, ppi, mastic gum, colloidal silver (helpful but no cure), peppermint oil, slippery elm, aloe Vera, probiotics, beta glucan, wobenzyme, Roberts formula, gastrazyme, gastromend, zinc carnosine, activated charcoal, homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies, cranberry juice, kombucha, baking soda, oregano oil, etc. I'm sure I have forgotten quite a few but nothing helped consistently.

i can now eat and drink anything and I know I won't be awakened in the middle of the night with extreme gastritis.

Replied By Gene (San Diego, Ca) on 03/03/2015

Bill, Thanks for the insightful information. Could you please include the bile component of digestion. I'm currently using Ox Bile, but am not sure when the optimal time before/during/after a meal to take - and also what quantity. Thanks, GA

Replied By Bill (San Fernando) on 03/03/2015

Hi Gene...Bile is needed in digestion to emulsify fats in order to aid in the efficient absorption of fats into the blood from the intestines. Bile is also alkaline and, together with the bicarbonates from the pancreatic juices, helps to create soap. This soap helps to move the feces down the intestines easily and without problems.

Generally, if you are heavily lacking in bile from the liver, then this could manifest as a serious ongoing constipation issue. People who have had their gallbladders remove usually always have trouble with constipation due to lack of bile because the gallbladder is the main reservoir and dispersal point for bile during digestion.

There's really no need to take ox-bile unless your stools are pale yellow or green or if you are seriously constipated. These days, you can easily buy pancreatin enzymes combined with ox-bile.

But if you have had your gallbladder removed or you are seriously lacking in bile then you will need to take much higher amounts of ox-bile to compensate for your lack of bile -- and that's when ox-bile tablets should be used and taken on there own at mealtimes.

Replied By Timh (KY) on 03/04/2015

I would advocate the avoidance of any bile products that are harvested from Ox or Bear cadavers. Living in a cage w/ a catheter is quite inhumane. Anyway, it's not necessary.

The human body makes bile from the amino acids Taurine and Glycine. Take 500mg each of these, and along w/ digestive enzymes you should be ok. Yellowdock, Dandelion, and Artichoke promote bile flow and may help. Eat Beets or drink Beet Juice regularly to keep the liver clean.

Replied By Elliot (Jacksonville, Fl) on 03/07/2015

Hi Bill, Seems like you are quite well versed on the subject. I'd like to point out that there are other potential causes of GERD like Hiatus Hernia, over-acidity, preservatives etc. Two months ago I took Avalox (level 2 antibiotic) for a persistent sinus infection. Interestingly, I found that my GERD symptoms were substantially reduced (at least for now). This may lend credence to those who suggest that some GERD is caused by Helicobacter pylori. Can you please comment on this?

Here is the advice I used to give friends with GERD:

Acid reflux or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease is not only responsible for stomach pain but can cause many difficulties including sinusitis, asthma and even cancer. Much of the pain and damage is actually not in the stomach but in the esophagus and higher when the stomach acid spills over. Some people don't feel pain at all but can still damage their esophagus, throat, sinus, lungs and even erode tooth enamel.

Taking prescription antacids over a long period may cause serious side effects. Below is a list of potential fixes, but you will need to experiment to see which work best for you.

Eat smaller meals.
Some people benefit from drinking a cup of water with a soupspoon of apple cider vinegar and a spoonful of raw honey (processed honey can work well too) before and/or after a meal. This tricks the stomach's sensor into believing that there is enough acid.
Don't drink much while eating to avoid diluting digestive juices. If the stomach senses that there is not enough acidity because of the dilution it will add more.
Try not to mix proteins and fruits s as they get digested differently.
Chew well before swallowing to speed digestion
Avoid eating fried, spicy or fatty foods.
Some people need to avoid foods with preservatives.
Many processed foods contain additives that may not agree with your system. Track indigestion events to see what food may be the culprit.
Don't lie flat (to sleep or otherwise) for at least three or four hours after eating.
Sleep with your upper body (from torso on) elevated at a 45+ degree angle.
Eat foods that digest quickly like fruits and vegetables. The faster food gets out of the stomach the better.
Take an advanced acidophiles and enzyme supplement like Solgar Advanced 40+ and Rainbow Light Advanced enzyme to help speed digestion.

(Just added) Finally, your reflux may be caused by an hiatus hernia which is not related to above. Also, a growing number of people believe that the bacteria Helicobacter pylori is the cause of many reflux cases. There are some natural ways to control or eliminate it.

Replied By Karly (Au) on 03/08/2015

Hi Bill,

I am very excited to see your article - thank you, thank you!! Your protocol and explanation have given me hope for numerous ailments mentioned in the article - thank you!!

Question - how long does one need to take the daily dose of each of the above nutrients for? Is it lifelong or is there a time frame you recommend for gut neutralising and healing?

It sounds like this protocol will prevent further damage to the esophagus through reduced reflux? Do you have any additional suggestions to promote healing of the esophagus?

Thanks for the hope - I can't wait to try it out!

Replied By Tom (West Coast, Us) on 03/15/2015

Hi Bill, I have been a major GERD sufferer for years. After one endoscopy, two H-pylori tests coming out negative the gastro-enterologists can't tell me anything. I've mainly been taking Pepcid, Zantac, and Nexium of various dosages over a LONG period only to experience temporary relief. You mentioned one of the possible dangers of this sickness is excess weight loss. I don't have a weight problem except for the protruding belly but not overweight. Is it possible I have too much stomach acid production?

I think I'll give your protocol a try. Thanks, Tom

Replied By Will (Wa., US) on 03/19/2015

This is great information and I am in hopes the information provided here represent the keys in curing what ails me which is silent reflux. I've been on PPI's well over 20 years now. Zantac and others before that. They have for the most part kept the heartburn away. I am in process of weaning myself off PPI's gradually. Couldn't handle it cold turkey.

In 2011 I experienced what was to become several more episodes of vertigo. This last one got my attention landing me in the ER. From there working backwards, in 2008 the GERD symptoms I experienced then were severe. Stress and anxiety then was off the charts. The GI doc upped my dose to 20mg of Prilosec twice a day. The endoscopy showed as being clear. Shortly after getting this under control and backing down two one single 20mg daily dose I started experiencing pressure in my right ear. It's also the side I sleep on the most. The ear pressure has been a constant companion to this day.

I was recently tested for allergies and which turned up both food and pollen allergies such as dust mites, ragweed, milk, egg whites, bakers yeast etc. The ENT says on a scale of 1-10 I'm a 6.5-7 for allergies. I came across mention of histamine-producing foods and remember after eating an orange and then another day after eating bowl of Chex Cinnamon cereal how my sinuses flared up. I'm not allergic to either according to the tests that were done. But citrus type foods and cinnamon produce histamine. I think the root cause of my symptoms is the PPI use and what it has done to me digestive wise. I also think this has resulted being more allergic in a way I certainly never was before. Any thoughts?

Replied By Kay (Au) on 04/15/2015

Hi there,

Thanks for this protocol and all of your information! I started the full protocol about 10 days ago and I have to say that it seems to have almost completely eliminated my persistent and long term reflux - thank you! The only worry is that I now have a very sore throat (at the base of the throat) - which I have always experienced when trying to go off my strong PPI. Do you think this means that the acid is burning the esophagus (even though I am not getting the refulx))???

Many thanks again! Kay

Replied By Green Augustine (Mold, Denbighshire) on 05/06/2015

Hi Bill, I've been following the discussions on Gerd, Hiatus Hernia and Leaky gut for a good few weeks and am encouraged but also more than a bit confused and hope for some clarification from you if possible. Briefly I'm a 66 year old Causasian woman living in North Wales and was diagnosed with Hiatus Hernia in 1995 after a very stressful year or so. I've managed it, I thought reasonably well, till last year when it flared up and nothing seemed to help. I grow all my own organic veg, eat everything organic which I cook myself, nothing is processed and I am over weight by about 15 kilos/ 2 stone or so Which I'm working on. I had started taking Cayenne pepper tea late Summer and suspect this might have made things worse so I changed to Meadow sweet and camomile which does sooth things. In January I saw a private digestion consultant who later put a camera down into my stomach, and checked also for H Pylori, gluten intolerance and did a small biopsy. There was no sign of intolerance or of the HP bacteria, but the Hiatus hernia he said was very large and there were scars or lesions on the stomach lining which he said was as a result of too much acid in my stomach. He put me on Pantaprazole 20 mg( pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate) which he said I'd need to take for life. I'd already tried Omaprazole etc and felt terrible - nausea, wind, dizziness so I wasn't too keen. I did however try them for a week but felt nauseous, dizzy and so much wind till about midday plus alternating constipation and diarrhoea ( I have to take them around supper time). So I stopped Taking the M for the moment. I had a session with a Kiniesiologist - and apple cider vinegar, organic pure slippery elm, kefir, raw milk etc were all rejected by my body though it loved the homeopathic remedy I'd been given, coconut oil etc and Ted's wonderful mixture of turmeric, cumin and ginger. Today I Started lemon juice with Bicarbornate of soda after breakfast and so far so good. However, the Kiniesiology also highlighted leaky gut which I guess is linked to Gerd etc. In your protocol for Gerd, you say this is not necessary correct for Hiatus hernia if I've understood it correctly. My kinesiologist says if I can heal the leaky gut, probably the Hernia etc will improve( also lose some weight will help).

Since seeing the Kiniesiologist last week, I've been mainly having green veg soup with a chicken bone broth base, herbs and cumin etc for lunch and dinner which feels soothing. I'm cutting down on grain, though I seem ok with Einkorn( very ancients grain) and have cut right back on raw milk and kefir though take sauerkraut - my own homemade and unpasteurised- I also sleep witH raise mattress etc. so my question is - where should I go from here? Do I need a test on over-acid stomach- the specialist says if I don't lower acid level, I'll get ulcers which of course is dangerous and scary. I do feel a bit confused with all the different suggestions and I realise there's no 'one size fits all' for any disorder. But any helpful input would be appreciated greatly. This is an amazing site and thank heavens we have access to such knowledge and experience. The specialist means well but is trained and brainwashed by the pharmaceutical companies and can't / won't see any other solution than drugs. And I don't feel this is helpful necessarily.

Thank you very much in advance and earth blessings on you all.

Replied By Kathy (Nv) on 05/06/2015

I am not a professional however I too have leaky gut and hiatus hernia. I also went to a kinesiologist for treatment. The best thing I ever did! Fixed me right up! So much faster and easier than a regular dr. Vinegar with baking soda added really helps the digestion process.

Replied By Marshall (California) on 05/06/2015

Hi Green Augustine,

As a Chiropractor, I used to reduce the hiatal hernia by gentle pressure on the skin below the diaphragm with curled finger tips. I would then pull the stomach toward the feet, lowering it perhaps an inch and taking the stress off the sphincter and decreasing reflux. You might try a local Chiro., ask him to teach you the maneuver and have your spouse perform it daily. It's very simple and takes 1 minute. Plus, no drugs.

Replied By Green Augustine (Mold, Denbighshire) on 05/11/2015

Thank you for that, Marshall. I'll see if I can find a chiropractor. I already see a McTimoney chiropractor so maybe he can help. I asked my Tai Chi teacher who is a master and he's also shown me some movements to help so I'll try that too. I'm finding Bicarb and lemon juice very helpful too.

Replied By Green Augustine (Mold, Denbighshire) on 05/11/2015

Thanks Kathy. I've also found Bicarb or baking soda as you call it, very helpful once I got the dose right for me. I read somewhere on this site that Bill was recommending Colustrum for leaky gut and BElaine for acid reflux. I wonder if anyone has any experience of these two and how helpful they've been?

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