
SO MANY people now are popping TUMS or acid blockers like they were an "after-dinner mint." I want you to understand there are so many side effects to these. When you have acid reflex, what is happening is poor digestion, in part because the food you are eating no longer contains the enzymes needed to digest it. Foods that sit on the shelf don't need or want the enzymes that help ripen the food. To put it into perspective, corn from the garden may have a shelf life of 4 to 6 days, BUT the corn-filled tortilla chips in your pantry last forever. Most people don't need acid blockers after eating healthy veggies, it is usually after indulging in chips, cereal, and foods that are devoid of enzymes; they are very hard to digest.
Does this describe you, or someone you know...You are at a family BBQ and you fill your plate with a brat with a large fluffy bun, side of baked beans, a handful of chips, a lemonade to wash it all down, and angel-food cake with sugar-free Cool-Whip for dessert. You may think this sounds like a 'normal' meal, but to your stomach, all of this food is filled with foreign preservatives and chemicals. Add to this all of the conversation from family which leads to inadequate chewing and low levels of digestive enzymes will cause this gooey mix of "food" to lay in the stomach to ferment, which causes the stomach to expand and increase gas. As the gas rises, it gets trapped in the esophagus causing swelling and chest pain. This pressure overloads the stomach and pulls the gastro esophageal valve to the point where it opens. This abused valve allows stomach acid up into the esophagus. The esophagus doesn't contain acid secreting cells like the stomach so this causes burning in the esophagus, which can mimic signs of a heart attack.
The stomach has cells that secrete acid; it is required to breakdown proteins into its usable pieces of amino acids. When acid production is inhibited, food isn't digested. Instead, food remains in the stomach, fermenting by bacteria. The undigested brat bun (carbohydrates) ferments, undigested chips (fats) become rancid and the undigested brat (proteins) putrefy. This causes bloating, gas, and indigestion and over time malnutrition.
When we go down the path of eating foods devoid of live nutrients, it results in acid reflux and any acid in the stomach hurts. Prescription antacids decrease the pain but not without consequences. Antacids actually become addictive, resulting in a massive increase in stomach acid when you stop them. Your body constantly tries to make stomach acid (when you take anti-acid meds because you NEED IT), so it pumps out extra levels of a hormone called Gastrin that stimulates stomach acid. Therefore, when you stop antacids, the stomach makes huge amounts of acid. Which the pharmaceutical companies love because you are now addicted and don't know what else to do.
If you still think the problem is too much acid, think about this...The older people get the more likely they are to use antacids. This is interesting as stomach acid production decreases dramatically as people get older and we produce less digestive enzymes (which is why we lose the ability to taste foods).
SIDE EFFECTS OF ACID BLOCKERS:
1. FOOD POISONING: One of the main jobs of stomach acid is to kill harmful pathogens that may be present in the food before they can make you sick. If you consistently take acid blockers, you are susceptible to food poisoning.
2. OSTEOPOROSIS: Without stomach acid, your body is not able to digest food properly and you become nutritionally deficient. You can't strip the calcium from your food and this will weaken your bones.
3. METABOLISM: They block the absorption of thyroid hormone.
4. REFLUX: Ironically, blocking stomach acid may also contribute to acid reflux!
5. IRON DEFICIENCY: You can't absorb iron (which is essential for carrying oxygen to the mitochondria of our cells). An iron deficiency = restless legs, low energy, decreased ability to oxidize fat when you work out! BAD BAD BAD
6. B-12 DEFICIENCY: This can cause anemia, fatigue, constipation, brain fog, and nerve issues. One of my clients couldn't feel his feet because of over use of acid blockers.
7. OTHER DEFICIENCIES: Being unable to absorb amino acids and healthy fats will increase depression, dementia, anemia, neurological issues, stomach cancer, arthritis... shall I go on?
STEPS TO HEAL:
1. Drink small amounts of room temperature water while eating. Drinking large amounts of cold beverages dilutes your digestive enzymes.
2. Skip the coffee, carbonated beverages, alcohol and aspirin until your intestines are healed.
3. Add in Aloe Vera supplements; it naturally repairs the damage that was done to the esophagus safely. Aloe Vera's major ingredient buffers pH+ and it naturally speeds the healing process.
4. DECREASE Foods that cause the problems: food chemicals, vegetable oils, sugar, and starch. It could also be a food allergy/sensitivity; in this case eliminate gluten or the food causing the issue.
5. Eat foods that heal the intestines: coconut oil, bone broth, and any "healthified" recipe that has no sugar.
6. Add in supplements to heal the intestines so you can enjoy food again! Check out the book: Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism to read more on supplements.
CLICK ON THE WORD TO FIND WHERE TO PURCHASE.
-Licorice Root
-L-glutamine
-Probiotics (Bifido and Acidophilius)
-Digestive Enzymes
-Aloe Vera
*Please contact me for a consult on when, for how long and how much to take of each.
Here is a great way to get your day started right and begin the healing process! BUT SKIP the Aunt Jamima syrup, it it nothing but GMO corn and food dye. Try the "Healthified" Tropical Syrup instead.
"Healthified" PANCAKES:
4 eggs
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch cinnamon
1 tsp stevia glycerite (or 1/4 cup Swerve)
OPTIONAL: Thinner pancake, add 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
Mix these ingredients and let them sit for five minutes. Oil or grease up your pan and heat over medium heat. Pour batter onto hot pan and brown before flipping it. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Makes 2 servings
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Pancakes = 371 calories, 50g carbs, 2g fiber, 8g protein
"Healthified" Pancakes = 190 calories, 8.9g carbs, 5.1g fiber (3.8g effective carbs) 13.1g protein
| Topped with "Healthified" Pecan Nut Butter: recipe in The Art of Eating Healthy: Kids |
1 can coconut milk (full fat)
1/4 cup vanilla whey or egg white protein (to thicken)
1 tsp stevia glycerite (or 1/4 cup Swerve)
1 tsp vanilla or maple extract
Slowly sprinkle in the protein powder to the coconut milk (if you dollop the tsp in, it will thicken into a clump). Add in the sweetener and extract. Let thicken for 5 minutes. Enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 1/4 cup serving)
Aunt Jamima = 220 calories, 52 carbs, 0 fiber
"Healthified" Syrup = 140 calories, 3.4 carbs, 1.3 g fiber (2.1 effective carbs)
Eating out and making healthy choices for your body can be tough! Clients often complain about acid reflux after a dining out experience; could it be hidden wheat in the OMELETS? YEP! IHOP adds pancake batter to their omelets. That's right - they add sugar, carbs and WHEAT to their eggs for the omelet base for "fluffiness"... yuck!
A spinach and mushroom omelet is 24 carbs and 7 grams of sugar! That just isn't right.

I do want to point out that reflux can also be serious. I am in the category where all the veggies in the world won't help. It is familial and my father is pre-cancerous.
ReplyDeleteWithout meds, I would be vomiting blood.
So it's great to try and deal with it naturally, but there are people who do have an actual medical problem. The cure rate for esophageal cancer is so low that it's important people know when to seek help.
Cutting sugar out of my diet and going low carb, helps but it's not enough.
M
Oh my! You have a serious case!
ReplyDeleteIn those situations I have found a food allergy to be the problem. If you email me I can send you more information.
Best wishes!
I never really understood how serious a problem this is until my daughter (at the tender age of 12) was put on a FULL adult dose of Prevacid!!
ReplyDeleteNo way did I want her taking that but taking her off made her VERY sick. The Dr. told me Esophageal cancer is thought to be a result of the constant irritation (from acid reflux) of the esophagus.
Obviously I don't want her to develop cancer, but neither do I want her on all the chemicals!!
Found this, have you heard of it??? I am now a part of the company!! She is totally free of the chemicals AND her reflux!!!
This is one HAPPY Mom!
Check out www.Alkalete.com call if you want more info!
Peggy Jeffries
559-392-5646
Thanks for writing Peggy!
ReplyDeleteI never had acid reflux until I got pregnant, so I don't have a family history of this, but my triggers are VEGETABLES - especially tomatoes, but also, to a much lesser extent, onions. No more red sauce for me, sadly.
ReplyDeleteMy gastroenterologist said that the sphincter that closes off the stomach from the esophagus became loosened during pregnancy because of the hormones that relax smooth muscles, and it never went back to normal afterwards. But I am not on acid drugs any longer; I simply avoid the triggers, or eat them in very small amounts.
Hi Maria. Thanks for the response. I may take you up on the email.
ReplyDeleteI have looked at natural alternatives for GERD before and the side effects of some of the herbs are an issue for me.
My hope is to actually maybe end up having surgery to tighten the sphincter.
And yes some foods are definitely an issue:
-tomatoes
-chocolate
-peanuts
-cucumbers
-spicy foods
M
We tried these yesterday and they were edible with alot of butter and syrup,but the pancake itself was not anything like a regular pancake. I'm attempting to be positive here but still convey the odd taste of them. It was the texture I think. So then, we tried them adding some almond flour and baking powder, and it was better but still weird. Are you done with this recipe or are you still working on it, I really really want a pancake recipe my kids will love. (I follow you on facebook, but blogger has been weird lately and not allowing comments anymore since the changeover to google mail..it doesnt appear to recognize its own gmail addresses, so unfortunately I have to comment as anonymous)
ReplyDeleteNancy
Bummer! I guess it has been so long since we have eaten flour pancakes I'm not sure what to compare them to.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried my Protein Pancakes? Those are a huge hit;)
Hi Maria, where on the site are your Protein Pancakes? I can't find them.
DeleteRegarding this recipe, we really liked them, although we found 1/4 cup Swerve to be way too sweet for our own personal taste, we ended up putting plain 10% Greek yogurt and berries on ours as a dessert after our eggs and nitrate free bacon. The texture was surprisingly good too! We have had flour pancakes in recent memory, always made from scratch, not a mix, and these were pretty close. So thanks!
Heather from Canada
These pancakes have protein in them. :)
Deletehttp://mariahealth.blogspot.com/2011/06/pancakes-and-why-aluminum-free-baking.html
Thanks!
I guess I need to be much more aware of connections between body symptoms and diseases. How I wish that Doctors would explain these things! As I read through the list of side effects, I realize that I really, really should not be taking them, at all. I have been in treatment for Thyroid cancer and at the same time taking Prevacid. No wonder I've packed on weight and am exhausted, it's a double whammy of the same side effects from two different sources!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting that you mention doctors... A few of my clients are doctors and are trying to learn how to help people to heal rather than put a bandaid on the problem.
ReplyDeleteHappy eating!
I have a product called Better Stevia, 0 calories and serving size is 4 drops. Is that the same thing as Stevia glycerite?
ReplyDeleteStevia glycerite will say it on the bottle. If you click on the word (in the recipe) it will link you to the products I use.
ReplyDeleteHappy Eating!
Have you tried my DUTCH PANCAKES? Everyone LOVES those!
ReplyDeleteI used to have horrible heartburn and reflux everyday. Then I started eating low carb and about 3 weeks later I was amazed to realize that I hadn't had an issue for more than a week. Very cool! I knew it worked but didn't know why. Thanks for the article.
ReplyDeleteKarla- thank you for your kInd words and taking the time to write;)))
ReplyDeleteI made this today but added strawberries to it! It was so good! The kids loved it! I just heated some frozen strawberries, smashed them (probably would have been great to put them in the blender) and added some stevia. Then I added mixed the tropical syrup in with it and it turned beautifully pink (my princess was in love!). Very tasty! thanks for the great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI am SO happy your family liked it!
Thank you for taking the time to write;)))
Can apple sauce be substituted for half of the eggs i have noticed an eggy taste in recipes with coconut flour because of the need for so many eggs ?
ReplyDeleteApple sauce (no sugar added) adds too much fructose. I would do 2 eggs and 1/2 cup real coconut milk.
ReplyDeleteHappy eating!
I just made these and they turned out perfectly. However, given they are made with coconut flour, they taste very "coconut-ty". Not wanting to put something sweet on them to mask the flavour (and negate my efforts to make something low carb) I decided to turn them into a savoury snack. I topped these wonderful pancakes with guacamole, sour cream, cheddar cheese and chili paste. D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! (You can skip the stevia/sweeteners if you decide to go the savoury route.)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel! That is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy eating!
Would any of the other sweeteners work here, and if so, how much? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I LOVE this recipe! We add blueberries to it because my son is a blueberry addict haha :) Thank you very much for this recipe!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCan you make these in a waffle maker since I'm a horrible pancake flipper? lol
ReplyDeleteYes, but I do have a couple waffles recipes posted too. :)
DeleteThese were brilliant Maria! My kids loved them! Which is funny cause when we eat out and have regular pancakes / syrup they won't barely touch them. Awesome! Thanks for another winner!
ReplyDeletejacki Wilson
North Pole, Alaska
Thank you! And welcome from Alaska!
DeleteI am making these pancakes for breakfast today. They are absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThank you for your recipes -- just got your "Kids" book and am excited about reading the information with the recipes! Would taking antihistamines for sinus/allergy issues cause stomach irritation too? I am following Wheat Belly Way of Eating - (not getting enough good fats on some days) other than that following it to the letter. I stopped using Prilosec early on - that was a yay and have used it only once or twice.....I only use the antihistamine occasionally for sinus flair ups (use a CPAP daily) and/or allergy reactions--lots of allergens in the area. Their seems to be a correlation between me taking a allergy/sinus pill and the following day or 2 I have a GERD flare up. I have been following WBWOE about 9 weeks lost inches and 25 pounds. What you say is so true -- I'm 63 and have been fighting GERD since my 50's due to poor eating -- which I thought was healthy. Oh - my name is Terry -- don't know how to comment unless I use Anonymous -- not techy.....thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, antihistamines will cause stomach irritation for that too. :)
DeleteThank you for answering Maria - I love the kids book -- I have 3 more on order - I retired and am helping my daughters family - 8yr. old, and 2 2year olds - (one of them soon to be 3). I do most of the cooking -so I am trying to change some habits and hope I can change some mindsets. Thank you so much for your information - love this site and fb site.
DeleteGood for you! Nothing more important that what we feed our children. :)
DeleteMy son, an adult, had always complained of "gas" from early teens on. He was constantly popping tums, milanta, pepto and eventually moved on to prescription. Then it all came to a head 2 years ago to full blown SIBO, small intestinal bacteria overgrowth. The pain was unbearable. He is 6' tall and dropped to 138#'s, was depressed and withdrawn....gave up hope of a normal life and really wanted to die. I was terrified for my sons life!! Doctors got him in this mess in the first place, so health insurance wouldn't cover anything since it was "pre-existing"! Which was really his saving grace because he had to find alternative healing. I am happy to say he stumbled upon a great natural healing doctor and he's almost 100% better. He has gained 5#'s which is something to be celebrated. But, what Maria has done with her books and recipes is awesome! Everything in her books is so informative and beneficial. I'm not sure anyone can appreciate her until they have known someone or personally gone thru some health or nutritional life altering devastation! These books and recipes are greatly appreciated by us. It's helps me to change my own life and I'm slowly chaninging my daughter and grandchildren over to this better way of eating. My son will always eat this way forever. He will never go back to refined foods and heavy, empty carbs.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Wow, that is crazy. You are doing a wonderful thing feeding your family this way. :)
DeleteWould you mind if I re-posted this on my Facebook wall? Amazing story. :)
DeleteI can't find your recipe for pecan nut butter in the kids cookbook (for kindle)... Can you tell me where to find it? It looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is under Nut Butters in the Snacks section. :)
DeleteOh I see it's just pecan nut butter and not a nut butter syrup. It looks like a syrup.. How did you do that?
DeleteOh from the picture it looks like a nut butter syrup not just a nut butter. How did you make it the consistency of syrup!
Delete?
DeleteIf you just warm them up they will pour like this. :)
DeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteI just made these pancakes (the first recipe of yours I've ever tried) and they taste GREAT! I don't even need syrup, as the Swerve adds enough sweetness to the pancakes themselves. It feels great to be eating healthy pancakes with no added sugars! Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into your recipes and all that you do for your readers. I know I speak for more than myself when I say that your efforts are greatly appreciated! :)
Also, if there are any nut free substitutes for the almond flour and blanched almonds you use in your other recipes..I'd love to know. That would make my life so much easier! (Nut allergy here)
Again, thank you!! :D
Thank you! With my newer recipes I always try to have a coconut flour option. :)
DeleteI made these this weekend - they were good - very spongy - I had a few left over and as usual wrapped them up and put them in the fridge for a snack later or breakfast the next day - discovered they delicious cold with almond butter on them - it's almost like a little cake!
ReplyDeleteThank you Malita! :)
DeleteI heard fish oil is good?? if so, which do you recommned?
ReplyDeleteWe use this one at our house. :) http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B003B3P4PO
DeleteTalking about the digestive system, can you address constipation? All my life since I can remember I only go number 2 every other day (and not very well). I used to make myself a kind of "cereal" with chia seeds, oatmeal, bran, flaxseed, amaranth and other seeds. It was only then I was able to go every day. But since I have removed grains, all I´m left with is flaxseed, chia, other seeds and nuts. I recently added unsweetend shredded coconut for extra fiber but nothing happens. I eat plenty of veggies, drink enough water, I exercise. Nothing gets me going :( Could you please write about this problem and if it can be corrected with diet and supplements. Why does constipation happen even if you add a lot of fiber, water and try to eat well? What am I missing? Do I still need more fiber? I have faith that with the change of diet (going low carb and grain free) will I get rid of constipation, but what if I don´t? Thanks again for your help.
ReplyDeleteAs for the constipation, we NEED you to go #2. When you aren't estrogen gets reabsorbed and is stored in the fat and weight loss is difficult. Take 200mg magnesium citrate at each meal to help pooping department!:) The bifido 3 times a day when it comes will also help with elimination. The bifido also helps with mood:))) If that doesn't help, please add in triphala powder to help with movement of the intestines: http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B003PG8RXS
DeleteThese are so yummy! A great pancake substitute!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
Deletemade these this morning and absolutely loved them! i made them for me but my kids took most of them!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Love when the kids like my recipes. :)
Delete