Hi Mrs.D,
We are both taking omega 3,6,9 2x a day. We used to include salmon in our diet until recently until we read about the farmed bred salmon being fed with
antibiotics (or was it something else?) that it not good for our bodies.

Thank you.

Very interesting. I never knew Omega 3 fatty acids protected the GI tract! It probably explains my ability to get off of acid blockers with minimal reoccurence of reflux. That and the fact I lost about 40 pounds while maintaining a better diet.

I currently take 4 pills a day ( 750 mg Omega 3 Samon oil containing ( 360 mg EPA & 250 mg DPH)). Is the EPA or DPH the protector of the GI tract?

Do you think mixing flax oil with the fish oil to be a better combination than using just one type? I know the flax is a short chain Omega 3 which is why I use the fish oil. Still flax might have other beneficial attributes.

I took flax oil with the fish oil when I fixed my issues.

Over time, flax was then added to foods, which we use, so I backed off it. I only use Krill oil now.

But flax helped my son's acne, and my hubby still takes it
because he has psoriasis and it seems to keep the breakouts
down some.

I think flax is useful. Men do not convert it to long chain like women do (because of pregnancy needs). But I do think it may help some with skin issues. The fish oils (long chain) also help with membranes/cell wall integrity (the DHA mostly) and the EPA part is anti-inflammatory. There was a study cautioning men to not take large amounts of flax because of prostate issues.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...-seed-oil.aspx
(from 2004)

But this site says okay in moderation (more recently):
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/Trea...erals/flaxseed
I'd say one capsule a day is not a high dose.

It is easy and not expensive, and they are considered macro-nutrients, and not vitamins. So there is no need to over think it.
I don't think massive doses are necessary. And remember to take them with food for best results. (this mimics natural sources).

I am seeing a gastroenterologist lately. In fact, I just had a CT scan of my stomach yesterday. I dont know the result yet. I was put back to Nexium 40mg 1 capsule a day.

I am experiencing constant acidity and bloating.

My tests for the stool (looking for parasites), hydrogen breathing tests for lactose and overgrowth bacteria were normal except for the lactose. I am lactose intolerant but I guess that is easy to manage.

The doctor does not think I have gastroparesis because I dont feel nauseated after eating.

My concern is : I want to continue taking the R-Lipoic Acid, but it seems that it makes my acidity worse especiallty that it has to be taken on an empty stomach. I know that maximum efficacy is obtained when taken on an empty stomach but in my case, can I still get some benefits if I take it with food?

I hope that Mrs.D and someone out there who has the same predicament can give me insights.

Thank you.

Well, on my bottle of Doctor's Best R-lipoic stabilized it says contains sodium R alpha lipoate.

I believe in this form it is no longer acidic. It is an ester, which means it has a =O bond instead of a -OH acidic bond.

This is the definition of a chemical ester:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ester

So there is no H+ to give up as an acid anymore.

Thank you Mrs.D! That is good to know that I can continue taking the R-Lipoic without making my acid worse. My acidity has been so bad these days....

I am taking Nexium and I am also adding Ranitidine 2x a day but it just couldnt calm down. I read in one of the discussions on the internet that acidity can contribute to the SOB. One patient says that if acid is too much, it spills to your lungs and could cause scarring. I dont know how true is this, but I will ask this to my doctor.

Sometimes it is not the acidity per se. It is a weak esophageal sphincter, and also gas being made in the GI tract which bubbles up and pushes the stomach contents into the esophagus.

Some people believe that heartburn symptoms, are a sign of LOW acidity in fact.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...-too-much.aspx

It is true that irritation of the esophagus irritates nerves that
share pathways with the bronchial tree of the lungs.
Also aspirates from regurgitation during sleeping can be inhaled and damage lungs that way.

I am almost certain that the gastroenterologist will recommend the endoscopy. She mentioned this during my previous visit but because at that time, I was scheduled to have my bronchoscopy, she thought that she will not do it.

I read about your post on possible contamination of endoscopic equipment, that was scary. My h usband will have his endoscopy this Monday/Sept 10. We have the same gastroenterologist and this doctor co-owns one of the biggest endoscopy centers here in our city. But, even how big and how reputable a hospital or facility is, you will never know....

I will share with my husband the video because he has a flare up of his GERD for a couple of months now. This is the reason why he is seeing a GI doctor. His last endoscopy was in 2009.

Bloating, comes from poor protein digestion. When you lower stomach acid with drugs, protein cannot be broken down properly and it is then fermented (producing gas) in the intestines by bacteria. This causes bloating and may move back up to the stomach with belching and also causing stomach contents to splash UP into the esophagus giving MORE heartburn and pain.

Bloating also can come from an imbalance in the organisms living the bowel. Candida yeast can cause it too. Re-establishing
better flora there, can help minimize bloating. Kefir is the most efficient food source to help with this. It has 12 strains --more than any other food-- and can really help. The Kefir smoothies are delicious besides.

http://www.lifeway.net/Probiotics/

I started Kefir just about a year ago on the recommendation from a friend here. It changed my life! And we have always had yogurt almost daily. The Kefir is far superior to any yogurt, IMO.

Many of us here, have had a lifetime of antibiotics for various infections. All of those drugs have had a negative impact on the bowel. It is up to us to fix it. Don't expect a doctor to understand this concept for you.

I had Hydrogen Breathing Test for lactose and bacteria overgrowth. I am lactose intolerant but there was no bacteria overgrowth. I dont have signs and symptoms of candida yeast infection.

I have been taking teh Kefir for several months. Oh yes, they tastes so good. I like them. I buy the gluten-free and (99%) lactose free. But, I stopped for 2 weeks now because of the sugar content (it has 20g for 1 serving). You see Mrs.D, my blood sugar is so confusing. Before I had my bronchoscopy last July 31, I was so dizzy. I have a very bad vertigo since 1983 (initially, it was diagnosed as Meniere's Syndrome). My world was spinning and I was vomitting, I thought I never make on my appt. My doctor called the hospital to postpone the procedure but they said they can give me something for my dizziness. So, we went and I was injected with a medicine which I dont remember now (i think it starts with Z - all i remember when I looked it up, its pretty strong its given to patients who undergone chemo to prevent nausea). Anyway, they got my blood sugar and it was 106 - and that was after 12 hours of fasting. On August 7, I had the Hydrogen Test, I asked the nurse to get my blood sugar (after fasting) as I wasa feeling a little fuzzy, my sugar was perfectly normal. Another test was done - normal.

Anyway, going back to Kefir, I stopped it because I think it makes me more bloated even when I take the lactaid medicine to make sure because it says that its 99% lactose free. I make sure that I cover the 1% lactose content