As I indicated earlier, there is more to the story of my digestive discoveries.
Sometime after the menu changes; the lemon water first thing in the morning, the breakfast replacement meal, and the two reasonable meals I would take to work, the digestive upset that launched all this change began to ease.
I began to notice that my battle with heartburn was diminishing. Each day it seemed there was less burn. It still came on now and again.
Now I was intrigued. So I began to research. Yes, I understood my Type A blood created a weakened digestive system. Seemed reasonable to me that a solid menu for me could be the cause of this change.
Yet, there seemed to be missing clues. Prior to the change I am describing, I was already eating rice and steamed vegetables.
So I reduced this to the changes that I made:
1) fresh squeezed lemon juice in water each morning
2) started adding Apple Cider Vinegar and Olive Oil to my cooked meals of steamed rice and vegetables.
3) also started including 2 Tbsp Barlean’s Flax Seed Oil to morning meal replacement protein shake
4) and for a short time (one week) I added 2 Tbsp Whey protein powder to yogurt once a day (this has been recommended by my chiropractor over the 30 years I have been a patient as a means of helping to rebuild stomach lining). Check with your own health care provider for your situation.
5) The breakfast meal replacement plan I mentioned above and in the last post.
Then I started asking myself questions:
Is it one of these changes that has made the difference?
If so, which one?
Or, is it a combination of all the changes that has somehow made the difference?
Could it be something else entirely.
This is when I commenced my internet search. I looked up hiatal hernia, heartburn, acid reflux, Peter J. D’Adamo, etc. Somewhere in this search, I don’t remember now, H. Pylori surfaced.
I began reading about this (until now unknown to me) bacteria. Lights went on. Bells started ringing. Many of the symptoms associated with H. pylori were the very ones I had experienced; bloating, intense and unrelenting heartburn, pain in my upper stomach when there was no food intake. I found out about the various tests to confirm infection of h. pylori.
Called my PCP, got tested, and just received the h. pylori breath test results. I test positive for h. pylori. Not a startling revelation. But now decisions. Dr. Lenny says antibiotics are the treatment protocol. Will eradicate the bacteria, but will not eliminate the possibility of reinfection.
So I continue to consider my options. Perhaps it is better to naturally treat over a long period of time and just keep beating the bacteria back, reducing its ability to reproduce large colonies in my digestive tract that can lead to more serious complications; ie more ulcers, stomach cancer, the reoccuring intense, unrelenting heartburn, etc. No, thank you. No, thank you.
The internet is filled with h. pylori information. More shuffling, more sorting.
Nearly all of the symptoms listed in these websites confirmed what I had been experiencing when I was at my worst; when I chose to revisit my diet. Also listed are alternative methods of treatment.
Among my findings:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A New Natural Weapon To Fight H. Pylori
Adding Extra Virgin Olive Oil was one of the changes I stumbled across when I changed my diet. But in addition to Olive Oil, I added Barlean’s Fresh Flax Oil (see above reference). I have not found any literature suggesting Flax Seed Oil as a weapon to eradicate H. Pylori. But interesting how it seems to fit in with the positive changes I am currently experiencing.
This article quotes Nutrition Coach Josh Rubin from San Marcos, Calif.: “you can easily treat it with a 6 month protocol of Mastica Gum and Bio HPF.” I will be looking into that for myself.
Interestingly enough, the fact that I have a hiatal hernia has been over shadowed by the h.Pylori bacteria. Yes, I still regurgitate freshly eaten foods into my esophagus, especially if I have eaten more that I should have in a given meal. But this I can live with. Acid reflux has been greatly diminished.
This information is well worth the time you will spend to educate yourself about yourself. It has worked for me. I will keep returning to refresh myself on ways I can continue to be conscious of my health.
Eradicate H. Pylori Infection And Protect Yourself From Ulcers Naturally
This article lists Thyme, Evodia, Terminalia Chebula, Curcumin, Ginger, Licorice, and Berberine (a plant alkaloid isolated from the roots of several plants including Golden Seal, Barberry, etc) as herbs that help fight h. pylori infection.
This article points to clinical tests on lab animals infected with h. pylori and treated with Vitamin C. This interested me as I am getting Vitamin C everyday with the fresh squeezed lemon juice in water each morning as suggested by Dr. D’Adamo.
Since my positive H. Pylori test results earlier this week, I have decided to get a second opinion. I have found a Naturopath. I will consult with this professional and let you know the course of treatment I decide upon.
A change of topic next month.
my seed projects 
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