When too little is too much Q: I would like more information on Barrett's esophagus. What causes it? And can it be reversed? JVW: Barrett's esophagus is a serious erosion of the lining of the lower esophagus. Contrary to what most mainstream physicians will tell you, however, it is rarely caused by too much stomach acid. The problem is much more likely to be a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that has been allowing even very small amounts of stomach acid to "reflux" into the esopaghus. Since the esophagus can't tolerate any acid at all, continued exposure to acid can possibly cause serious damage like Barrett's esophagus. Even though shutting off stomach acid production helps control symptoms, it should be the last option, as it also can lead to many other illnesses. Other things to try first include the "DGL" form of licorice, chewed and swallowed on an empty stomach several times a day; preservative-free aloe vera gel, also swallowed on an empty stomach several times daily; and many, many cups of chamomile tea throughout the day. All of these treatments are available from most natural food stores. Sometimes, a combination of choline, 1 gram three times daily; pantothenic acid, 1 gram daily; thiamine, 250 milligrams daily; and manganese, 25 to 50 milligrams daily, will induce enough acetylcholine production to restore LES function. But since Barrett's esophagus can be a serious, progressive problem, it's wisest not to do any of these things without checking with a physician skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional therapy. Contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine at (800)532-3688 or www.acam.org, or the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at (703)610-9037 for a referral to an alternative physician near you. What is...DGL licorice? DGL stands for de-glycyrrhizinated licorice. Licorice contains a naturally occurring substance known as glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to increase blood pressure and water retention. DGL licorice has had the glycyrrhizin removed.
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