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Home > Archive > Heartburn Support > February 2006 > What about flax oil?
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What about flax oil?
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| Someone who also has Barrett's Esophagus recommended flax oil to me. A
knowledgable friend said it's an anti-inflamatory (hmmm...where's the
spell check for these posts?), but that flax oil is highly unstable,
must be constantly refridgeratored and doesn't keep all that well
anyway. Still, I'm trying it and it SEEMS to help, but I'm not sure if
it's the oil or everything else I'm trying (bedwedge, smaller meals,
avoiding culprits like chocolate, red wine, etc.)
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| Howard McCollister 2006-02-13, 11:28 am |
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"Mary" <marymele@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1139416193.590069.83160@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Someone who also has Barrett's Esophagus recommended flax oil to me. A
> knowledgable friend said it's an anti-inflamatory (hmmm...where's the
> spell check for these posts?), but that flax oil is highly unstable,
> must be constantly refridgeratored and doesn't keep all that well
> anyway. Still, I'm trying it and it SEEMS to help, but I'm not sure if
> it's the oil or everything else I'm trying (bedwedge, smaller meals,
> avoiding culprits like chocolate, red wine, etc.)
>
Flax oil won't do anything to reverse Barrett's esophagus, nor is it likely
to prevent its progression. Nor will any other such homeopathic nostrum.
OTOH, it's unlikely to actually CAUSE any damage.
HMc
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| Vanny 2006-02-13, 11:28 am |
| Here are a couple of references for GERD including life-style changes for
the management of GERD
http://www.gicare.com/pated/ecdgs39.htm . I have implemented all of the
suggested changes and it has helped me considerably. Surprisingly cutting
out dairy products has also helped me, but I have discovered that I am
lactose intolerant and drinking milk was leading to more gas, etc., which
was worsening my GERD. Sweets and sugary drinks are of course a big nono.
http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc85.html
I know of a couple of Crohn's patients that have tried flax seed oil and
they claimed that it helped them, but I have not tried it myself because I
have severe problems with fat absorption (short bowel syndrome).
V.
"Mary" <marymele@gmail.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1139416193.590069.83160@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Someone who also has Barrett's Esophagus recommended flax oil to me. A
knowledgable friend said it's an anti-inflamatory (hmmm...where's the
spell check for these posts?), but that flax oil is highly unstable,
must be constantly refridgeratored and doesn't keep all that well
anyway. Still, I'm trying it and it SEEMS to help, but I'm not sure if
it's the oil or everything else I'm trying (bedwedge, smaller meals,
avoiding culprits like chocolate, red wine, etc.)
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| But what about the pain? That's originally why I went to the doctor.
I've just had this stomach ache, located high and slightly to the
right, about the size of a quarter. I would never have identified it as
GERD, never thinking of this rather constant pain as indigestion. No,
the doctor says I have a gaping esophagal spincter (sounds
embarressing) but he seems concerned about the Barrett's and
unconcerned about the pain, which is the opposite of my concern. So
might not some nostrum ease pain? or by nostrum do you mean nonsense?
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| Wow! That second link (to reuter's health) was the most complete
information I've read so far, after a couple of days of on-line
research and 4 books from the library. I am grateful.
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| Howard McCollister 2006-02-13, 11:28 am |
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"Mary" <marymele@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1139534213.532624.108000@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> But what about the pain? That's originally why I went to the doctor.
> I've just had this stomach ache, located high and slightly to the
> right, about the size of a quarter. I would never have identified it as
> GERD, never thinking of this rather constant pain as indigestion. No,
> the doctor says I have a gaping esophagal spincter (sounds
> embarressing) but he seems concerned about the Barrett's and
> unconcerned about the pain, which is the opposite of my concern. So
> might not some nostrum ease pain? or by nostrum do you mean nonsense?
Barrett's esophagus is a first step towards esophageal cancer, and that's
the reason your doctor is concerned about it. It is caused by reflux of
gastric contents into the esophagus. The use of conventional anti-secretory
medication such as Prilosec only stops *acid* from refluxing. While acid
reflux is a large part of what's causing your pain, it's only a small part
of what's causing your pre-cancerous Barrett's esophagus.
Yes, I take an admittedly allopathic view of medicine, and I classify flax
oil as a nostrum when used in this setting. It will do nothing to forestall
the advancement of Barrett's esophagus. It may or may not help your
symptoms, as the efficacy of those kinds of homeopathic remedies varies a
lot from person to person (dependant in part on their susceptibility to
placebo effect). If it does help the symptoms, good....by all means take it,
or any other things you might find recommended here on the internet or in
your health food store.
Symptom control of GERD is the most important thing, and whatever it takes
to do that to your satisfaction is appropriate. Be aware, however, that once
that GERD has been severe enough and longstanding enough to cause Barrett's
esophagus, actually stopping the reflux (not just stopping the symptoms)
becomes a significant concern. Stopping the reflux is likely to require
surgery.
People with Barrett's esophagus need to undergo EGD every two years with
multiple biopsies of the lower esophagus to monitor for the progression of
Barrett's toward frank esophageal cancer.
HMc
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| Vanny 2006-02-13, 11:28 am |
| I agree after a couple of years of searching I turned up that reference. I
am pleased that it was helpful.
It is one of the few publications that actually mentions my two companions
Crohn's disease and GERD in the same sentence.
V.
"Mary" <marymele@gmail.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1139535151.012626.227590@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
Wow! That second link (to reuter's health) was the most complete
information I've read so far, after a couple of days of on-line
research and 4 books from the library. I am grateful.
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