Posts by Dr. Johann de Chickera
Acid Blockers Aren’t Meant for Long Term Use
I often see patients who have been taking acid blockers long term, not realizing they were only meant and designed for short term use. This article will shed light on the evidence that acid blockers must not be used long term. What Are Acid Blockers? Acid blockers work by reducing stomach acid production. Acid is…
Read MoreAcid Reflux Isn’t Usually From High Stomach Acid
Many patients suffering from GERD or acid reflux are on acid blocking medications. When I tell them their symptoms aren’t necessarily due to overproduction of acid, they look surprised. Acid blockers help with the symptoms, but in most cases, it doesn’t address the underlying issue; in all cases, they must not be used long term.…
Read MoreHow Does Leaky Gut Start?
Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, describes the loss of intestinal barrier function where things leak through that shouldn’t. Our intestinal tract is complex – it’s responsible for the digestion and absorption of the nutrients we consume, but it’s also exposed to food antigens, commensal bacteria, pathogens and toxins [1]. We have a specialized barrier to…
Read MoreSIBO From Acid Blockers?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a common ailment with various causative factors. In some cases, it’s worthwhile investigating whether long term use of acid blockers could be the cause. What is SIBO? As the name implies, SIBO is a condition characterized by overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Ordinarily, the large intestine houses…
Read MoreWhat is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is a common finding in people experiencing problematic gastrointestinal symptoms. Many common conditions and diseases are associated with SIBO, so this concept is important to understand. Normal Gut Bacteria Ordinarily, most bacteria are in the large intestine, housing billions of bacteria per millilitre of bowel content. On the other hand, the…
Read MoreThe Dangers of Using Acid Blockers Long Term
Patients taking acid blocking medications may experience adverse effects if those medications are taken long term. The medications are not recommended for long term use. This article will discuss the specific negative consequences of having deficient or no stomach acid. What Are Acid Blockers? Acid blockers aim to reduce the stomach’s production of hydrochloric acid…
Read MoreHormone Health: Estrogen Metabolism – The Good The Bad and the Ugly
Estrogen is very important for all women and men. A lot of people don’t realize that estrogen doesn’t exist as a singular molecule; there are different versions of estrogen. As you’ll see, there are good estrogens, bad estrogens, and downright ugly estrogens. What is Estrogen? Estrogen is a steroid hormone, originating from cholesterol (specifically LDL-C).…
Read MoreWhat is Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen dominance is a clinical phenomenon that may affect a woman at any point during her life. Although estrogen is generally considered the main, beneficial female sex hormone, there is such a thing as too much; this is referred to as estrogen dominance. A Review of Estrogen Metabolism Estrogen is not one singular molecule floating…
Read MoreWhat Makes Estrogen Good or Bad?
This article will demonstrate the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ estrogens. To review the basics of estrogen metabolism please click here. Basic Review of Estrogen Metabolism In another article, I discussed how 2-OH-Estrogens are considered good, 4-OH-estrogens are considered bad, and 16-OH-estrogens are considered ugly. This article will discuss the factors which make a hormone…
Read MoreMedications That May Cause Nighttime Leg Cramps
Nighttime leg cramps are a common ailment. Click here to read more about the contributing factors and theories of what causes them. The focus of this article is to identify the various medications associated with causing or worsening nighttime leg cramps. Click here to learn about some of the medications that are commonly used to…
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