A NEW PARADYMFOR ACID REFLUX –

DO NOT REDUCE THE STOMACH ACID

Mayer Eisenstein MD,JD,MPH

Natural vs. Synthetic

• Why natural products? Whenever we start with a natural• molecule, we are building on substances which nature has• refined over thousands of years. These substances can be• digested and metabolized by our enzymes, liver and kidneys• without any serious side effects. When we ingest synthetic• substances our organ systems do not have the proper• digestive enzymes to completely metabolize them, thus• leading to many of the side effects we suffer from.• Everyone agrees that reducing digestive issues is desirable.• It would be nice if we had natural products with minimal• side effects which could produce the same effects of.• Thankfully these natural products do exist and can be used• successfully

Pharmaceutical Deaths USA

• Properly researched, regulated, prescribed andproperly used drugs are the fourth most commoncause of death – but they are never reported.(Source, Journal of the American MedicalAssociation - Range 90,000 to 160,000 deaths peryear.) That’s a Boeing 747 crashing every day!

• 46 people die every day from Aspirin alone in theUSA.

Leading Causes of Death• Dietary Supplements• 0,0001%• Insect Stings (All)• 0,0020%• Sports injuries• 0,0020%• Lightning• 0,0041%• Animal Bites (dogs, etc)• 0,0048%• Horse/animal riding• 0,0052%• Penicillin Allergy• 0,0144%• Slips/Falls Whilst Walking• 0,019%• Electrical Accidents• 0,038%• Freezing• 0,048%• Firearms Accidents• 0,079%• Poisonings• 0,17%• Asthma• 0,19%

• Home Fires• 0,19%• Drowning• 0,21%• Food• 0,24%• Pedestrians-vehicle• 0,37%• Radon Gas• 0,62%• Murder• 0,94%• Suicide• 1,41%• Motor Vehicle Accidents• 2,20%• Preventable Medical Misadventure• 2,40%• Alcohol• 4,49%

• Properly Prescribed & Used Drugs• 5,18%• Smoking• 7,19%• Cancer• 22,11%• Cardiovascular Disease• 47%

Digestive Issues• Everyday 70,000,000 people

suffer from some form ofdigestive issue (heartburn, acid

• reflux, GERD, IBS, indigestionconstipation, diarrhea, abdominalpain, etc.).

• To relieve their symptoms peopleturn to acid blockers; Tums ,Rolaids , Zantac , Tagamet , or tothe more dangerous, PPIs [ProtonPump Inhibitors (Nexium®,Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Protonics®,etc.).

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Why are there so many digestiveproblems????

• We eat too fast.• We eat on the run• We don't chew our food carefully• (try to chew each bite 20-25 times).• We rush away from the table right after a meal.• We eat in our car.• We overcook our food, thus destroying the natural

enzymes.• We drink too much liquid with our meals,

Problems with PPI’s

Pneumonia Risks Rise with Nexium,Prevacid

• Pathogenic bacteriathrive in an alkalineenvironment; therefore,medications taken toreduce stomach acidcould actually increasethe risk of developingpneumonia.

• Journal of American MedicalAssociationOctober 27,2004;292(16)

Use of proton pump inhibitors and riskof osteoporosis-related fractures

• However, some stomach acid isneeded to absorb calcium, whichis needed for healthy bones.

• The inability to absorb calciummay be the cause of theincreased risk for osteoporosis.

• August 12, 2008; 179 (4).doi:10.1503/cmaj.071330.

"Long-term Proton PumpInhibitor Therapy and Risk of Hip Fracture"

• People over age 50 who takethese drugs [proton pumpinhibitors] for more than one yearhave a 44% increased risk ofbreaking a hip.

• PPIs inhibit the body fromproducing stomach acid.

• Journal American Medical Association 12006;296: 2947-2953,

• Yu-Xiao Yang; James D. Lewis; SolomonEpstein;David C. Metz

Study Says Plavix, Heartburn Pills MayNot Mix

• Popular heartburn pills may keep the bloodthinner Plavix from working effectively, accordingto a new study that could shake the market forseveral multibillion-dollar-a-year drugs.

• The 16,690-person study by pharmacy-benefitscompany Medco Health Solutions Inc. suggeststhat people who combine a heartburn pill likeNexium or Prilosec with Plavix at their doctors'direction have a 50% higher risk of a heart attackor other cardiac event compared with thosetaking Plavix by itself.

Millions With Asthma Don’t Need PPIs

• April 8, 2009 -- Results from a new, government-funded studyshould change treatment practices for millions of asthma patientswho take acid reflux drugs but have no heartburn symptoms.

• The practice of prescribing acid reflux-targeting proton pumpinhibitor (PPI) medications to patients whose asthma is not wellcontrolled with treatment has become common in recent years.

• But the new study confirms that acid reflux drugs do not improveasthma control in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) who do not have heartburn or other acid reflux symptoms.

• An asthma expert with the NIH’s National Heart, Lung and BloodInstitute (NHLBI) says millions of asthma patients with so-called"silent GERD" may be taking acid reflux drugs for no reason.

• The study appears in the April 9 issue of the New England Journal ofMedicine.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency caused by AcidBlocking Drugs

[Nexium, Prevacid etc.]• People over the age of 60 are at greater risk for B12 deficiency for several reasons.

One reason is that 30 to 40% of them develop a condition called atrophic gastritis,or inflammation and wasting of the stomach lining. This condition drasticallydecreases their levels of stomach acid, which is needed to free B12 from animalproteins, so that it can be absorbed.

Doctors commonly treat elderly patients' stomach upsets andindigestion/heartburn with PPI's using these drugs like candy---often timeskeeping patients on these drugs for years, never even contemplating how this cancreate a B12 deficiency or accelerate a preexisting one.

Chronic use of PPI's, H2 blockers, or antacids reduce stomach acid, causingacceleration of B12 deficiency.

B12 deficiency causes the following signs and symptoms: gait and balanceproblems, dizziness, neuropathy, confusion, orthostatic hypotension, tremor,anemia, and dementia. All of these side effects put the elderly patient at extremerisk for falling.

Acid Blockers Linked to Mental Decline

• H2 Blockers May Raise Risk of Age-Related CognitiveImpairment

• Long-term use of H2 blockers, including Axid®, Pepcid®,Tagamet®, and Zantac®, may increase the risk of mentaldecline in later life.

H2 blockers, available over the counter as well as byprescription, belong to a family of drugs that reducestomach acid.

The finding comes from Indiana University researcherMalaz Boustani, MD, MPH, and colleagues reported in theAugust 2007 issue of the Journal of the American GeriatricsSociety

FDA Approves Prescription Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugfor 1-11 Year Olds

• What are the health implications of shutting down stomach acid production inchildren as young as one year old?

The FDA lists adverse reactions to Nexium in children as headache, diarrhea,abdominal pain, nausea, gas, constipation, dry mouth and sleepiness.

We all know how many in the mainstream medical community deal with adverseeffects of a drug. They prescribe more drugs to treat adverse side effects of thedrug. The FDA list of adverse reactions to Nexium could, plausibly, lead to analarming increase in the number of medications used to treat adverse reactions toNexium. Not a good scenario for a small child.

Another less known problem with the use of PPIs is that getting off them canpresent a big obstacle. When a person stops taking PPIs there can be a surge in theproduction of stomach acid accompanied by increased heartburn, indigestion andreflux. Using PPIs can lead to a vicious and biologically abnormal cycle, a verydisturbing scenario, especially for a small child.

Therapy With Gastric Acidity Inhibitors Increases the Risk ofAcute Gastroenteritis and Community-Acquired Pneumonia in

Children

• PEDIATRICS Vol. 117 No. 5 May 2006

• CONCLUSIONS. This is the first prospective study performed inpediatric patients showing that the use of GA inhibitors wasassociated with an increased risk of acute gastroenteritis andcommunity-acquired pneumonia in GERD-affected children. It couldbe interesting to underline that we observed an increased incidenceof intestinal and respiratory infection in otherwise healthy childrentaking GA inhibitors for GERD treatment.

• On the contrary, the majority of the previous data showed that thepatients most at risk for pneumonia were those with significantcomorbid illnesses such as diabetes or immunodeficiency, and thispoints to the importance of GA suppression as a major risk factorfor infections.

A New ParadigmReduce Digestive Issues Without

Lowering Stomach Acid

Pain in the gut? Don't blame stomachacid

• U-M scientists found that antibiotics were the• best way to kill the bacteria that cause gastritis• and eliminate stomach inflammation in their• experimental mice. Mice treated with• prescription drugs called proton pump• inhibitors or PPIs, which block acid production,• acquired more bacteria and developed more• inflammatory changes in their stomach linings• than untreated mice.

ProbioticsDigestive Enzymes

Stevia

In a Chewable Form

What are Probiotics

• Probiotics are living microorganisms (bacterial or yeast)which, upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert healthbenefits beyond inherent basic nutrition.

• There are several trillion friendly bacteria in eachperson (more than all the cells in the body) dividedamong more than 400 species, most of them inhabitingthe digestive tract. If they were all placed together thetotal weight of these "friendly" bacteria would come tonearly four pounds

Probiotics: A Billion Good Bugs

• Protect against infection• Enhance and boost the immune system• Promote and improve digestive health• Alleviate diarrhea caused by antibiotic treatments• Promote urinary and genital health• Assist in the management of inflammation• Help alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance• Improve some types of eczema in infants and children• Reduce cholesterol levels• Decrease the risk of certain cancers

Digestive Enzymes

• Digestive enzymes are proteins released fromyour salivary glands, stomach, and smallintestines, specially tailored to break down foodinto nutrients that your body can readily digest.

• Digestive enzyme deficiencies can cause GAS,BOWEL PROBLEMS, FATIGUE AFTER A MEAL,BLOATING, ABDOMINAL CRAMPS, FOODALLERGIES, and MORE.

Stevia• Stevia originated in the rain forests of South America,• where it is still used extensively as a tea-type beverage and• as a sweetener for foods and drinks. The leaves of at least• one type of stevia plants (Stevia rebaudiana) contain• between 5% and 20% of a chemical known as stevioside,• which is estimated to be 100 to 300 times sweeter than• sugar. Unlike cane sugar, however, stevioside does not have• calories. Evidence from• laboratory and animal studies seems to show that stevia• may help to control blood sugar levels by delaying the• absorption of sugar from the intestines. Taken• orally, it is thought to help promote weight loss both by• replacing high-calorie sweeteners and by regulating blood• sugar levels.• In case reports, stevia has also appeared to• relieve heartburn.

A New Paradigm

• Using the findings that Probiotics, digestive enzymes and stevia have a beneficialeffect on

• digestion,

• are natural products and have no side effects, the Homefirst® Physician Digestive• (HPD) Trial was started. The formula used in the HPD Trial is: non-dairy Probiotics:• (L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. plantarium, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium• longum), plant based digestive enzymes (Amylase, Bromelain, Lactase, Lipase, Papain,• Hemicellulase) and the natural sweetener: Stevia in a chewable form). Preliminary findings• show that,

• in approximately 90% of the 1,000 patients treated, this formulaeliminated dyspepsia

• without the need for acid reducing pharmaceuticals.

Betten-AidTM

• My Recommendations:• Both the enzymes and the Probiotics are Natural products which aid the body in digesting food thus

avoiding a variety of digestive problems. If you are experiencing digestive issues (i.e., indigestion,bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, IBS, GERD), take 1-2 tablets three times a day with meals.

•• For occasional heartburn take 1-2 tablets as needed. Chew them slowly to get the maximum

benefits.•• For chronic heartburn take one to two tablets with meals. For break-through discomfort take 1-2

tablets as needed.•• If you are taking PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors': i.e., Nexium®, Prilosec®, Prevacid®, Protonics®,

Aciphex®, etc.) YOU MUST WEAN OFF THESE MEDICATIONS SLOWLY TO AVOID REBOUNDHEARTBURN OR REFLUX. Even missing one day of your PPI may precipitously cause severerebound. I recommend you start taking Betten-Aid for a few days before you begin cutting backon your pharmaceuticals. After a few days take the pharmaceutical every other day, then everythird day, etc. I recommend two Betten-Aid tablets three times a day with meals. As you areslowly cutting back on your pharmaceuticals you may have to take as many as 10-12 Betten-Aidtablets daily. Since there are no side effects to this natural treatment please don't hesitate to takeadditional tablets as you need them.

Pregnancy & Heartburn

• BettenAid is safe andeffective.

• Probiotics• Digestive Enzymes• Stevia

Testimonials

Dear Dr. Eisenstein:

Over six and a half years ago I was diagnosed with GERD as well as a hiatial hernia. My primarycare physician prescribed Prevacid to be taken on a daily basis. Since that time I have triedunsuccessfully on numerous occasions to wean myself from Prevacid, preferring a moreNatural approach to healthcare. Unfortunately, none of these approaches helped, even in theshort run.As CEO of an integrative medicine healthcare company, I am approached all the time toendorse various products, which I have never done. I would like to share with you mywonderful experience in using your new chewable digestive enzymes with Probioticsproduct. It has now been a full month since I have STOPPED taking Prevacid. I am not havingany problems with my GERD or hiatal hernia. Although I still have the acid symptoms, they areimmediately resolved by taking your product. I certainly feel that everyone with acid reflux orsimilar disorders needs to avail themselves of your digestive enzymes with Probiotics product.Natural is always preferable to pharmaceutical. Thank you for bringing me the natural relief Ihave been searching for so desperately for so many years.

Yours in health,

JamesCEO

Dear Dr. Eisenstein,

First I would like to thank you for the free samples, and express my gratitude for the relief I gotfrom the Betten-Aid. They were flavorful and well tolerated by my stomach.

I have not eaten and enjoyed a pizza for years and the 3 day consuming these pills I put themto the ULTIMATE test, I ordered and ate 4 slices of real oven baked pizza from my favorite ItalianPizzeria. I have lived in Miami for over 50 years and 8 years ago I was diagnosed with ulcers andwas put on a restricted diet and given Tagamet, then Zantec and most recently Nexium. All ofthese seemed to wear out after time and the dose was increased, and after researching the sideeffects, I realized I was destroying my bones because these do not allow for calcium absorb ion.At the age of 52 I had bones of an 80 year old man, not what I wanted.

My Nephew who lives in Oregon and listens to a particular radio show heard about thesenatural enzymes and forwarded my the information, I guess the rest is now history.

ScottMiami, Florida

My husband and I love Betten Aid. He used to be on prescription Prevacid and then ourinsurance wouldn't cover it, so the doctor switched him to Protonix which didn't work as well.I heard about Betten Aid on XM Radio and decided to try it and now he does not takeanything prescription for acid!

Sincerely,

KM

Dear Dr. Eisenstein,I want to thank you for the development of Betten-Aid. I have had severe chronic GERD formost of my life. I have been on Pepcid, then Prilosec, then Prevacid, then back to Prilosec. Ihave always had to supplement Tums or Rolaids with these products. This has been on going for20 years.I had an endoscopy three years ago and had two small spots of esophigitis (sure I spelled that

wrong) . Since I started taking Betten-Aid I have had almost no heartburn and have been able tosleep all night flat on my back. What a relief.Sleeping on 4 pillows was killing my back. I am completely off of Prilosec, I did this on my own--

my Dr. did not take me off. I had a bone scan and have developed Osteopenia and acolonoscopy three years ago found a very small tubular adenoma.. It was benign and removed.

I feel the Prilosec is responsible for both conditions, which is why I chose to eliminate thePrilosec. I had a horrible time following this. I do take Pepcid Complete OTC once or twice aday and around 8 Betten-Aid tablets throughout the day. But I feel so much better and do nothave heartburn problems. My chronic diarrhea of 8 years is completely gone too.I just want tothank you and say God Bless You and your Staff. You will be always be in my prayers.Shirley

Dear Dr. Mayer,

Thank you so much for developing a natural product to support digestion and help me withmy acid reflux. My acid reflux was in such an advanced state that I would wake up with pain inmy throat and ears. Food that I ate didn't digest properly and I was eliminating it almost asquickly as I took it in. I was losing my appetite and some weight as well.

When I began taking Betten-Aid five weeks ago I doubled up on the intake; two at each mealand 2 at bedtime. I felt no change for the first three and a half weeks. Into the fourth week, Inoticed a change in my stools. They were more formed and solid. My throat and ears in themorning were not as sore as in the past.Now into my fifth week I am hopeful that my acid reflux is on the mend and am most thankfulto you, Mayer for developing a natural product that does not have a negative side effect likemany prescription drugs.

Gratefully,

Leslie

Dear Dr. Eisenstein,My daughter, E..., and I had the honor of meeting you at your

homebirth seminar a couple of weeks ago.Your Chewable Digestive Enzymes with Probiotics product isAWESOME. This past Saturday evening, my husband made a pasta dishwith a sauce loaded with okra and green peppers. Although delicious, Iwas doubled-over with stomach pain about one hour aftereating. I chewed one of your tablets and felt some relief in a fewminutes. After 15 minutes, my stomach pain completely vanished and Ifelt 100% better.Pregnant women must know about your products!!

Many thanks for everything you do,E

Sugarless Gum Replaces HeartburnPills

• A study in the November 5, 1998 issue of the New England• Journal of Medicine , by Dr. 6 Fisher, et al., documented the• power of saliva to ease heartburn. They found that sucking• on a hard lozenge or chewing gum was shown to ease• symptoms. New research demonstrates that chewing• sugarless gum for 30 minutes after a meal dramatically• eases acid reflux. Such "gum therapy" offers an inexpensive• and pleasant solution to a common problem.