Conundrum Gastrin

[Helliborous]

Hi everyone, does anyone have advice when trying to increase weight when diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia and Hyperplasia. I have been doing some research regarding the damage that Gastrin can do

when it doesn't switch off (NET's tumours) because of low stomach acid and as the Gastrin is activated when we eat is it wise to have 3 meals daily or as suggested with gastritis 5 smaller meals daily.

Would lemon or lime juice or Betaine HCL send a signal to switch

off production ?

My concern is that Gastrin will be signalled to activate 5 times daily not 3 creating more of the stuff. On the other hand the stomach has more work to do with larger meals so will stress the stomach.

I want to up my calories but am afraid it will stress my stomach. I would really welcome your advice, thanks.

[Helliborous]

Replying to myself here, I have just seen a post of mine from a few months ago which more or less asks the same question, sorry 🫤🫢

[Rexz in reply to Helliborous]

Hi Hellibirous I have zero stomach acid, as measured during endoscopy. Lime juice or Betaine HCL will not turn off your G Cells from producing Gastrin. I have no oxyntic mucosa so I've no parietal cells left to pump gastric acid therefore I have hypergastrinemia or very high levels of serum Gastrin. For you though if you have low gastric acid or hypochlorhydria your acid as it pools in the bottom of your "empty" stomach will be very acidic you just won't have a lot of it. As soon as you eat something it will dilute the acid making it a higher pH and then your G Cells will begin secreting Gastrin until that pH comes back down to about a 2 or 3. Depending on how low your acid is pH may or may not get back down to highly acidic 2or three and thus your G Cells will continue pumping Gastrin until your chime (food) dumps into your small intestine, your Pyloric valve will then close, your stomach will be empty and after some time your acidity level will return to a pH of 2 to 3 turning off your G Cells and Gastrin.

With all this in mind you might think it best to eat three meals a day so at least in between meals your Gastrin might turn off. This will most likely work if you are moderately low in gastric acid. Otherwise as soon as you drink some water between meals that nice pool of highly acidic acid becomes diluted and your G Cells will turn on.

I've research the heck out of this and there is no way to turn those G Cells off other than having the lower third of your stomach removed.

Well I think that was a lot of words for a non-answer!

I hope it is helpful though.

Rexz

[Helliborous in reply to Rexz]

Very helpful thanks Rexz, a concerning issue I have is that I always seem to be hungry if I don't eat a bowl of porridge before bed I wake up and have to eat somethi g during the night and that sometimes causes silent reflux. A bit worrying about the water, what the heck😭😭 thanks again

[Rexz in reply to Helliborous]

Oh Helliborous, I've had that same problem. I just have learned to not eat after 4pm. It is very odd to have acid reflux when you have no acid. It truly is a big, as you say' "what the heck!" 🤮

[Helliborous in reply to Rexz]

Wow Rexz that's very early. I am trying not to eat after 8pm and find that difficult 🫡I salute you

[Rexz in reply to Helliborous]

I really don't get hungry anymore. Sometimes I forget to eat. 🫣

[boisland in reply to Rexz]

Rexz The release of somatostatin prevents the production of the hormone gastrin in healthy stomachs. Somatostatin is triggered in healthy stomachs when the PH level drops due to acid secretion. I do not understand why somatostatin cannot be given to those who have hypergastremia, which in theory should turn off gastrin production. Have you any thoughts or information on this?

[Rexz in reply to boisland]

I do not boisland but I now have a lead to go research. I have searched high and low for a mechanism to turn off these G Cells and had not come across somatostatin. Thank you for your insight.

Rexz

[Jillymo]

It's strange Helliborous because I used to suffer with dreadful reflux. I would choke till blue in the face and would wheeze like an old squeeze box in the mornings......but that seems to have gone ! Dont ask me why because I havn't a clue.

I have a hiatus henia and recently diagnosed with errosive gastritis and crohns.......maybe I have run out of acid.

Like you I am always hungry and tend to feel sick if I dont eat. Like Rexz has advised I am now drinking water before meals. 😝 I cant say if it is helping due to only starting on his advice a couple of days ago. 🤞

I am going out for a meal with my daughter and will probably suffer after but cant refuse as its her birthday. Rexz has given a good explanation but will read it again later as it's a lot to get my head around.

I dont normally eat after 4 ish but on the odd occasion will chomp on a gluten free rice cake or corn cake......I know they are not very exciting but it stops my stomach from making the most bizzare noises.

A large part of my colon is inflamed so I need to get the flamation down.

I hope you can find some respite as it really is a misery to live with. I have my fingers crossed you can gain a little wieght...... if not it would be a pleasure to send you some of mine. 😘 💐

[Helliborous in reply to Jillymo]

Thank you Jillymo, I've decided to try calorie counting and to have 2,300 daily it's not easy I don't want to stress my stomach and start a gastritis event or reflux.I hope you have a lovely time with your daughter, so many things socially are around food celebrations aren't they, hope you are able to enjoy some yummy birthday cake without any after effects.