There is a thread on the heartburn question just yesterday.  You might read
that.

LC ended my issues with heartburn/acid reflux.  Here is part of a thread
that makes sense to me, but there are other viewpoints (I suggest you read
them all):

Yes, heartburn is caused by overeating in many cases.  Heartburn, or
pain behind the breastbone, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter
fails to prevent stomach contents (acidic) from entering the esophagus.
 This happens most often when people eat or drink too much.  Tight
clothing, some medications and smoking can also contribute.  It is
possible that the sphincter itself is problematic but if it goes away
when you eat less, that seems to indicate something other than a
sphincter problem.

"Cures" for heart burn include eating less in a sitting, chewing more
thoroughly and eating more slowly.

For heartburn -- it is because you stop overeating. It's that simple,
really. No idea about acne, but it also almost completely went away
after I started dieting.

i

Overeating can be a cause of heartburn, however, it is not the only cause
in my experience. I used to get heartburn while drinking coffee on weekend
mornings and I hadn't eaten since dinner the previous night.

I can only remember having heartburn once since LC'ing and I still drink
coffee on weekend mornings before eating.

I have also noticed that since I've been LC'ing, I rarely have gas.  My
whole family can appreciate that.  :)

Brigitte

Heh...some medical doctors can't seem to explain (or accept) ANYTHING to do
with low-carb and it's benefit's.

All I know is that eating low carb I get no heartburn anymore - it's almost
like my body accepts food better and just metabolizes it better/faster.

The quantity of food has little to do with it for me.  I have never been a
huge eater.  Example: The only time we EVER ate bacon before was the odd
Sunday morning (bacon was "evil" back then).  I would eat maybe two or three
slices of bacon on a piece of toast with a slice of tomato, and I would have
heartburn all day long and would be burping up bacon taste all day (sorry -
TMI).  It was like my stomach couldn't digest it.  I loved bacon, but always
felt bacon caused my stomach issues and avoided it.

Now, Sunday morning I eat 4 slices of bacon with 2 eggs, tomato, Mayonaisse
(sp?) and cheddar cheese melted on top.  No heartburn, easily digested etc.
Not a 2nd thought.  As long as I leave out carbs, I am sure I could eat a
pound at a sitting.

Case 2: I love steak, and always have.  We would go out, and I would get the
worst heartburn after a nice steak dinner  - I would usually order a 6oz
steak, with a side of potato or rice, bread, with salad/veggies, and red
wine.  Now, I feel like I could eat three steaks (not that I do, but I ate
an 18oz porterhouse one night a while back after a long day wiht no meals),
with ceasar salad and veggies, and I feel great afterwards.

The weird thing now as well is that I have cheated occasionally with the odd
meal and added in some bread (I love warm sourdough or french bread) or a
potato, and I haven't got heartburn either.  It's like I have built up a bit
of tolerance now for the odd cheat session.

Who can splain it...not me....but I sure love it.

GT
220/198/185 (Sept 15, 2003)

I've suffered from cyctic acne for years. It all started in my
early twenties. I've been on Atkins for almost a year and a half and
haven't gotten a single cyst since the first couple of months. Now that the
cysts have gone, I can concentrate on getting some of my scars treated.

I don't know the science behind it so I can't explain why this has
happened. The only article I've come across about acne in relation to
refined carbs is here:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993144

~miette

The only thing I can think of is that the bacteria that live on and in
us like carbs.  A lot.  But ketones they don't like so much.

--
revek
A cheap shot is a terrible thing to waste.

As far as the acne connection, I found this:

"The December issue of Archives of Dermatology extended the problems that
arise from the American diet of high-glycemic foods -- those treats that
spike blood sugar levels and are suspected of increasing the risk of
diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, among other conditions.

If you're not worried about your heart or your pancreatic cells, perhaps you
'll look twice at your face in the mirror. They also cause acne, says Loren
Cordain, PhD, a Colorado State University researcher who led this recent
study.
It comes down to hormones, particularly testosterone. Acne is triggered at
the end of a hormonal cascade. These sugary foods increase levels of insulin
and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). This produces testosterone, which
leads to the overproduction of more the greasy gunk that blocks pores and
triggers acne - sebum.

Dermatologists have long been aware of the link between elevated
testosterone levels and acne, but now it is put into the context of our
high-glycemic index foods."

Here is the link:

http://www.fatfallacy.com/newsletter_sample_march_cuttingedge.html

As for heartburn, this is what I've heard. When you're eating too
little fat, the food doesn't stay in the stomach very long and moves
on into the small intestine. Therefore the stomach acids don't have
much to work with in your fairly empty stomach. On Low carb, the fat
helps the food stay there longer and so the acids have food to break
down. Well, that's one theory anyway.

Now the acne. I'm wondering if it's the carbs or sugar that the
bacteria feed on. On low carb, we've limited the sugars. I eat about 1
oz. of dark chocolate with regular sugar not artificial sugar and I
still don't get break outs. This is after decades of chronic acne.

I also eat lots of nuts. Have to....it's good for my skin. My skin has
smoother and softer now.

Ronit