Reflux Relief? Review of Arrae Heartburn & Khelp

Prefer to watch/listen? Here’s the video version of this post.

Reflux has always been one of my most bothersome gastroparesis symptoms. In fact, twenty-some years ago, my road to a gastroparesis diagnosis started with the feeling of a lump in my throat — something that I now know is called a globus sensation and is a common symptom of reflux. In general, I still tend to struggle more with LPR type symptoms (throat clearing, cough, congestion, asthma flare ups) than GERD symptoms (heartburn, acid taste).

I’m saying “reflux” here instead of acid reflux because, for me at least, it doesn’t appear that excess acid is the problem. Testing has shown that I actually have significant non-acidic reflux. That’s probably why PPIs were never particularly helpful for me, despite taking very high doses of them for many years.

I don’t think this is terribly uncommon when it comes to gastroparesis. Stomach contents, whether acidic or not, belong in the stomach — not in the esophagus or the upper respiratory tract. So repeatedly refluxing anything is likely to cause symptoms. Gastoparesis often leads to reflux because pressure within the stomach, from undigested food and excess gasses, can force the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus open, leading to reflux. If you have a condition like Ehlers Danlos syndrome (🙋‍♀️), the LES may be weak to begin with.

All of this to say, of all of the symptoms I’ve dealt with due to the gastroparesis, reflux has been one of the trickiest. Of course many of things that I recommend and do personally to manage gastroparesis also help with reflux — walking after meals, eating in a relaxed state, eating smaller meals, etc. — and following a gastroparesis management plan is likely to improve all gastroparesis symptoms, including reflux. But even with all of that, I’ve been struggling lately (partially due to all of the stress I’ve felt over the past year as we’ve been navigating Lily’s Grave’s disease).

Fortunately, a few months ago I came across two new products, both of which have now become a part of my daily routine and have helped quite a bit with the reflux symptoms. Please know, these weren’t gifted to me and this post isn’t sponsored — it’s just my honest feedback.

The first product, Arrae Heartburn, was actually recommended to me by my sister-in-law last summer but I’d forgotten about it until I saw it again on instagram in January. I’m weary of supplements because I’ve tried so many over the years that ultimately just made my digestive symptoms worse or caused other side effects, but my sister-in-law swore by Heartburn and the reviews were really, really positive, so I gave it a try. And I’m really happy I did — it works!

Heartburn is a combination of several types of digestive supplements that I’ve taken before but for some reason, this formula works better for me than anything else I’ve tried. Arrae explains the purpose and science behind each of the ingredients on it’s website. In summary:

• Aloe vera “forms a mucilage, or a sap-like substance, that coats mucous membranes and provides protection for areas of the body, including the esophagus”

• Sodium alginate “turns into a raft-like gel, forming a mechanical barrier which targets the acid pocket and shields against acid reflux”

• Zinc carnosine “encourages mucosal repair and gastric healing through anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective mechanisms”

• Marshmallow root is “known for its mucilage, a sap-like substance that creates a soothing film over inflamed mucous membranes, such as the esophagus”

• Glycine “promotes tissue repair, soothes the gut mucosa, and improves nutrient absorption and successful digestion.” 

• GutGard, made from licorice root, “reduces inflammatory markers, increases gut motility and integrity, and balances the gut microbiome”

I take 2 capsules with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which are my largest meals of the day. I don’t take them for smaller snacks in between. The suggested dosage is 3 capsules but that’s too much for me and actually seems to exacerbate my reflux symptoms. You might need to experiment to figure out what is best for you.

The capsules aren’t terribly large but I do want to note that once in a while, it feels like the capsules get stuck at the bottom of my esophagus. I am considering mixing the powder with warm water and drinking it instead, as Arrae suggests on their website for people who aren’t to take capsules.

The biggest downside of Heartburn for a lot of people is going to be the expense. A one-time purchase of 45 capsules is $45. I take 6 capsules per day so you can see how quickly that would add up. Fortunately, they offer discounted subscriptions and I get 90 capsules every two weeks for $44. It’s still not cheap but, for me, it’s worth it.

Overall, highly recommend giving Arrae Heartburn a try if you’re struggling with reflux due to gastroparesis. (Not an affiliate link.)

The second product I’ve been using is Khelp by HartSpan. This one was recommended to me on instagram and I was immediately interested because it’s similar to Gaviscon Advance. If you aren’t familiar, Gaviscon Advance is different from the Gaviscon that’s available in US pharmacies in that it doesn’t neutralize or reduce acid. Rather, it’s main ingredient is alginate, which forms a raft-like barrier on top of the stomach contents to prevent them from refluxing up into the esophagus. I’ve used Gaviscon Advance in the past but I couldn’t stomach the taste and consistency of the liquid and wasn’t thrilled about some of the additional ingredients. Khelp is just the sodium alginate in capsule form. I take two of these before bed to help with nighttime reflux. For me, it doesn’t eliminate symptoms but it definitely helps by keeping whatever is still sitting in the stomach in the stomach and out of my upper airway, as much as possible.

Again, the biggest downside is likely to be cost. It’s $54 for a one-time purchase of 60 capsules (one-month supply). If you subscribe, which I do, you save 10%.

You can read more about Khelp here.

Please keep in mind that I am not a physician and this isn’t medical advice. For some people, PPIs are absolutely appropriate, necessary, and effective. Both Arrae and HartSpan indicate that their products can be taken in conjunction with prescription reflux medication. But if you are struggling with reflux symptoms despite working with your doctors and getting your comprehensive management plan in place, you might consider giving one or both of these a try.