Frequently Asked Questions
General
If you’d like to cancel or make changes to your order, reach out to us at support@hartspan.com as soon as possible within our business hours, (Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm PST) and we’d be happy to process your request. However, if your order has been processed and transferred for shipment, we cannot make any changes or cancel your order.
See our Subscriptions FAQs for canceling or managing a recurring subscription order.
Our products are tested at every step—from raw materials through production to third party quality checks postproduction.
Our procurement team carefully selects the highest quality professional-grade ingredients available. Upon arriving at our facility, every raw material is initially quarantined before undergoing rigorous testing for purity and heavy metals. Once approved for production, materials are stored in our facility and overseen by our Quality Assurance team. Next, our products go through three additional quality tests before shipping to you.
All of our products are manufactured in the USA in a GMP-certified manufacturing facility.
Yes. Our products are 100% allergen and gluten-free, and free of synthetic fillers. Find detailed ingredient information here.
Yes, email us at support@hartspan.com and we will assist.
Product
All of the ingredients in Khelp are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use during pregnancy and lactation. Always follow best practices for the health of you and your baby and consult your doctor. For more pregnancy safety data click here.
Yes. Because it creates a unique physical barrier vs. a pharmacological mechanism of action, Khelp is considered safe for long-term use with no known side effects. All of the ingredients in Khelp are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.
Khelp utilizes a unique ingredient called Alginate, derived from seaweed, which forms a gel-like barrier when it hits your stomach acid. This barrier floats above your stomach acid, blocking the acid from entering your esophagus. No acid in your esophagus means no reflux, heartburn, cough, or voice hoarseness.
Antacids, like Tums, work by neutralizing stomach acid. This treatment is short-acting and can be minimally effective.
H2 blockers, like Pepcid AC, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), like Prilosec, work by reducing the amount of acid in your stomach. Although effective, both can produce side effects and are not recommended for long-term use.
Most herbal remedies work by “coating” your stomach or esophagus to help soothe symptoms. This approach can also be minimally effective.
Khelp provides real relief without interfering with your natural production of stomach acid, which is critical to long-term health.
Due to its physical vs. pharmacological mechanism of action, it is usually fine to take Khelp with other medications or supplements. Many people who experience more severe symptoms will combine a small dose of their prescription reflux medications with Khelp in order to reduce their medication intake over time. We always recommend consulting your doctor, however, for questions about specific medications and use cases.
Khelp usually works immediately, but can take up to 4 days of regular use, especially if you have been using other treatments regularly.
Refer to the "Should I taper off of current treatments when beginning Khelp?" FAQ for more information about tapering off of medications.
Yes. Take additional capsules if your symptoms are more severe. We recommend taking 3 capsules per serving instead of 2. You can also repeat doses after meals throughout the day. We suggest a maximum of 9 capsules per day.
If you are currently taking a reflux medication like a PPI or H2 blocker, we do recommend tapering off when you begin taking Khelp.
Here is the recommended tapering protocol:
- Take your regular treatment along with Khelp for 2 days
- Start tapering the OTC medication to every other day for about 4 days (continue taking Khelp daily)
- Continue to taper OTC medication to every third day the next week
- Drop to every 4th day the following week
- If symptoms are controlled, continue with Khelp only
We suggest starting with 3 capsules vs. 2 if symptoms are more severe.
Gastric acid levels constantly vary, so dosing and treatment can also vary. A smaller or more occasional dose of OTC medications can be combined with Khelp, if needed.
Be sure to consult with your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.
Yes. Take Khelp after each meal throughout the day to prevent symptoms, as well as before bed.
No, we don’t recommend it. This is because the gel-like raft that prevents reflux could be disrupted so you more than likely won’t receive the full benefit. Drinking liquids after taking Khelp is fine.
Most people experience reflux symptoms at night. When you lay down, your stomach acid can more easily travel into your esophagus. To get the full benefit of the barrier protection, you’ll need to give yourself about 30 minutes before bed. if you experience symptoms during the day, take Khelp after meals.
Khelp contains a total of 103 mg of sodium per serving (2 capsules per serving).
This is usually considered a low amount of sodium, but whether it affects blood pressure or not would depend on individual sodium allowances and intake from other dietary sources.
Alginate does not inherently contain iodine. Since it is derived from seaweed, it is possible for the seaweed to absorb iodine in the water and pass on trace amounts to the alginate.
Our raw material is tested periodically for iodine and may contain up to .01mg per 1g of alginate. There are 950mg of alginate per serving of Khelp, so it's possible there is just under .01 mg per serving.
We test rigorously for heavy metals at several points throughout production. Upon arriving at our facility, every raw material is initially quarantined before undergoing testing for purity and heavy metals. Once approved for production, materials are stored in our facility and overseen by the Quality Assurance team. The product then goes through three additional quality tests before being approved to leave the facility.
Khelp meets all USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards.
Although all ingredients are 100% natural, Khelp is technically not organic because its main ingredient, sodium alginate, is extracted from seaweed. To be considered organic, an ingredient must be in its natural form. Our other ingredients are 100% organic whenever possible.
Calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are antacids, but in this product, the amount is very small. They are only present to help form the Alginate barrier, making it stronger and more buoyant.
Since Khelp’s ingredients are highly sensitive to moisture, they can become sticky during the production process. The formula contains a trace amount of organic rice extract to prevent absorption of moisture in the powder during production.
Yes. Leave the packet inside of the pouch so it can safely absorb humidity to keep your capsules fresh.
Your Khelp pouch should be stored in a cool, dry place. Do not keep them in your bathroom.
Unfortunately, alginate does not mix well with water and the gel barrier begins to form. Some customers mix the powder with foods like yogurt, applesauce, or peanut butter, but it's best taken in capsule form.
Subscriptions
We’re sad to see you go. To cancel, click the person icon in the upper right corner of hartspan.com. Click "Manage Subscriptions" under the account login section and enter your email to receive a one-time code for login.
Once logged in, click "Manage Subscriptions", select the active subscription, and click "Cancel Subscription" below the subscription details.
But before you go, we’d love to offer custom dosing or medication combination instructions for you to try. Please message us at support@hartspan.com for product support. We’d also love your feedback because we’re committed to constant improvement!
Log in to your account at hartspan.com by clicking the person icon in the upper right of the screen, select “Manage Subscription” under the account login form. Enter your email for a one-time code to sign in. Check your email for that code.
Once logged in, you will see your active subscription and from there you can select "Reschedule" or "Skip". If you have any other questions, email us at support@hartspan.com.
Log in to your account at hartspan.com by clicking the person icon in the upper right of the screen, select “Manage Subscription” under the account login form. Enter your email for a one-time code to sign in.
Once logged in, you will see your active subscription and from there you can select "Edit address" or "Edit payment method". If you have any other questions, email us at support@hartspan.com.
Monthly: 10% discount and free shipping for $48.60/month. It’s delivered once/month.
3-Month: 20% discount and free shipping for $43.20/month. You receive 3 Khelp products every 3 months and are billed $129.60 every 3 months. This is your best deal!
Shipping & Returns
We stand by our product and offer 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you are dissatisfied, we will provide a refund (minus a $5 processing fee) on your first order, within 30 days of delivery. Note that shipping is non-refundable. To start your return, email support@hartspan.com.
Our standard shipping rate is $5 for one-time purchases. Shipping is free with monthly and 3-month subscriptions. (2-5 business days)
We also offer expedited (1-2 day) shipping for $15.
Shipping prices outside of the USA are determined by location and include taxes and duties.
Yes! We ship worldwide. International shipping includes all duties and taxes.
2-5 business days for standard shipping within the USA, and 2 business days for expedited shipping within the USA.
You can change your billing and/or shipping address in your account at hartspan.com.
Click on the person icon on the top right side of your screen on desktop, or open the menu drawer and click "log in" on mobile. If you need to change the address on a recent order, contact us at support@hartspan.com. If your order has not yet been fulfilled, we can update it for you. If your order has already been fulfilled, it is too late to change.