Frequently Asked Questions

General

If you need to cancel or make changes to your one-time order, please email us at support@hartspan.com as soon as possible during our business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm PST). We’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Please note: If your order has already been processed and handed off for shipment, we won’t be able to make any changes or cancel it.

For subscription orders, please see our Subscription FAQs for instructions on managing or canceling your subscription.

We test our products at every stage—from raw materials to final production, including third-party quality checks after manufacturing.

Our procurement team sources only the highest quality, professional-grade ingredients. When raw materials arrive at our facility, they’re quarantined and rigorously tested for purity and heavy metals before being approved for use.

Once cleared, the materials are stored under the supervision of our Quality Assurance team. After production, each batch goes through three additional quality tests before being shipped to you.

All of our products are manufactured in the USA in a GMP-certified manufacturing facility.

Yes. All of our products are 100% allergen-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contain no synthetic fillers.

You can find detailed ingredient information here.

Yes, email us at support@hartspan.com and we will assist.

Product

If you’re currently taking a reflux medication like a PPI or H2 blocker, we do recommend tapering off as you begin using Khelp. Here's a suggested tapering protocol:

Days 1–2: Take your regular medication along with Khelp daily.

Days 3–6: Reduce your medication to every other day while continuing to take Khelp daily.

Week 2: Taper medication to every third day.

Week 3: Taper to every fourth day.

Ongoing: If your symptoms are under control, continue with Khelp only.

If your symptoms are more severe, we suggest starting with 3 capsules of Khelp instead of 2.
Because gastric acid levels naturally fluctuate, dosing may also vary. If needed, a smaller or occasional dose of your medication can be combined with Khelp.

As always, consult your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Khelp can generally be taken with most medications and supplements. Because Khelp works through a physical (not pharmacological) mechanism, it usually does not affect how most supplements or medications are absorbed. Many people even use Khelp alongside a small dose of their prescription reflux medication to reduce their medication intake over time.

To ensure best results, take other supplements and medications before Khelp so the gel barrier isn’t disrupted.

Although unlikely, because Khelp contains only small amounts of calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (to help form the gel barrier), it may slightly alter stomach pH. This could affect the absorption of the following medications if taken within 2 hours of Khelp:

Estramustine
Bisphosphonates
Tetracyclines
Fluoroquinolones
Iron supplements
Thyroid hormones

If taking any of these medications, we recommend taking them at least 2 hours before Khelp. If you have questions about your medications, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Many people feel relief right away with Khelp, but for others it can take up to 4 days of consistent use—especially if you're transitioning from other reflux treatments.

Make sure you're taking the correct dose:

2 capsules for mild to moderate symptoms

3 capsules for more severe symptoms

If you’re currently taking prescription medications like PPIs or H2 blockers, it may take longer to experience full relief while your body adjusts. We recommend following a gradual tapering protocol. See our FAQ on tapering off current treatments for more details.

Yes. Khelp is designed to be flexible based on your symptoms.

Take 2 capsules for mild to moderate symptoms

Take 3 capsules for more severe symptoms

If you were previously using reflux medications (like PPIs or H2 blockers), you’ll likely need 3 capsules to start

You can also take additional servings after meals throughout the day, as needed.
We recommend a maximum of 9 capsules per day.

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 uses a unique ingredient called alginate, derived from seaweed, which forms a gel-like barrier when it comes into contact with stomach acid. This barrier floats on top of your stomach contents, physically blocking acid from entering the esophagus.

No acid in your esophagus means no reflux, heartburn, cough, or hoarseness.

Antacids (like Tums) work by neutralizing stomach acid. They act quickly but are short-lasting and often minimally effective.

H2 blockers (like Pepcid AC) and PPIs (like Prilosec) reduce how much acid your stomach produces. While they can be effective, they may cause side effects and are not recommended for long-term use.

Herbal remedies typically aim to “coat” the stomach or esophagus to soothe symptoms, but this approach can also offer limited relief.

Khelp is different—it forms a physical barrier that blocks acid from reaching your esophagus, helping prevent symptoms at the source without suppressing acid production.

Khelp provides real relief without interfering with your natural production of stomach acid, which is critical to long-term health.

We always recommend taking one serving before bed, as nighttime is when reflux symptoms often worsen.

If you experience symptoms during the day, you can also take additional servings after meals as needed to help prevent reflux throughout the day.

We recommend a maximum of 9 capsules per day.

We don’t recommend eating after taking Khelp. Eating can disrupt the gel-like barrier Khelp forms in your stomach, which may reduce its effectiveness.

However, drinking liquids is fine.

Reflux symptoms often worsen at night. When you lie down, it’s easier for stomach acid to move up into your esophagus.

Taking Khelp 30 minutes before bed gives the gel barrier time to form and settle in place, helping protect against nighttime reflux.

If you also experience symptoms during the day, you can take Khelp after meals as needed.

Each serving of Khelp (2 capsules) contains 173 mg of sodium. This is generally considered a low amount and is unlikely to affect most people’s blood pressure.

However, if you're on a low-sodium diet or have specific sodium restrictions, it’s best to consult your doctor to determine if Khelp fits your individual needs.

Alginate itself does not inherently contain iodine, but since it’s derived from seaweed, it can carry trace amounts depending on the water where the seaweed was harvested.

We periodically test our raw materials for iodine. Based on these tests, Khelp may contain 0-0.01 mg of iodine per serving—well within safe limits for most individuals.

As for heavy metals:

We conduct rigorous testing at multiple points throughout production. When raw materials arrive at our facility, they are quarantined and tested for purity and heavy metals. Once approved, they are stored under the supervision of our Quality Assurance team and tested again during production.

Khelp meets all USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards for safety, including limits on heavy metals.

Khelp is made with 100% natural ingredients, but it is not certified organic.

Our main ingredient, sodium alginate, is derived from wild-harvested seaweed and then undergoes an extraction process. It’s uncommon for wild seaweed to be certified organic because marine environments are more difficult to regulate and certify.

That said, we prioritize clean, high-quality ingredients and use certified organic components whenever possible in the rest of the formula.

Yes, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are commonly used as antacids—but in Khelp, they're included in very small amounts.

Their role isn’t to neutralize acid, but to help form and strengthen the alginate barrier, making it more effective at floating and staying in place to block reflux.

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 concentrate and bamboo extract to prevent absorption of moisture in the powder during production.

Yes, leave the packet in the pouch. It’s a moisture absorber that helps protect the capsules by reducing humidity and keeping them fresh.

Store your Khelp pouch in a cool, dry place—away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Avoid storing it in your bathroom, where humidity levels are typically high.

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. Enter your email to receive a one-time code for login. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the code.

Once logged in, click "Subscriptions" from the top menu. Select "Manage this subscription", and click "Cancel Subscription" below the subscription details.

Before you go, we’d love to offer custom usage 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 and enter your email for a one-time code to sign in. Check your email for that code, or your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox.

Once logged in, click "Subscriptions" from the top menu. You can then select "Reschedule" or "Skip" to adjust your delivery settings. 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 and enter your email for a one-time code to sign in. Check your email for that code, or your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox.

Once logged in, click "Subscriptions" from the top menu. You can then select "Edit address" at the top of the subscription details section or "Edit payment method" below the subscription price in the subscription details section. 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!

*Note that delivery frequency can be adjusted to days, weeks, or months, if more or less time is required between shipments.

Shipping & Returns

We stand by our product and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are dissatisfied, we will provide a refund (minus a $5 processing fee) on your first box of Khelp, within 30 days of delivery. To qualify, your return must be received at our facility within 30 days of the delivery date. Shipping fees are non-refundable.

If your first box is part of a multi-pack order, any additional boxes must be unopened when returned to receive a full refund.

To start your return, email us at support@hartspan.com for instructions and a return authorization.

Our standard shipping rate is $5.95 for one-time purchases. Shipping is free with monthly and 3-month subscriptions for US orders. (2-5 business days).

We also offer expedited shipping (1-2 business days) for $19.95.

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.

2-7 business days for standard shipping within the USA, and 1-2 business days for expedited shipping within the USA.

You can update your shipping and billing address by logging into your account at hartspan.com. On desktop, click the person icon in the top right corner. On mobile, open the menu and select "Log in."

If you need to update the address for a recent order, email us at support@hartspan.com. If the order hasn’t been fulfilled yet, we can make the change. If it has already shipped, it’s unfortunately too late to update the address.

Still have questions?

Contact us and we will respond to you as soon as possible!