Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition that causes a reflux of stomach acids into the esophagus. It is also referred to as chronic heartburn, and it is experienced as a burning sensation in the stomach, chest and behind the breastbone. Dietary modification and the inclusion of certain supplements may help prevent GERD symptoms, but talk to your health-care practitioner before taking any new supplement.
Hydrochloric Acid
Contrary to popular belief, according to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, GERD is often a result of too little stomach acid and not too much. Stomach acid, in the form of hydrochloric acid, is needed to properly digest foods, and a hydrochloric acid challenge can help. To do this, take a 500mg capsule of hydrochloric acid with a meal, and if it does not aggravate your symptoms, it is likely that you are deficient in this acid. The CSNN recommends continuing to take a capsule with meals.
Pancreatin and Bromelain
Regardless of the hydrochloric acid test results, Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," recommends taking a pancreatin and bromelain supplement with meals, because they are enzymes necessary for proper digestion. A deglycyrrhizinated licorice supplement may also be helpful, and Balch says it has treated heartburn and ulcers of the stomach and esophagus. Licorice may raise blood pressure, and it is not recommended if you have high blood pressure.
Allergenic Foods
The CSNN says it is important to identify and eliminate food allergies since the consumption of allergenic foods can be responsible for GERD symptoms. The school recommends eliminating the following most commonly allergenic foods for three weeks: dairy, wheat, corn, eggs, red meat, sugar, soya, coffee, citrus fruit, strawberries, sugar, tomatoes, greasy and fried foods, spicy foods and alcohol. After three weeks, add one food item back into your diet each day and monitor for a return or aggravation of symptoms. Should none occur, that food is safe for consumption. If symptoms worsen, eliminate that food for a few months to give your body a break from it.
Other Foods to Eliminate
According to Balch, carbonated beverages, fried foods, processed foods, tobacco, tomatoes, caffeine, sugar, spicy and highly seasoned foods may all cause heartburn and should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. The CSNN says that certain foods decrease the muscular tone of the esophageal sphincter, which can worsen GERD symptoms. Fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, peppermint, spearmint, onions, garlic, alcohol and saturated fats found in most animal products may all decrease esophageal tone, and the CSNN recommends avoiding them.
General Dietary Advice
Balch says that you should eat a whole-foods diet and increase your consumption of raw foods because they contain enzymes that aid in digestion. Eating habits are also important, and the CSNN says to eat small, more frequent meals and to chew your food thoroughly. Finally, Balch recommends stopping eating three hours before bedtime, because lying down with food in your stomach can cause GERD symptoms.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stradler Mitrea; 2008
