Supplements To Reduce Gerd

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when your stomach contents exit your stomach and travel into your esophagus. PubMed Health reports that this action can significantly irritate your esophageal tissues, which in turn causes pain or discomfort in the affected region. Although dietary supplements are a time-honored approach to treating GERD, always discuss supplement-related topics with your doctor, including proper dosage and treatment duration.

GERD Background

GERD, notes KidsHealth.org, often occurs when the sphincter, or muscular valve, controlling the movements of contents between your esophagus and stomach experiences dysfunction and fails to close properly. If GERD is not treated in a timely and appropriate manner, your stomach acid can damage your esophageal tissues, causing pain and irreversible damage in some individuals. In rare cases, GERD may lead to esophageal cancer. Heartburn is the most common GERD-related symptom.

Appropriate Supplements

There are many supplements that may be appropriate in treating your GERD, although not all herbs traditionally used for this health problem have been subjected to rigorous clinical trials to examine their efficacy. Nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," states that the following supplements may help reduce your GERD-related symptoms: bromelain, pancreatin, MSM, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, marshmallow root, papaya, chamomile, B-complex vitamins, acidophilus and calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Useful Supplement

Pancreatin may be a useful supplement in the treatment of your GERD. Pancreatin, notes Balch, is a type of proteolytic enzyme, or an enzyme that helps ready ingested protein for absorption by your gut. Pancreatin has historically been used in treating digestive problems, viral infections, pancreatic insufficiency, certain autoimmune and chronic illnesses and sports injuries in which you experience severe inflammation, swelling and pain. Other types of proteolytic enzymes include pepsin, trypsin and papain.

Disclaimer

GERD, though usually not life-threatening, can cause significant damage to your esophageal tissues if it is left untreated over time. There are many effective complementary alternative and conventional medical treatments that may alleviate your GERD-related symptoms or treat the underlying cause of your gastric reflux. Not all dietary supplements may be appropriate for this condition, and the use of dietary supplements does not guarantee a cure for your GERD. Discuss all aspects of supplementation with your family physician before using supplements to treat your GERD.