In the April 17, 2002, issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association," researchers found that almost 50 percent of U.S. adults experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at least once per month, and an astonishing 20 percent of them will have symptoms weekly. Given the prevalence of the problem as well as the drawbacks of long-term pharmaceutical treatment, it is worth considering some naturopathic remedies for GERD.
Dietary Help
Foods can trigger reflux, and some basic dietary modifications can help to alleviate symptoms. In general, reflux sufferers should avoid spicy, rich, fried, processed and junk foods, as well as alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages. Minimizing tomato products, citrus fruits and dairy products can also be beneficial.
Lifestyle Changes
How you eat is just as important as what you eat when dealing with acid reflux. Eating in a hurry or while stressed can exacerbate symptoms, as can overeating. Reflux sufferers should make a point of relaxing while eating and of consuming smaller meals four to six times per day. In addition, weight loss can alleviate the symptoms of GERD in those who are overweight or obese. In the April 14, 2009, issue of the "World Journal of Gastroenterology," researchers at the University of Modena in Italy found that obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is a major determinant of GERD symptoms and complications, and that "weight loss significantly improves GERD clinical-endoscopic manifestations."
Nutritional Supplements
The digestive tracts of people with reflux are inflamed, and supplemental glutamine, quercetin, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and probiotics can help to soothe the irritation. The recommended dose of glutamine is 500 mg two to three times daily. Quercetin and MSM are also useful anti-inflammatory agents; 100 mg of each may be taken two to three times per day. A mixed-strain probiotic containing at least 1 billion CFU should be taken one to three times per day.
Herbs
Herbs can be extremely helpful in putting out the fire of reflux and healing the digestive tract. Aloe vera juice is among the star players in herbal treatments for reflux; 2 oz of food-grade, fractionally distilled aloe vera juice should be consumed morning and night for four to eight weeks, and throughout the day as needed. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) also helps to soothe the digestive tract, and should be taken 15 to 20 minutes prior to a meal. Slippery elm bark, marshmallow root and chamomile are likewise very effective soothing and healing agents for the gastrointestinal tract; 100 mg of each two to three times per day is recommended as a starting dose.
References
- "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living"; Janet Zand, LAc, Allan Spreen, MD, and James LaValle, RPh, ND; 1999.
- "Journal of the American Medical Association;" Gastroesophageal Reflux, Barrett Esophagus, and Esophageal Cancer; Nicholas Shaheen, MD,MPH and David F. Ransohoff, MD; April 2002
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology;" Body weight, lifestyle, dietary habits and gastroesophageal reflux disease; Davide Festi, Eleonora Scaioli, Fabio Baldi, Amanda Vestito, Francesca Pasqui, Anna Rita Di Biase, and Antonio Colecchia; April 2009
