Holistic Help for GERD
Greg Sawyer, D. C.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is one of the most frequent and common esophageal disorders. Conventional medicine accumulated enough evidence in term of clinical trials on the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) safety and efficacy. However a completely new study found an impact on the body weight (BW) and the body mass index (BMI) in reflux patients while on a long term PPI therapy. Another reason we to turn to the help of the holistic medicine and to supplement with dietary formulas in place of conventional drugs is a recent study done by a Japanese team of authors (Yoshikawa et al., 2009). Here is a short overview of the team discovery:
The clinical research team from Japan elucidated the effect on nutritional parameters such as body weight and BMI in patients receiving long-term PPI therapy. The study selected 52 patients with GERD and 58 healthy controls. GERD patients were treated with PPI for a mean of 2.2 years (range, 0.8-5.7 years), and also advised on lifestyle modifications (e.g. selective diet, weight management). BW, BMI and other parameters were measured at baseline and end of study. Their results showed there were no differences in BW and BMI between reflux patients and controls at baseline. Patients with GERD showed increases in BW, but no such changes were noted in the control group. Mean BW increased by 3.5 kg (6.2% of baseline) in 37 (71%) reflux patients but decreased in only 6 (12%) patients during treatment. They concluded that reflux patients treated with a daily maintenance therapy of PPI should be strongly encouraged to manage their body weight through lifestyle modifications such as proper diet and avoidance of overeating. It was proven that the overall medical costs associated with obesity-related illness as well as GERD will be reduced. Thus, an active lifestyle combined with weight loss diets and behavioral modification techniques must therefore remain the backbone of treatment for all patients with GERD, even in the era of conventional drugs .
In case you suffer from occasional indigestion, constipation, gas, irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive complaints, simple changes to your diet and how you manage stress can help. In addition, prudent supplementation can also be effective - the following have been found to help promote healthy digestion:
1. Add probiotics. These products contain "friendly" bacteria that can stabilize the digestive tract and aid indigestion.
2. Take plant-derived digestive enzymes. For example, bromelain, derived from pineapples, and papain from papaya when taken with food can help digest specific nutrients.
3. Consider artichoke-leaf extract. It may help relieve indigestion by increasing bile flow needed to digest fats.
4. Try a deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). This herbal extract can soothe and protect the lining of the esophagus and stomach.
5. Slippery elm comes from the inner bark of the red elm tree. It is soothing and protective for inflamed mucosal tissue.
6. Chamomile can be used as a tea or an extract and is known to be calming for the stomach.
7. Keep a food and beverage journal.
8. Eat small, but frequent meals.
9. Wear loose clothing.
10. Maintain a healthy weight.
11. Avoid lying down immediately after eating.
12. Practice relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises.
13. Try sleeping on your left side. This may help move acid away from the entrance of the esophagus.
Reference:
Yoshikawa, I., Nagato, M., Yamasaki, M., Kume, K., & Otsuki, M. (2009). Long-term treatment with proton pump inhibitor is associated with undesired weight gain. World J Gastroenterol, 15, 4794-4798 Retrieved on line, 26 October, 2009, from: http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/15/4794.asp
