General Description

More than 100 million people in the U.S.A. today suffer from long-term, recurrent gastrointestinal problems. One of the more common digestive disorders is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Although over-the-counter medications are available for the treatment of GERD, many of these remedies do not have long-term beneficial effects and many people need to see their doctor for stronger medications, while others may even need surgery to alleviate symptoms. Changing your diet can have significant beneficial effects on GERD and prevent the need for invasive treatments.

More than 35 percent of adults in the United States are thought to be suffering from GERD. Although this disorder can affect people of all ages, it has been shown that the risk increases as people age and tends to rise dramatically after age 40.

Symptoms

• A burning sensation in the chest; this can also sometimes be felt at the back of the throat and may leave a bitter or sour taste in the mouth
• Pains or tightness across your chest
• Difficulty or discomfort swallowing
• Sore throat or hoarseness
• Dry, unproductive cough
• Regurgitation of bile or food
• Feeling of a lump in the throat
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Causes

• Stomach Abnormalities
• Smoking
• Poor Diet
• Enzyme Deficiency
• Some Medications
• Genetics
• Heliobacter Pylori (h. Pylori)

How is It Diagnosed

• Endoscopy
• Biopsies
• Esophagram
• Throat and Larynx Examination
• Esophageal Acid Test
• Esophageal Manometry Test
• Gastric Emptying Test
• Acid Perfusion Test

Traditional Treatments

• Antacids
• Histamine-2 Blockers
• Proton Pump Inhibitors
• Coating Agents
• Motility Agents

• Barrett’s syndrome
• Esophageal cancer
• Ulcers
• Strictures
• Hiatal Hernia
• Sliding Hiatal Hernia
• Para-esophageal Hiatal Hernia
• Hoarseness of the Throat and Dry Cough
• Asthma
• Inflammation of the Lungs
• Sleep Problems

Alternative Treatments

Nutritional Therapy

Apple Cider Vinegar

Eating raw and organic vegetables is a great way to increase your intake of digestive enzymes. Kevin Trudeau, author of More Natural Cures Revealed; Previously Censored Brand Named Products that Cure Disease, recommends taking one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar  immediately before each meal to help digestion and eliminate acid reflux.

Papaya

Papaya is a nutritious fruit that is rich in vitamins A, C, E and K, carotenoids, antioxidants, Leutine, magnesium, copper and fiber. It also contains protein-digestive enzymes papain and chymopapain. These enzymes help to reduce inflammation. According to Dr. Lytton-Benard, Yale University, people who have problems digesting meals that are high in protein can benefit from eating fresh papaya or by taking papain supplements. These digestive enzymes can also benefit GERD sufferers who may have nutritional deficiencies due to impaired digestive processes.

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are vital to the body’s absorption of food. They are each specially designed to break food substances down into simpler nutrients that can be easily digested. Although raw fruits and vegetables contain digestive enzymes, they have only enough to help digest that particular food; they have no extra to help with systemic support of your body. This means that our bodies must produce the rest of the digestive enzymes we need. If you are suffering with a digestive disorder such as GERD then your gastrointestinal system is already working overtime to compensate for nutritional deficiencies and in this case it may be advantageous to take a digestive enzyme supplement. Plant based enzymes are more active than other forms. The four most common plant based digestive enzymes available in supplement form are protease, lipase, amylase and cellulase. Many plant-based enzymes are produced from aspergillus, which is a type of fungus.

Enzymes are derived from aspergillus through a fermentation process and are purified compounds which no longer contain any living aspergillus cells. They have a long record of safe use in the food industry. These enzymes can be taken with and between meals to help digestive processes. They are natural to the body and only leave the digestive system when they have expended their activity. In his book Digestive Enzymes, Jeffery Bland explains how digestive enzymes work, how different methods of cooking affects their bioavailability and how they become depleted as we grow older. He also recommends how to make the most of enzyme supplementation.

Folate (Folic Acid)

Folic acid is vital for the production and maintenance of new cells. Because of impaired absorption, people suffering from GERD may be deficient in folate.  Folic acid can also help prevent certain forms of cancer and heart attacks. As a daily supplement the recommended daily intake of folate for adults is 400 micrograms. Natural food sources include oranges, lentils, lima beans, spinach, asparagus and beets.

Gamma Oryzanol

Gamma oryzanol is extracted from rice bran oil and other grain oils such as barley and corn. Marshall Editions, 1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses, recommends taking 150mg of gamma oryzanol three times a day on an empty stomach to help repair the whole of the digestive system as well as improve the central nervous system’s digestive control.

Garlic

When chopped and allowed to react with oxygen, garlic produces allicin which has a wide range of health benefits including anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have also shown garlic to have the natural ability to reduce inflammation and may alleviate acid reflux. Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of The Natural Health Center, recommends adding two cloves of raw garlic to meals every day. If you dislike the flavor, garlic can be taken as a supplement. The suggested daily dosage for adults is 200mg.

Glutamine

Glutamine is an important source of nitrogen for the cells in the small intestine. It helps promote healthy gastrointestinal function and protect the lining of the stomach and intestines. It is also an important antioxidant. It can improve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease by easing inflammation and preventing ulcerations or lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. It can be added to your diet by means of food sources or a daily supplement. As a supplement the recommended daily intake for adults is 3-30 grams divided into separate doses. Natural food sources of glutamine include oats, wheat, beef, chicken, salmon, tuna, herring, cod, hard cheese, milk and eggs.

Green Drinks

As well as containing many of the essential nutrients your body needs, green drinks are also high in fiber which means that they aid absorption of nutrients from food and help prevent constipation. Another important factor about green drinks is that they are rich in chlorophyll. According to Dr. Robert Young, author of The pH Miracle for Weight Loss, "chlorophyll helps your blood deliver oxygen throughout the body, making stronger blood and thus stronger cells."     

There are a number of green drinks and supplements available. These include:

• Barley grass
• Wheat grass
• Spirulina
• Chlorella
• Blue-green algae
• Liquid chlorophyll

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain’s pineal gland, which helps to regulate the sleep cycle. The gastrointestinal tract secretes even more melatonin than the pineal gland so it is not surprising that recent studies have shown a connection between this hormone and GERD. The studies suggest that inadequate sleep could lead to an increased risk of GERD due to insufficient production of melatonin. Dr. Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., author of Your Stomach; What is  Really Making you Miserable and What to Do About It recommends 6 mg of melatonin after dinner to relieve symptoms of heartburn.

Probiotics

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing live beneficial bacteria. They are highly recommended if you are suffering from GERD. There are more than 400 different species of microbacteria living throughout the length of the human gastrointestinal tract. Although some of them are pathogenic, many are beneficial if not essential and help to maintain good digestive health by breaking down food and assisting with the absorption of nutrients. Often GERD sufferers have an imbalance between the friendly and pathogenic microbacteria and the harmful bugs start to overpopulate the digestive system. This causes inflammation, acid reflux, ulcers and poor nutrient absorption. Probiotic supplements contain live beneficial bacteria. Taking them on a regular basis can help to replenish and rebalance your bacterial ecosystem. They can also help to reduce the risk of other complications that may arise from GERD. To be most effective it is recommended that the probiotic supplement have a high content of live bacteria. The usual measurement for probiotics is Colony Forming Units or CFUs. This refers to the number of live bacteria present in each serving. The typical daily dosage recommendation is 20 billion CFUs but can be up to 50 billion

Vitamin D

Dr. Joseph Mercola, M.D., stresses the importance of vitamin D for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux. He explains that although sunshine is an ideal source of the essential vitamin, more than half of the United States does not have adequate sunshine for most of the year. In this case a vitamin D3 supplement is vital for stomach health.

Alternative Therapies

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which very fine needles are placed at specific points along the body – known as meridians. Practitioner claims that these points on the surface of the skin are conduits for the flow of qi or life energy and that they connect directly to the internal organs. In a healthy body the qi is balanced and flows evenly through the meridians, balancing and cleansing. When the body is unhealthy, the flow of energy becomes blocked. The placement of acupuncture needles is believed to unblock the energy and revitalize the organs. Studies have shown some promise with the use of acupuncture for the treatment of GERD.  The stimulation of certain acupuncture points inhibits esophageal relaxation by up to 40 percent.

Yoga

Because yoga is more than just an exercise program it is beneficial to total health. Not only does yoga increase flexibility and balance it is also efficient at helping the body improve its absorption of nutrients and to eliminate toxins. Practicing yoga may be highly beneficial for GERD sufferers.

• It can help your body digest food more efficiently
• It will help you improve your lifestyle and promote a healthy routine
• It will improve your quality of sleep
• It will tone your muscles and organs to prevent GERD
• It will improve gastric and intestinal motility
• It will improve your emotional wellbeing
• It will reduce stress levels