Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Holistic)

About This Condition

Put a freeze on frequent heartburn. Find out if GERD may be causing that uncomfortable burning sensation, then care for the symptoms. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Try a little licorice

    Support mucous-membrane healing by chewing 250 to 500 mg of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) before meals and bedtime.

  • Kick unhealthy habits

    Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol to ease irritation that could lead to cancer of the esophagus.

  • Uncover the irritants

    Experiment with your diet to find out what triggers the discomfort; high-fat foods, spicy foods, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, and acidic beverages are all potential culprits.

  • Schedule your meals

    Avoid eating prior to exercise and right before bedtime to reduce symptoms.

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
  • Slim down

    Aim for a healthy weight to reduce your risk of developing GERD.

  • Don't overdo alcohol

    Avoid excessive alcohol use that weakens the esophageal sphincter and increases the risk of GERD symptoms.

  • Address your stress

    To reduce the impact of stress on GERD risk, find a program that includes group counseling, instruction in coping skills, relaxation training, and other helpful techniques for stress reduction.

  • Keep your kid smoke-free

    Avoid exposing your infant child to secondhand smoke, as it has been linked with GERD.

  • Check your child for allergies

    See a health professional to find out if your infant child has allergies to milk or other proteins that can increase the risk of GERD.

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.

About

About This Condition

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder of the esophagus that causes frequent symptoms of heartburn. The esophagus is the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. GERD occurs when a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weakened, which permits irritating stomach contents to pass up into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.

Sometimes regurgitation of acid and food as high as the mouth can occur. Chronic irritation of the esophagus by stomach acid can eventually cause ulceration and scarring and might lead to cancer of the esophagus, especially in people who smoke and/or consume large amounts of alcohol.1

Symptoms

People with GERD have heartburn, which usually feels like a burning pain that begins in the chest and may travel upward to the throat. Many people also feel a regurgitation of stomach contents into the mouth, leaving an acid or bitter taste. Some people with GERD may also have coughing while lying down, increased production of saliva, and difficulty sleeping after eating.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Smoking weakens the LES and is a strong risk factor for GERD.2, 3, 4 A study of infants with GERD found that exposure to cigarette smoke in the environment is associated with reflux, leading the authors conclude that secondhand smoke contributes directly to GERD in infants.5 No similar studies on environmental smoke have been done with adults. Psychological stress and alcohol have also been shown to be associated with the weakening of the LES and symptoms of GERD.6, 7, 8, 9

A number of studies have found that obesity increases the risk of GERD,10, 11 though one study found no association between severe obesity and GERD.12 Obese people tend to have weaker sphincters,13 and they more often develop a condition related to GERD called hiatal hernia, in which the upper part of the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm, resulting in a deformed LES.14 It has been suggested that obesity may contribute to GERD by increasing abdominal pressure, but this mechanism has not been proven.15 The benefit of weight loss for obese patients with GERD is controversial. Some researchers have found that symptoms of GERD are reduced with weight loss,16 while others have seen no change with weight loss and even increased symptoms in patients with massive weight loss.17

Lying down prevents gravity from keeping the stomach contents well below the opening from the esophagus. For this reason, many authorities recommend that people with GERD avoid lying down sooner than three hours after a meal, and suggest elevating the head of the bed to prevent symptoms during sleep.18, 19, 20

GERD occurs more frequently during exercise than at rest, and can be a cause of chest pain or abdominal pain during exertion.21 One study found that increased intensity of exercise resulted in increased reflux in both trained athletes and untrained people.22 In another study, running produced more reflux than less jarring activities, such as bicycling, while weight training produced few reflux symptoms.23 Eating just before exercise has been found to further aggravate GERD.24, 25 On the other hand, a recent survey found that people who participate in little recreational activity were more likely than active people to be hospitalized for GERD.26 It makes sense for people with GERD to use exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, perhaps choosing activities that are less likely to cause reflux symptoms.

Eating Right

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

Recommendation Why
Cut down on the carbs
In one study, obese people with GERD who ate a very-low-carbohydrate diet saw significant improvement. Further research is needed to determine this diet's safety and effectiveness.
In a preliminary study of obese people with GERD, eating a very-low-carbohydrate diet (less than 20 grams of carbohydrate per day) for six days resulted in a significant improvement in symptoms of GERD. Additional research is needed to determine whether this type of diet would be safe and effective for long-term use.
Try a low-fat diet
Although it is somewhat unclear whether lowering dietary fat is important for people with GERD, some people have found relief from symptoms when following a low-fat diet.
Whether lowering dietary fat is important for people with GERD is somewhat unclear. Historically, low-fat diets have been recommended to patients with GERD because fatty foods appeared to be associated with increased heartburn and fatty foods had been shown to weaken the LES in both healthy people and people with GERD. A number of recent studies, however, have found no correlation between the fat content of a meal and subsequent symptoms of heartburn and reflux. Another study found that hospitalizations due to GERD were no more likely for people who ate high-fat diets than for those on low-fat diets. One study compared different fast foods for their likelihood to cause reflux symptoms and found that chili and red wine caused more symptoms than higher-fat foods such as hamburgers and French fries.
Watch the milk
Infants who suffer from GERD may have an allergy to cows' milk. Studies have shown that eliminating milk products from the diet improves symptoms for infants with milk allergies.

Infants who suffer from GERD may have a true allergy to cows' milk. Some small studies estimate that milk allergy is a cause in about 20% of infants with GERD, but a larger study of 204 infants with GERD diagnosed cows' milk allergies in 41%. For these infants, reflux symptoms improved with elimination of milk products from the diet. Some researchers advise a trial of cows' milk-elimination in all infants suffering from GERD. Infants with a condition known as multiple food protein intolerance in infancy (MFPI) have been shown to have a high incidence of GERD and may only improve when amino-acid based formula is used in place of other formulas.

Uncover the irritants
Experiment with your diet to find out what triggers the discomfort, spicy foods, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, and acidic beverages are all potential culprits.

Eating foods or drinking beverages flavored with spearmint, peppermint, or other spices with strong aromatic oils causes relaxation of the LES and can contribute to symptoms in people with GERD. Chocolate also relaxes the LES and can cause heartburn. Acidic beverages like juices, coffee, and tea have also been linked to increased heartburn pain, as have carbonated drinks, alcohol, and milk.

Supplements

What Are Star Ratings?
Supplement Why
2 Stars
Chewable DG Licorice
Chew 250 to 500 mg DGL daily before meals and bedtime
Chewing deglycyrrhizinated licorice may help mucous membranes heal.

Licorice, particularly as chewable deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), has been shown to be an effective treatment for the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers; in an uncontrolled trial, licorice was effective as a treatment for aphthous ulcers (canker sores). A synthetic drug similar to an ingredient of licorice has been used as part of an effective therapy for GERD in both uncontrolled and double-blind trials. In a comparison trial, this combination proved to be as effective as cimetidine (Tagamet), a common drug used to treat GERD. However, licorice itself remains unexamined as a treatment for GERD.
1 Star
Aloe
Refer to label instructions
Aloe is a soothing herb traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn.

Other herbs traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn include digestive demulcents (soothing agents) such as aloe vera, slippery elm, bladderwrack, and marshmallow. None of these have been scientifically evaluated for effectiveness in GERD. However, a drug known as Gaviscon, containing magnesium carbonate (as an antacid) and alginic acid derived from bladderwrack, has been shown helpful for heartburn in a double-blind trial. It is not clear whether whole bladderwrack would be as useful as its alginic acid component.
1 Star
Betaine Hydrochloride
Refer to label instructions
Hydrochloric acid is sometimes recommended by practitioners of natural medicine in the hope that improved digestion will help prevent reflux.

Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes are sometimes recommended by practitioners of natural medicine in the hope improved digestion will help prevent reflux. However, these therapies have not been researched for their effectiveness.
1 Star
Bladderwrack
Refer to label instructions
Bladderwrack is a soothing herb traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn.

Other herbs traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn include digestive demulcents (soothing agents) such as aloe vera, slippery elm, bladderwrack, and marshmallow. None of these have been scientifically evaluated for effectiveness in GERD. However, a drug known as Gaviscon, containing magnesium carbonate (as an antacid) and alginic acid derived from bladderwrack, has been shown helpful for heartburn in a double-blind trial. It is not clear whether whole bladderwrack would be as useful as its alginic acid component.
1 Star
Marshmallow
Refer to label instructions
Mashmallow is a soothing herb traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn.

Other herbs traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn include digestive demulcents (soothing agents) such as aloe vera, slippery elm, bladderwrack, and marshmallow. None of these have been scientifically evaluated for effectiveness in GERD. However, a drug known as Gaviscon, containing magnesium carbonate (as an antacid) and alginic acid derived from bladderwrack, has been shown helpful for heartburn in a double-blind trial. It is not clear whether whole bladderwrack would be as useful as its alginic acid component.
1 Star
Slippery Elm
Refer to label instructions
Slippery elm is a soothing herb traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn.

Other herbs traditionally used to treat reflux and heartburn include digestive demulcents (soothing agents) such as aloe vera, slippery elm, bladderwrack, and marshmallow. None of these have been scientifically evaluated for effectiveness in GERD. However, a drug known as Gaviscon, containing magnesium carbonate (as an antacid) and alginic acid derived from bladderwrack, has been shown helpful for heartburn in a double-blind trial. It is not clear whether whole bladderwrack would be as useful as its alginic acid component.

References

1. Gignoux M, Launoy G. Recent epidemiologic trends in cancer of the esophagus. Rev Prat 1999;49:1154-8 [in French].

2. Castell DO. Physiology and pathophysiology of the lower esophageal sphincter. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1975;84:569-75 [review].

3. Stanghellini V. Relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and lifestyle, psychosocial factors and comorbidity in the general population: results from the Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST). Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 1999:231:29-37.

4. Locke GR 3rd, Talley NJ, Fett SL, et al. Risk factors associated with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Am J Med 1999;106:642-9.

5. Alaswad B, Toubas PL, Grunow JE. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and gastroesophageal reflux in infants with apparent life-threatening events. J Okla State Med Assoc 1996;89:233-7.

6. Castell DO. Physiology and pathophysiology of the lower esophageal sphincter. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1975;84:569-75 [review].

7. Stanghellini V. Relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and lifestyle, psychosocial factors and comorbidity in the general population: results from the Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST). Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 1999:231:29-37.

8. Rodriguez S, Miner P, Robinson M, et al. Meal type affects heartburn severity. Dig Dis Sci 1998;14:157-9.

9. Locke GR 3rd, Talley NJ, Fett SL, et al. Risk factors associated with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Am J Med 1999;106:642-9.

10. Halsted CH. Obesity: effects on the liver and gastrointestinal system. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 1999;2:425-9 [review].

11. Locke GR 3rd, Talley NJ, Fett SL, et al. Risk factors associated with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Am J Med 1999;106:642-9.

12. Lundam L, Ruth M, Sandberg N, Bove-Nielson M. Does massive obesity promote abnormal gastroesophageal reflux? Dig Dis Sci 1995;40:1632-5.

13. Fisher BL, Pennathur A, Mutnick JL, Little AG. Obesity correlates with gastroesophageal reflux. Dig Dis Sci 1999;44:2290-4.

14. Wilson LJ, Ma W, Hirschowitz BI. Association of obesity with hiatal hernia and esophagitis. Am J Gastroenterol 1999;94:2840-4.

15. Merced CD, Rue C, Hanelin L, Hill LD. Effect of obesity on esophageal transit. Am J Surg 1985;149:177-81.

16. Fraser-Moody CA, Norton B, Gornall C, et al. Weight loss has an independent beneficial effect on symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients who are overweight. Scand J Gastroenterol 1999;34:337-40.

17. Kjellin A, Ramel S, Rossner S, Thor K. Gastroesophageal reflux in obese patients is not reduced by weight reduction. Scand J Gastroenterol 1996;31:1047-51.

18. Kitchin LI, Castell DO. Rationale and efficacy of conservative therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Arch Intern Med 1991;151:448-54. [review]

19. Galmiche JP, Letessier E, Scarpignato C. Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in adults. BMJ 1998;316:1720-3.

20. Piesman M, Hwang I, Maydonovitch C, Wong RKH. Nocturnal reflux episodes following the administration of a standardized meal. Does timing matter? Am J Gastroenterol 2007;102:2128-34.

21. Shawdon A. Gastro-oesophageal reflux and exercise. Important pathology to consider in the athletic population. Sports Med 1995;20:109-16. [review]

22. Soffer EE, Wilson J, Duethman G, et al. Effect of graded exercise on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux in nontrained subjects. Dig Dis Sci 1994;39:193-8.

23. Clark CS, Kraus BB, Sinclair J, Castell DO. Gastroesophageal reflux induced by exercise in healthy volunteers. JAMA 1989;261:3599-601.

24. Yazaki E, Shawdon A, Beasley I, Evans DF. The effect of different types of exercise on gastro-oesophageal reflux. Aust J Sci Med Sport 1996;28:93-6.

25. Clark CS, Kraus BB, Sinclair J, Castell DO. Gastroesophageal reflux induced by exercise in healthy volunteers. JAMA 1989;261:3599-601.

26. Ruhl CE, Everhart JE. Overweight, but not high dietary fat intake, increases risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease hospitalization: the NHANES I Epidemiologic Followup Study. First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Ann Epidemiol 1999;9:424-35.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website, and its associated websites, is provided as a benefit to the local community, and the Internet community in general; it does not constitute medical advice. We try to provide quality information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites. As medical advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each patient and healthcare is constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent physician. Furthermore, in providing this service, Adventist HealthCare does not condone or support all of the content covered in this site. As an Adventist health care organization, Adventist HealthCare acts in accordance with the ethical and religious directives for Adventist health care services.

Find a Doctor

Find an Adventist HealthCare affiliated doctor by calling our FREE physician referral service at 800-642-0101 or by searching our online physician directory.

View Doctors

Set Your Location

Setting your location helps us to show you nearby providers and locations based on your healthcare needs.