Foods to Avoid with GERD

Friday, April 9, 2010 by David Williams
It appears that we’re not the only country whose population is seeing an increase in problems with heartburn—or GERD, as it’s now being called. By looking at study surveys, researchers at Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, compared 3,153 individuals who reported problems with severe heartburn or regurgitation to 40,210 people without GERD symptoms. They uncovered several risk factors that have been largely ignored thus far in this country.

The general advice in the US is to avoid spicy foods, don’t eat late meals, and don’t drink alcohol in the evening. In Norway, they discovered that individuals who routinely added salt to their meals had almost twice the risk of experiencing acid reflux.

Reducing your salt intake is a simple GERD remedy. If the food seems too bland, then try substituting other herbs, spices, and flavored vinegars. I like the all-purpose, all-natural seasoning powder called Spike that is sold in most health food stores.

Researchers also discovered that those who consumed coffee and high-fiber foods, and who exercised frequently, had a significantly lower incidence of acid reflux. High-fiber diets had one of the greatest influences by cutting the incidence by almost half. (Gut 04;3(12):1730–1735)

Based on these findings, the best dietary GERD remedies include:
  • Avoid spicy foods;
  • Don’t eat late meals;
  • Don’t drink alcohol in the evening;
  • Reduce salt intake; and
  • Consume high-fiber foods.

Natural Remedies for GERD Include a Healthy Diet

Thursday, April 8, 2010 by David Williams
Researchers with Kaiser Permanente “discovered” that a healthy diet reduces your risk of developing a precancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus—in which the lining of the esophagus is being eaten away by constant exposure to acidic gastric juices.

The study matched three groups of patients:
  • 296 who had GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) plus Barrett’s esophagus;
  • 308 who had GERD only; and
  • 309 who had neither condition.
The investigators then used a questionnaire to assess the eating habits of all the subjects.

The results weren’t at all surprising. Those who ate a predominantly “health-conscious” diet consisting of high amounts of fruits, vegetables, and non-fried fish reduced their risk of developing Barrett’s by 65 percent compared to those who ate a mostly “Western” diet that included high amounts of meat and fast food. (Am J Epidemiol 08;Jan 23)

Nearly all of us have had occasional heartburn after eating a meal that didn’t agree with us, or just eating too much of something we couldn’t resist. Some people develop more persistent heartburn (“GERD” or “acid reflux”). These individuals make up the group that is most susceptible to advertisements for antacids, acid blockers, and other “anti-ulcer” drugs.

Rather than relying on these conventional GERD remedies, I recommend trying a change in diet first. This one simple thing is the best GERD remedy of all…and more permanent than popping a pill.

Surgery as a GERD Remedy? Why?

Saturday, March 27, 2010 by David Williams
Surgery is sometimes recommended as a GERD remedy for patients who have "failed" traditional medical therapy. I have to ask, "Why?" The procedure is known as "fundoplication," in which a surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus and stitches that flap back to the stomach's outer wall. Hard to believe, but true. A recent analysis of several studies showed that fundoplication provides better results than "medical management" of GERD symptoms.

Again, "Why?" There are so many natural remedies for GERD that I hardly know where to begin. Maybe the simplest one is watch your foods to avoid GERD. If you know that eating certain foods causes you that familiar burning pain, avoid them. And stay away from those drugs--and from that surgeon.

GERD Remedy Damages the Gut

Monday, February 1, 2010 by David Williams
A common GERD remedy drug can cause bowel changes and accompanying bowel problems, according to a recent study. The use of PPIs (proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prilosec) can allow bacteria to migrate from the large intestine up into the small intestine, where they can cause bloating and gas and diarrhea symptoms.

Bacterial balance in your lower digestive tract is widely addressed, but hardly anyone is talking about the bacteria in your small intestine. While probiotic digestive supplements primarily focus on lower tract, they do provide benefits in the upper section as well.

Take a high-quality probiotic digestive supplement daily, and use natural GERD remedies instead of drugs.