Mar 30, 2022

Disclaimer 

Our Integrative Medical Advisory team has developed or collected these protocols from practitioners and supplier partners to help health care practitioners make decisions when building treatment plans. By following this protocol, you understand and accept that the recommendations in the protocol are for initial guidance and need to seek medical professional advise.  

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Reflux Support

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), marked by symptoms of heartburn and effortless regurgitation, is one of the most common gastrointestinal concerns globally, (Savarino 2018) with an estimated prevalence in North America between 18-28%. (Sandhu 2018) Left unmanaged, GERD can lead to the histological changes found in Barrett’s esophagus, which may lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma. (Sharp 2013) Common causes of GERD include dysbiosis, reduced GI transit time, and various dietary triggers (e.g., alcohol, tomato products, spicy foods, and high-fat foods), which may impact lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone, leading to upward displacement of stomach contents, causing the hallmark symptoms of epigastric pain and effortless regurgitation. (Ahuja 2019; Waller 2011)

There is a variety of therapeutics that may benefit symptoms of GERD. For example, melatonin is produced in the local tissues of the esophagus and stomach, and may positively influence the protective mucous lining that may protect against GERD. (Majka 2018) Licorice derivatives may help to form a mechanical barrier against reflux. (Young 1986) Peppermint has mixed results on smooth muscle tone in the esophagus and stomach, but may ultimately reduce symptoms of GERD. (Khalaf 2019; Pimentel 2001; Setright 2017) Various B vitamins may both reduce esophageal irritation from GERD, and reduce negative progression of GERD. (Sharp 2013) Finally, certain probiotic strains may help reduce symptoms of GERD by improving gastrointestinal transit time. (Waller 2011)

Based on current research findings, the ingredients in the protocol below have been associated with improved health outcomes in patients experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disorder.

Melatonin

3-6 mg before sleep for 40 days to allow for optimal regression of symptoms (Kandil 2010; Pereira 2006)

  • 3 mg of melatonin before sleep was found to be associated with a significant reduction in signs and symptoms of GERD, such as increased lower esophageal sphincter tone, and reduced epigastric pain, both without and with omeprazole (the latter being an additive effect), noting a greater effect of omeprazole versus melatonin when given individually. (Kandil 2010)
  • After dinner supplementation of 6 mg of melatonin, along with vitamins B6, B12, folic acid, methionine, tryptophan, and betaine, was associated with complete regression of symptoms in 100% of 176 individuals, versus 66% of the omeprazole group, after 40 days. (Pereira 2006)
  • Melatonin has been found to be secreted by GI mucosal cells, at concentrations 100-400x blood plasma levels, where it may strengthen the esophageal and gastric mucosal barriers to irritants from endogenous or exogenous production (Majka 2018); additionally, melatonin has been found to be associated with quicker healing of stomach ulcers. (Celinski 2011)
Melatonin

Licorice

Dose variable based on each form; duration 8 weeks (Young 1986)

  • Carbenoxelone, a synthetic derivative of licorice, (Ahuja 2019) was administered four times a day (after meals and before sleep) along with alginate and antacid and was associated with an 82% improvement in GERD symptom grades, versus 63% in the alginate and antacid group. The carbenoxolone group was noted to achieve healing 50% faster over the 8 weeks. (Young 1986)
  • A gum (GutsyGum™) containing a proprietary blend of licorice, antacid, papain, and apple cider vinegar, was given to 24 participants post-meal and was associated with a significant reduction in heartburn and acid reflux scores versus placebo. (Brown 2015)
  • Licoflavone, a component of licorice, was found to significantly reduce gastric ulcers, through its anti-inflammatory effects on arachidonic acid and histamine, particularly in the group of rodents given a moderate dose. (Yang 2017)
  • Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), a formulation without the blood pressure raising effects of licorice, (Ahuja 2019) was examined along with slippery elm and peppermint and was found to significantly improve symptoms of gastric and intestinal irritation, with higher effects than is commonly reported with antacids. Unfortunately, they did not explicitly distinguish between GERD, dyspepsia, and other ailments such as IBS & Crohn’s disease. (Setright 2017)
Licorice

Peppermint oil

180 mg, three times a day, for minimum of 4 weeks (Cash 2016; Rösch 2002)

  • Peppermint oil with slippery elm versus peppermint with slippery elm and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) were examined, and both groups were found to significantly improve symptoms of gastric and intestinal irritation, with higher effects than is commonly reported with antacids. Unfortunately, they did not explicitly distinguish between GERD, dyspepsia, and other ailments such as IBS & Crohn’s disease. (Setright 2017)
  • A herbal combination product (STW-5) containing peppermint, licorice, and seven other herbs was found to be associated with improvements in epigastric pain and acid regurgitation the most, with 83 of 138 participants in the treatment group reporting their symptoms going from severe to mild or absent, versus only 33 of 135 participants in the control group. (Melzer 2004)
  • Patients need to take caution as a direct peppermint infusion of 160 mL over 20 minutes 10 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter induced intense heartburn in patients with GERD (and only a cold sensation in patients without GERD). (Banovcin 2019) However, in two trials on diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), peppermint oil did not impact lower esophageal sphincter tone and furthermore improved DES. (Khalaf 2019; Pimentel 2001)
Peppermint

B complex

Variable based on each B vitamin and form

  • In a sample of 960 participants, intakes of vitamin B2, B6, and folate were inversely proportionally to risk of reflux esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma (Sharp 2013)
  • A combination supplement containing vitamin B6, folic acid, B12, methionine, betaine, l-tryptophan, and melatonin was associated with complete regression of symptoms in 100% of 176 individuals, versus 66% of the omeprazole group, after 40 days. (Pereira 2006)
  • Long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) usage was significantly associated with lower levels of serum vitamin B12, and was proposed as a mechanism for the presence of increased fracture risk in those taking PPIs long-term. (Lewis 2014) With lower B12, homocysteine levels may also rise, possibly elevating cardiovascular disease risk. (Arturo J Martí-Carvajal 2017) A 2017 Cochrane review found that supplementation of vitamins B6, B9, and/or B12 (to reduce homocysteine levels) was associated with a 10% reduced risk of stroke, with low dose and high dose likely having similar benefits. (Arturo J Martí-Carvajal 2017)
B complex

Probiotics

4 billion CFU of Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) strain daily for approximately 4 weeks (Cheng 2020)

  • A 2020 systematic review found 13 prospective studies on GERD and probiotics, with five rated as high quality RCTs, showing significant reductions in symptoms of regurgitation and heartburn, (Cheng 2020) with doses ranging from 1-46 billion CFU of various strains for 1-12 weeks. 
  • Over three billion CFU of B. bifidum was given to 39 participants (40 were given placebo) in an RCT for four weeks, where B. bifidum supplementation was associated with a significantly higher relief rate for postprandial discomfort and epigastric pain scores. (Gomi 2018)
  • B. lactis, when supplemented for 2 weeks at a dose of 17 billion CFU, was found to be associated with reduced regurgitation and improved whole gut transit time in 54 participants versus placebo. (Waller 2011)
Probiotics

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