Treating reflux with dietary supplementation - study

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the first paper is now available in full for free, link below

J Pineal Res. 2006 Oct;41(3):195-200.

Regression

of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms using dietary

supplementation with melatonin, vitamins and aminoacids: comparison

with omeprazole.

Pereira Rde S.septo.

de Farmácia-Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Av das Baraúnas,

351/Campus Universitário, Bodocongó/Campina Grande-PB-Brazil-CEP

58109-753, Brazil. ricardodesouzapereira@...

The

prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing.

GERD is a chronic disease and its treatment is problematic. It may

present with various symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation,

dysphagia, coughing, hoarseness or chest pain. The aim of this study

was to investigate if a dietary supplementation containing: melatonin,

l-tryptophan, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, methionine and

betaine would help patients with GERD, and to compare the preparation

with 20 mg omeprazole. Melatonin has known inhibitory activities on

gastric acid secretion and nitric oxide biosynthesis. Nitric oxide has

an important role in the transient lower esophageal sphincter

relaxation (TLESR), which is a major mechanism of reflux in patients

with GERD. Others biocompounds of the formula display anti-inflammatory

and analgesic effects. A single blind randomized study was performed in

which 176 patients underwent treatment using the supplement cited above

(group A) and 175 received treatment of 20 mg omeprazole (group .

Symptoms were recorded in a diary and changes in severity of symptoms

noted. All patients of the group A (100%) reported a complete

regression of symptoms after 40 days of treatment. On the other hand,

115 subjects (65.7%) of the omeprazole reported regression of symptoms

in the same period. There was statiscally significant difference

between the groups (P < 0.05). This formulation promotes regression

of GERD symptoms with no significant side effects.PMID: 16948779

full text version is available here http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/118611399/HTMLSTART

in this case the person had to stay on very high amounts on melatonin....

Moreover, in a randomized, single-blind clinical

trial of subjects with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the

combination of melatonin with other natural supplements was found to be

superior to omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Its

administration as a single treatment for GERD has not been previously

reported. A 64-year-old Caucasian female who required treatment with a

PPI for symptoms of GERD wished to substitute a natural treatment

because of the risk of worsening her osteoporosis. She experienced a

return of symptoms following each of three 20-day trials of a

proprietary blend of D-limonene when attempts were made to discontinue

the PPI. She then underwent a trial of a natural formula consisting of

melatonin 6 mg, 5-hydroxytryptophan 100 mg, D,L-methionine 500 mg,

betaine 100 mg, L-taurine 50 mg, riboflavin 1.7 mg, vitamin B6 0.8 mg,

folic acid 400 microg, and calcium 50 mg. After 40 days, the PPI was

withdrawn without a return of symptoms. Subsequently, an attempt to

reduce melatonin to 3 mg resulted in symptoms, while all other

ingredients were withdrawn with minimal symptoms during 10 months of

follow-up.

PMID: 18616070

natasa x