Condition
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD happens when the valve at the bottom of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong times, letting stomach acid wash back up and cause heartburn and regurgitation. Melatonin has the most research, and a trial of 60 people found gastrin levels changed, though which way is unclear; one astaxanthin study found no clear difference in inflammation. Both studies were small, so the evidence remains limited.
Sources: PMID 20082715; PMID 17521392
- Supplements studied
- 3
- Graded outcomes
- 2
- Trials
- 3
- People studied
- 115
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastrin Moderate Increase | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 60 people | |||
| Lower Esophageal Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 60 people | |||
Studies that measured lower esophageal pressure | ||||||
| GERD Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 60 people | ||||
| Heartburn Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 60 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 44 people | |||
Studies that measured inflammation | ||||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric Emptying Rate | Improves (the measure goes up) | 4 studies | 11 people | |||
Key findings
- GastrinChanges; see studies
- Inflammation
The Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) protocol
2 primary supplements · 3 supporting supplements
- Melatonin3–6 mg at bedtime
- Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)380–760 mg chewed before meals
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Studies cited
6 studies from PubMed
- The potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease
- Ginger extract reduces delayed gastric emptying and nosocomial pneumonia in adult respiratory distress syndrome patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit
- Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia
- Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans
- Effects of ginger on motion sickness susceptibility and gastric function
- Gastric inflammatory markers and interleukins in patients with functional dyspepsia treated with astaxanthin