Going Vegetarian May Help with Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a very common condition, where stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus or throat. Most people only know of the first type, referred to as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD), but laryngopharyngeal reflux also affects many patients worldwide. This differs from GORD in that it does not cause heartburn, but instead symptoms such as hoarseness, persistent cough and a constant need to clear the throat. However, it is still treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which may be effective but can cause poor digestion and related issues such as osteoporosis; kidney problems; heart attacks and even dementia.

Source: GracinhaMarco Abundo

This is why even some doctors of conventional medicine are looking for dietary approaches to treat reflux. One of these doctors, Dr. Craig Zalvan, studied almost 200 people to compare the use of PPIs and a mostly vegetarian diet in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux. He began to advise patients to eat a 90% plant-based diet, focusing on vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruit and nuts. Meat and dairy intake were limited to two or three moderate-sized servings per week. For this study, he and other researchers looked at the records of 99 patients given the new dietary advice, and 85 others who were only prescribed PPIs and standard advice between 2010 and 2012. After six weeks of both treatments, relief of symptoms was shown. Almost two-thirds of patients, 63%, advised to go mostly-vegetarian had an at least six-point drop in their scores on the reflux symptom index, considered to be a clinically significant improvement. As for the PPI group, 54% had an at least six-point drop in their symptom scores. Patients who changed their diet lost an average of eight pounds, which may have explained some of the effect. On the other hand, there is a growing understanding that reflux may be an inflammatory disorder, and these dietary changes are known to reduce inflammation.

It has been known for years now that a plant-based diet can significantly benefit our health and longevity. The Seventh-Day Adventists of Loma Linda live an average of 4-10 years longer than expected for Californians, and one reason why is their mostly vegetarian diet. Most of their average diet is made of vegetables, grains, beans, fruit and nuts. They avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes and pork; have healthy social lives including volunteering; and regular exercise isn't uncommon for those in their 90s. It's time to take this to the mainstream.