The most common GERD treatment at this time is with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as the drug omeprazole. PPI medications reduce acid production. PPI drugs do have side effects; but, there is concern that chronic PPI medications can be carcinogenic.
This study was done to see if a combination of melatonin (6 mg.), l-tryptophan (200 mg.), vitamin B-6 (25 mg.), folic acid (10 mg.), vitamin B-12 (50 ug), methionine (100 mg.) and betaine (100 mg.) can relieve GERD, compared to omeprazole. One dose was given, daily. Melatonin inhibits gastric acid secretion and nitric oxide production. Nitric acid plays a role in relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. Some of the other supplements are anti-inflammatory and relieve pain.
The study was a single blind randomized study. A total of 351 patients were studied. Half of them received the supplements as listed above and half received 20 mg omeprazole. All patients kept a diary of their symptoms. All of the patients on the compound had complete relief of their symptoms in 40 days. Only 2/3rd of the patients on omeprazole had relief of their symptoms in 40 days. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: A combination of supplements, with tryptophan, methionine and melatonin, was 100% effective in relieving GERD.
PMID: 16948779.
Summary #295.
