Research Library

Low-Carbohydrate Diets May Improve Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease


Yancy, W.S., Jr., Provenzale, D., Westman, E.C., "Improvement of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease After Initiation of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet: Five Brief Case Reports," Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(6):120, 2001, pages 116-119.

Summary:


The following information is available at Pub Med and was not written by Atkins professionals.

The 5 individuals described in these case reports experienced resolution of GERD symptoms after self-initiation of a low-carbohydrate diet. Their observations suggest that carbohydrate restriction may have contributed to their symptom relief. However, this conclusion is confounded by concurrent reduction of caffeine intake in 3 of the individuals and reduction of acidic and high-osmolal food intake in all of them. Observations from some of these individuals suggest that carbohydrates may be a precipitating factor for GERD symptoms and that other classic exacerbating foods such as coffee and fat may be less pertinent when a low-carbohydrate diet is followed. However, these conclusions are preliminary. These findings primarily suggest that prospective research should be performed on the effect of low-carbohydrate diets on GERD symptoms. Trials that control for all of the confounders mentioned above and that contain objective endpoints are needed to further investigate these issues.

Commentary:


The following information was written by Atkins professionals.

The traditional recommendation for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly referred to as “heartburn”, has been to limit certain foods including fatty foods. With the popularity of low carb diets, researchers wanted to examine whether the Atkins Nutritional Approach could improve symptoms of GERD. Individuals adhering to Induction experienced complete and nearly immediate resolution of heartburn symptoms. These findings contradict advice commonly given to patients and indicate that a low carb, higher fat diet may be useful in the treatment of GERD