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
100 studies from PubMed
- Ginger for treating nausea and vomiting: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis
- Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
- Efficacy of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Ameliorating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting and Chemotherapy-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review Update and Meta-Analysis
- Does the Oral Administration of Ginger Reduce Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting?: A Meta-analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials
- The effectiveness and safety of ginger for pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting
- Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature review
- Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
- Astaxanthin increases choroidal blood flow velocity
- Erythrocytes carotenoids after astaxanthin supplementation in middle-aged and senior Japanese subjects
- Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects
- Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration
- Effectiveness of Dietary Supplement for Skin Moisturizing in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Astaxanthin improves glucose metabolism and reduces blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Astaxanthin has no effect on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, or inflammation in renal transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial (the XANTHIN trial)
- Safety of an astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract: a randomized clinical trial
- Effects of astaxanthin on human blood rheology
- The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on obesity, blood pressure, CRP, glycemic biomarkers, and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid peroxidation
- Antioxidant Lipid Supplement on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Assessing the Effects of Moderate to High Dosage of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Lipid Profile Parameters-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.
- Antioxidant effect of astaxanthin on phospholipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes
- Effect of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Salivary IgA, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Young Soccer Players
- Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans
- Protective effects of Haematococcus astaxanthin on oxidative stress in healthy smokers
- Markers of Hypoxia and Oxidative Stress in Aging Volunteers Ingesting Lycosomal Formulation of Dark Chocolate Containing Astaxanthin
- Effects of Astaxanthin on Liver and Leukocyte Parameters in Healthy Climacteric Women: Preliminary Data
- Gastric inflammatory markers and interleukins in patients with functional dyspepsia treated with astaxanthin
- Astaxanthin supplementation does not augment fat use or improve endurance performance
- Effect of astaxanthin on cycling time trial performance
- A blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial on the use of astaxanthin as an adjunct to splinting in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study
- The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on liver enzyme levels.
- Combined conventional/antioxidant "Astaxanthin" treatment for male infertility: a double blind, randomized trial
- Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on female fertility and reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and animal studies.
- Administration of natural astaxanthin increases serum HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in subjects with mild hyperlipidemia
- Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjects
- Effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults
- Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on muscle damage and oxidative stress markers in elite young soccer players
- Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Fatigue, Motor Function and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Astaxanthin Influence on Health Outcomes of Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Effects of ginger on motion sickness susceptibility and gastric function
- Acute effects of dietary ginger on quadriceps muscle pain during moderate-intensity cycling exercise
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise
- Ginger consumption enhances the thermic effect of food and promotes feelings of satiety without affecting metabolic and hormonal parameters in overweight men: a pilot study
- Effect of ginger on lower esophageal sphincter pressure
- Effects of ginger on gastric emptying and motility in healthy humans
- Ginger syrup as an antiemetic in early pregnancy
- Ginger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial
- Effect of a ginger extract on pregnancy-induced nausea: a randomised controlled trial
- Effectiveness of ginger for prevention of nausea and vomiting after gynecological laparoscopy
- The efficacy of ginger in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynecologic surgery
- The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis
- Vertigo-reducing effect of ginger root. A controlled clinical study
- A randomized controlled trial of ginger to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
- Ginger treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Comparing analgesic effects of a topical herbal mixed medicine with salicylate in patients with knee osteoarthritis
- A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of ginger extracts and ibuprofen in osteoarthritis
- Effectiveness and safety of steamed ginger extract on mild osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
- Anti-emetic effect of ginger powder versus placebo as an add-on therapy in children and young adults receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy
- Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia
- Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy Women
- Phase II study of the effects of ginger root extract on eicosanoids in colon mucosa in people at normal risk for colorectal cancer
- Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trial
- Ginger extract reduces delayed gastric emptying and nosocomial pneumonia in adult respiratory distress syndrome patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit
- Effect of treatment with ginger on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms
- Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea
- The effect of oral supplementation of ginger on glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Beneficial Effects of Ginger Extract on Eye Fatigue and Shoulder Stiffness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study.
- Plasma insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, ghrelin, and melatonin in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients treated with melatonin
- Effect of melatonin supplementation on body composition and blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and Dose-Response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.
- Effects of melatonin on vascular reactivity, catecholamine levels, and blood pressure in healthy men
- Acute effects of melatonin administration on cardiovascular autonomic regulation in healthy men
- Melatonin administration and pituitary hormone secretion
- The effect of melatonin administration on pituitary hormone secretion in man
- Melatonin supplementation ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling induced by strenuous exercise in adult human males
- The potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease
- The effect of prolonged-release melatonin on sleep measures and psychomotor performance in elderly patients with insomnia
- Evaluation of sleep, puberty and mental health in children with long-term melatonin treatment for chronic idiopathic childhood sleep onset insomnia
- Prolonged-release melatonin improves sleep quality and morning alertness in insomnia patients aged 55 years and older and has no withdrawal effects
- Effect of melatonin on insomnia and daytime sleepiness, in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia (COMISA): A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial.
- Effects of melatonin and tryptophan on healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers with Helicobacter pylori infection in humans
- Melatonin differentially affects vascular blood flow in humans
- Melatonin treatment improves blood pressure, lipid profile, and parameters of oxidative stress in patients with metabolic syndrome
- Influences of melatonin administration on the circulation of women
- Effects of Melatonin Supplementation On Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Treatment of central and sensorineural tinnitus with orally administered Melatonin and Sulodexide: personal experience from a randomized controlled study
- Melatonin: can it stop the ringing?
- The effects of melatonin on tinnitus and sleep
- Effect of melatonin on tinnitus
- Prophylaxis of migraine with melatonin: a randomized controlled trial
- Randomised clinical trial comparing melatonin 3 mg, amitriptyline 25 mg and placebo for migraine prevention.
- Efficacy on sleep parameters and tolerability of melatonin in individuals with sleep or mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Melatonin improves memory acquisition under stress independent of stress hormone release
- Efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of endometriosis: a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- A randomized controlled trial of oral melatonin supplementation and breast cancer biomarkers
- Urinary 6-Sulphatoxymelatonin levels and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women: the ORDET cohort