Indigestion

Indigestion is a term used to describe discomfort in the stomach. Symptoms include nausea, pain, gas, and a feeling of fullness.

Quick Answer

What it is

Indigestion is a term used to describe discomfort in the stomach. Symptoms include nausea, pain, gas, and a feeling of fullness.

Key findings

Grade C: GERD Symptoms (Astaxanthin)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts

Quick Facts: Indigestion

Supplements Studied:1
Research Trials:2
Total Participants:214
Top Supplement:Astaxanthin (C)

2 trials

214 participantsppts

1 supps · 1 outcomes

Evidence-Based Protocol

Supplement stack ranked by research quality

Moderate Evidence

Primary Stack (Tier 1)

GingerB

250-500mg standardized extract three times daily or fresh ginger tea

Promotes gastric motility; reduces nausea; anti-inflammatory effects on digestive tract

12 studies | 600 participants

Artichoke Leaf ExtractB

320-640mg standardized extract three times daily

Stimulates bile flow; improves fat digestion; reduces dyspeptic symptoms

8 studies | 500 participants

Supporting Stack (Tier 2)

Peppermint OilB

0.2-0.4ml enteric-coated capsule three times daily

Relaxes smooth muscle; relieves bloating and discomfort (use enteric-coated)

10 studies | 500 participants

ProbioticsB

10-20 billion CFU daily (multi-strain)

Supports healthy gut microbiome; may improve digestive symptoms

10 studies | 600 participants

Digestive EnzymesC

Pancreatin or multi-enzyme with meals

Supplements pancreatic enzymes to aid digestion of fats, proteins, carbohydrates

6 studies | 300 participants

AstaxanthinC

4-12mg daily

Antioxidant; may help with H. pylori-related dyspepsia

3 studies | 100 participants

DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice)C

380-760mg chewable 20 minutes before meals

Soothes gastric mucosa; promotes protective mucus production

5 studies | 200 participants

How It Works

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a common condition characterized by discomfort in the upper abdomen, often occurring during or after eating.

SYMPTOMS:

•Upper abdominal discomfort or pain

•Feeling full too quickly during meals (early satiety)

•Bloating

•Nausea

•Burping or belching

•Burning sensation

TYPES:

•Functional dyspepsia: No identifiable structural cause (most common)

•Organic dyspepsia: Due to ulcer, GERD, H. pylori, medications, etc.

COMMON CAUSES:

•Eating too quickly or too much

•Fatty, greasy, or spicy foods

•Alcohol and caffeine

•Stress and anxiety

•Certain medications (NSAIDs, aspirin)

•H. pylori infection

•GERD (acid reflux)

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR:

•Symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks

•Unintentional weight loss

•Vomiting blood or black stools

•Difficulty swallowing

•Age >55 with new symptoms

•Severe or persistent symptoms

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS:

•Eat smaller, more frequent meals

•Eat slowly, chew thoroughly

•Avoid trigger foods

•Don't lie down right after eating

•Manage stress

•Limit alcohol and caffeine

•Quit smoking

* Ginger and artichoke support digestive motility.

* Peppermint helps relieve bloating and discomfort.

* Probiotics support healthy gut function.

Expected timeline: Dietary changes may improve symptoms within days. Supplements typically show benefit within 2-4 weeks of consistent use.

Generated from peer-reviewed researchSchema v2.0

Supplements for Indigestion

Sorted by strength of evidence

CAstaxanthin

1 outcome · 1 study

GERD Symptoms

Detailed Outcomes

GERD Symptoms

Mixed effect

1 study132 participants

Research Citations (1)

Kefir improves the efficacy and tolerability of triple therapy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori

J Med Food

PMID: 21186984

Related Conditions

Weight Loss & Maintenance

1 shared supplement · 433 outcomes

This goal refers to people with a BMI >25 attempting to reach/maintain their ideal weight. While interventions that work for people with a BMI >25 may also work for people with a lower BMI, the context is often sufficiently different that this isn't assured.

Type 2 Diabetes

1 shared supplement · 868 outcomes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a disease in which blood glucose levels are too high. It is characterized by insulin resistance in muscle, fat, and pancreas cells and an inability of the pancreas to manufacture enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. T2D is strongly associated with excess body fat, and weight loss induced by lifestyle changes is extremely effective for treating T2D.

Soccer Performance

1 shared supplement · 45 outcomes

Soccer performance refers to skills that relate to success in the sport of soccer (football) including dribbling, passing, juggling, shooting, bending, turning, goalkeeping, agility, speed, and stamina.

Skin Health

1 shared supplement · 110 outcomes

Skin health refers to the integrity of skin function. Healthy skin maintains a barrier between the external environment and the inside of the body, and is characterized as smooth, moisturized, clear of blemishes, and radiant.

Overweight

1 shared supplement · 379 outcomes

Overweight is characterized as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9. Having overweight is associated with increased risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease. However, this may not be the case in people with increased lean mass (e.g., athletes or weight lifters).

Muscle Recovery

1 shared supplement · 219 outcomes

Muscle recovery refers to a reduction in muscle soreness or a return of a muscle’s range of motion, strength, or power to normal levels after fatiguing exercise or muscle damage. Muscle recovery is associated with reductions in markers of muscle damage and inflammation.

Metabolic Syndrome

1 shared supplement · 391 outcomes

Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of cardiometabolic risk factors: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high blood triglycerides, and low HDL-C. If a person has at least three of these, they have metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic Health

1 shared supplement · 975 outcomes

Research on metabolism, blood glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic syndrome.