Insights & Discussion
Alginate, as a treatment option for laryngopharyngeal reflux, is equally effective as proton pump inhibitors and may serve as a potential alternative treatment.
Researchers employed a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial with fifty participants, all of whom exhibited laryngopharyngeal symptoms. They were divided into two treatment groups; one group received the alginate suspension Gastrotuss in three daily doses, while the other was administered Omeprazole once daily. The Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score were used to measure the severity of symptoms both before the treatment and after the two-month treatment period.
It was found that both groups had similar Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score values initially. After the two-month treatment, both groups demonstrated significant decrease in these indices, suggesting that the symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux were significantly reduced, regardless of the treatment given. The difference between the changes in both Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score from the two groups was found to be insignificant, thereby indicating that the effectiveness of Alginate is non-inferior to Proton Pump Inhibitors.
Discover Related Insights
Ginger, peppermint and caraway oil combination showed strong effectiveness in managing upper gastrointestinal complaints, with melatonin and marine alginate demonstrating moderate evidence.
2022 Nutrients Effectiveness of Nutritional Ingredients on Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions and Symptoms: A Narrative Review Schulz RM, Ahuja NK, Slavin JL
Review Article Alginate Caraway GERD
The methodology consisted of a literature review of the scientific studies pertaining to nutritional ingredients for upper gastrointestinal relief. The selection was based on recurring mentions within the literature and frequent appearance in consumer products. A predefined search for specific nutritional ingredients and terms related to upper GI health was conducted in five databases - Embase, Medline, Derwent drug file, ToXfile, and PubMed. A manual search was also undertaken for each ingredient to ensure comprehensive review.
The studies that gained inclusion encompassed 16 human clinical trials assessing nine different ingredients. The products investigated were divided into categories, including botanicals - with sub-categories of fiber and combinations, and non-botanical extracts. Several products demonstrated good potential, others showed promising but moderate results, while some had limited support from the scientific research.
High intake of magnesium from foods is linked to a significant decrease in the odds of developing reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus.
2015 British Journal of Nutrition Dietary magnesium, calcium:magnesium ratio and risk of reflux oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma: a population-based case–control study Dai Q, Cantwell MM, Murray LJ, Zheng W, Anderson LA, Coleman HG
Cohort Study Adenocarcinoma Calcium GERD
The study involved participants who were cases of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett's oesophagus, reflux oesophagitis and population-based controls, all gathered from throughout Ireland between 2002 and 2005. Each participant completed a 101-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The association between dietary intakes of magnesium, calcium and the ratio of calcium to magnesium on the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett's oesophagus and reflux oesophagitis was analysed using unconditional logistic regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders.
In terms of results, participants consuming the highest amounts of magnesium from food considerably reduced their odds of reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus when compared to those consuming the smallest amounts. This protective effect of magnesium was even more noticeable when the intake of calcium to magnesium was low. However, no significant associations were found between magnesium intake and the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.