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Acid Reflux, GERD & WFPB
4 Jan 2020
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Today, I watched some videos by Dr Greger (and other WFPB advocates) about GERD! I was surprised to learn that 1 in 4 persons in USA experiences acid reflux at least once a week. GERD is the chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. GERD may lead to esophageal cancer (but this cancer is not so common in USA: only about 17,000 cases annually, which is approximately 1% of all cancers). GERD may lead to a type of stomach cancer as well (but stomach cancer is not very common in USA either: only about 28,000 cases per year).
Dr Greger

Articles by Dr Greger:

Videos by Dr Greger:

(2015) Diet & GERD Acid Reflux Heartburn

(6 mins) Transcript. A good video that summarizes the relationship between dietary factors and GERD, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer.

(2015) Diet & Hiatal Hernia

(4 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "Straining at stool over time may force part of the stomach up into the chest, contributing to GERD acid reflux disease. This may explain why hiatal hernia is extremely rare among populations eating high-fiber diets." For a longer discussion of relationship between straining and diet, see Pressure Diseases.

(2020) The Effects of Obesity on Gallstones, Acid Reflux, and Cardiovascular Disease

(5 mins) Transcript. This video mentions that being obese puts us at higer risk for GERD. Excerpt:

"G is also for GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease. Fiber-rich food consumption also decreases the risk of acid reflux. Previously, I explored how chronically straining at stool may push part of the stomach up into the chest cavity. Well, the excess abdominal pressure due to obesity may have the same effect, pushing acid up into the throat, causing heartburn and inflammation. The increased pressure on the abdominal organs associated with obesity may also explain why overweight women suffer from more vaginal prolapse, where organs such as the rectum push out into the vaginal cavity."

(2018) Are Acid-Blocking Drugs Safe?

(6 mins) Transcript. This video narrates problems associated with acid blocking and PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) drugs.

(2019) Treating Reflux in Babies With Diet

(6 mins) Transcript. Treatment described in the video: removal of cow's milk from the infant's diet and/or their mom's diet.

(2018) The Best Diet for Upset Stomach

(5 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "What to avoid and what to eat to help with dyspepsia."

Dr McDougall

Source: Dr McDougall's lecture starting at offset 15:15 of this video.
At offset 15:15 of this video, we find a fascinating exposition of GERD / acid reflux by Dr McDougall. Over time, GERD may lead to Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. But interestingly, the impact of GERD (acid reflux) is not limited to just the area right above the stomach. GERD may lead to a series of additional sicknesses as acid travels up our esophagus towards our vocal cords (leading to hoarseness), teeth (leading to enamel loss), sinuses (leading to sinusitis), and gets inhaled down into our lungs and bronchi (leading to bronchitis, asthma, emphysema from chronic irritation)! In this lecture, Dr McDougall mentions what percentage of people recover completely from food changes alone and what else he asks some small percentage of patients to do.

Book: Dr McDougall's Digestive Tune-Up (224 pages, 2006).

Lecture Series: Dr McDougall: Digestive Tune-Up Lectures is a series of lectures by Dr McDougall in which he goes through his book chapter by chapter.

Article on GERD: (2002) My Stomach's on Fire and I Can't Put it Out

Success Stories: (2013) Dan Curtin: Depression, Hypertension, GERD, Obesity

(3 mins, 2011) Dr McDougall on GERD

Dr McDougall quickly explains symptoms and various complications arising from GERD. And how to get relief by changing our food.

(49 mins, 2017) Dr McDougall on Ulcers & Gallbladder

In this lecture, Dr McDougall goes through Chapter 5-6 of his book Dr McDougall's Digestive Tune-Up (226 pages, 2006). At offset 15:15, he explains GERD and how it affects several other organs, not just the esophagus.

This lecture is part of his lecture series: Dr McDougall: Digestive Tune-Up Lectures in which he goes through his book chapter by chapter.

(49 mins, 2017) Dr McDougall Digestive Tune-Up #3

Same lecture as above.

This lecture is part of his lecture series: Dr McDougall: Digestive Tune-Up Lectures in which he goes through his book chapter by chapter.

Dr Klaper
(8 mins, 2021) Acid Reflux - Acid Reflux, GERD, Heartburn On A Vegan Diet

Video description:

Dr Klaper tells us about acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn for folks already on a vegan diet. Acid reflux symptoms include burning in the throat at night and indigestion. One of the main acid reflux causes is eating protein late in the evening so it's best not to snack late. He discusses acid reflux remedies and medication that you can take while you are changing your eating patterns on a plant based diet.

(2 mins, 2020) GERD (Acid Reflux) - Will Water Fasting Help?

Video description:

Dr Klaper answers how a short water fast can help the symptoms of GERD by stopping food intake for a couple of days. He recommends watching his 67-minute video titled "Digestion Made Easy" on his website.

(9 mins, 2021) Hiatal Hernia - Causes, Acid Reflux, & Other Conditions That Mimic A Hernia

Video description:

Dr Klaper offers insight into the causes and symptoms of a hiatal hernia. There are different types of hernias. A true hiatal hernia is when the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and causes acid reflux in the esophagus. Hernia symptoms include acid reflux and other discomforts in the lower esophagus region.

(12 mins, 2021) Bloating - How To Reduce Bloating And Gas

Video description:

Dr. Klaper tells us how to reduce bloating and gas on a plant based diet. Although releasing gas is a natural part of any diet, including a plant based diet, there are some foods you can eat to reduce bloating. You can test the foods that cause bloating by eliminating them from your diet. Add foods back until you feel stomach bloating and then reduce or avoid those foods. It's not possible to entirely avoid bloating but you can experience bloating relief through your food choices.

Dr Klaper mentions four food categories known to cause gas and bloating: (a) cruciferous, (b) alliums (onion, garlic, …), (c) wheat & corn, baked goods, flours, glutinous grains, and (d) beans, peas and legumes. He recommends dropping them for a few days, then reintroducing them slowly. For details, please watch the video.
(51 mins, 2012) Digestion Made Easy: Journey thru Your Amazing Digestive System

A fine lecture by Dr Klaper who walks us through our entire GI tract, explaining how our food choices influence the health of various organs along the tract!

More Info

This research paper reported that 63% of GERD patients who adopted WFPB (with 5% to 10% of calories allowed from animal products) showed significant improvement vs 54% of GERD patients using standard medical treatment.

GERD (Pam Popper)

(2019, 19 mins) Pam Popper explains known triggers for GERD and various problems with proton pump inhibitors n GERD medicines. Many ideas for treating GERD are mentioned.

WFPB & GERD (Panel Discussion)

(2018, 17 mins) Panel discussion among Brian Clement, Joel Fuhrman, Brenda Davis, Roger Greenlaw.

Dr Jamie Koufman

Dr Jamie Koufman is not a Whole Food Plant-Based advocate. However, she offers insights into esophageal conditions like GERD, LPR and Barret's Syndrome.

Book: Dr. Koufman's Acid Reflux Diet (272 pages, 2015).

Website: JamieKoufman. She has interesting articles like Beyond Barret's Esophagus in which she explains, "I believe that Barrett's doesn't cause cancer, but reflux does. As a matter of fact, Barrett's is not suposed to be reversible, but it is." She continues, "In my 40 years of practice, thanks to my patients following my guidance, I have not had a single of my Barrett's patients develop cancer or even dysplasia (pre-cancer)."

If we choose to follow Dr Jamie Koufman's Acid Reflux Diet, it's possible to follow it along with Whole Food Plant-Based guidelines — the two may be combined.

Low Acid Foods? This list is helpful.

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