Improvement of gastroesophageal reflux disease after initiation of a low-carbohydrate diet: five brief case reports.
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.
Yancy
W S
WS
Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Provenzale
D
D
Westman
E C
EC
D000328:Adult; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates