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GERD – C-B-D, Curcumin, Diet…
What C-B-D you can legally buy depends on your state. While some states allow the purchase of one or both types of C-B-D products, in some states, you can’t purchase CBD products at all. You can check your state’s cannabis laws here…”
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (G.E.R.D) is not cancer. Although it is painful and GERD does increase your risk of a Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) diagnosis. BE is also not cancer but it increases your risk of esophageal cancer even more than GERD does.
According to research, approximately 20% of Americans have G.E.R.D. That’s more than 5 million people! Yikes!
I’m a survivor of a different cancer. I experience G.E.R.D symptoms because of radiation to my neck which caused weakened muscles. And two other side effects called mucositis and dysphagia.
Surviving my cancer since early 1994 and managing short, long-term and late stage side effects that are used to treat cancer has taught me that conventional medicines are to be avoided if possible. Nothing against conventional medicine but in my experience, they all come with toxicity. Toxicity means side effects.
The two articles linked and excerpted below explain that both C-B-D oil and curcumin reduce the risk of GERD. I take both for a host of reasons such as bone health, cancer risk, heart health, etc. etc.
The bottom line is that these two evidence-based, non-conventional, non-toxic therapies can heal GERD and reduce your risk of both BE and EC.
Oh, if you would like I will email you the link to a post I wrote about smoothie recipes that are fast, nutritious and also fight GERD. Scroll down the page and let me know. I will reply to you ASAP.
Hang in there,
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
- I have Barrett’s Esophagus- what are my options?
- Barrett’s Esophagus- Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment
- Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment”
Curcumin: A Potent Protectant against Esophageal and Gastric Disorders
“Turmeric obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa has been used in the prevention and treatment of many diseases since the ancient times. Curcumin is the principal polyphenol isolated from turmeric, which exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antitumor, and antimetastatic activities.
The existing evidence indicates that curcumin can exert a wide range of beneficial pleiotropic properties in the gastrointestinal tract, such as protection against
- reflux esophagitis,
- Barrett’s esophagus,
- and gastric mucosal damage induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and necrotizing agents.
…The evidence that this turmeric derivative inhibits the invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer cells is encouraging and warrants further experimental and clinical studies with newer formulations to support the inclusion of curcumin in cancer therapy regimens…”
Does C-B-D Help With GERD (Acid Reflux)?
“Acid reflux happens when the contents of your stomach move back up into your esophagus. This can cause a painful, burning sensation in your chest and throat called heartburn.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid reflux occurs frequently. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 20 percentTrusted Source of people in the United States have GERD…
CBD is a cannabinoid, a type of compound found in cannabis plants. Along with other cannabinoids, CBD works through the endocannabinoid system. This is a signaling system in the body that researchTrusted Source has linked to a variety of processes, including inflammation, metabolism, and pain.
The use of CBD has increased greatly over the past several years with people reporting its use for a variety of health conditions.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source in looked at 376 testimonial posts on a CBD forum on the social media site Reddit. While most posts reported use of CBD for psychological conditions, 3.9 percent of them reported its use for digestive conditions, including acid reflux.
However, there’s currently no scientific evidence that directly links CBD use to improving GERD symptoms…
Cannabinoids may prevent esophageal relaxation
An important cause of GERD is the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscular valve that separates your esophagus from your stomach.
While the LES opens to let food pass into your stomach, it typically remains closed to keep your stomach contents from flowing back into your esophagus. If the LES is weakened, it can relax when it shouldn’t, leading to acid reflux.
A 2017 reviewTrusted Source of research studies notes that older studies in animals and humans have found that cannabinoids, specifically THC and the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2, appear to inhibit the relaxation of the LES.
If abnormal LES relaxations are inhibited, it means that less stomach acid can flow into the esophagus. While more research is needed, this opens the door for the study of new drugs that target LES relaxation, which may include cannabinoids…
Cannabinoids may reduce stomach acid
Medications for GERD focus on reducing the production of stomach acid. A 2016 review of research noted that cannabis and cannabinoids appear to reduce stomach acid production and may protect stomach tissue from damage…
CBD may lower inflammation and oxidative stress
GERD is associated with increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. These can both contribute to damage to the esophagus.
One of the benefits of CBD is that it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant propertiesTrusted Source. As such, it’s possible that CBD may lower inflammation and oxidative stress in GERD, although research needs to be carried out to confirm this…
As we mentioned earlier, the FDA doesn’t regulate the sale of CBD products. Because of this, it’s up to you to choose a safe, high-quality product.
You can find CBD products for sale online or purchase them directly at natural goods stores, specialty shops, or cannabis dispensaries. Some things to check for on the label include:
- CBD type: Is the product isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum CBD?
- Ingredients: Make sure that the product actually lists CBD (cannabidiol), keeping in mind that some products may list CBD as hemp extract. Other ingredients that may appear depend on the type of product and can be:
- THC
- other cannabinoids or compounds called flavonoids
- a carrier oil, such as hempseed oil or grapeseed oil
- artificial colorings or flavorings
- Concentration: Verify the amount of CBD that you’re getting per mL (for liquid products), per capsule, or per gummy.
- Certificate of analysis (COA): Reputable products should come with a COA. This means that it’s been tested by a third-party lab to make sure that it contains the ingredients and concentrations listed on the label.
- Health claims: You may come across some products that claim to treat a variety of diseases or conditions. Making claims like these is only legal for FDA-approved drugs, so if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.
It’s also important to check the laws associated with your state. CBD can be classified as either:
- Hemp-derived: These products come from cannabis plants but contain no more than 0.3 percent THC, based off of dry weight.
- Marijuana-derived, or CBD with more than 0.3 percent THC: These products also come from cannabis plants but have higher amounts of THC than do hemp-derived CBD products. The term “marijuana” is being used here as per its legal definition outlined in the Controlled Substances Act.
What you can legally buy depends on your state. While some states allow the purchase of one or both types of CBD products, in some states, you can’t purchase CBD products at all. You can check your state’s cannabis laws here…”