Some Vitamins and Supplements for Acid Reflux

Some supplements, including ginger and probiotics, may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux.
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common digestive issue.
It’s associated with a range of side effects, including heartburn, nausea, belching, and stomach pain (1Trusted Source).

In addition to medications like antacids and proton pump inhibitors, most treatments for acid reflux involve making dietary or lifestyle changes.
Many vitamins, herbs, and supplements may also help provide relief from symptoms.
Here are 6 supplements that may be beneficial for the treatment of acid reflux.

۱. B vitamins
Some research suggests that B vitamins, including folate, riboflavin, and vitamin B6, may help treat acid reflux.
In fact, one study found that increased intake of several B vitamins was associated with a lower risk of reflux esophagitis, a condition characterized by inflammation in the esophagus often caused by acid reflux (8Trusted Source).
What’s more, greater intakes of folate and vitamin B6 were linked to a lower risk of esophagus cancer and a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, both of which are potential complications of long-term GERD (8Trusted Source).
Further research is needed to evaluate how B vitamins may affect acid reflux symptoms when used alone.

۲. Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that’s primarily responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle (10Trusted Source).
Although it’s typically used to treat insomnia and improve sleep quality, some studies have found that melatonin may also aid in the treatment of acid reflux.
What’s more, some studies suggest that melatonin may help protect against inflammation of the esophagus, which could prevent long-term health issues associated with GERD, such as Barrett’s esophagus (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

۳. Probiotics
Probiotics are a type of beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract. They play a key role in gut health and immune function (18Trusted Source).
Some research has found that supplementing with probiotics may help decrease symptoms of acid reflux.
Plus, one recent study found that taking probiotics may reduce the risk of gut flora changes caused by long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat GERD (21Trusted Source).

۴. Ginger
Ginger, which is scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is a plant that’s used as both a spice and herbal supplement.
It’s often used to soothe stomach upset and treat issues like nausea and indigestion (22Trusted Source).
One small study found that taking 3 grams of ginger powder daily for 4 weeks improved several symptoms of indigestion, including stomach pain, belching, and feelings of fullness (23Trusted SourceTrusted Source).
Another study found that ginger may speed stomach emptying. Delayed stomach emptying can contribute to symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn and regurgitation (24Trusted SourceTrusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

That said, consuming high amounts of ginger may cause adverse side effects and worsen issues like heartburn and stomach discomfort, so be sure to only use it as directed (28Trusted Source).
The bottom line
A variety of natural remedies may help treat acid reflux, including many vitamins and supplements.
In particular, supplements like B vitamins, melatonin, probiotics, and ginger have been shown to help relieve symptoms of acid reflux.
For best results, be sure to combine these supplements with other healthy dietary and lifestyle changes to help reduce acid reflux.