Following this time of excess, I found this useful study. I saw an article in GP Notebook, an excellent resource used by many GPs

The main outcome of this study is that proper adherence to lifestyle advice can reduce GORD symptoms by 40%.

The Lifestyle advice was

Normal weight

Never smoking

Exercise 30mins per day

No more than 2 cups of coffee or tea per day (i.e. limited caffeine)

Healthy diet

Antireflux lifestyle (AL) interventions and symptoms of GORD

• Study evidence (Mehta RS et al) found that adherence to AL interventions, even among regular users of PPIs and/or H2RAs linked to decreased risk of symptoms (HR 0.50; 95% CI, 0.42-0.59 for those with 5 vs no adherence to AL factors) and may prevent approximately 40% of symptoms that occur at least weekly

• In this study the the five anti-reflux lifestyle factors were normal weight (BMI >=18.5 and <25.0); never smoking; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily; no more than 2 cups of coffee, tea, or soda daily; and a prudent diet (top 40% of dietary pattern score)

Reference:

•  Mehta RS et al. Association of Diet and Lifestyle With the Risk of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in US Women. JAMA Intern Med. Published online January 4, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.7238

 

My next blog will be in the next week or so on PPI risks and benefits