Zinc's role in heartburn reliefEsophageal ulcer related to zinc deficiency following a total gastrectomy.
We investigated how zinc affects heartburn through the case of a 76-year-old Japanese man who experienced significant discomfort after undergoing a total gastrectomy. For two weeks, he suffered from a sore throat, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing. Endoscopy revealed deep, craterlike ulcers in his esophagus, but tests for viral infections were negative.
After initial treatment, his symptoms returned, prompting further investigation. Eventually, we found that his serum zinc level was low at 38 µg/dL, which led to a diagnosis of zinc deficiency. Following oral zinc supplementation, the patient reported relief from his symptoms and a noticeable improvement in the esophageal ulcers observed during a follow-up endoscopy.
Over the five years since his treatment, the patient has continued to take zinc supplements and has not faced similar issues again. This case suggests that zinc can play a crucial role in treating heartburn issues related to ulcers, especially in those with a deficiency.
Read More
Vitamin C reduces heartburn symptomsThe safety and efficacy of 2% vitamin C solution spray for relief of mucosal irritation caused by Lugol chromoendoscopy: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel trial.
We investigated how vitamin C, specifically in the form of a 2% vitamin C solution spray, could help alleviate heartburn symptoms following Lugol chromoendoscopy, a procedure that involves staining the esophagus to better visualize abnormalities. In a well-structured study with 240 participants, we used a randomized, double-blind approach to compare the effectiveness of vitamin C to normal saline and sodium thiosulfate solutions.
Our results showed that vitamin C spray significantly reduced both acute heartburn symptoms and late discomfort when compared to the saline solution. Specifically, 33% of participants using vitamin C reported relief from acid regurgitation or heartburn, compared to just 15% with sodium thiosulfate. Additionally, patients noted an improvement in retrosternal pain, with 21% finding relief from the vitamin C treatment versus 9% from sodium thiosulfate.
Furthermore, vitamin C offered a quicker discoloration of the iodine-stained mucosa compared to saline, enhancing the overall experience of the procedure. These findings suggest that incorporating vitamin C spray into post-procedural care could be a helpful strategy for patients facing discomfort after undergoing Lugol chromoendoscopy.
Read More