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The Science of Alginate Therapy

Alginate therapy harnesses the natural healing ability of kelp. Alginate is anall-natural polymer harvested from brown seaweed. Alginates have been used safely in the food industry for over 100 years... In clinical studies alginates alone have benn proven effective in treating reflux. Further studies have shown that adding PPIs... does not improve the treatment of reflux. Unlike other options, in addition to relieving the pain of reflux, alginate therapy actually stops reflux from happening.

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 Alginate therapy is effective treatment for GERD symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis, treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is highly effective. However, in some patients, especially those with nonerosive reflux disease or atypical GERD symptoms, acid-suppressive therapy with PPIs is not as successful. Alginates are medications that work through an alternative mechanism by displacing the postprandial gastric acid pocket.

Articles of Interest

Alginates for GERD

Alginates are a compound found in seaweed that helps with symptoms of GERD. They work by forming a gel-like barrier between your stomach and esophagus, which prevents stomach acid from flowing backward. You can buy them over the counter.

An alginate-antacid formulation (Gaviscon Double Action Liquid®) can eliminate the postprandial “acid pocket” in symptomatic GERD patients

Recently, an “acid pocket” has been described in the proximal stomach, particularly evident postprandially in GERD patients, when heartburn is common. By creating a low density gel “raft” that floats on top of gastric contents, alginate-antacid formulations may neutralize the “acid pocket”.

Antacids and Alginates: What’s the Difference?

When sodium alginate mixes with the acid in your stomach, it forms a “raft” that floats on the top of your stomach contents. This creates a physical barrier over your stomach contents, which stops the excess stomach acid coming back up into your oesophagus (food pipe) – helping to soothe the burning pain in your chest associated with heartburn and indigestion. Treatment with an alginate product can also help reduce the amount of pepsin and bile in your stomach contents – other digestive acids that can contribute to reflux symptoms.

Raft Formation of Sodium Alginate in the Stomach

Sodium alginate is used to relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. When combined with acid, sodium alginate precipitates and forms a gel form. Bicarbonate-containing alginate formulations such as Gaviscon (Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare, Hull, UK) release carbon dioxide as a reaction to gastric acid, and the carbon dioxide is entrapped in the gel precipitate, forming a “raft.”

Raft forming system—An upcoming approach of gastroretentive drug delivery system

Alginates are established among the most versatile biopolymers, used in a wide range of applications. Alginate-based raft-forming formulations usually contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate; in the presence of gastric acid, the bicarbonate is converted into carbon dioxide which entraps within the gel precipitate, converting it into foam and floats on the surface of the gastric contents, like a raft on water. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that alginate-based rafts can entrap carbon dioxide, as well as antacid components contained in some formulations, thus providing a relatively pH-neutral barrier.

Review article: alginate-raft formulations in the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux

Alginate-based raft-forming formulations have been marketed word-wide for over 30 years under various brand names, including Gaviscon. They are used for the symptomatic treatment of heartburn and oesophagitis, and appear to act by a unique mechanism which differs from that of traditional antacids. In the presence of gastric acid, alginates precipitate, forming a gel. Alginate-based raft-forming formulations usually contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate; in the presence of gastric acid, the bicarbonate is converted to carbon dioxide which becomes entrapped within the gel precipitate, converting it into a foam which floats on the surface of the gastric contents, much like a raft on water.

What medication, such as Gaviscon (alginate), floats on top of stomach acid for reflux managemen

Alginate-based formulations offer a unique approach to reflux management through their raft-forming properties, providing both rapid onset and extended duration of action compared to traditional antacids.

Resources

Reflux Gourmet

We at Reflux Gourmet are dedicated to helping those who suffer by developing all natural treatments. We believe products should be effective, convenient, and – above all else – safe. And tasty!

Gaviscon

Gaviscon® contains an alginate, which is a type of medication that’s particularly effective for relief from acid reflux. Alginates are non-systemic (not in the bloodstream), work faster than H2-blockers and last longer than traditional antacids. Unlike other medications that simply reduce or inhibit the production of stomach acid, Gaviscon® gets to the root of the problem by forming a foaming protective barrier between your stomach and esophagus (throat). This barrier helps block stomach acid from splashing up into your esophagus, which provides quick, effective, and long-lasting relief from acid reflux and heartburn.