Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Literature Review and Exploratory Study

Abstract

Background: Management strategies for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. A very low carbohydrate diet (VLCD) may offer an effective treatment option. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a VLCD on GERD through a literature review and exploratory study. Methods: We performed a literature search using MeSH and free-text terms in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar to summarize the available evidence through March 2023. Furthermore, we conducted an exploratory study in patients with GERD and a BMI > 25 kg/m2 without prior antireflux surgery. The subjects followed a strict VLCD guided by a medical bariatrician for 4 weeks and completed periodical medical and laboratory evaluations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to assess the covariates before and after intervention. Significance level (α) was set at .05. Results: We found 5 studies reporting the effects of a VLCD on GERD. All of them reported relief of GERD-related symptoms and a decrease in distal acid exposure time (AET) in the short term (6 days to 16 weeks) in most subjects. In our exploratory study, a VLCD reduced the mean BMI (32.2 ± 2.75 vs 30.4 ± 2.23 kg/m2, P = .022) and AET (10.8 ± 3.7 vs 5.5 ± 4.2%, P = .049) among the cohort. Moreover, the DeMeester score and number of proximal reflux episodes improved in 3 patients, and the GERD-Health Related Quality of Life score improved in all 4. Conclusions: Current evidence, including our exploratory study, suggests that a VLCD in overweight or obese patients with GERD may have significant immediate benefits. Further studies are warranted.