Dyspepsia
Supplements studied for Dyspepsia.
Overview
SupplementDEX lists 7 supplements studied for dyspepsia across 15 trials. The strongest indexed signals include Artichoke, Calcium, Ginger. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Artichoke | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ginger | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Calcium | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Magnesium | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Nattokinase | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Astaxanthin | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
7 supplements for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
ArtichokeView supplement →
Consider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research shows artichoke leaf extract helps relieve symptoms like gas, belly fullness, and abdominal pain in people with indigestion.
- Taking 1–2 capsules (320–640 mg) two or three times daily for several weeks improved overall symptoms and quality of life in studies compared to placebo.
- Taking artichoke with ginger extract may increase these benefits.
Browse 4 studies
RCTThe Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) Extract Supplementation on Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2015
In 126 functional dyspepsia patients over 4 weeks, ginger plus artichoke extract before meals improved nausea, epigastric fullness, pain, and bloating versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Population
- Adults
- Ages
- 18–70
RCTEfficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial2003n=47
In 247 functional dyspepsia patients, artichoke leaf extract 640 mg three times daily for 6 weeks improved overall symptom scores and quality of life more than placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 1920 mg/day
- Population
- Patients with functional dyspepsia
- Participants
- 47
RCTArtichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study2002n=516
In 454 adults with self-reported dyspepsia, artichoke leaf extract 320 or 640 mg/day for 2 months reduced global dyspepsia scores ~40% and improved quality of life.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 2 months
- Dose
- 640 mg/day
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 516
Artichoke leaf extract – Recent findings reflecting effects on lipid metabolism, liver and gastrointestinal tracts1997
A review summarizes preclinical and clinical evidence that artichoke leaf extract has choleretic, lipid-lowering, and anti-dyspeptic effects with good tolerability.
CalciumView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Calcium carbonate is an antacid that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dyspepsia or indigestion.
- When taken by mouth, it works by neutralizing stomach acid and is effective for relieving indigestion and upset stomach.
Browse 3 studies
Calcium Carbonate2016
A chemistry review describes calcium carbonate sources, polymorphs, and uses; it provides no clinical outcome data on supplementation.
Calcium carbonate can be used as an antacid for gastrointestinal ailments including indigestion2003
Calcium carbonate acts as an antacid and can relieve indigestion by neutralizing gastric acid; no trial outcome data were provided in the source record.
- Effect
- Benefit
Antacids revisited: a review of their clinical pharmacology and recommended therapeutic use1999
A clinical pharmacology review notes antacids including calcium carbonate remain useful for non-ulcer dyspepsia and as phosphate binders in chronic kidney failure.
- Population
- Patients with chronic kidney failure
GingerView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- In people with indigestion, one study found that taking 1.2 g of ginger powder an hour before eating didn’t ease stomach discomfort, but it did help the stomach empty food more quickly.
Browse 2 studies
Clinical trialGinger Orally Disintegrating Tablets to Improve Swallowing in Older People2016n=10
In older adults, ginger orally disintegrating tablets increased salivary substance P and improved swallowing function versus baseline in a small clinical trial.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 10
- Ages
- 63–90
RCTEffect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia2011n=11
In 11 functional dyspepsia patients, ginger 1.2 g accelerated gastric emptying and reduced post-meal fullness versus placebo in a crossover double-blind study.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 1.2 g/day
- Population
- Dyspepsia patients
- Participants
- 11
MelatoninView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It’s not clear if melatonin helps with indigestion (dyspepsia) in adults.
- Early research shows that taking 5 mg of melatonin nightly for 12 weeks can improve symptoms in people with functional dyspepsia, but this benefit may be less in those who previously had Helicobacter pylori infection.
Browse 1 study
RCTTherapeutic effect of melatonin in patients with functional dyspepsia2007n=30
In 60 adults aged 19–39 with functional dyspepsia, 5 mg melatonin nightly for 12 weeks resolved symptoms completely in 56.6% versus placebo, with partial improvement in 30%.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 5 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 30
- Ages
- 19–39
MagnesiumView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Magnesium salts help relieve occasional constipation and chronic constipation when used for a short time.
- Common types include magnesium citrate (11.3–17.45 grams), magnesium hydroxide (2.4–4.8 grams, like 30–60 mL of milk of magnesia), magnesium oxide, and magnesium sulfate (10–30 grams), with Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) being the strongest.
- Always use magnesium laxatives with a full 8-ounce (240 mL) glass of water and only as needed.
- Magnesium oxide may help adults with chronic constipation.
- Experts suggest starting with 400–500 mg daily and adjusting based on how you feel.
- In one study, taking 1.5 grams daily in divided doses for 28 days helped increase bowel movements.
- The long-term effects are unknown, so talk to your doctor if you need to use it regularly.
Browse 3 studies
FAMOTIDINE/ANTACID COMBINATION TABLETS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEARTBURN THAN EITHER COMPONENT ALONE2004n=1,640
A study of 1,640 patients with food-induced heartburn found that a combination of 10 mg famotidine + antacid (800 mg calcium carbonate + 165 mg magnesium hydroxide; FACT) was more effective than either treatment alone (10 mg famotidine or antacid containing 800 mg calcium carbonate + 165 mg magnesium hydroxide) for rapid relief of symptoms (compared to famotidine) and maintenance of relief from heartburn (compared to antacid).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 165 mg
- Population
- Heartburn patients
- Participants
- 1,640
A comparison of famotidine/antacid combination (FACT) vs. ranitidine 75 mg or calcium carbonate 1000 mg on human gastric acid secretion2000n=20
An RCT of 20 healthy subjects found a famotidine-calcium carbonate-magnesium hydroxide combination (FACT) reduced gastric pH faster than ranitidine 75 mg and longer than calcium carbonate 1,000 mg alone.
- Dose
- 1000 mg
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 20
RCTComparison of the effect of the antacid Rennie versus low-dose H2-receptor antagonists (ranitidine, famotidine) on intragastric acidity1998n=16
A cross-over study of 16 participants comparing Rennie (1360 mg calcium-magnesium carbonate), famotidine 10 mg, ranitidine 75 mg and placebo found that Rennie was able to most rapidly increase intragastric pH but this increase was not effectively sustained when monitored during 4-hr gastric pH-metry. Rennie: Increased pH > 3 within 5.8 minutes, sustained for 10.4% of 4-hr gastric pH-metry Ranitidine: Increased pH > 3 within 64.9 minutes, sustained for 61.4% of 4-hr gastric pH-metry Famotidine: Increased pH > 3 within 70.1 minutes, sustained for 56.6% of 4-hr gastric pH-metry Whilst a
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 1360 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 16
AstaxanthinView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if astaxanthin helps indigestion.
- One study found that taking astaxanthin daily for 4 weeks did not improve indigestion, pain, or stomach bacteria counts compared to placebo.
- The higher dose (40 mg) might reduce acid reflux in people with a common stomach infection.
Browse 1 study
RCTEfficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study2008n=44
In 132 functional dyspepsia patients over 4 weeks, astaxanthin 16 or 40 mg/day did not improve overall dyspepsia scores, though the 40 mg dose significantly reduced reflux symptoms, especially with H. pylori.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Dose
- 40 mg
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 44
NattokinaseView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is not enough evidence to determine if nattokinase has any benefit for dyspepsia.
Browse 1 study
RCTFermented soy supplementation improves indicators of quality of life: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in adults experiencing heartburn2020n=27
In 50 adults with heartburn, up to 3 g/day fermented soy sachets for 3 weeks did not reduce heartburn severity or frequency vs placebo, though some quality-of-life items improved.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Dose
- 3 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 27
- Ages
- 18–60
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | ★★★★★64% | 4 | 0 | 27% |
| Calcium | ★★★★★44% | 3 | 0 | 20% |
| Magnesium | ★★★★★36% | 3 | 0 | 20% |
| Ginger | ★★★★★44% | 2 | 0 | 13% |
| Astaxanthin | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Nattokinase | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 7% |