Dietary Supplement for the Treatment of Acid Reflux and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD/GERD)

Abstract

Use of dietary fibre material extracted from sugar cane in the manufacture of a food product that is formulated to ameliorate the effects of acid reflux and extended symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The product ameliorates both the acute and long term symptoms of both conditions.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The use of dietary fibre material extracted from sugar cane in the manufacture of a food product that is formulated to ameliorate the effects of acid reflux and GORD conditions. 
     
     
         9 . The use of  claim 8 , wherein the sugar cane fibre is prepared via a process including the steps of: subjecting the sugar cane material to at least one wet diffusion step to separate sugars from a residual fibre material whilst maintaining nutrient content; and subjecting the residual fibre material to a rapid, low-heat drying process thereby to retain the biologically active molecules in the fibre, and to enhance the water retention properties of said residual fibre product. 
     
     
         10 . The use of  claim 9 , wherein the wet extraction step is a diffusion extraction, done under relatively low-shear conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The use of  claim 8 , wherein the wet extraction step temperature is in the range 25° C. to 70° C. 
     
     
         12 . A food product formulated to ameliorate the effects of Acid reflux or GORD over an extended period; said food product containing dietary fibre material extracted from sugar cane, said dietary fibre material preferably having been prepared according to the steps defined above. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treatment of the effects of Acid reflux or GORD over an extended period in an individual by feeding to said individual a food product incorporating dietary fibre material extracted from sugar cane. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said dietary fibre material has been prepared according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating acid reflux in a human in need thereof consisting essentially of administering therapeutically effective amounts of sugarcane fiber and a component selected from the group consisting of psyllium and bran to effectively treat the acid reflux in the human in need thereof.