peptic 2.htm

7/31/2019 Peptic 2.Htm

1/4

Peptic Ulcer

What we call an ulcer, doctors call a peptic ulcer, to distinguish it from other forms of ulcerthat can affect many parts of the body. Peptic ulcers are erosions in the stomach orduodenum (the first part of the small intestine); these ulcers often bleed and have many

causes.

Many peptic ulcers are caused by an infection. The responsible bug isHelicobacter pylori.While at least one herb (licorice root, see below) may help kill these bacteria, until more isknown, if your ulcer is due to infection it s wise to discuss treatmenta combination ofantibiotics and bismuthwith your medical doctor. Ulcers can also be caused orexacerbated by stress, alcohol, smoking and dietary factors.

Dietary changes that may be helpful: Those with ulcers appear to eat more sugar,1 andsugar increases stomach acid.2 Salt is a stomach and intestinal irritant. The higher the intakeof salt, the higher the risk of stomach (though not duodenal) ulcer.3 It s best to restrict theuse of both sugar and salt.

Many years ago, researchers found that cabbage juice accelerated healing of peptic ulcers.4 5

Drinking a quart per day is necessary, but pain relief may occur in just a few days. Carrotuice can be added to improve the flavor.

Fiberslows the movement of food and acidic fluid from the stomach to the intestines, whichshould help those with duodenal ulcer.6 When people with recently healed duodenal ulcerswere put on a long-term (six months) high-fiber diet, the rate of ulcer recurrence wasdramatically reduced.7

Ayurvedic doctors in India have traditionally used dried banana powder to treat ulcers. Aresearch trial studying those with ulcers confirmed that it helps.8 Bananas and unsweetenedbanana chips are probably good substitutes, although ideal intake remains unknown.

Years ago, food allergies were linked to peptic ulcer.9 Exposure to allergic foods canactually cause stomach bleeding.10 If an ulcer is not from an infection and does not respondto natural treatment, ask a nutritionally oriented doctor about the possibility of an allergy-triggered ulcer.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful:Aspirin and related drugs,11

alcohol,12

coffee13

(evendecaf),14 and tea15 increase stomach acidity, which can interfere with the healing of an ulcer.Smoking also slows ulcer healing.16 Whether or not an ulcer was caused by infection, all ofthe above should be avoided.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: Vitamin A and zinc, both needed in thehealing process, may help people with peptic ulcers.17 18 While the zinc research used 150 mgper day in adults (a very high amount), many people take 15-40 mg per day. Even at thesedoses, its necessary to take 1-3 mg ofcopperper day to avoid a copper deficiency. Very

Page1 of 4Peptic Ulcer

7/12/2011http://www.homeopathicdoctor.ca/Health_Notes/CONCERN/PEPTIC_2.HTM


2/4

high amounts of vitamin A (100,000 IU per day) have also been used successfully, but suchamounts can be quite toxic and require the supervision of a nutritionally oriented doctor. Asafe dose for women of child-bearing age is 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day and probably25,000 IU (7,500 mcg) for other adults.

Glutamine, an amino acid, is the principal source of energy for the cells that line the small

intestine and stomach and helps them heal. Glutamine may help treat ulcers.19 Somenutritionally oriented doctors suggest 500-1000 mg of glutamine two to three times per day.

Research has shown that some bioflavonoidssuch asquercetin, catechin, and apigenin,which is found in chamomileinhibit the growth ofH. pyloribacteria.20 Bioflavonoids havealso been used for ulcers because of their anti-inflammatory activity.21 A reasonable amountis 500-1,000 mg of the bioflavonoid quercetin two to three times per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? (Refer to the individual supplement forcomplete information.) Women who are or could become pregnant should take less than

10,00 IU per day of vitamin A to avoid the risk of birth defects. For other adults, intakeabove 25,000 IU per day canuncommonlycause headaches, dry skin, hair loss, fatigue,bone problems, and liver damage. Zinc intake in excess of 300 mg per day may impairimmune function; seek guidance from a nutritionally oriented doctor.

No consistent toxicity has been linked to the bioflavonoids; the exception is for abioflavonoid called cianidanol, which is not found in supplements.

Herbs that may be helpful: Licorice root has a long history of use for soothing inflamedand injured mucous membranes in the digestive tract. Licorice may protect the stomach andduodenum (two areas where ulcers most commonly occur) by increasing production of

mucin, a substance that protects the lining of these organs against stomach acid and otherharmful substances.22Licorice also appears to inhibit Helicobacter pylori. 23

For ulcers, many physicians use licorice root in its deglycyrrhizinated form (DGL). Thisremoves the portion of licorice root associated with increasing blood pressure and causingwater retention in some people, while retaining the mucous membrane-healing part of theroot. In studies, DGL has compared favorably to the popular drug Tagamet for treatment ofpeptic ulcer disease.24

Doctors often suggest taking one to two chewable tablets of DGL (250-500 mg) fifteen

minutes before meals and one to two hours before bedtime.

Chamomilehas a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes. It is alsohigh in the bioflavonoid apigenin. Many people drink two to three cups of strong chamomiletea each day, which can be made by combining 3-5 ml of chamomile tincture with hot water.Chamomile is also available in capsules.

Marshmallow is high in mucilage. High-mucilage containing herbs have a long history ofuse for irritated or inflamed mucous membranes in the digestive system.




3/4

Are there any side effects or interactions? (Refer to the individual herb for completeinformation.) Licorice products without the glycyrrhizin removed may increase bloodpressure and cause water retention. Some people are more sensitive to this effect that others.Long-term intake of products containing more than 1 g of glycyrrhizin (which is the amountin approximately 10 g of root) daily is the usual amount required to cause these effects. As aresult of these possible side effects, long-term intake of high levels of glycyrrhizin are

discouraged and should only be undertaken if prescribed by a qualified health careprofessional. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice extracts do not cause these side effects becausethere is no glycyrrhizin in them.

Though rare, allergic reactions to chamomile have been reported. These reactions haveincluded bronchial constriction with internal use and allergic skin reactions with topical use.While such side effects are extremely uncommon, persons with allergies to plants of the

Asteraceae family (ragweed, aster, and chrysanthemum) should avoid use of chamomile.

Checklist for Peptic Ulcer

References:

1. Katchinski BD, Logan RFA, Edmond M, Langman MJS. Duodenal ulcer and refined carbohydrate intake: a case-controlstudy assessing dietary fiber and refined sugar intake. Gut1990;31:993-6.2. Yudkin J. Eating and ulcers. BMJFeb 16, 1980:483 [letter].3. Sonnenberg A. Dietary salt and gastric ulcer. Gut1986;27:1138-42.4. Cheney G. Rapid healing of peptic ulcers in patients receiving fresh cabbage juice. Cal Med1949;70:10.5. Doll R, Pygott F. Clinical trial of Robaden and of cabbage juice in the treatment of gastric ulcer. Lancet1954;ii:1200.

6. Grimes DS, Goddard J. Gastric emptying of wholemeal and white bread. Gut1977;18:725-9.7. Rydning A, Berstad A, Aadland E, Odegaard B. Prophylactic effect of dietary fiber in duodenal ulcer disease. Lancet1982;ii:736-9.8. Sikka KK, Singhai CM, Vajpcyi GN. Efficacy of dried raw banana powder in the healing of peptic ulcer. J Assoc PhysIndia 1988;36(1):65 (abstr).9. Kern RA, Stewart G. Allergy in duodenal ulcer: incidence and significance of food hypersensitivities as observed in 32patients. J Allergy1931;3:51.10. Reimann HJ, Lewin J. Gastric mucosal reactions in patients with food allergy. Am J Gastroenterol1988;83:1212-9.11. Allison MC, Howatson AG, Caroline MG, et al. Gastrointestinal damage associated with the use of nonsteroidalantiinflammatory drugs. N Engl J Med1992;327:749-54.12. Lenz HJ, Ferrari-Taylor J, Isenberg JI. Wine and five percent ethanol are potent stimulants of gastric acid secretion inhumans. Gastroenterol1983;85:1082-7.

Nutritional Supplements Herbs Homeopathic Remedies

Fiber

Vitamin A

Zinc

Glutamine

Bioflavonoids (Quercetin,catechin, apigenin)

DeglycyrrhizinatedLicorice

Chamomile

Marshmallow

No homeopathycommonly used for thiscondition




4/4

13. Cohen S, Booth GH Jr. Gastric acid secretion and lower-esophageal-sphincter pressure in response to coffee andcaffeine. N Engl J Med1975;293:897-9.14. Feldman EJ, Isenberg JI, Grossman MI. Gastric acid and gastrin response to decaffeinated coffee and a peptone meal.JAMA 1981;246:248-50. 15. Dubey P, Sundram KR, Nundy S. Effect of tea on gastric acid secretion. Dig Dis Sci1984;29:202-6.16. Korman MG, Hansky J, Eaves ER, Schmidt GT. Influence of cigarette smoking on healing and relapse in duodenal ulcerdisease. Gastroenterol1983;85:871-4.17. Patty I, Benedek S, Deak G, et al. Controlled trial of vitamin A therapy in gastric ulcer. Lancet1982;ii:876 [letter].

18. Frommer DJ. The healing of gastric ulcers by zinc sulphate. Med J Aust1975;2:793.19. Shive W, Snider RN, DuBilier B, et al. Glutamine in treatment of peptic ulcer. Texas State J MedNov 1957:840.20. Beil W, Birkholz C, Sewing KF. Ef fects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion, gastri c mucosal prostaglandinproduction and Helicobacter pylorigrowth.Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1995; 45:697-700.21. Wendt P, Reiman H, et al. The use of flavonoids as inhibitors of histidine decarboxylase in gastric diseases: Experimentaland clinical studies. Naunyn-Schmeidbergs Arch Pharmakol1980; 313(Suppl):238.22. Goso Y, Ogata Y, Ishihara K, Hotta K. Effects of traditional herbal medicine on gastric mucin against ethanol-inducedgastric injury in rats. Comp Biochem Physiol1996; 113C:17-21.23. Beil W, Birkholz W, Sewing KF. Ef fects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion, gastri c mucosal prostaglandinproduction and Helicobacter pylori growth.Arzneim Forsch 1995;45:697-700.

24. Brogden RN, Speight TM, Avery GS. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice: A report of its pharmacological properties andtherapeutic efficacy. Drugs 1974; 8:330-9.

Copyright 1998 Virtual Health, LLC

The information presented in HealthNotes Online is for informational purposes only. It is based onscientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article.The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed,treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician,nutritionally-oriented health care practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using anysupplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.


7/12/2011http://www homeopathicdoctor ca/Health Notes/CONCERN/PEPTIC 2 HTM

peptic 2.htm

Documents