Most, but not all, stomach ulcers are caused, in part, by infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. First get your doctor to check if you have the bacterium. Conventionally ulcers are treated with a combination of two antibiotics, plus a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) drug, which stops you making stomach acid. But there are natural remedies that work.PPI drugs should be for short-term use only, as the suppression of stomach acid is extremely bad for nutrient absorption and leads to all sorts of complications as a result, including increased risk of osteoporosis, brain shrinkage and infections.
There is plenty you can do nutritionally to prevent stomach ulcers and help them to heal, rather than simply relieving the symptoms.
Natural remedies that help treat this infection
Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) Acidophilus and Bifidus bacteria slow the growth of H. pylori in six weeks [1] and can even kill it. Probiotics can also significantly reduce side effects and improve the effectiveness of conventional treatment. I recommend taking a high-strength probioticProbiotics are commonly referred to as ‘friendly’ or ‘good’ bacteria. They support good health by improving the balance of bacteria within the digestive system…. providing 10 billion CFUs daily a week before, and for three months after, antibiotic therapy. (Probiotics are graded by the number of colony forming units (CFUs) contained in them – it’s a fancy way of saying ‘live and healthy microbes’).
Oregano is one of the best natural agents against H. pylori, and it is thought to work by inhibiting the way H. pylori produces chemicals that neutralise acid in their vicinity, allowing them to survive, so it is effectively a natural antibiotic. You can buy capsules or tinctures. Take 15–45mg a day.
Deglycyrrhised liquorice root (DGL) also suppresses H. pylori growth and helps to repair and strengthen the stomach lining. Take 500mg–1,500mg a day. Make sure you take the DGL form, since liquorice can raise blood pressure if taken in the long term.
Mastic gum is another remedy that’s making the headlines, although evidence is not conclusive. It has been used in traditional Greek medicine for thousands of years for various gastrointestinal disorders, including peptic ulcers. Researchers in Greece in 2012 found that although it did not completely eradicate H. pylori, it reduced numbers. [2] It’s worth trying, although it’s not proven to have no side effects. Take 1,000mg twice a day for three months.
I would recommend taking probiotics before having the usual triple therapy (two antibiotics, plus a PPI drug, as mentioned above), then having the triple therapy followed by natural remedies for three months under the guidance of a nutritional therapist.
How to reduce acid-stimulating foods and gastric irritants
The stomach produces acid to digest proteinProteins are large molecules consisting of chains of amino acids. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body – they are a building block of…. Following a high-protein diet (high in meat, fish and eggs) is likely to aggravate inflamed stomach membranes further.
Coffee and alcohol, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) also aggravate the gut wall. The combination of painkillers and alcohol, if you have ulceration, is extremely dangerous, as it can cause internal bleeding.
Nevertheless, oily fish have the advantage of containing anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, which help to calm down inflamed membranes, so eating oily fish in moderation is likely to do more good than harm.
Although spicy foods are thought to be acid forming, in fact they are alkaline and provided you don’t feel worse, evidence shows that they don’t make ulcers worse.
Heal the gut with vitamin A and glutamine
Vitamin A and the amino acid glutamine help to regenerate healthy epithelial cells, which line the digestive tract. Glutamine is best taken as a powder: take 1 heaped teaspoon (5g) in a glass of cold water last thing at night on an empty stomach. A generous supply of glutamine can help repair and maintain a healthy small intestinal lining. Taking this for a month can help to heal ulcers.
Vitamin A, in the animal form called retinol, is also vital for healthy cells in the stomach. Although high doses are not recommended during pregnancy, if you are...
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