See mainstream treatments for stomach ulcers to understand why it is better to use alternative methods.
By recognizing the symptoms of a stomach ulcer as early as possible, the spread of the ulcer can be arrested and fully cured within a few weeks. Ignoring the symptoms could lead to the spreading of the ulcer, causing a lot of pain and discomfort, plus the possibility of serious damage requiring constant medication.
• Eradicate H. pylori (in most stomach ulcer cases, these bacteria have colonized in the epithelium lining the gastric mucosa)
• Protect the ulcer/sore from further irritation.
(a) Reduce secretion / pH of gastric acid
(b) Aid gastroprotection i.e. Counteract damage to ulcer / gastric mucosa by ways unrelated to inhibition of acid secretion i.e. Coat ulcer, promote mucin production by mucus cells, remove irritant factors from diet
• Aid healing / repair of stomach lining
• Restore healthy pH of gastric acid to prevent return of H. pylori. May require a supplement of betaine HCl (hydrochloride) before meals. Promotes production of additional hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
• Avoid causes and lower risk factors of getting a stomach ulcer. Especially use hygienic practices to avoid H. Pylori contamination in food and drink. Wash hands after using the bathroom. H. Pylori is also a major risk factor for stomach cancer.
Omega-3 EPA (in fish oil) and omega-6 GLA (in blackcurrant, borage and evening primrose oils) provide fatty acids that can be converted to Series 1 and 3 anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, in competition for COX enzymes with omega-6 AA fatty acids (in abundance in today's typical seed oil rich diet), which convert to generally inflammatory prostanoids
EPA is found in fish oil.
Fish oils provide alternative fatty acids to arachidonic acid. These acids can be turned into some anti-inflammatory prostacyclins by COX instead of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.[11]
Plant polyphenols have several properties that can kill H. Pylori, protect the stomach mucosal lining and heal stomach ulcers. They do this by stimulating and upregulating the body's own natural antioxidant / anti-inflammatory defense systems.
Polyphenols - Antioxidant / Anti-inflammatory / Anti-cancer effects
A variety of polyphenols have been found to inhibit COX-2 enzyme, O'Leary et al, 2004
Grapefruit seed extract reduces ulcers, kills H. Pylori, and is gastroprotective (i.e. counteracts stomach lining damage)
Grapefruit seeds have been shown to possess antibacterial (including anti-H.Pylori), antiviral and antifungal properties. Such anti-microbial properties are attributed to the antioxidative activity of citrus polyphenol flavonoids found in grapefruit, including naringinin, catechins, epicatechin, epicatechin-3-O-gallate and dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric procyanidins. Heggers, 2002; Reagor, 2002; Proteggente, 2002
Naringenin is a major bioactive flavonoid in grapefruit (responsible for its bitter taste). Naringinin exhibited potent anti-H. pylori activity in vitro Bae et al, 1999 and was implicated in protecting liver cells against injury [Blankson, 2000]. Naringenin was reported to exhibit gastroprotection against gastric injury in rats predominantly due to an increase in mucus secretion, with the suggestion of involvement of endogenous protective prostaglandins (PGs) Motilva, 1994
Study also found that this extract in minute doses causes dose-dependent reduction of acute gastric lesions induced in rats.
GSE heals ulcers in rats. As reported by BBC News, in May 2005, researchers headed up by Dr. Thomas Brzozowski at Jagiellonian University, in Poland, used GSE extract to heal stomach ulcers in rats. Brzozowski et al, 2005;
The study authors concluded that GSE's beneficial effects were due to:
• Its antibacterial and antioxidant properties
• Significantly increasing blood flow at the ulcer sites;
• Mucosal generation of protective prostaglandin PGE2;
• Preserving body's antioxidant SOD enzyme activity;
• Reducing gastric acid production (also increased plasma GASTRIN levels, which may be a secondary effect to inhibiting gastric acid production; release of GASTRIN promotes ulcer healing); rats pretreated at 10mg GSE/kg before inducing ulcers had a 50% reduction in gastric acid secretion;
• Reducing free radical-dependent lipid peroxidation.
• Protective effect in the stomach may also involve endogenous prostaglandins (PGs) derived from COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme activity and neuropeptides released from afferent sensory nerves.
Reduce but do not completely eradicate H. Pylori
Take a tablespoon of Manuka Honey UMF 10+ or higher (UMF goes up to 20+) before meals 3 times and before bedtime. This honey (made from New Zealand bees feeding on tea tree bushes) has antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory properties due to its rich polyphenol content Cianciosi, 2018 and can cure most stomach problems such as Barrett'sesophagus, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Reported to eradicate H. Pyrori within a month.
Panax ginseng. Atsushi et al, 2010
Turmeric. Shown to very successfully kill H. pylori . Turmeric is also one of the top herbal treatments for cancer.
Garlic. Sivam, 2001
Licorice root extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra). In vitro study found that glycyrrhetinic acid inhibited 79.3% (23/29) of H. pylori strains tested at ≤50 mg/L. [Krausse et al, 2004]. Prevents H. Pylori adhesion to gastric mucosa Wittschier, 2009. Orally administered glycyrrhizic acid is almost completely hydrolysed into glycyrrhetinic acid in the stomach and absorbed in the intestinal tract.
Amaranth seed extract. Its ability to scavenge endogenous ROS was shown to account for the maintenance, integrity and homeostasis of gastric mucosa. Zayachkivsha et al, 2005
Capsaicin extract. In chili peppers. Reduces gastric lesions
Other herbal extracts. Several herbs extracted in methanol have been shown to inhibit the growth of H. Pylori in vitro at different minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). These herbs, which visibly inhibit growth after overnight incubation, include Myristica fragrans (nutmeg seed), Zingiber officinale (ginger rhizome/root) , Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary leaf), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel seed), Passiflora incarnata (purple passion flower leaf), Origanum majorana (oregano leaf) . Mahady et al, 2005. All these herbs are available as extracts.
| Effects of substances on stomach ulcers (Note: Most studies were with rats or mice) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substance / Extract | Reduces gastric acid production |
Kills H.Pylori | Gastroprotective | Effective Dose |
| Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) | Brzozowski et al, 2005; |
Bae et al, 1999 Brzozowski et al, 2005; Heggers, 2002; Reagor, 2002; Proteggente, 2002; |
Brzozowski et al, 2005; Blankson, 2000; Motilva, 1994; |
|
| Licorice root extract |
Krausse et al, 2004; Wittschier, 2009 |
Wittschier, 2009 Jalilzadeh-Amin et al, 2015 |
||
| Turmeric | yes | |||
| Garlic | Sivam, 2001 | |||
| Manuka honey | Cianciosi, 2018 | Yes | ||
| Probiotics | Reduce population | |||
| Amaranth seed extract | Zayachkivsha et al, 2005 | |||
| Panax ginseng | Atsushi et al, 2010 | 100mg/kg | ||
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) PubMed; Myristica fragans (Nutmeg seed) PubMed
For bleeding ulcers, consume non-irritating fiber-containing mucilage. The following foods help protect the stomach lining and are easy to digest and nutritious, but be aware that most of these do not have any direct affect on H. Pylori.
Slippery Elm Bark
Psyllium seed
Guar gum
Flaxseed (consume 2 tsp. fresh-ground flaxseed mixed in milk or plain yogurt a couple times / day).
Used against peptic ulcers as an alternative to bismuth in quadruple therapy. G. galabra protects against acid and pepsin secretions by covering the lesion and promoting mucosal protective factors. Asi, 2008
G. galabra has anti-H. pylori effects. Similar to bismuth.
G. galabra supports local prostaglandins that promote mucus secretion and cell proliferation in the stomach. G. glabra extracts showed significant anti-ulcer activities in mice, attributed to its antioxidant / radical scavenging activities protecting tissues against radical / ROS damage and inflammation. Jalilzadeh-Amin et al, 2015
May inhibit the adhesion of H. pylori to human stomach tissue. Both aqueous extracts (1 mg/mL) and polysaccharides from the roots of the plant are strong anti-adhesives and show cytoprotective effects. Wittschier et al., 2009.
Glycyrrhizic acid in licorice can raise blood pressure when used on a frequent basis.
Reduces contact between stomach lining and stomach acid
• Eat Bananas
• Reduce stress
• STRESS
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Spicy food
• Carbonated drinks
• NSAIDS / Aspirin
• Smoking
• Excessive regular salt?????
Note on apple cider vinegar (ACV). The acidity provided by a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) isn't going to "amount to a hill of beans" in altering the stomach's acidity level
Chewing gum increases acidity.
Do not drink milk - The calcium and protein in milk stimulates the production of more acid;
Formula used contains: melatonin (2.5mg), l-tryptophan (25mg), vitamin B6 (200mg), folic acid (10mg), vitamin B12 (50lg), methionine (100mg) and betaine (trimethylglycine)(100mg) in gelatin capsules taken ONCE / day. In the case history below, treatment lasted for 9 months. De Souza Pereira, 2006
melatonin inhibits gastric acid secretion and nitric oxide (NO) production.
Bubenik et al demonstrated that a 4-wk administration of melatonin in the diet significantly reduced the incidence of spontaneous gastric ulcers in young pigs. The ulcers in this case may have been due to a deficiency of melatonin synthesis.
Recently, melatonin (combined with other natural supplements) was successfully used to heal a patient with a giant ulcer of 6 cm (about 3.2 inches). This type of ulcer is typical of HIV positive patients. This patient took omeprazole and other PPIs prescribed by gastroenterologists for months. Neither treatment produced even partial relief of his symptoms. Subsequently, he started to lose weight because he could no longer eat properly because of the acute pain, impaired swallowing and massive hematemesis (Even when he tried to drink an apple blended with water he vomitted blood). As a consequence, he lost 40 kg in 6 mo. After he consulted five gastroenterologists, he was recommended to our research group. We prescribed him the above mentioned formula with melatonin, vitamins and amino acids. In 32 d of treatment, he regained 30 kg and the ulcer was (eventually) cured. [Pereira, 2006]
Endoscopy records performed on patient. A: July 2003: Showing the ulcer (indicated by an arrow); B: July 2004: Showing that the ulcer had practically disappeared after 9 mo of treatment.
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Blankson H, Grotterød EM, Seglen PO. (2000) Prevention of toxin-induced cytoskeletal disruption and apoptotic liver cell death by the grapefruit flavonoid, naringin. Cell Death Differ. 2000;7:739-746. PubMed Google Scholar.
Brzozowski, Thomasz et al (2005) Grapefruit-seed extract attenuates ethanol-and stress-induced gastric lesions via activation of prostaglandin, nitric oxide and sensory nerve pathways. World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Nov 7; 11(41): 6450-6458. Published online 2005 Nov 7. PubMed Full text
Cianciosi, D et al (2018, Sep) Phenolic Compounds in Honey and Their Associated Health Benefits: A Review. Molecules; 23(9): 2322. PubMed
De Souza Pereira R. (2006) Regression of an esophageal ulcer using a dietary supplement containing melatonin. medicine published in J. Pineal Res. 2006 Semantic scholar (more detailed info)
Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gusman J, Reagor L, McCoy L, Carino E, Cox R, Zhao JG.(2002) The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8:333-340. PubMed Google Scholar
Jalilzadeh-Amin, G., Najarnezhad, V., Anassori, E., Mostafavi, M., & Keshipour, H. (2015). Antiulcer properties of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract on experimental models of gastric ulcer in mice. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR, 14(4), 1163-1170. PubMed
Krausse R, Bielenberg J, Blaschek W, Ullmann U (2004) In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of Extractum liquiritiae, glycyrrhizin and its metabolites. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 54 (1): 243-246. Oxford Journals
Mahady, Gail et al (2005, Nov) In Vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy Research Volume 19, Issue 11, pages 988-991, Wiley
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Proteggente AR, Pannala AS, Paganga G, Van Buren L, Wagner E, Wiseman S, Van De Put F, Dacombe C, Rice-Evans CA. (2002) The antioxidant activity of regularly consumed fruit and vegetables reflects their phenolic and vitamin C composition. Free Radic Res. 36:217-233. Google Scholar
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Torres J, Pereira R (2010, Oct) Which is the best choice for gastroesophageal disorders: Melatonin or proton pump inhibitors? World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 1 (5):102-106.Published online Oct 6, 2010. PubMed
Turco R, Martinelli M, Miele E, Roscetto E, Del Pezzo M, Greco L, Staiano A. Proton pump inhibitors as a risk factor for paediatric Clostridium difficile infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010;31:754-759. PubMed
Wittschier N, Faller G, Hensel A. (2009) Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from liquorice roots (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa. J Ethnopharmacol 125: 218-223. PubMed.
O.S. ZAYACHKIVSKA, S.J. KONTUREK, D. DROZDOWICZ, P.C. KONTUREK, T. BRZOZOWSKI, M.R. GHEGOTSKY. (2005) GASTROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF FLAVONOIDS IN PLANT EXTRACTS. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY56, Suppl 1, 219231 Semantic scholar pdf
