Alternative Treatments Without Proven Efficacy In Peptic Ulcer
The potential of plants as source of new drugs still offers a large field for scientific research. Even if is observed a large number of known plants, a small percentage has already been phytochemically investigated and only a fraction of them has already been assessed to determine its pharmacological potential. Even among traditional medicinal plants there is still a large percentage that has not been studied to confirm their efficacy and safety in humans2727. Rates SMK. Plants as source of drugs. Toxicon. 2001 39:603-613..
In peptic ulcer this is also observed. In a study conducted by Mentz and Schenkel2020. Mentz LA, Schekel EP. Plantas medicinais: a coerência e a confiabilidade das indicações terapêuticas. Caderno de farmácia. 1989 5:93-119., in which they assessed plants with popularly known effects to scientifically prove them, they observed that plants like Symphytum Officinale L. , besides having no proven efficacy it may be harmful because of their pyrrolizidine alkaloids, of proven hepatotoxic action. Another studied plant was Zantoxylon rhoifoliun Lan, popularly indicated for ulcers and healing, but its benefits have not been proved either. In addition, Maytenus ilicifolia Mart,commonly known in Brazil as “espinheira-santa”, used for healing peptic ulcer, has not proven this effect in trials either.
Arebananas Good For Ulcers
Bananas are well-known nutritional powerhouses, as these popular yellow fruits contain over 10 percent of the recommended daily total for fiber and potassium. A typical banana is also packed with vitamin C and vitamin B6. These tasty fruits are popular breakfast staples, and they also make satisfying on-the-go-snacks.
With bananas’ many recognized benefits, however, should they be on your list of foods to eat when you have a stomach ulcer? The answer appears to be a qualified “yes.” A comprehensive scientific literature analysis, published in the September 2017 Pril Journal, focused on green bananas’ possible therapeutic applications.
The analysis’ authors concluded that green bananas do have a role in complimentary treatment modalities for several medical conditions. Specifically, green bananas’ active component flavonoid lencocyanidin appears to possess a strong ulcer-fighting capacity.
Pomegranate Polyphenols And Ellagic Acid
Pomegranate is a popular fruit that is native to Persia, but grown and consumed across the world. Polyphenolic compounds are the main constituent of this fruit in which ellagitannins and anthocyanins are represented as the predominant polyphenols. Degradation of ellagitannins does not occur in the presence of hydrochloric acid and the gastric enzymes of the stomach, indicating its stability under stomach conditions. In addition to ellagitannins, anthocyanins, as another main polyphenol group of pomegranates, are quite stable under gastric acidic conditions. Pomegranate anthocyanins contain 3,5-diglucosides and 3-glucosides of cyanidin, delphinidin, and pelargonidin.
Ellagic acid, a phenolic lactone compound, is the main in vivo hydrolysis product of pomegranate polyphenols, and possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-mutagenic effects. In addition, intestinal microbiota metabolizes the most active pomegranate phenolics to urolithins, which are subsequently absorbed and reach different tissue. Urolithins have an anti-inflammatory function , which acts through the MAPK intracellular signaling pathway.
Polyphenolic extract of peel and fruit rind has a strong growth inhibitory effect on H. pylori clinical strains in vitro, which was comparable with metronidazole. Investigations revealed that pomegranate extract possess both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, as well as possessing the potential to modulate H. pylori cell surface hydrophobicity.
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Foods To Limit When You Have Acid Reflux And An Ulcer
Some people who have an ulcer also have acid reflux. In some people, certain foods can relax the lower part of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. A relaxed LES makes it easier for acid to back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn, indigestion, and pain.
Foods that may make acid reflux worse include:
- coffee
What Are Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers, also called as stomach ulcers, are characterized by the occurrence of an open sore on the inner lining of the stomach. The sore may be on the proximal, middle or distal part of the stomach or in the duodenum, the initial part of small intestine, following the stomach.
Diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract such as peptic ulcers and dyspepsia are quite common among the urban population today due to improper eating habits and erratic lifestyle adopted due to the influence of technology. People today have chosen jobs involving prolonged hours of sitting in front of the PC and often skipping meals, which is quite common due to busy working hours.
Irregular meal timings combined with having large meals at a time all play a role in disturbing the functioning of the normal digestive system. Paying proper attention to regularizing meal timings & minding the portion size of meals can help reverse gut disorders such as peptic ulcers.
Ulcers are often the result of inadequate presence of the bicarbonate ions in the stomach lining. Hence, on account of inadequate bicarbonate ions to neutralize the H+ ions in the acidic secretions of the gut, the stomach acid has the capacity of corroding the stomach lining. This gives rise to ulcers.
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What Foods Should I Avoid When Dealing With Stomach Ulcers
People every day who are suffering with gut issues have a hard time deciding what they should and should not eat. This can be extremely difficult if you are suffering from health issues such as a stomach ulcer. A stomach ulcer is an open sore on the lining of the stomach. It can cause stomach pain or an upset stomach and it can also lead to internal bleeding.
The foods you eat have a huge impact on your health and how you feel, more so when you have a stomach ulcer. By eating certain foods you can irritate the ulcer and make yourself feel worse, but by eating the right foods you can help reduce your symptoms and even promote healing.
Dietary Supplementation Of Polyphenols
There is ample evidence in the literature suggesting the beneficial role of a healthy diet in the prevention and remission of various diseases. One of the most sustainable approaches in order to protect against various chronic diseases and alleviate symptoms is removing patients from their habitual diet and providing them with natural dietary agents. As a disorder of the GI tract, pathological conditions in peptic ulcer could be alleviated by nutritional factors. Dietary consumption of a significant amount of natural protective supplements in early life leads to prevention or delayed peptic ulcer.
Regarding the wide range of positive biological effects of polyphenols, as well as their crucial role in human health, incorporation of these dietary supplements in a balanced diet is necessary for the prevention and management of diseases. The average daily dietary intake of polyphenols in a balanced diet is estimated at nearly 1 g/d. Oral consumption of polyphenols typically produces very few side effects, and no significant toxicity was reported in the literature. The gastrointestinal absorption of polyphenols varies based on their chemical structure aglycone forms are absorbed through passive diffusion, whereas some glycoside forms, generally glucosides, interact with proteins such as cytosolic -glucosidase, glucose transporter, or sodium-glucose transporter, resulting in limited absorption of glycosylated polyphenols.
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Green Tea And Flavonoid
Emerging research from China shows the potential protective effects of green tea and other foods that are rich in flavonoids against chronic gastritis, H. pylori infection, and stomach cancer. Specifically, these foods seem to inhibit the growth of H. pylori.
In addition, one recent laboratory study of green, white, oolong, and black teas indicated that these teas inhibit the growth of H. pylori but cause no harm to beneficial types of bacteria normally found in the stomach, including L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and B. lungum. However, this was an in vitro study, which means testing occurred directly between teas and bacteria in the laboratory, and we cannot draw direct conclusions as to what would happen inside the human body between these two substances. Beneficial effects in the laboratory were best when tea steeped for a full five minutes.
Flavonoid-rich foods include garlic, onions, and colourful fruits and vegetables such as cranberries, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas.4,5
How Stomach Ulcers Are Treated
With treatment, most stomach ulcers will heal within a month or two. The treatment recommended for you will depend on what caused the ulcer.
Most people will be prescribed a medication called a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the amount of acid their stomach produces and allow the ulcer to heal naturally.
If an H. pylori infection is responsible for the ulcers, antibiotics will also be used to kill the bacteria, which should prevent the ulcer coming back.
If the ulcers are caused by the use of NSAIDs, PPIs are usually prescribed and your doctor will discuss whether you should keep using NSAIDs.
Alternative medication to NSAIDs, such as paracetamol, may be recommended.
Stomach ulcers can come back after treatment, although this is less likely to happen if the underlying cause is addressed.
Read more about treating stomach ulcers.
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What To Eat On A Gastritis Diet
Some foods may help manage your gastritis and lessen the symptoms.
Diet does not generally cause chronic gastritis, but eating some foods can make the symptoms worse. These may include foods that are:
- fried
Some people find that the following foods and drinks help ease symptoms of gastritis:
- high fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans
- low fat foods, such as fish, lean meats, and vegetables
- foods with low acidity, including vegetables and beans
- noncarbonated drinks
2016 review , some studies say that probiotics could help with stomach complications caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylori.
These bacteria cause an infection in the digestive system, which can lead to gastritis or stomach ulcers. In fact, H. pylori is the most common cause of gastritis, accounting for
- sauerkraut
Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help ease symptoms.
Some types of gastritis can make it more difficult for your body to absorb iron or vitamin B12, leading to deficiencies. Talk with your doctor about taking supplements to prevent deficiencies.
Dietary Fibre & Vitamin A
Research shows that a high fibre diet decreases the risk of developing ulcer disease. Although both insoluble and soluble fibres demonstrate this association, there is a stronger association between diets high in soluble fibre and a decreased risk for developing ulcers.
Foods that are high in soluble fibre include oats, psyllium husk, legumes, flax seeds, barley, nuts, and certain vegetables and fruits, such as oranges, apples, and carrots.
Findings from a prospective cohort study that included 47,806 men, showed that a diet rich in vitamin A from all sources might reduce the development of duodenal ulcer, as might diets high in fruits and vegetables, possibly due to their fibre content.2 A prospective cohort study follows, over time, a group of similar individuals who differ with respect to certain factors under study, to determine how these factors affect rates of a certain outcome however, more research is necessary to verify results because there are so many other factors involved with this type of study that could confound the data.
Animal studies demonstrate that vitamin A increases the production of mucus in the gastrointestinal tract. Impaired mucosal defense can allow ulcers to develop. Therefore, vitamin A may have a protective effect against the development of ulcer disease.3
Good sources of vitamin A include liver, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, and collard greens.
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What Is A Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers are open sores that develop on the stomach lining. They can also be called gastric ulcers or peptic ulcers. They can affect people from a young age, but they are more common in people over 60 years old. Men are also more likely to have stomach ulcers.
Ulcers occur when acids from digested food damage the wall of your stomach. The most common cause of stomach ulcers is infection from a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori . Another cause is long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines .
For a long time, people believed that stomach ulcers were caused by certain lifestyle choices. Many thought that eating spicy foods and experiencing stress were linked to ulcers, but theres no concrete evidence that confirms those beliefs.
In rare cases you could have a cancerous or noncancerous tumor in your stomach, duodenum, or pancreas known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
- Unexplained weight loss
Nutrients Essential In Management Of Peptic Ulcers
Zinc
Zinc is an essential micronutrient which hastens the healing of ulcers. It also improves immunity against H.pylori infection which is one of the causative factors of peptic ulcers. Good immunity resists the bacteria to multiply & damage the lining causing ulcers. Zinc is also found to promote the growth of new cells in the stomach lining.
Selenium
Selenium in conjunction with zinc helps in building immunity to prevent recurrence of as well as heal the ulcers.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants such as vitamin A help in building new cells in place of the damaged cells. They along with flavonoids also help in protecting against oxidative stress developed in the digestive system as a result of the inflammation induced by the ulcers. The flavonoids also help in inhibiting the spread of H.pylori.
Fibre
Adequate fibre intake, both soluble as well as insoluble fiber, in the diet has found to decrease the risk of occurrence of peptic ulcers. Conversely, inadequate fiber intake through the diet has shown to increase incidence of ulcers. Fibre helps to dilute the bile & gastric secretions which may aggravate the ulcer symptoms, if they are more concentrated in the gut.
Probiotics
Probiotics, which contain healthy strains of lactobacillus bacteria, prevents the growth & proliferation of harmful bacteria like H.pylori, responsible for causing ulcers. They also protect the stomach lining from damage.
Vitamin C
Fluids
More Tips For Stomach Ulcer Recovery
For an effective stomach ulcer diet, do the following:
- Eat smaller portions throughout the day.
- Have dinner two or three hours before bedtime.
- Take plenty of water. The recommended eight glasses of water a day will suffice.
- Don’t stress. If you are feeling stressed out, try to relax by doing some relaxing exercises, or practice mindfulness.
- Reduce smoking if you are already a smoker or quit smoking altogether. Smoking aggravates stomach ulcers.
Use Of Antioxidants To Eradicate Helicobacter Pylori
Some authors show that the best treatment is the eradication of the bacteria1818. Marotta K, Floch MH. Diet and nutrition in ulcer diases. Med. Clin. North Am.1993 77:88-17.. Accordingly, some studies in humans40 40. Zojaji H, Talaie R, Mirsattari D, Haghazali M, Molaei M, Mohsenian N, Derakhshan F, Zali MR. The efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen with and without vitamin C supplementation. Digestive and Liver Disease. 2009 41:644-647.used antioxidants to eradicate H. Pylori and observed that vitamin C has important effects in the bacteria eradication in patients with peptic ulcer. But these studies showed that smaller doses of vitamin C for a longer period of time had a better response when compared with higher doses. Thus, it is observed that patients with peptic ulcer by H. pylori can take up to 500 mg/day of vitamin C for a period of three months, which does not exceed the recommended UL of 2000 mg, according to DRIs1313. Institute of Medicine. DRIs – Dietary Reference Intakes: Applications in Dietary Planning. National Academy Press. Washington, D.C. 2003. . Disponível em: URL: http://www.nap.edu/.
How Is An Ulcer Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. They may do an endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube attached to a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor will test your blood, breath or stool for H. pylori. They also can test a sample of your stomach lining. Your doctor also will ask you if you regularly take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines.
Characteristics Of Nutritional Therapy
The objective of peptic ulcer dietotherapy is to prevent hyper secretion of peptic chloride in order to reduce the sore and pain in the gastric and duodenal mucosa. In addition, nutritional therapy aims to promote healing, based on a complex sequence of events going from the initial trauma to the repair of the damaged tissue. Investigation of nutritional deficiencies is essential in the preparation of an appropriate recovery diet. In the early 20th century, Sippy proposed a diet based on milk and milk cream, combined with antacids, for treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer, based on the principle that milk would provide gastric alkalinization and relieve pain. Today milk is not recommended due to the buffering effect and the significant gastric acid secretion effect of milk29.
According to Marrota and Floch1818. Marotta K, Floch MH. Diet and nutrition in ulcer diases. Med. Clin. North Am.1993 77:88-17., calories distribution for patients with peptic ulcer should be normal, with values ranging from 50-60% of carbohydrates, 10-15% of proteins, and 25-30% of lipids, with total energy value sufficient to maintain or recover the nutritional status.
Table 1 –
Foods To Avoid If You Have A Stomach Ulcer
While antibiotics and antacids may be needed to treat a stomach ulcer, there are certain foods that can exacerbate the symptoms including pain, a burning sensation, indigestion, gas, nausea and vomiting.
A stomach ulcer, also known as a peptic ulcer, occurs when open sores develop on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper portion of the small intestine.
Peptic ulcers are of two types: gastric ulcers that are in the stomach and duodenal ulcers that are in the upper portion of the small intestine.
The most common cause of peptic ulcers is an infection due to the bacterium Helicobacter pylori . Other causes include long-term use of aspirin and certain other painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach. Other symptoms include a feeling of fullness, bloating, fatty food intolerance, heartburn, weakness, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
People are at an increased risk of suffering from a stomach ulcer if they smoke a lot, drink alcohol in excess, lead a stressful life and eat spicy foods.
It is important to consult your doctor if you think you have a stomach ulcer. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the bacterial infection and recommend antacids to reduce the acid in the digestive tract.
Here are some of the foods to avoid if you suffer from a stomach ulcer.
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