Diet For Ulcers
By: Linda Smyth
At present there is no specific dietary treatment to cure a
peptic ulcer. Mainstream medical opinion considers that drug
therapy offers the most cost-effective treatment for ulcers, with
surgery as an option in only the most severe cases. Even so,
studies show an association between certain foods and the risk of
developing ulcers, and doctors continue to warn that unbalanced
diets can make symptoms worse. A permanent cure for ulcers may yet
involve a combination of medication and diet.
What Is An Ulcer?
An ulcer is a small sore or break in the lining of the stomach or
just beyond the stomach in the first part of the intestine, called
the duodenum. Once the break occurs it is gradually eroded and
deepened by the corrosive effect of acidic gastric juices to form
an ulcer. An ulcerous condition may develop quickly or over a long
period of time. An estimated 5-10 percent of people suffer from an
ulcer at some point in their lives. Ulcers affect people of all
ages and are equally common in men and women.
Difference Between Duodenal and Stomach Ulcers
A duodenal ulcer is located in the duodenum. This type of ulcer is
about three times more prevalent than a gastric ulcer which forms
in the stomach. Collectively, they are known as peptic ulcers.
What Causes a Peptic Ulcer?
An ulcer develops when the balance between the acidic digestive
juices and the protective lining of the stomach and intestines
(mucous membrane)is disturbed. This leads to a corrosion of the
lining, permitting ulcers to form. Experts now understand that a
common cause of developing peptic ulcers is a bacterium (a germ)
called Helicobacter pylori.
Researchers estimate that up to 70 percent of the World's
population is infected with H.pylori. The bacteria lives in the
lining of the stomach, and is found in virtually all duodenal
ulcers and 8 out of 10 gastric ulcers.
Another cause of ulcers is the use of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Ulcer?
Most ulcers cause recurring episodes of abdominal pain, sometimes
radiating to the back. These episodes may be separated by periods
of remission lasting from several weeks to years. The pain, often
causing a burning sensation, is typically reduced by food but
returns when the stomach empties. Pain experienced during the night
is a common indicator of a duodenal ulcer. Other symptoms may
include indigestion, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and black tarry
stools. In a very small percentage of cases, the ulcer may rupture
a blood vessel, causing vomiting of blood. Peptic ulcer disease can
be very distressing and, if left untreated, can cause premature
death in extreme cases.
How Is An Ulcer Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosis of an ulcer is typically performed either by endoscopy (a
viewing tube passed down the throat into the stomach) and tissue
sample (biopsy), or by giving the patient a barium meal and then an
X-ray examination. Helicobacter pylori bacteria can be diagnosed by
endoscopy, or a relatively simple "urea breath test", or by a blood
test.
Where the ulcer is related to H.pylori infection, a permanent cure
can be achieved through medication alone. A stomach-acid reducing
drug combined with antibiotics usually eradicates the bacteria and
either cures the ulcer in a matter of weeks or leads to long term
remission. Where the ulcer is unrelated to bacteria, stomach-acid
reducing medication may be prescribed on an ongoing basis to
protect the stomach lining. Although the majority of peptic ulcers
respond well to such treatment, many patients suffer a relapse
within 12 months. Thus the search for a permanent cure
continues.
Diet And Ulcers
In general, if you want to ease the symptoms of an ulcer, or reduce
your risk of developing one in the first place, you should avoid
eating large meals, as they encourage the production of excessive
amounts of stomach acid to digest the food. In addition, diets
which are high in fat and sugar, but low in fiber are known to
cause a variety of adverse effects in the gut. Here are some
specific dietary tips which may help to reduce the symptoms and
formation of peptic ulcers.
Reduce Your Intake of Spicy Foods
Although there is no clear evidence to suggest these foods cause
ulcers, they have been shown to aggravate symptoms. So avoid foods
like: chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, curry and other strong
spices.
Reduce Alcohol And Caffeine Intake
Both alcohol and caffeine can be problem foods for anyone with an
ulcer, or at risk from an ulcer, and should be avoided or consumed
sparingly. These items typically increase the acidity of the
stomach and therefore can contribute to ulcer development or
aggravate symptoms of existing ulcers.
Reduce Your Intake Of Sodium
An American study has linked high intakes of salt and soy sauce to
a higher risk of stomach ulcers. So avoid adding salt to your the
food on your plate and use food labels to check for low-sodium
varieties. Foods commonly high in sodium include: canned soup,
tortilla chips, potato/corn chips, salted nuts, salted meats (eg.
bacon), blue cheese, cornflakes. Switching to a diet containing
fewer packaged or processed foods, will definitely reduce your
sodium intake.
Add Oily Fish To Your Diet
Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids - found in oily fish,
like salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring - may help reduce the
risk of ulcers. It seems that these omega-3 fats increase our
production of prostaglandins, compounds that help to protect the
lining of the alimentary canal, that is, the entire digestive
passage, including the lining of the stomach and intestines.
General Advice About Dietary Vitamins And Minerals
The protective antioxidant effects of certain micronutrients should
help to lower the risk of ulcers and ease symptoms when an ulcer
has already formed. For instance, some nutritionists recommend
eating more vegetables and fruit, such as carrots, kale, red/green
peppers, cabbage juice, apricots and kiwi fruit, for their
beta-carotene and vitamin C content, in order to help protect the
lining of the stomach and intestine. Vitamin E from foods like
wheatgerm, hazelnuts, cold-pressed sunflower seed oil, soybean oil,
should also help, as should zinc from seafood and whole grains.
Other nutritionists are strong advocates of the healing properties
of amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins, and
recommend L-Glutamine for peptic ulcers. Good food sources include:
wheatgerm, cheddar cheese, almonds, sunflower seeds and sesame
seeds.
Possible Herbal Remedies For Ulcers
In some tests, a tablet form of licorice root - which has been
treated to remove an acid which may raise blood pressure - has been
shown to protect against ulcers caused by the adverse effects of
aspirin on the stomach lining. Camomile tea may also ease the
symptoms of ulcers.
Lifestyle And Risk Of Ulcers
Damage caused by smoking increases the risk of ulcer formation and
slows ulcer healing. Another reason to quit! The effects of stress
on ulcer development are less easy to assess, although a stressful
lifestyle clearly impacts on eating habits, alcohol consumption and
smoking. So if you want to lower your risk of an ulcer, taking
steps to alleviate the stress in your life is almost certain to be
beneficial.caused by smoking increases the risk of ulcer formation
and slows ulcer healing. Another reason to quit! The effects of
stress on ulcer development are less easy to quantify, although a
stressful lifestyle is known to affect eating habits, alcohol
consumption and smoking. So if you want to lower your risk of an
ulcer, taking steps to alleviate the stress in your life is almost
certain to be beneficial.
Linda Smith B.Sc., RD, aged 51, is a qualified dietitian and
nutritional consultant. She is part of the editorial team at Diet-i.com which provides a range of information about
diet, nutrition and weight management to more than 5 million
visitors per year.
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