Natural Rx for Stomach Pain - Relief for H.Pylori

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Natural Rx for Stomach Pain-Relief for H-Pylori JoAnn Guest Aug 04, 2003

17:54 PDT

 

Natural Rx for Stomach Pain-

Relief for H.pylori

 

In the stomach, muscular contractions thoroughly mix foods with

hydrochloric acid. Stomach acid-powerful enough to strip paint-is a

vital part of good digestion.

 

A thick mucous layer protects the stomach walls from harm as the acid

kills bacteria and parasites and frees up minerals and the B vitamins so

that they can be absorbed in the small

intestine. If sufficient stomach acid isn't produced, digestion

suffers.

 

The passage of food out of the stomach into the small intestine is

delayed, which can lead to heartburn as the stomach pushes food

mixed with acid back into the esophagus. Burning is caused by acid

coming in contact with the lining of the esophagus, which isn't

protected by a mucous layer like the stomach is.

 

Before You " Take Two for Relief of Stomach Pain, " Read on

 

Contrary to what the huge drug companies that make antacids and H2

blocker drugs say, excessive acid production is almost never the

reason for heartburn, acid digestion or ulcers.

 

In fact, it is now estimated that up to one-third of all bleeding

ulcers are caused by taking NSAID drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

 

Antacids and H2 blockers alleviate symptoms for a short while by

buffering acid and decreasing acid secretion, but can actually aggravate

the underlying problem; too little acid in the stomach.

 

With chronic use of these medications, digestion is

compromised and decreased absorption of some vitamins and minerals

can result.

 

Once the food finally makes its way into the intestines, it isn't

broken down enough to be properly absorbed.

 

A few years ago, if you asked your physician what causes ulcers,

he or she would promptly reply that too much stomach acid was to blame.

 

Now we know that a spiral-shaped bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H.

pylori for short) is the primary culprit. It suppresses acid

production and creates holes in the stomach's protective mucous layer,

allowing acid to seep through and burn holes in the delicate tissue

underneath.

 

An H. pylori infection can also cause symptoms of indigestion and

heartburn.

 

Natural Alternatives to Ulcer Drugs

 

The bacteria H.pylori is found in 90 percent of duodenal ulcer and

70 percent of stomach ulcer patients.

 

This bacteria increases your risk of insufficient acid secretion

(atrophic gastritis), ulcer and stomach

cancer.

Your doctor can give you a helicobacter pylori IgG antibody

blood test to see if this nasty little bacteria is at the root of

your problem.

 

If it is, you'll be put on a course of antibiotics and a

bismuth preparation (you know it as Pepto-Bismol) for a week. This

is one instance in which conventional medicines may be your best bet.

 

Quick eradication of H.pylori is important for healing of ulcers. There

are some herbal remedies you can try first, however, if you want to

avoid antibiotics.

 

Licorice extract (deglycyrrhizinated licorice or DGL) is a wonderful

herbal healing aid for ulcers.

 

It increases the production of protective mucus in the stomach. Use 300

mg four to six times a day.

 

Unripe bananas also has anti-ulcer effects, as do the herbs slippery

elm (take 200 mg four to six times a day) and the juice of raw cabbage.

 

You can buy extract of unripe plantain banana (take 150 mg four to six

times a day).

 

If you have any type of ulcer, be sure to eliminate gastrointestinal

irritants, such as tobacco, NSAIDS, coffee and alcohol. Once your

ulcer has healed, keep the gastrointestinal irritants out of your diet,

and try taking steps to enhance your body's secretion of digestive acids

and enzymes to prevent a recurrence.

 

Alternatives to Heartburn Drugs

 

If you have chronic heartburn you probably know what triggers it. If

you don't, here are the most common culprits; low stomach acid;

overeating; too much transfats or fried food, processed meats with

nitrates or nitrites in them; too much refined sugar, alcohol,

chocolate; drugs, stress, obesity and pregnancy.

 

Eating a balanced diet of unprocessed, organic whole foods is your

foundation for a healthy stomach. Eat an organic green salad or raw

organic vegetables at least once a day.

 

Sprouted legumes and seeds are excellent sources of enzymes.

 

To help increase stomach acid, you can drink a glass or room

temperature water a half-hour before eating. If that doesn't help, you

can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

 

If neither of these solutions work, try taking a betaine hydrochloride

supplement (HCI) with your meal.

Follow the directions on the bottle, starting with the smallest dose

and increasing it if needed. Do not take HCI supplements when youhave an

ulcer. Since stomach acid production declines as we age, HCI

supplementation can be a good anti-aging strategy.

 

Natural heartburn therapies include deglycyrrhizinated licorice

extract or DGI. Try one or two 380 mg tablets on an empty stomach, three

to four times a day. A glass of room temperature water, raw cabbage or

potato juice (organic) or herbal teas, (lukewarm, no lemon) can bring

quick relief. Fresh papaya or banana can help as well.

 

If you do need to lower your stomach acidity you can use a form of

organic sulfur called MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) in supplement

form, 1,000 mg daily.

 

Remember, your stomach acid is one of your front line defenses

against harmful bacteria. Suppress it and the rest of your systems have

to work overtime to protect you.

 

Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D is a best-selling author

in the field of health and nutrition.

 

This excerpt is from his latest book, " Prescription Alternatives " ,

co-authored with Virginia Hopkins.

 

 

Acid Stomach,

What to eat and what to avoid

 

 

If you have an acid stomach, try one half cup of cooked rice as an

antacid, suggests Ara H. DerMarderosian. Ph.D.,

professor of pharmacognosy and medicinal chemistry.

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.

 

Rice is a complex carbohydrate that *ties* up excess stomach acid and

is particularly easy on the stomach.

 

Other studies have found that dried beans, particularly white and

red beans in modest amounts tend to *neutralize* stomach acid.

 

Tofu (organic soybean curd) got high marks in combating stomach acid,

according to research.

 

Other complex carbohydrate foods, like whole-grain organic

breads, can also help calm acid stomach, says Dr. DerMarderosian.

But don't go overboard, be cautious. Eating too much of any food

stimulates the stomach to produce more acid, needed for digestion.

http://www.food-for-life.com

 

 

In contrast, there are beverages to avoid if you are bothered by

acid stomach. All have the wicked ability to stimulate the

production of stomach acid, according to tests:

beer, wine, milk, coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated)tea with

caffeine,7-up, coca-cola and other soft drinks.

Worst of all, according to German studies, is beer. Drinking beer

nearly doubled stomach acid within an hour.

 

Milk is deceptive, it may seem to ease stomach pain, but it actually

has a rebound action, encouraging " secretion " of more stomach acid.

 

Taken from: " Food, Your Miracle Medicine "

" How food can prevent and cure over 100 symptoms and problems " by

Jean Carper, Bestselling author of " The Food Pharmacy "

 

 

In the book " The Green Pharmacy " by James A Duke Ph.D....formerly

with the USDA as a botanist specializing in medicinal plants.

also named the " World's foremost authority on healing herbs. "

In Dr. Dukes own words….

 

After my USDA colleague persuaded me to explore ginger's anti-angina

benefits, I read that it was endorsed for ulcer and heart attack

prevention in " Ginger: Common Spice and Wonder drug " ,

by New England herbalist

Paul Schulick.

 

He notes that an Israeli cardiology clinic recommends a daily

half-teaspoon of powdered ginger.

It seems that ginger is an antioxidant that offers the blood vessels

some protection against the damage caused by cholesterol.

 

Ginger also boosts the strength of heart muscle tissue, similar to the

medication digitalis. If I had angina, I would take ginger regularly and

use it in cooking!

 

Ginger contains zingibain, a special kind of proteolytic enzyme that

has the ability to chemically break down protein.

Adolph's meat tenderizer works because it contains this kind of enzyme.

Proteolytic enzymes, of which there are several besides zingibain,

also play an additional role in controlling autoimmune diseases. They

help reduce blood levels of compounds known as immune complexes, high

levels of which activate the immune system to attack the body itself,

ultimately leading to tissue damage.

 

Paul Schulick suggests that zingibain, which comprises as much as 2

percent of fresh ginger root, is as powerful an enzyme as the

bromelain in pineapple or the papain in papaya.

He insists that ginger is one of nature's richest sources of proteolytic

enzymes,

containing approximately 180 times more than the papaya plant!

 

New research shows that drinking four tablespoons of honey in water

improves blood antioxidants, which helps to prevent narrowing of the

arteries. Weight for weight, honey contains about the same amount of

antioxidants as spinach and a similar range to that in apples,

bananas, oranges and strawberries.

 

Honey: good for digestion, heart and sole

 

The findings are the latest in a long list of benefits

of honey, including the treatment of acne, burns and gastric *ulcers*.

It is being used in some British hospitals –

among them the Royal Free in north London - for persistent

wounds,including those infected with the superbug MRSA.

 

" It is generally accepted that honey is a respectable

therapeutic agent, and there is a rapidly increasing use by

clinicians, as well as the general public, " says Dr Peter Molan of

the University of Waikato, New Zealand, who is a leading authority

on the healing properties of honey.

 

The substance has been used medicinally for at least 2,000 years -

Aristotle referred to pale honey as being " good as a

salve for sore eyes and wounds " - but it is only recently that its

antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have

been fully documented.

 

The hydrogen peroxide produced by enzymes in

honey is the main active ingredient,although the manuka variety

from New Zealand and the jellybush from Australia

contain other useful phytochemicals.

 

Dr Molan cites nearly 70 research papers covering gastro-enteritis,

peptic ulcers (honey kills the bacteria Heliobacter pylori that causes

the ulcer) and eye conditions.

 

But by far the commonest therapeutic use is for skin problems and

wounds.

In one study, 59 cases of wounds and skin ulcers that

had failed to respond to conventional treatment for up to two years

became sterile and odourless within a week after honey was applied.

 

In another trial, patients given a daily application of honey

recovered more quickly from necrotising fasciitis - the " flesh-

eating bug " –than those treated with surgery and antibiotics.

 

JoAnn Guest

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