Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (297 page)

Sprinkle a teaspoon of lecithin granules onto food daily. Lecithin is an emulsifier that can help with fat digestion.

Don’t smoke. There may be a link between smoking and chronic pancreatitis. Smoking creates free radical damage and uses up antioxidants.

PEPTIC ULCER DISORDER

A peptic ulcer is an open wound on the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or small intestine (duodenal ulcer). There is usually much inflammation around the area. The pain of a peptic ulcer is caused by the acid that is usually in the stomach and is vital for the proper digestion of protein.

Stomach ulcers are caused when the lining that usually protects the stomach wall from stomach acid gets worn away or the mucous membranes in the stomach wall fail to secrete sufficient protective mucus.

Duodenal ulcers occur when acid from the stomach gets into the small intestine. This may be due to a fault in the valve that controls what passes from the stomach to the small intestine. Irritation and ulceration can occur in both of these cases.

Symptoms include a burning pain an hour or so after eating or between meals. The pain may be reduced when food is eaten, as the food effectively dilutes the acid in the stomach.

CAUSES

Excess or insufficient stomach acid or an insufficient production of the protective lining of the digestive tract can all lead to the formation of an ulcer.

One of the key factors leading to the development of peptic ulcers has been found to be the presence of the
Helicobacter pylori
bacterium in the stomach. This organism is found in 95 percent of people with peptic ulcers. While many people believe that ulcers indicate excessive levels of stomach acid, H. pylori is more likely to thrive if there is
insufficient acid in the stomach. H. pylori also, in turn, inhibits the production of stomach acid and thus interferes with proper digestion and absorption.

It is important that H. pylori is eradicated in order for proper healing to take place. Using antacids reduces stomach acid and creates an environment in which H. pylori can take hold, so these are not necessarily the answer.

Other causes and triggers include:

Stress.

Use of aspirin and other medications.

Smoking.

Excessive alcohol use.

Missing meals.

High meat diet.

Chewing gum.

Action plan

The key aims in treating a peptic ulcer are to eradicate H. pylori, to heal the wound, and to normalize stomach acid and digestion generally.

EAT/DRINK