Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (87 page)

Eat yogurt.
Eating 12 to 24 ounces of yogurt containing bifidobacteria lowered H. pylori in breath testing after six weeks of daily consumption.

Drink a lot of green tea.
H. pylori was inhibited in gerbils when given green tea extract. The human dosage would be 4 to 8 cups of green tea daily using about ½ teaspoon of dried green tea per cup.

Try glutamine.
Glutamine is the most popular antiulcer drug in Asia today. The digestive tract uses glutamine as a fuel source and for healing. It is effective for healing stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative bowel diseases. Begin with 8 grams daily for a trial period of four weeks.

Try grapefruit or citrus seed extract.
Citrus seed extract has widely effective antiparasitic, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. Take 75 to 250 mg three times daily.

Use goldenseal.
Goldenseal is soothing to mucous membranes, enhances immune function, and has antibiotic and antifungal properties. Take 200 mg three to four times daily.

Try SanoGastril.
SanoGastril is a fermented soy product that contains a specific strain of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (LB-15). It’s a chewable tablet that buffers the acidity of the stomach. (SanoGastril is marketed in the United States by Nutri-Cology/Allergy Research Group.) A study using two tablets three times daily involved 93 people with ulcers and gastritis. After one month, each participant was x-rayed to see progress. At that time, 12 out of 22 people with gastric ulcer, 25 out of 58 people with duodenal ulcer, and 4 out of 12 people with gastritis were completely healed. Two tablets of SanoGastril three times daily before meals relieved heartburn completely immediately in 76 percent of 158 people. Take two tablets chewed or sucked three times daily between meals.

Try catsclaw/Una de Gato.
The inner bark and stems of Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianesis decrease inflammation. Take 1,000 mg capsules three to five times daily.
Caution: Do not take with Coumadin (warfarin)
.

Use evening primrose, borage, or flaxseed oils.
These oils increase the levels of prostaglandin E2 series, which promotes healing and repair. Take 4,000 to 8,000 mg of one of these oils or a combination oil three times a day for a trial period of four weeks.

Low dietary intake of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, has been associated with duodenal ulcers. Flaxseeds are excellent sources of linoleic acid. A benefit to using ground flaxseeds rather than the oil is that the mucous portion
of the flaxseed buffers excess acid, which makes it ideal for inflammation in the stomach and throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Grind them fresh daily or buy products with enhanced shelf life, and store in the refrigerator. Linoleic acid is also found in pumpkin seeds, tofu, walnuts, safflower oil, sunflower seeds and oil, and sesame seeds and oil. Use 2 to 3 teaspoons in smoothies or protein drinks, or on salads and vegetables.

Take zinc carnosine.
Studies report 100 percent symptom relief and 80 percent healing of ulcers after taking zinc carnosine for eight weeks. Take 75 mg twice daily.

Try Turkish herbs.
Six Turkish plant medicines were studied for their effectiveness against H. pylori in a laboratory setting. Five were found to be highly effective, with Cistus laurifolius (laurel rockrose) being the most effective. The effective herbs were the flowers of Cistus laurifolius, cones of Cedrus libani (cedar of Lebanon), herbs and flowers of Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle), fruits of Momordica charantia (bitter melon), herbaceous parts of Sambucus ebulus (danewort or dwarf elder), and flowering herbs of Hypericum perforatum (Saint-John’s-wort). We may begin to see research on some or all of these plant medicines. We may also begin to see them in supplements. There have been no human studies.

Try melatonin.
Several studies have looked at the effect of melatonin on GERD. Melatonin is a hormone that helps us fall asleep and is a powerful antioxidant. It’s also found in the hormone-producing cells in the GI wall. It works best when given along with Tagamet (cimetidine). Dosages between 3 and 6 mg before bed for four to eight weeks have been found to be an effective treatment for GERD.