Ulcers (stomach and intestinal)


Ulcers are open wounds in the lining of the digestive tract, more specifically in the stomach or the duodenum (first section of the intestine). 

The most common type, duodenal ulcers, are painful when the stomach is empty, either in the middle of the night of several hours after a meal.  Bile from the liver can then be an irritant. 

Gastric ulcers (stomach) are usually painful during meals or right after meals, when the level of acidity in the stomach is at the highest.

Left untreated, ulcers can bleed internally, cause abdominal inflammation and severe abdominal pain.  The bleeding can eventually lead to anemia.

A poor diet and stress are the primary causes.  Indeed, white sugar and white flour acidify the body and deplete the alkaline minerals the body normally uses to neutralize acids in the digestive tract. Fibres normally act as a buffer, neutralizing excess acidity but their absence from the diet leads to damage. 

Some medications can also cause ulcers: Aspirin, anti-inflammatories (especially NSAIDs), and cortisone. 

Food allergies (most common ones being to dairy products and wheat) can cause an irritation of the digestive tract that can eventually deteriorate into an ulcer or several ulcers. 

Stress triggered by an unresolved conflict, anger, fright and frustration, is a major cause of ulcers.  You must learn to manage stress properly and live in the now.  There is no use thinking about things that did not happen yet and that have good chances of not happening; they are not worth your time and energy.  It would only serve to increase stress level and produce more stomach acid than necessary, which irritates the digestive tract. 

There are some bacteria such as H.Pylori that can irritate ulcers. Avoid eating wheat bran, which can be irritating and aggravate ulcers. Also, beware that fried foods or foods that are rich in saturated fats have a tendency to overfill the stomach and remain in there too long because they are difficult to digest. 

Avoid coffee, tea, vinegar, alcohol and cigarettes because they all contain irritating substances for the stomach and the bowels. 

• Instead of white flour, choose other grains such as: brown rice, millet, spelt, barley, quinoa, Kamut^®, buckwheat or oats.  
• Vegetables are excellent sources of fibres but should be eaten cooked as long as the ulcer is not healed.  Once it is, eat lots of raw and cooked vegetables to prevent further ulcers (5-10 portions per day). 
• Omega-3 oils (ex. fish oils and flax seed oil, seaweed oil) help control inflammation of the digestive tract. 
• Do not skip breakfast and eat regularly during the day (every 2-3 hours) since food will absorb excess acid and the reduce irritation of the mucosa.  
• Eat slowly and take time to chew properly, to reduce stress on the digestive tract. 
• Drink drink potato juice or cabbage juice (juice extractor and not blender) for their calming effect on the lining of the digestive tract, to promote healing.

To eliminate further stress on the digestive tract, and more specifically reduce the risk of a duodenal ulcer, you should help your liver along.

Boldocynara from A.Vogel is a very effective product that you should start with a small dose (5 drop) that can be gradually increased to the maximal dosage indicated on the bottle.  After one or two bottles, you can switch to Milk Thistle from A.Vogel. 

Boldocynara helps eliminate any accumulated toxins in the liver and the blood, removing irritants for the digestive tract.  Milk thistle (also present in Boldocynara) is a liver tonic that helps repair damaged liver cells and will prevent digestive issues in the long term.  

Healthy diet and lifestyle is key to healing ulcers.