Gastritis

I suffer from gastritis and I dont know what to take to ease the discomfort in my stomach. What is gastritis?

Gastritis (inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach), it is a digestive system ailment characterized by pre-ulcerative inflammation of the lining of the stomach and atrophying of the mucosal membranes.

Gastritis is a condition which needs to be addressed as soon as possible to reduce any further complications to health such as stomach or gastric ulcers, stomach cancer, reflux, digestive inflammation and intestinal permeability (leaky gut).

Digestive complaints such as bloating, heaviness after a meal, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, pain and reflux are all symptoms of insufficient digestive processes, decreased liver function and inadequate digestive enzymes to properly digest the foods you consume. When we ingest foods we produce enzymes in the mouth and stomach which break down the foods and help us to absorb nutrients. If we do not have enough enzymes to break foods down then it sits in the stomach and ferments which then produces gas and fermentation and causes the stomach to experience discomfort.

Symptoms of gastritis

abdominal pain or tenderness
discomfort after eating
loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

Possible causes of gastritis

Microorganisms or bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori infection and Candida. It is possible to test yourself to see whether this is a contributing factor.
Excessive fluoride consumption
Aspirin and Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) as they may cause degradation of the stomach lining
Recreational drugs
Allergies and leaky gut
Fungal infections
Viruses
Insufficient digestive processes
Hypochlorhydria (insufficient digestive secretions)
Excessive consumption of alcohol or coffee because they irritates the lining of the stomach and reduce digestive enzymes
Excessive consumption of dietary fats and lipids
Stress causes a decrease in digestive secretions
Nutritional deficiencies such as B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Betacarotene, beneficial probiotics, oils and Zinc

Stress and the digestive system

If the gastritis is aggravated by stress then consider addressing the nervous system. Long term nervous system stress and the production of stress hormones such as Cortisol cause a feedback to the digestive system and this may result in a reduction of digestive enzyme production.

The following is a list of foods, herbs and supplements which may be of assistance in reducing the symptoms of gastritis and helping the stomach line to heal. Please remember that the lining has been damaged and inflamed for some time before the symptoms are experienced, this means that healing will take time so don’t expect immediate results. A reduction in the symptoms such as pain will be the indication that the lining is less aggravated.

Diet tips for gastritis

Increase your consumption of soothing (demulcent) foods such as papaya and banana
Reduce acidic foods which contribute to inflammation such as tea, coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, dairy, wheat, sugar, refined and processed foods
Increase alkalising foods such as miso soup, vegetable juices, lemon juice, green leafy vegetables, sprouts, fish, water and herbal teas
Increase Glutamine containing foods- cabbage, papaya, celery, spinach, dandelion greens, lettuce, parsley, cabbage, brussel sprouts and carrots
Don’t drink large amounts of liquids 20 minutes prior to eating or after eating as it will dilute the digestive enzymes and reduce digestive function further
Don’t eat large amounts of food at each meal, stick to eating smaller meals more often during the day. If you have limited amounts of digestive enzymes then large meals will greatly increase bloating
Introduce herbal teas into your diet such as Peppermint, Ginger, Licorice, Fennel and Chamomile to support digestion and reduce symptoms of digestive discomfort
Increase your consumption of good oils in the diet to lubricate the lining, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Good oils include raw unheated olive oil (added to salads or meals before serving), flax seed oil, avocados, nuts and seeds and fish oil
Dont eat at times when you are feeling stressed
Start each day with a small glass of warm water with ½ lemon squeezed in it. Lemon juice increases digestive juices, cleanses the bowels and kick starts the liver to detoxify
Make a vegetable juice each day to help alkalise the system and add cabbage juice to it because cabbage contains Substance U which may help to alleviate gastritis and reduce pre-ulcer formation
Use Manuka Honey in a warm lemon and ginger drink to help soothe the digestive tract. Manuka honey contains potent anti-microbial and soothing effects to the stomach

Natural remedies for gastritis

The amino acid Glutamine helps with maintenance of gut barrier function. Glutamine powder (available in health food stores) can be taken daily to improve the integrity of the stomach lining. Mix the following ingredients together and take before meals - glutamine powder, slippery elm, acidophilis powder, Aloe Vera juice and liquid Zinc. The combination of these ingredients can be taken daily to improve the integrity of the stomach lining and help it to heal
Slippery elm powder has a regenerating effect on the lining of the stomach, it provides a barrier between the mucus membranes and the digestive acids so that healing can take place
Herbs which may be of assistance to soothe and help dowse the fire of this inflammatory condition are Chamomile, Marshmallow, Licorice, Green Tea, Cats Claw, Pinellia and Coptis Root. In Chinese medicine inflammatory digestive problems arise from excessive heat/ fire which needs to be neutralised.
B Vitamins (specifically B12) may help to heal the mucosa
Aloe vera juice – taken regularly may help to reduce inflammation
Vitamin C may help to prevent and treat gastritis (due to its ability to suppress Helicobacter pylori)
Zinc is an important mineral for healing and is a common nutrient deficiency
Take a probiotic supplement to encourage a healthy balance of good digestive flora and to address Helicobacter pylori or Candida infection and reduce fermentation of foods

For further information see the Ask a Naturopath.com webpages concerning stress and digestion