| | | | Other Names | | | Gastritis, Gastric Juices, Gastric Juice, Stomach Inflammation.
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| | | Also known as: Stomach Inflammation.
Gastritis is a broad term for
inflammation of the stomach lining, also called the gastric mucosa. This
condition can be caused by many factors and, in some cases, may lead to an
ulcer. For that reason, many of the same nutrients, herbs, and lifestyle
changes for a peptic ulcer might also help someone with
gastritis.
Bacterial infection, most notably with Helicobacter
pylori,1 is a major cause of gastritis. H. pylori is the same bacterium
responsible for most cases of peptic ulcer. When considering treatments
for gastritis, many researchers now look for substances that eradicate H.
pylori, including bismuth2 and antibiotics.3
Other causes of
gastritis include intake of caustic poisons, alcohol, and some medications
(such as aspirin or steroids), as well as physical stress from the flu,
major surgery, severe burns, or injuries. For some people, a drug allergy
or food poisoning can cause gastritis. Atrophic gastritis is a form of
gastritis found particularly in the elderly, where stomach cells are
destroyed, potentially leading to pernicious anemia.
What are the
symptoms of gastritis? Acute gastritis is typically characterized by
nonspecific abdominal pain. Since gastritis often occurs in severely ill,
hospitalized people, its symptoms may be eclipsed by other, more severe
symptoms. Gastritis that is caused by H. pylori eventually leads to peptic
ulcers, which are characterized by a dull ache in the upper abdomen that
usually occurs two to three hours after a meal; the ache is typically
relieved by eating.
Conventional treatment options: Acute gastritis
caused by trauma, stress, or severe illness usually resolves spontaneously
when the stress or underlying cause is resolved. Peptic ulcers are
normally treated with antibiotics to eliminate infection with H. pylori.
In addition, other medications may be prescribed to control stomach
acidity, including histamine H2 inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors, and
antacids.
Dietary changes that may be helpful: Salt can irritate
the stomach lining. Some research suggests that eating salty foods
increases the risk of developing a H. pylori infection.4 Researchers have
speculated that increased salt intake may also increase the risk of other
forms of gastritis.5
Doctors commonly suggest that people with
gastritis avoid spicy foods. However, one study found that capsaicin, the
pungent ingredient in cayenne or chili pepper, protected against
aspirin-induced gastritis in healthy persons. When people ate chili pepper
followed by 600 mg of aspirin, stomach injury was considerably less than
in people who took only aspirin.6 The researchers of this study speculate
that chili pepper helps by increasing blood flow to the stomach. Capsaicin
has also been shown to protect against alcohol-induced gastritis in rats,7
though this has yet to be tested in humans.
Some researchers have
suggested that food allergies or intolerance may cause gastritis.8 In one
double-blind trial, people with proven food sensitivities showed clear
evidence of irritation of the stomach lining (including swelling,
bleeding, and erosions) when given foods to which they were known to
react.9 However, most of these people did not have abnormal results from
standard blood tests for allergies. People suspecting food sensitivities
or allergies should consider discussing an allergy elimination program
with a healthcare professional.
Caffeine found in coffee, black
tea, green tea, some soft drinks, chocolate, and many medications
increases stomach acid,10 as does decaffeinated coffee.11 Avoiding these
substances should therefore aid in the healing of
gastritis.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful: Gastritis is
common among alcoholics.12 Both heavy smoking and excessive alcohol
consumption are known causes of acute gastritis.13 While heavy alcohol
intake is clearly damaging to the stomach lining, preliminary evidence
suggests that moderate alcohol consumption (generally defined as two
drinks per day in women or three drinks per day in men) may actually
protect against the development of gastritis by facilitating the
elimination of H. pylori.14 When alcohol is consumed in greater than
moderate amounts, it causes a wide variety of health problems.
Many
medications, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen), can induce or aggravate stomach irritation.15
People with a history of gastritis should never take aspirin or related
drugs without first discussing the matter with their
doctor.
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: When H. pylori
causes gastritis, free radical levels rise in the stomach lining.16 These
unstable molecules contribute to inflammation and damage to the stomach
lining. Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps quench free radical
molecules, is low in the stomach juice of people with chronic gastritis.
This deficiency may be the link between chronic gastritis and the
increased risk of stomach cancer. When people with gastritis took 500 mg
of vitamin C twice a day, vitamin C levels in their gastric juice rose,
though not to normal levels.17 In another trial, vitamin C supplementation
(5 grams per day divided into several doses for four weeks) appeared to
eliminate H. pylori infection.18 While no direct evidence proves that
taking vitamin C reduces gastritis symptoms, scientists widely believe
that any agent capable of knocking out H. pylori should help people with
this condition.
The results of several clinical trials suggest that
gamma oryzanol supplementation can help people with gastritis and other
gastrointestinal complaints. In one study, people with chronic gastritis
were given 300 mg of gamma oryzanol per day.19 After two weeks, 23% of
people taking gamma oryzanol reported that it was "extremely effective"
and 55% rated it as "moderately effective." Another study produced similar
results: People with various types of gastritis received 300 mg of gamma
oryzanol per day. After two weeks, more than 62% of those with superficial
gastritis, more than 87% of those with atrophic gastritis, and all people
with erosive gastritis experienced improvement. These results were
confirmed in a large study involving approximately 2,000 people with
various gastrointestinal complaints, including several forms of
gastritis.20 Some of these people required as much as 600 mg per day for
symptoms to improve. People with gastritis wishing to take gamma oryzanol
for more than six months, or in amounts exceeding 300 mg per day, should
first consult with a physician.
Various amino acids have shown
promise for people with gastritis. In a double-blind trial, taking 200 mg
of cysteine four times daily provided significant benefit for people with
bleeding gastritis caused by NSAIDs (such as aspirin).21 Cysteine is a
sulfur-containing amino acid that stimulates healing of gastritis. In a
preliminary trial, 1-4 grams per day of N-acetyl cysteine given to people
with atrophic gastritis for four weeks appeared to increase healing.22
Glutamine, another amino acid is a main energy source for cells in the
stomach and supplementation may increase blood flow to this region.23
Patients in surgical intensive care units often develop gastrointestinal
problems related to a glutamine deficiency.24 When burn victims were
supplemented with glutamine, they did not develop stress ulcers, even
after several operations.25 Nevertheless, it remains unclear to what
extent glutamine supplementation might prevent or help existing gastritis.
Preliminary evidence suggests the amino acid arginine may both protect the
stomach and increase its blood flow,26 but research has yet to investigate
the effects of arginine supplementation in people with
gastritis.
The antioxidant beta-carotene may reduce free radical
damage in the stomach,27 and eating foods high in beta-carotene has been
linked to a decreased risk of developing chronic atrophic gastritis.28
Moreover, people with active gastritis have been reported to have low
levels of beta-carotene in their stomachs.29 In a preliminary trial,
giving 30,000 IU of beta-carotene per day to people with ulcers or
gastritis led to the disappearance of gastric erosions.30 In another
study, combining vitamin C and beta-carotene also led to improvement in
most people with chronic atrophic gastritis.31
Zinc and vitamin A,
nutrients that aid in healing, are commonly used to help people with
peptic ulcers. For example, the ulcers of people taking 50 mg of zinc
three times per day healed three times faster than those of people who
took placebo.32 Since some types of gastritis can progress to peptic
ulcer, it is possible that taking it may be useful. Nevertheless, the
research does not yet show that zinc specifically helps people with
gastritis. The amount of zinc used in this study is very high compared
with what most people take (15-40 mg per day). Even at these lower levels,
it is necessary to take 1-3 mg of copper per day to avoid a zinc-induced
copper deficiency.
People with ulcers who took 50,000 IU of vitamin
A three times a day experienced a significant decrease in both ulcer size
and pain.33 Because this amount of vitamin A is very high and can be quite
toxic, usage requires the guidance of a doctor. A safe amount for women of
childbearing age is 10,000 IU per day and probably 25,000 IU for other
adults. In other preliminary research, using vitamin A together with drugs
and proper nutrition eliminated erosive gastritis after three weeks in
about 75% of affected people.34 Research has not yet shown that vitamin A
supplementation specifically helps people with gastritis.
People
with pernicious anemia due to atrophic gastritis require very high amounts
of vitamin B12.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer
to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or
interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful: Many of the same herbs
that are helpful for peptic ulcers may also aid people with gastritis.
Licorice root, for example, has been traditionally used to soothe
inflammation and injury in the stomach. Its flavonoid constituents have
been found to stall the growth of H. pylori in test tube studies.35
However, there have been no clinical trials using licorice to treat
gastritis. To avoid potential side effects, such as increasing blood
pressure and water weight gain, many physicians recommend
deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). This form of licorice retains its
healing qualities by removing the glycyrrhizin that causes problems in
some people.
Goldenseal is regarded as an herbal antibiotic and has
been traditionally used for infections of the mucous membranes. While no
specific research points to goldenseal as a treatment for gastritis, there
is some evidence from test tube studies that berberine, an active
ingredient in goldenseal, slows growth of H. pylori.36 Modern herbal
practitioners now prefer alternatives to goldenseal, since the plant is
threatened with extinction due to overharvesting.
Chamomile, high
in the flavonoid apigenin, may soothe injured and inflamed mucous
membranes. In addition, a test tube study has shown that apigenin inhibits
H. pylori,37 and chamazulene, another active ingredient in chamomile,
reduces free radical activity,38 both potential advantages for people with
gastritis. Human clinical trials are needed to confirm chamomile's
effectiveness for treating gastritis.
Demulcent herbs, such as
marshmallow, slippery elm, and bladder wrack, are high in mucilage.
Mucilage might be advantageous for people with gastritis because its
slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract.
Marshmallow is used for mild inflammation of the gastric
mucosa.39
Wood betony (Stachys betonica) has been used in European
traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of heartburn and
gastritis.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the
individual herb for information about any side effects or
interactions.
References:
1. Kelly DJ. The physiology
and metabolism of the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Adv
Micro Physiol 1998;40:137-89 [review].
2. Kumar M, Yachha SK,
Aggarwal R, et al. Healing of chronic antral gastritis: effect of
sucralfate and colloidal bismuth subcitrate. Indian J Gastroenterol
1996;15(3):90-3.
3. Lieber CS. Gastric ethanol metabolism and
gastritis: interactions with other drugs, Helicobacter pylori, and
antibiotic therapy (1957-1997)--a review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res
1997;21:1360-6 [review].
4. Tsugane S, Tei Y, Takahashi T, et al.
Salty food intake and risk of Helicobacter pylori infection. Jpn J Cancer
Res 1994;85(5):474-8.
5. Jooseens JV, Geboers J. Nutrition and
gastric cancer. Nutr Cancer 1981;2:250-61.
6. Yeoh KG, Kang JY, Yap
I, et al. Chili protects against aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal
injury in humans. Dig Dis Sci 1995;40(3):580-3.
7. Yeoh KG, Kang
JY, Yap I, et al. Chili protects against aspirin-induced gastroduodenal
mucosal injury in humans. Dig Dis Sci 1995;40(3):580-3.
8. Aiuti F,
Paganelli R. Food allergy and gastrointestinal diseases. Ann Allergy
1983;51(two Pt 2):275-80 [review].
9. Reimann H-J, Lewin J. Gastric
mucosal reactions in patients with food allergy. Am J Gastroenterol
1988;83:1212-9.
10. Chou T. Wake up and smell the coffee. Caffeine,
coffee, and the medical consequences. West J Med 1992;157(5):544-53
[review].
11. Elta GH, Behler EM, Colturi TJ. Comparison of coffee
intake and coffee-induced symptoms in patients with duodenal ulcer,
nonulcer dyspepsia, and normal controls. Am J Gastroenterol
1990;85(10):1339-42.
12. Altman C, Ladouch A, Briantais MJ, et al.
Antral gastritis in chronic alcoholism. Role of cirrhosis and Helicobacter
pylori. Presse Med 1995;24(15):708-10 [in French].
13. Robbins SL,
Cotran RS, Kumar V. Pathologic Basis of Disease 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA:
WB Saunders Co, 1984, 809-14.
14. Brenner H, Berg G, Lappus N, et
al. Alcohol consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection: results from
the German National Health and Nutrition Survey. Epidemiology
1999;10:214-8.
15. Scheiman JM. NSAIDs, gastrointestinal injury,
and cytoprotection. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America
1996;25(2):279-98 [review].
16. Drake IM, Mapstone NP, Schorah CJ,
et al. Reactive oxygen species activity and lipid peroxidation in
Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis: relation to gastric mucosal
ascorbic acid concentrations and effect of H pylori eradication. Gut
1998;42(6):768-71.
17. Waring AJ, Drake IM, Schorah CJ, et al.
Ascorbic acid and total vitamin C concentrations in plasma, gastric juice,
and gastrointestinal mucosa: effects of gastritis and oral
supplementation. Gut 1996;38(2):171-6.
18. Jarosz M, Dzieniszewski
J, Dabrowska-Ufniarz E, et al. Effects of high dose vitamin C treatment on
Helicobacter pylori infection and total vitamin C concentration in gastric
juice. Eur J Cancer Prev 1998;7:449-54.
19. Maruyama K, Kashiwazaki
K, Toyama K, Tsuchiya M. Usefulness of Hi-Z fine granule (gamma-Oryzanol)
for the treatment of autonomic instability in gastrointestinal system.
Shinyaku To Rinsho 1976;25:124 [in Japanese].
20. Takemoto T,
Miyoshi H, Nagashima H. Clinical trial of Hi-Z fine granules
(gamma-oryzanol) on gastrointestinal symptoms at 375 hospitals (Japan).
Shinyaku To Rinsho 1977;26 [in Japanese].
21. Salim AS.
Sulfhydryl-containing agents in the treatment of gastric bleeding induced
by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Can J Surg
1993;36(1):53-8.
22. Farinati F, Cardin R, Della Libera G, et al.
Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis
and nonulcer dyspepsia: a phase III pilot study. Curr Ther Res
1997;58:724-33.
23. Houdijk AP, Van Leeuwen PA, Boermeester MA, et
al. Glutamine-enriched enteral diet increases splanchnic blood flow in the
rat. Am J Physiol 1994;267(6 Pt 1):G1035-40.
24. Wilmore DW, Smith
RJ, O'Dwyer ST, et al. The gut: a central organ after surgical stress.
Surgery 1988;104:917-23.
25. Yan R, Sun Y, Sun R. Early enteral
feeding and supplement of glutamine prevent occurrence of stress ulcer
following severe thermal injury. Chung Hua Cheng Hsing Shao Shang Wai Ko
Tsa Chih 1995;11(3):189-92.
26. Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ,
Sliwowski Z, et al. Role of L-arginine, a substrate for nitric
oxide-synthase, in gastroprotection and ulcer healing. J Gastroenterol
1997;32(4):442-52.
27. Spirichev VB, Levachev MM, Rymarenko TV, et
al. The effect of administration of beta-carotene in an oil solution on
its blood serum level and antioxidant status of patients with duodenal
ulcer and erosive gastritis. Vopr Med Khim 1992;38(6):44-7 [in
Russian].
28. Palli D, Decarli A, Cipriani F, et al. Plasma
pepsinogens, nutrients, and diet in areas of Italy at varying gastric
cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1991;1(1):45-50.
29.
Zhang ZW, Patchett SE, Perrett D, et al. Gastric mucosal and luminal
beta-carotene concentrations in patients with chronic H pylori infection.
Gut 1996;38(suppl 1):A5 [abstract W11].
30. Spirichev VB, Levachev
MM, Rymarenko TV, et al. The effect of administration of beta-carotene in
an oil solution on its blood serum level and antioxidant status of
patients with duodenal ulcer and erosive gastritis. Vopr Med Khim
1992;38:44-7 [in Russian].
31. Tsubono Y, Okubo S, Hayashi M, et
al. A randomized controlled trial for chemoprevention of gastric cancer in
high-risk Japanese population; study design, feasibility and protocol
modification. Jpn J Cancer Res 1997;88:344-9.
32. Frommer DJ. The
healing of gastric ulcers by zinc sulphate. Med J Aust
1975;22(21):793-6.
33. Mozsik G, Hunyady B, Garamszegi M, et al.
Dynamism of cytoprotective and antisecretory drugs in patients with
unhealed gastric and duodenal ulcers. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1994;9 suppl
1:S88-92.
34. Kolarski V, Petrova-Shopova K, Vasileva E, et al.
Erosive gastritis and gastroduodenitis-clinical, diagnostic and
therapeutic studies. Vutr Boles 1987;26(3):56-9.
35. Beil W,
Birkholz W, Sewing KF. Effects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid
secretion, gastric mucosal prostaglandin production and Helicobacter
pylori growth. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45:697-700.
36. Bae EA,
Han MJ, Kim NJ, Kim DH. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of herbal
medicines. Biol Pharm Bull 1998;21(9):990-2.
37. Beil W, Birkholz
W, Sewing KF. Effects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion,
gastric mucosal prostaglandin production and Helicobacter pylori growth.
Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45:697-700.
38. Rekka EA, Kourounakis
AP, Kourounakis PN. Investigation of the effect of chamazulene on lipid
peroxidation and free radical processes. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol
1996;92(3):361-4.
39. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al,
eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to
Herbal Medicines. Austin: American Botanical Council and Boston:
Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 167.
Source: NOW Foods
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Please Note: This Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. The products indicated above may be listed in error. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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Gastritis / Gastric Juices - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 1000 mg - Timed Release
90 tablets
25.57 US
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Gastritis / Gastric Juices - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 100 mg
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7.54 US
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Gastritis / Gastric Juices - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 250 mg
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Gastritis / Gastric Juices - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 500 mg - Plus Rosehips, Green Cabbage
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17.06 US
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