For some people, infection of the stomach is the underlying cause of gastritis and anyone with gastritis should be tested for Helicobacter pylori, the most common cause of bacterial gastritis. If H pylori is found, treatment with antibiotics is necessary.

When the stomach is inflamed it becomes sensitive to its own acid. The usual symptom is burning pain in the middle part of the upper abdomen, above the belly button. This pain is often affected by food (food can ease the pain or make it worse) and may be associated with nausea and changes in appetite. Antacids like Maalox or Mylanta and acid-suppressing drugs may relieve symptoms by buffering or decreasing acidity, but do not address the underlying cause of gastritis.

The diet I developed called the Fat Resistance Diet is helpful in preventing or relieving gastritis. The diet is rich in anti-inflammatory fruits, vegetables and fiber and gentle herbs and spices with anti-inflammatory effects.

Certain dietary supplements also can support healing of an inflamed stomach, making it less sensitive to its own acid. Scientific studies have shown benefits from the following natural therapies:

• Carrot juice and/or cabbage juice, one cup per day. The addition of aloe vera liquid, up to four ounces a day, can also help, though aloe has a laxative effect.
• DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). This herbal extract — 600 mg taken twice a day with meals — helps the stomach lining to heal, and can be combined with other soothing herbs, like slippery elm (200 mg twice a day) and marshmallow root (400 mg twice a day).
• L-glutamine powder. L-glutamine is an amino acid. A teaspoon of L-glutamine powder in four ounces of water taken with each meal can help heal gastritis and even stomach ulcers.
• Mastic gum. The sap of the Mediterranean plant Pistacia lentiscus, mastic gum has been used to treat stomach problems for centuries and is now available in capsule form.  Take 500 milligrams of mastic gum twice a day after meals (for a total of 1000 milligrams a day).
  

Leo Galland, M.D., is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of Nutritional Medicine for advancing the scientific understanding of nutritional therapies in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. He is the author of more than 30 scientific articles for publications including The Journal of the American Medical Association. He is also the author of two highly acclaimed books, “Superimmunity for Kids” (Dell 1989) and “Power Healing” (Random House 1997). For more information on Dr. Leo Gallard's newsletter, visit Bottom Line/Personal.

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