If stomach pain, indigestion and nausea are a daily
occurrence for you, you may be suffering from a peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers are
open sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus or duodenum caused by
bacteria or a reaction to anti-inflammatory medication. While following a fruits
and vegetables diet won't cure a peptic ulcer, it can help speed up your
recovery and ease some of the painful symptoms associated with the condition.
Ulcers
Ulcers
are open sores that develop in your stomach, small intestine or esophagus.
Depending on where the ulcer is located, you may find it referred to by
different names. Ulcers in your stomach are gastric, those in the small
intestine are duodenal, and ulcers in your esophagus are esophageal. Mayo
Clinic notes that spicy foods and stress do not cause ulcers. A common cause is
an H. pylori bacterial infection. You might also develop an ulcer if you use
anti-inflammatory drugs long term.
Fiber
A
high-fiber diet can help heal peptic ulcers and also prevent a recurrence, says
Dr. Ronald Hoffman, founder and director of the Hoffman Center, a New
York-based medical clinic. High-fiber fruits include blackberries, blueberries,
figs, raspberries, apples, pears and prunes. Vegetables that are high in fiber
include squash, lentils, broccoli and celery. The American College of
Gastroenterology recommends that, when increasing dietary fiber, you do so
slowly and boost your water intake to aid in the digestion process.
Vitamin A
Vitamin
A can help speed the healing process when you have a peptic ulcer. Frozen
spinach is especially high in vitamin A, with a single half-cup serving
containing more than 200 percent of the recommended daily value. Frozen kale,
frozen peas, red peppers and carrots are other good sources of vitamin A.
Fruits that are high in vitamin A include mango, papaya, cantaloupe and
peaches. Apricots are not only a great source of of Vitamin A, they also
contain iron, a mineral that may become depleted when taking medication for a
peptic ulcer.
Flavinoids and Antioxidants
According
to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with peptic ulcers should
eat fruits and vegetables that contain flavonoids and antioxidants. Flavonoids
may inhibit the growth of the H. pylori bacteria that is responsible for many
peptic ulcers, while antioxidants can minimize the damage an ulcer can cause on
a cellular level. Flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables include apples,
cranberries, garlic and celery. Good sources of antioxidants are tomatoes,
cherries, blueberries, bell peppers and squash.
Beneficial Raw Foods
Fruits
and vegetables with flavonoids are especially beneficial if you have an ulcer.
Cranberries, apples, celery, garlic and onions contain the compound, which
inhibits the growth of H. pylori., according to the University of Maryland
Medical Center. Eating fruits and vegetables with antioxidants can also help
with symptoms. These include blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash and bell
peppers. Vegetables with B-12 and calcium can help as well, including dark
leafy greens like spinach and kale, and vegetables from the sea. The medical
center also recommends getting fiber through fruits and vegetables.
Cautionary Foods
Foods
with citric acid, such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit, might irritate your
stomach, notes author and radio host Dr. Ronald Hoffman on his website.
"The Medical Clinics of North America" published a 1991 study that
found citric acid juices induced reflux and caused discomfort in a small number
of patients. Listen to your body if you experience pain after eating specific
vegetables and fruits.
Special Precautions
It
is important to remember that dietary changes will not cure a peptic ulcer. If
you are experiencing a burning pain before and after eating, bloating,
indigestion, weight loss, vomiting, nausea or lack of appetite, consult a
doctor for advice and treatment. Before consuming any fruits and vegetables,
it's important to rinse them properly to minimize the risk of ingesting the H.
pylori bacteria that cause many peptic ulcers.
Most
raw vegetables and fruits help relieve symptoms of ulcers. Certain types, such
as those with fiber, flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamin B-12, are
particularly beneficial. Other foods, including citrus fruits and spicy
vegetables, might make your symptoms worse. Consult your doctor for specific
advice regarding the dietary treatment of your ulcer.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Work
with your doctor for a dietary plan if you are treating a stomach ulcer. In
certain instances, consider your symptoms an emergency and immediately contact
your doctor. Serious symptoms include an increase in the severity of your
abdominal pain, vomiting blood or other material that resembles coffee grounds,
and blood in your stool, or black, tarry stools.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Peptic Ulcer
- "Nutrition"; Modulation of Helicobacter Pylori Colonization; M. Gotteland; 2008
- DrHoffman.com; Ulcers; Ronald Hoffman
- "The Medical Clinics of North America"; Diet and Nutrition in Ulcer Disease; R.B. Marotta; 1991
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Peptic Ulcer
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Nutrition for Everyone: Iron and Iron Deficiency
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Peptic Ulcers
- The American College of Gastroenterology: Digestive Health Tips: 10 Tips on Dietary Fiber
- Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Best of: Iron
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman; Ulcers; Ronald Hoffman, M.D., C.N.S.
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