How to treat a peptic ulcer — naturally

It’s Fitness Friday again and this week we look at a common ailment suffered by many — peptic ulcers. Our passionate health contributor Juanita Pretorius from Riverview Wellness Centre shares 15 tips on how to treat peptic ulcers.

The official cause of peptic ulcers is unknown. However, it is thought that they are caused by the improper use of the digestive tract. For several decades, we have known that our concept of the cause and treatment of peptic ulcers has been less than ideal. Recently we have begun to understand more about how to treat this disease. Treatment takes place by correcting the improper use of the digestive tract.

Riverview has put together the top 15 suggestions that can help you regain a healthy digestive tract:

1. Avoid stomach irritants such as spices, alcohol, caffeine, dairy products, over eating, eating too fast etc.

2. Chew food well — chew to a cream before you swallow.

3. Avoid all between-meal eating, putting at least five hours between the end of one meal and the beginning of the next.

4. Do not take antacids as these cause rebound acid formation.

5. Since acid is formed most freely in response to the presence of protein in the stomach, eat a low protein diet.

6. From time to time, fast for twenty-four hours. Drink plenty of room temperature water, and do not fear that you will have pain. Most patients are surprised at the reduction of pain by fasting. Control any pain by hot applications over the painful area.

7. Have a set mealtime — not to be varied by so much as five minutes during the first month.

8. Drink tap water freely between meals. Do not use liquid foods such as soups, juices, milks, or beverages for the first month. Take food in small bites as dry as possible, and chew well.

9. When fasting, take eight to ten charcoal tablets at the beginning of the fast, and once daily for one week.

10. Take one cup of fresh cabbage juice, no more than five minutes from the juicer, at the beginning of breakfast and dinner.

II. Take four to six olives at supper time. Alternatively leave off supper for at least one month.

12. A good cereal to use is millet cooked like oatmeal with unsweetened apple sauce as a topping instead of milk. Millet is soothing to the gastro-intestinal tract.

13. Test yourself for allergies by omitting the ten groups of foods known to cause most food sensitivities:

• Milk
• Coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Corn, wheat, rice and yeast
• Eggs, pork, beef, and fish
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Strawberries and apples
• Peanuts, soy products, and all beans
• Cane sugar, cinnamon, and all spices
• Lettuce, onion, and garlic
• Nuts and seeds

After two weeks begin adding back groups putting at least three days between the re-introduction of food groups.

14. Strictly observe good principles with regard to proper clothing and a healthful body, as chilled extremities cause reduced blood flow to the stomach.

15. Set up a program of vigorous outdoor exercise.

These are tried and tested principles which, if followed, should result in a marked improvement for those suffering from peptic ulcers. This advice is from our passionate health contributor Juanita Pretorius from Riverview Wellness Centre. If you missed previous Fitness Friday blogs, you can view them all here.