CHEGE: Home remedy for Peptic Ulcers and other gut problems

Peptic ulcers are an inflammatory condition that causes open sores on the inside lining of your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine.

Among other symptoms, it is distinguished by a burning sensation in the stomach.

Nutrition is important in the prevention and treatment of Peptic and stomach ulcers because it helps to recover and protect the gastrointestinal lining, improve digestion, relieve pain, and contribute to a healthy nutritional status.

The foods we eat can help to prevent, treat, or even alleviate symptoms.

Foods high in probiotics and other gut-healing properties are essential for maintaining a healthy gastric mucosal lining.

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. These bacteria damage the protective mucosal barrier of specific areas of the gastrointestinal tract, making acidic digestive fluids more likely to injure and inflame the gut lining.

Other contributing factors include long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Consuming contaminated foods or water can lead to an H-pylori infection, so it is critical to thoroughly wash food items before eating or cooking.

Certain foods can help reduce discomfort and pain by buffering stomach acid.

For those with ulcers, cabbage juice is a recipe you simply must try. Cabbage juice is a great source of vitamins and antioxidants with potent health benefits, including the ability to repair the gut lining. The juice also aids in raising the gastric juice's pH level.

Using a blender or a juicer, you can easily make cabbage juice at home. Add additional vegetables, such as carrot juice, and fruit (watermelon), since cabbage juice has a strong flavor, to balance it out for taste and nutritional value.

Let us look at the preparation and recipe for cabbage juice

Ingredients

• Cabbage- as the main ingredient
• Carrots- to enhance taste
• Watermelon- to ease blending

Here is how to make cabbage juice with a blender:

• Prepare your ingredients (wash and peel if necessary), and cut them into smaller chunks.
• In a blender add watermelon (you don’t need much) and blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute. For easier blending add only half of other ingredients and once those are transformed into a liquid paste, you can add the rest and blend again until everything is homogeneous.
• Use a strainer or a mesh bag to strain the juice.
• Drink the juice immediately, or within 30 minutes of preparation

Effects of untreated ulcers

Untreated peptic ulcers can result in internal bleeding, which could cause blood loss, anaemia, and vitamin shortages.

Obstruction and perforation: A perforation occurs when an ulcer tears a hole in the gastrointestinal tract's wall.

Additionally, a stomach ulcer could develop into a malignant tumor.

To prevent these side effects, it's critical to finish your medicine in order to prevent recurrent h-pylori. Also, keep in mind that the kitchen is still the finest pharmacy for the majority of ailments.

The analogy between taking medication and then compromising your diet is between having a bath and using a soiled towel to dry yourself.

While some people report irritation after eating spicy and citrus foods, there is no evidence to support their claim that these induce ulcers.

It's critical to learn which foods suit your needs.

Limit or avoid specific foods if you discover that they make your symptoms worse so you can feel your best.

Additionally, it's critical to stay away from meals that can increase the production of stomach acid.

It is also wise to eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day, rather than 3 large meals to help reduce the production of stomach acid which could worsen the symptoms.

Lucy Chege is a registered and licensed nutritionist based in Kenya, proficient in medical nutrition therapy.

Twitter: @LucyChegeM