DIET AND GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASE

 1. ULCERS is a craterlike erosion in the

protective lining of the stomach or the
duodenum, a part of the small intestine.
Normally, glands in the stomach secrete
substances that aid digestion, including acids
and the enzyme pepsin. At the same time,
the stomach and duodenum secrete mucus,
which protects the lining from damage by
these digestive juices. An ulcer is formed
when this balance breaks down, causing the
juices to begin literally digesting the stomach
or intestinal lining.
 WHAT CAUSES IT?  SYMPTOMS:
 - Conventional wisdom held that a stressful - Gnawing or aching in the stomach, either just
lifestyle and a diet rich in fats and spicy before or several hours after a meal.
foods lead to an ulcer.
-Pain may feel like heartburn or be accompanied
 - Researchers discovered that most ulcers are by digestion, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss.
actually caused by a bacterium named
Helicobacter Pylori. Once the digestive tract EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS:
is infected, the protective mucous membrane - Passing of black or bloody stools, or vomiting
is weakened, and even small amounts of blood or particles that look like coffee
digestive juices can eat into the intestinal grounds, may indicate internal bleeding.
wall. After an ulcer appears, such secondary
influences as stress, diet, alcohol, caffeine,
and smoking can aggravate it. Other factors
contributing to ulcers include heredity-ulcers
often run in families – and long –term use of
aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS)
 HOW DIET, VITAMINS, MINERALS AND HERBS CAN
HELP
 - eating small but frequent meals can help ease
symptoms.
 High fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, and beans.
 -Low fat foods, such as fish, lean meats, and
vegetables
 -Foods with low acidity, including vegetables and
beans
 Non carbonated drinks and caffeine free drinks
 Probiotics could help with stomach
complications caused by bacteria Helicobacter
pylori( H.Pylori)
 Probiotics foods include: Kombucha, yogurt,
kimchi, sauerkraut.
 Vitamin A helps protect the lining of the stomach
and small intestines allowing ulcers to heal (
yellow and orange vegetables, tomato products,
fruits and green leafy vegetables. Liver and fish
oils are also high in Vitamin A.
 Cabbage juice is rich in healing amino acid
glutamine help people with ulcers.
 -Vitamin C may directly inhibit the growth of
H.Pylori bacterium.
 -Glutamine, an amino acid, promotes healing by
nourishing the cells that line the digestive tract.
 Other research has shown that juice from aloe
vera plant may reduce stomach acid secretions
and relieve ulcer symptoms in some people; this
popular herb also contains astringent compounds
that may help prevent internal bleeding.
 Herbal teas may soothe irritated mucous linings.
 Test tube and animal studies  Those who ate high-fiber diets
suggest that vitamin c may directly were also less likely to suffer from
inhibit the ulcer bacterium H. ulcers.
pylori –giving this vitamin a
potentially important role in both
the prevention and treatment of
ulcers.
 A large study of doctors ages 45 to
75 found that those who got the
most vitamin A from a combination
of diet, supplements, and
multivitamins were least likey to
get ulcers of the duodenum.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
 WHAT IT IS
 - A general tem for several related
disorders ( Crohns Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis) that often first
strike people in their 20s or 30s.
Typically, all or part of the
digestive tract becomes chronically
inflamed and develops small
erosions, or ulcers. Bouts of
inflammation are followed by
periods of remission lasting weeks
or years.
 WHAT CAUSES IT
 - Experts are not entirely sure why
people develop IBD sufferers know
of a family member afflicted with
the disease, and its four times
more common in Caucasian and
Jewish families. The disease may
be triggered by a bacterium or a
virus, or by a malfunctioning
immune system. Factors such as
stressand anxiety, or sensitivity to
certain foods, can all contribute to
flare-ups.
 SYMPTOMS
- Early symptoms may include
constipation and frequent urge to
defecate, passage of only small
amounts of blood or mucus.
- Later symptoms include chronic
diarrhea with recral bleeding,
abdominal pain, low-grade fever,
general malaise, arthritis, mouth
sores, blurred vision, painful joints,
poor appetite, low energy, and
weight loss.
- After a decade, theres increased risk
for colorectal cancer.
 Symptoms may come and go. A
severe attack can cause nausea,
vomiting, dehydration, heavy
sweating, loss appetite, high fever,
and, and heart palpitations.
 WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
- Black or bloody stools, or painful,
mucus-filled diarrhea.
- Swollen abdomen or severe pain
especially on the lower-right side. It
may be a sign of apendicitis.
- If severe abdominal pain
accompanies fever 101F.
 HOW DIET,VITAMINS, MINERALS AND HERBS
CAN HELP
 - Inflammatory bowel disease is often
associated with malnutrition due to:
 a. poor digestion
 b. malabsorption of nutrients including
protein, fat, carbohydrates, water,
vitamins and minerals.
 c. Loss of appetite and unintentional
weight loss
 d. Increased caloric needs of the body,
especially during disease flares. More
nutrient dense foods need to be
consumed, which can be difficult when
symproms are active.
 - eat balanced diet with lots of variety.
 -8 –to 10 glasses of water
 -High fiber carbohydrates( oats bran,
legums, barley)
 -Proteins like lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts,
poultry and soy.
 -Healthy fats like omega 3 fatty acids,
olive oil and canola oil
 -Skinless, seedless, dark- colored fruits
and vegetables
 -Vitamin and mineral supplements as
recommended by your doctor
 -Low fat dairy products or dairy substitute
of lactose intolerant
 AVOID:  Many people with IBD are deficient in B12
folic acid, and other B vitamins. Taking
 - Trigger foods that have caused problems vitamin B complex helps replace lost
in the past vitamins and restores proper digestion.
 -High fiber foods like beans  Essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil
 _nuts, seeds and popcorn or fish oils reduce inflammation and
protect and repair the digestive tract.
 -High fat foods
 Acidophilus helps restore a normal
 -Caffeine and alcohol balance of healthy bacteria in the
digestive tract.
 -Spicy foods
 Zinc is important because a zinc
 -Raw fruits and vegetables
deficiency is often a complication of IBD.
 -Prunes
 Zinc must be taken with copper
 Chamomile tea is a time-honored remedy
for easing digestive digestive complaints.
 The anti-inflammatory drug
sulfasalazine, commonly prescribed
to treat IBD, depletes folic acid. If
you take this drug, ask your doctor
about using a folic supplement.
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO
-determine if certain foods trigger
flare-ups and then eliminate them.
-apply a hot pack or hot water bottle
to the abdomen to prevent cramps.
-minimize stress with yoga,
meditation, and regular exercise.