Nutritionally Speaking: Drink Water for Ulcer Pain

Dear Dr. Meinig: My wife has had ulcers off and on for over 20 years. She has had all kinds of treatments, but nothing seems to work. Do you know of anything that isn’t too complicated that might help? – T.L.

 

Dear T.L.: Just recently I came across an article from London that told of a very simple remedy. Before telling you of this study, I have an opinion or two on the subject that may be helpful.

In questioning my patients about their ulcers, I have found very few who took seriously the basic recommendations of their doctors. Invariably they would take the prescription drugs, and follow parts of the diet plans, but rarely would they eliminate the basic and most likely causes of their ulcers: Coffee, tobacco, alcohol and aspirin. It would seem that anyone suffering the pain of stomach ulcers would have no trouble stopping these habits. But people go on with their indulgences for years–hoping that the doctor, all by himself, can perform a magical cure, while they continue to promote the ulcers as usual.

Another difficulty is the prevailing opinion that they have too much stomach acid. Studies now show that stomach acid supply is usually normal or even low. What is deficient is the secretion of mucus on the stomach lining, to protect it from the acid. Some investigators find that the problem of too little mucus is really due to a deficiency of stomach acid rather than an excess. In fact, the symptoms of too little are the same as for too much.

The English treatment report appeared in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and grew out of a study in a prison in Iran. It all started when an imprisoned physician was called one night to treat a patient suffering with an extremely sharp ulcer pain. The doctor had no medications available during the night, so he gave the patient a pint of water to drink. The pain subsided immediately, and was completely gone in 8 minutes.

As a result of this success the doctor, during his remaining imprisonment, treated more than 600 patients by having them drink a glass of water half an hour before eating and another one, two and a half hours later. Patients had access to antacids during the day, but during this treatment study, the prison pharmacy had almost no demand for them.

There are no special diets that have been universally successful in treating or preventing ulcers. However, there is substantial agreement that distress is much more frequent among people who use: Fruit juices, spicy foods, deep fat fried foods; caffeine products such as tea, coffee, and chocolate; and soft drinks and medications containing caffeine and aspirin.

A deficiency of the essential fatty acids has been a factor in ulcer formation–that must be why olive oil, raw milk, cream and butter and raw eggs have been helpful in ulcer treatment. Also, many ulcer victims are on a too low protein intake and so additional meat, poultry, fish and eggs can be particularly helpful.

 

Dear Dr. Meinig: My sister seems to be against everything and everybody. She continually finds fault with friends, relatives, our government and even herself. It is getting so no one wants to be with her for too long, although some of her tirades are interesting and well-told. She is frequently sick and I can’t help but think she brings it on herself. Would vitamins or change in diet help her? I am concerned as to why she is so unhappy and would hope something could be done for her. – P.L.

 

Dear P.L.: It is a wonder more of us aren’t like your sister. From early childhood we have been bombarded continually with negative information from the press, TV, business contacts, growing families, problems of relatives and friends, health problems, etc. As we grew up, it was easy to react to these stresses by becoming a grouch.

Those that act and continually think negatively, send messages to those around them, to join with them in their view of the world. When people snap at us or fight with us, it is easy to respond the same way. You are wise to realize that your sister will always have difficulty keeping friends.

It is all well and good to suggest she adopt positive thinking, but much of the time her actions probably stem from subconscious responses that have arisen from all her past experiences. Most of us have enough self-esteem to meet and deal with these challenges to our interpretation of our world. It would be easy to label those others as mental cases. Psychologists or psychiatrists could probably help to unravel a good number of problems your sister is creating.

It might seem ludicrous to think a change in diet or vitamin supplements would help such negativeness. Dr. Emanual Cheraskin, ten years ago, introduced the revolutionary idea that “a host of emotional problems, presently labeled ‘mental,'” are actually rooted in improper nutrition. It has been known for many years that severe mental illness could be caused by nutritional deficiencies. Very few however, are aware of the large “gray area” in which the mood is affected by food.

The noted biochemist, Roger J. Williams, in his book, Nutrition Against Disease, stated that brain cells, like all cells, are commonly undernourished. This doesn’t mean that all mental or physical illness is curable by taking a vitamin or changing one’s food habits, but it does indicate an area that merits serious consideration.

Dr. Cheraskin coined a term “Psychodietetics,” and made this the title of his best-selling book, published by Stein and Day. Because you might find the title a bit scary, I’d suggest you purchase and read the book first. You will then find it easy to give it to your sister with some confidence that its message will be useful to her.

Another causative factor found in such cases has been an allergic reaction to food or environmental conditions. Milk, for example, has caused symptoms similar to your sister’s–so don’t forget she could be suffering from an allergy to a food, or to an environmental substance.

No matter how much you love your sister, it would be wise to limit the time you spend with her, as her negativeness can so easily be transferred to you. This is true for everyone dealing with a negative personality. Our own positive attitudes with them are helpful, even when they seem futile, so don’t give up. Keep in mind that such a person needs lots of love and understanding; but you must not be drawn into her orbit of gloom. It isn’t a bad idea for all of us to be more conscious of the negativeness on TV, and in the press, and to be more selective in our choices of programs and articles. This requires a constant watchfulness.

There are so many good things going on in the world–so why should we be mired down with sour, cantankerous, disputatious people and subjects? Plan to include some comedy in your watching and reading–just for fun! And don’t neglect the educational programs, and all the fine things there are to read–these can stimulate your own creative thinking, and help you to maintain a happier mood.