Gastric ulcer

[chloebrin]

Is there an alternative treatment to omeprazole for gastric ulcer?  I have adverse reaction to PPI's but need to heal my ulcer.  My biopsy was Hpylori negative but have been on aspirin therapy for several years.

[Paxiled]

Oh, I should add, the medical treatments for ulcers tend to make sure they stay around or come back.  All those acid suppressants just force the digestive system to produce even more, since acid is necessary to digest protein.  It's called the rebound effect.  Much better, then, to try something natural if the bleeding isn't critical.  Once you control for that with antacids, you can move to natural treatment and avoid the rebound effect that makes the problem permanent.

[Paxiled]

Agree that it's probably the aspirin, but might have been aided by stresses.  DGL is a good suggestion.  Aloe vera juice can also be very helpful in healing an ulcer.  Slippery elm is very good at repairing and maintaining the mucosal lining of the walls of the digestive system.  As for blood thinning, many natural substances help to blood thin, but they aren't as strong as medication.  In combination, however, they can work.  The question is why you're taking blood thinners to begin with.  Dietary changes are generally much safer, and there are herbal treatments that can be tried first for heart related problems.  Aspirin is an interesting drug.  For one thing, it's unregulated, since it came in as GRAS when the FDA was first created.  It's probably killed more people than any other medication, though docs know much more about this now and the doses have been correspondingly reduced.  The substance that is aspirin was isolated they think by the ancient Greeks from white willow bark.  You can still take willow bark for the same purposes, but it has much less of the substance so it doesn't have the side effects but it also isn't as strong.  Other herbs containing some of the active ingredient are white oak bark, boswellia, and devil's claw.  I personally cured my ulcer many years ago when my doctor at that time recommended meditation.  Worked completely; also got rid of my migraines.  That was before the connection to hpylori was discovered, so it suggests hpylori may be more opportunistic than causative in and of itself.  It tends to be everywhere and in everyone, but everyone doesn't have ulcers.  You might want to consult Prescription for Nutritional Healing for some more info on natural healing of ulcers.  Good luck.  

[gymdandee]

Natural Blood Thinners: Herbs and Spices
GINGER, helps make blood platelets less sticky. You can add ginger to stirfry vegetable dishes, of you can cook with other beneficial spices such as TURMERIC or Curcumin may be able to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the body. Since oxidized cholesterol is what damages blood vessels and builds up in the plaques that can lead to heart attack or stroke, preventing the oxidation of new cholesterol may help to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.
In addition, turmeric is a good source of vitamin B6, which is needed to keep homocysteine levels from getting too high. High levels of homocysteine are considered a significant risk factor for blood vessel damage, atherosclerotic plaque build-up, and heart disease; while a high intake of vitamin B6 is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
A supplement with both Turmeric and fish oil is ideal for heart protection.
Natural Blood Thinners: Fish Oil Omegas
FISH OIL is an anti-inflammatory and acts as a blood thinner – the Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil – DHA and EPA combined, promote heart health and overall health by:
increasing artery flexibility by reducing inflammation
decreasing blood clotting and blood vessel constriction
long term fish oil supplementation has consistently been shown to reduce artery stiffness – a dosage of 900 mg of DHA and EPA, combined
or eating 6 ounces of salmon per week
A daily fish oil supplement can produce a significant blood thinning effect. There are many reasons why you need to add more natural blood thinners -- fruits, vegetables and spices into your diet.
You can avoid a stroke by eating fruits, veggies, omegas and spices -- either along with your medication or to avoid blood thinner medication before your doctor prescribes them.
Because many foods have natural blood thinners or anticoagulants, patients are advised to check their International Normalized Ratio (INR) often, so as to adjust the dosage of their Warfarin.
You can also consult a nutritionist about how to add more natural anticoagulants to reduce your need for blood thinning medication.
Eat Bananas to avoid a Stroke?
A review, of 11 studies following more than 247,000 adults, found that as potassium intake went up, participants' risk of suffering a stroke went down!
• Foods high in potassium are bananas, cantaloupe, beans, almonds, spinach, beets, salmon and many fruits and vegetables that are healthy choices.
Researchers led by Dr. Lanfranco D'Elia, of the University of Naples Medical School in Italy, combined the results of 11 international studies that followed 247,510 adults for up to 19 years.
D'Elia's team found that for every 1,640-milligram increase in people's daily potassium intake, the odds of suffering a stroke declined by 21 percent.
The 21-percent reduction in stroke risk would translate into as many as 1.15 million fewer stroke deaths worldwide each year, D'Elia's team estimates. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology.)
Blood Thinners and Vitamin K
Eat Your Greens with Warfarin or Coumadin!
Here's the rule about blood thinners and Vitamin K:
Foods of high or medium Vitamin K content do NOT need to be avoided because they are natural blood thinners!
But it is most important to avoid abrupt increases or decreases in the intake of Vitamin K rich foods, especially those with very high levels of vitamin K:
Google doctor gourmet the web site is all about foods and vitamin K

[gymdandee]

If you have a clotting disorder I wouldn't stop the aspirin without talking to your doctor! What is your disorder? I have 2 genetic factors for clots, prothrombin
and lupus anticoagulant. I could give you a list of foods and supplements that will thin your blood but not knowing how much it will take to thin your blood you could have more clots. At age 60 I had 3 clots in my left lung and 2 in the right lung. eventually they wanted me on a baby aspirin and I told them that aspirin can cause bleeding and strokes and that I don't have a heart condition.
they said take aspirin and I had 4 clots 2 in each leg. I'm on warfarin and they wanted me still to take an aspirin and I said to them are you nuts?
they agreed and only have me on the rat poison  warfarin.
I'm giving you a list of blood thinners but talk to your doctor! Don't risk your life.
Herbs and spices high in salicylates include:
Curry powder, Cayenne pepper, Ginger, Paprika, Thyme, Cinnamon,
Dill, Oregano, Turmeric, Licorice, Peppermint.
Fruits high in salicylates include
Raisins, Prunes, Cherries, Cranberries, Blueberries, Grapes, Strawberries,
Tangerines, Oranges.
Other substance high in salicylates:
Chewing gum, Honey, Peppermints, Vinegar, Wine, Cider.
Additional Selected Foods With Compounds That Thin the Blood
Tree Ear, Jicama, Garlic, Onions, Olive Oil.

Many fruits, vegetables and spices act as natural blood thinners and can reduce your risk of heart disease, and fish oil has been extensively studied and shown to be a blood thinner.
Your doctor has more confidence in blood thinner medications because their action is specific, and it’s easy to control their dosage, although your pharmacist has a virtual book of do's and don'ts for when you take Coumadin.
Some foods have been as carefully researched as drugs for their blood thinning effects green beans and tomatoes keep blood cells from clumping together grapes and raspberries prevent clot formation raspberries have clot dissolving ability
Source: Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2011 Feb 9.
sea vegetables (edible seaweeds) have anti blood clotting properties and play an important part in keeping fats in the blood safe.  
stopping cold turkey the blood thinner medication Coumadin may not be a good idea. a rebound effect when stopped suddenly. This means that when you stop taking Coumadin probably because of unwanted Coumadin & warfarin side effects such as bleeding strokes, and calcium buildup in your arteries – there MAY be a short time of INCREASED RISK of unwanted blood clots.
Eating a larger assortment of fruits, vegetables, spices and adding heart supportive supplements will build your heart health while you phase out your blood thinner medication with your doctor’s supervision, and avoid the very serious risks of brain bleeding -- the Warfarin Side Effects of taking Coumadin
Natural Blood Thinners Adding a special MEDICAL PROTEIN to your diet can reduce “platelet aggregation,” and keep the fats in your blood “safe” so they don’t get “rancid” and don’t cause harm (lipid peroxidation) and in effect reduce your need for Coumadin.
By adding a proven immune building protein you will not have to worry about conflicting with any medication, including blood thinner medication, because it is SAFE -- clinically shown NOT to interact with any drugs.
2) Many FRUITS, VEGETABLES and SPICES act as natural blood thinners. That is why a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is known to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. bromelain is a blood thinner. Pineapples have enzymes called bromelain, which is a natural anticoagulant.
FISH OIL are anti inflammatory and keep you arteries flexible as you age – slowing down how fast your arteries age  and reducing blood clotting and blood vessel constriction.
Apples, Grapes, Pineapples: Natural Blood Thinners
Fruits are good sources of anticoagulants that reduce blood clotting. Nutritionists recommend 2-3 servings of fruits a day for better health. Drinking fruit juices is a convenient way to meet this daily requirement, as these are concentrated.
TART CHERRIES researchers at the University of Michigan are finding that tart cherries contain anthocyanins which reduce both cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, improving cholesterol, blood glucose, fats and insulin levels.
Taking 2 tablespoons of tart Tart Cherry Concentrate per day, or the equivalent of 45 cherries, reduces the inflammatory markers in the blood. (Journal of Nutrition, 2006, Vol. 136, pp. 981-986)
GRAPES contain flavonoids that reduce platelet clumping and harmful blood clots. Purple grape juice's antiplatelet activity shows stronger than aspirin. (47th Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology)
Drinking two cups of purple grape juice a day for seven days achieved a level of platelet aggregation reduction greater than some levels previously reported for aspirin.
APPLES also contain phytonutrients like those found in grapes. (Study by UC Davis School of Medicine)
Drinking a 12-ounce glass of 100% apple juice (non-sweetened) every day for 6 weeks aids in delaying or breaking down LDL or bad cholesterol, which also causes stroke.
PINEAPPLES are well-known as great sources of fiber, which acts like a broom in removing toxins in the blood and bad cholesterol. This is often the reason why it is recommended to people with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
Besides being a great fiber resource,

[chloebrin]

Thanks for the information.  I do take probiotics but have never heard of prebiotocs.  Will get the DGL.  I have a clotting disorder and worry about stopping the aspirin, but someone said there might be something else that would thin the blood without stomach problems, such as Tumeric.  Have you heard of that?

[gymdandee]

It's probably caused by the aspirin!
More than 70 percent of your immune system is in your gut!
You need prebiotics and probiotics! Take 5-6 grams of a good prebiotic
NOW brand makes Inulin Prebiotic FOS you should be able to buy at any health food store. The probiotic should contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobac-terium groups! Also try deglycerinated licorice (DGL) buy at the health food store It quiets your gut inflammation and is good for healing ulcers!