Gastritis - Supplements

A dull ache in your belly may be a sign of gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining. First uncover the cause. Then control the discomfort. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Get to know gamma oryzanol
Take 300 mg a day of this supplement to improve gastritis symptoms
Steer clear of irritants
Help with the healing process and prevent recurrences by reducing your intake of salt, caffeine, decaf coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods
Say no to smoking
Reduce your risks by kicking the habit
Get a checkup
Visit your doctor to find out if your gastritis is due to a treatable medical condition and whether you should avoid taking certain irritating medications

Also indexed as:

alcoholic gastritis,
gastritis

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Gamma Oryzanol	300 mg daily	Supplementing with gamma oryzanol may improve improve gastritis symptoms.
Gamma Oryzanol 300 mg daily The results of several clinical trials suggest that gamma oryzanol supplementation can help people with gastritis and other gastrointestinal complaints. In one study, people with chronic gastritis were given 300 mg of gamma oryzanol per day.¹² After two weeks, 23% of people taking gamma oryzanol reported that it was “extremely effective” and 55% rated it as “moderately effective.” Another study produced similar results: People with various types of gastritis received 300 mg of gamma oryzanol per day. After two weeks, more than 62% of those with superficial gastritis, more than 87% of those with atrophic gastritis, and all people with erosive gastritis experienced improvement. These results were confirmed in a large study involving approximately 2,000 people with various gastrointestinal complaints, including several forms of gastritis.¹³ Some of these people required as much as 600 mg per day for symptoms to improve. People with gastritis wishing to take gamma oryzanol for more than six months, or in amounts exceeding 300 mg per day, should first consult with a physician. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
N-Acetyl Cysteine	1 gram daily	In one study, people with atrophic gastritis given NAC saw increased healing.
N-Acetyl Cysteine 1 gram daily Various amino acids have shown promise for people with gastritis. In a double-blind trial, taking 200 mg of cysteine four times daily provided significant benefit for people with bleeding gastritis caused by NSAIDs (such as aspirin).¹⁴ Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that stimulates healing of gastritis. In a preliminary trial, 1–4 grams per day of NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) given to people with atrophic gastritis for four weeks appeared to increase healing.¹⁵ Glutamine, another amino acid is a main energy source for cells in the stomach and supplementation may increase blood flow to this region.¹⁶ Patients in surgical intensive care units often develop gastrointestinal problems related to a glutamine deficiency.¹⁷ When burn victims were supplemented with glutamine, they did not develop stress ulcers, even after several operations.¹⁸ Nevertheless, it remains unclear to what extent glutamine supplementation might prevent or help existing gastritis. Preliminary evidence suggests the amino acid arginine may both protect the stomach and increase its blood flow,¹⁹ but research has yet to investigate the effects of arginine supplementation in people with gastritis. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin C	5 grams daily	Vitamin C may reduce free radical damage in the stomach lining in the case of gastritis caused by the bacteriaH. pylori.
Vitamin C 5 grams daily When H. pylori causes gastritis, free radical levels rise in the stomach lining.²⁰ These unstable molecules contribute to inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps quench free radical molecules, is low in the stomach juice of people with chronic gastritis. This deficiency may be the link between chronic gastritis and the increased risk of stomach cancer. When people with gastritis took 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day, vitamin C levels in their gastric juice rose, though not to normal levels.²¹ In another trial, vitamin C supplementation (5 grams per day divided into several doses for four weeks) appeared to eliminate H. pylori infection.²² While no direct evidence proves that taking vitamin C reduces gastritis symptoms, scientists widely believe that any agent capable of knocking out H. pylori should help people with this condition. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Arginine	Refer to label instructions	The amino acid arginine may both protect the stomach and increase its blood flow.
Arginine Various amino acids have shown promise for people with gastritis. In a double-blind trial, taking 200 mg of cysteine four times daily provided significant benefit for people with bleeding gastritis caused by NSAIDs (such as aspirin).²³ Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that stimulates healing of gastritis. In a preliminary trial, 1–4 grams per day of NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) given to people with atrophic gastritis for four weeks appeared to increase healing.²⁴ Glutamine, another amino acid is a main energy source for cells in the stomach and supplementation may increase blood flow to this region.²⁵ Patients in surgical intensive care units often develop gastrointestinal problems related to a glutamine deficiency.²⁶ When burn victims were supplemented with glutamine, they did not develop stress ulcers, even after several operations.²⁷ Nevertheless, it remains unclear to what extent glutamine supplementation might prevent or help existing gastritis. Preliminary evidence suggests the amino acid arginine may both protect the stomach and increase its blood flow,²⁸ but research has yet to investigate the effects of arginine supplementation in people with gastritis. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Beta-Carotene	Refer to label instructions	The antioxidant beta-carotene may reduce free radical damage in the stomach, and supplementing with it has led to improvements in people with gastritis in some studies.
Beta-Carotene Caution: Synthetic beta-carotene has been linked to increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Until more is known, smokers should avoid all beta-carotene supplements. The antioxidant beta-carotene may reduce free radical damage in the stomach,²⁹ and eating foods high in beta-carotene has been linked to a decreased risk of developing chronic atrophic gastritis.³⁰ Moreover, people with active gastritis have been reported to have low levels of beta-carotene in their stomachs.³¹ In a preliminary trial, giving 30,000 IU of beta-carotene per day to people with ulcers or gastritis led to the disappearance of gastric erosions.³² In another study, combining vitamin C and beta-carotene also led to improvement in most people with chronic atrophic gastritis.³³ What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Bladderwrack	Refer to label instructions	Bladderwrack is high in mucilage, which may be advantageous for people with gastritis because its slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract. Learn More
Chamomile	Refer to label instructions	Chamomile may soothe injured and inflamed mucous membranes. Active ingredients in chamomile appears to inhibit H. pylori and reduce free radical activity.
Chamomile Chamomile, high in the flavonoid apigenin, may soothe injured and inflamed mucous membranes. In addition, a test tube study has shown that apigenin inhibits H. pylori,³⁴ and chamazulene, another active ingredient in chamomile, reduces free radical activity,³⁵ both potential advantages for people with gastritis. Human clinical trials are needed to confirm chamomile’s effectiveness for treating gastritis. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Glutamine	Refer to label instructions	The amino acid glutamine is a main energy source for cells in the stomach and may increase blood flow to this region.
Glutamine Various amino acids have shown promise for people with gastritis. In a double-blind trial, taking 200 mg of cysteine four times daily provided significant benefit for people with bleeding gastritis caused by NSAIDs (such as aspirin).³⁶ Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that stimulates healing of gastritis. In a preliminary trial, 1–4 grams per day of NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) given to people with atrophic gastritis for four weeks appeared to increase healing.³⁷ Glutamine, another amino acid is a main energy source for cells in the stomach and supplementation may increase blood flow to this region.³⁸ Patients in surgical intensive care units often develop gastrointestinal problems related to a glutamine deficiency.³⁹ When burn victims were supplemented with glutamine, they did not develop stress ulcers, even after several operations.⁴⁰ Nevertheless, it remains unclear to what extent glutamine supplementation might prevent or help existing gastritis. Preliminary evidence suggests the amino acid arginine may both protect the stomach and increase its blood flow,⁴¹ but research has yet to investigate the effects of arginine supplementation in people with gastritis. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Goldenseal	Refer to label instructions	Goldenseal is considered an herbal antibiotic and has been traditionally used for infections of the mucous membranes. One of its active ingredients appears to slow H. pylori growth.
Goldenseal Goldenseal is regarded as an herbal antibiotic and has been traditionally used for infections of the mucous membranes. While no specific research points to goldenseal as a treatment for gastritis, there is some evidence from test tube studies that berberine, an active ingredient in goldenseal, slows growth of H. pylori.⁴² Modern herbal practitioners now prefer alternatives to goldenseal, since the plant is threatened with extinction due to overharvesting. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Licorice	Refer to label instructions	Licorice root has been traditionally used to soothe stomach inflammation and injury. Its flavonoid constituents have been found to stall the growth of H. pylori in test tube studies.
Licorice Many of the same herbs that are helpful for peptic ulcers may also aid people with gastritis. Licorice root, for example, has been traditionally used to soothe inflammation and injury in the stomach. Its flavonoid constituents have been found to stall the growth of H. pylori in test tube studies.⁴³ However, there have been no clinical trials using licorice to treat gastritis. To avoid potential side effects, such as increasing blood pressure and water weight gain, many physicians recommend deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). This form of licorice retains its healing qualities by removing the glycyrrhizin that causes problems in some people. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Marshmallow	Refer to label instructions	Marshmallow is high in mucilage, which may be advantageous for people with gastritis because its slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract.
Marshmallow Demulcent herbs, such as marshmallow, slippery elm, and bladderwrack, are high in mucilage. Mucilage might be advantageous for people with gastritis because its slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract. Marshmallow is used for mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa.⁴⁴ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Slippery Elm	Refer to label instructions	Slippery elm is high in mucilage, which may be advantageous for people with gastritis because its slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract.
Slippery Elm Demulcent herbs, such as marshmallow, slippery elm, and bladderwrack, are high in mucilage. Mucilage might be advantageous for people with gastritis because its slippery nature soothes irritated mucus membranes of the digestive tract. Marshmallow is used for mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa.⁴⁵ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin A	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin A appears to reduce ulcer size and pain in people with ulcers and may help treat gastritis.
Vitamin A Zinc and vitamin A, nutrients that aid in healing, are commonly used to help people with peptic ulcers. For example, the ulcers of people taking 50 mg of zinc three times per day healed three times faster than those of people who took placebo.⁴⁶ Since some types of gastritis can progress to peptic ulcer, it is possible that taking it may be useful. Nevertheless, the research does not yet show that zinc specifically helps people with gastritis. The amount of zinc used in this study is very high compared with what most people take (15–40 mg per day). Even at these lower levels, it is necessary to take 1–3 mg of copper per day to avoid a zinc-induced copper deficiency. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Wood Betony	Refer to label instructions	Wood betony has been used in European traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of heartburn and gastritis.
Wood Betony Wood betony(Stachys betonica) has been used in European traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of heartburn and gastritis. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Zinc	Refer to label instructions	Zinc is helpful in healing peptic ulcers, which can occur in some types of gastritis.
Zinc Zinc and vitamin A, nutrients that aid in healing, are commonly used to help people with peptic ulcers. For example, the ulcers of people taking 50 mg of zinc three times per day healed three times faster than those of people who took placebo.⁴⁷ Since some types of gastritis can progress to peptic ulcer, it is possible that taking it may be useful. Nevertheless, the research does not yet show that zinc specifically helps people with gastritis. The amount of zinc used in this study is very high compared with what most people take (15–40 mg per day). Even at these lower levels, it is necessary to take 1–3 mg of copper per day to avoid a zinc-induced copper deficiency. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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