Peptic Ulcer - Supplements

Ulcer pain? Undo the damage. Peptic ulcers can cause serious discomfort and damage to the digestive system if left untreated. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Avoid irritants
Avoid smoking, aspirin and related drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), alcohol, coffee (including decaf), and tea to improve ulcer healing
Fight recurrences with fiber
Reduce the risk of new duodenal ulcers by getting enough fiber
Give zinc a go
Take 25 to 50 mg of this mineral a day to speed the repair of damaged tissue
Get a checkup
See a doctor to find out whether your ulcer is related to Helicobacter pylori infection

Also indexed as:

duodenal ulcer,
gastric ulcer,
gastric ulcers,
peptic ulcer,
peptic ulcer disease,
PUD,
stomach ulcer,
stomach ulcers,
ulcer,
ulcers

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
Chewable DG Licorice	250 to 500 mg chewable DGL before meals and bedtime	Licorice root has a long history of use for soothing inflamed and injured mucous membranes in the digestive tract. Flavonoids in licorice may also inhibit growth of H. pylori.
Chewable DG Licorice 250 to 500 mg chewable DGL before meals and bedtime Licorice root has a long history of use for soothing inflamed and injured mucous membranes in the digestive tract. Licorice may protect the stomach and duodenum by increasing production of mucin, a substance that protects the lining of these organs against stomach acid and other harmful substances.²¹ According to laboratory research, flavonoids in licorice may also inhibit growth of H. pylori.²² Chamomile has a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes. It is also high in the flavonoid apigenin—another flavonoid that has inhibited growth of H. pylori in test tubes.²³ Many doctors recommend drinking two to three cups of strong chamomile tea each day. The tea can be made by combining 3 to 5 ml of chamomile tincture with hot water or by steeping 2 to 3 tsp of chamomile flowers in the water, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Chamomile is also available in capsules; two may be taken three times per day.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Mastic	1 gram mastic powder taken before breakfast and at bedtime	The gummy extract of Pistachia lentiscus
Mastic 1 gram mastic powder taken before breakfast and at bedtime The gummy extract of Pistachia lentiscus, also known as mastic or gum mastic, has been shown in one preliminary study and one double-blind study to heal peptic ulcers.²⁴ ^{, 25} This may be related to its ability to kill H. pylori in test tubes.²⁶

Supplement	Amount	Why
Banana Powder	1 gram four times per day	Ayurvedic doctors in India have traditionally used dried banana powder to treat ulcers. Banana powder appears to protect the lining of the stomach from acid.
Neem	30 to 60 mg of freeze-dried bark extract twice per day	Neem bark extract led to a significant reduction in stomach acid levels and near complete healing of all people with duodenal ulcers in one trial.
Neem 30 to 60 mg of freeze-dried bark extract twice per day Administration of 30 to 60 mg of freeze-dried neem bark extract twice per day led to a significant reduction in stomach acid levels and near complete healing of all people with duodenal ulcers over ten weeks time in a preliminary clinical trial.²⁷ Chamomile has a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes. It is also high in the flavonoid apigenin—another flavonoid that has inhibited growth of H. pylori in test tubes.²⁸ Many doctors recommend drinking two to three cups of strong chamomile tea each day. The tea can be made by combining 3 to 5 ml of chamomile tincture with hot water or by steeping 2 to 3 tsp of chamomile flowers in the water, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Chamomile is also available in capsules; two may be taken three times per day. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin A	Take under medical supervision: 150,000 IU per day	Vitamin A is needed to heal the linings of the stomach and intestines. In one trial, supplementing with vitamin A improved healing in a small group of people with stomach ulcer.
Vitamin A Take under medical supervision: 150,000 IU per day Vitamin A is needed to heal the linings (called mucous membranes) of the stomach and intestines. In one controlled trial, vitamin A supplementation facilitated healing in a small group of people with stomach ulcer.²⁹ The amount used in that study (150,000 IU per day) can be toxic and may also cause birth defects. Such a high dose should not be taken by a pregnant woman, by a woman who could become pregnant, or by anyone else without careful supervision from a doctor. Objective evidence of ulcer healing from taking vitamin A has been reported by the same research group.³⁰ The effect of lower amounts of vitamin A has not been studied in people with peptic ulcer. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Zinc	25 to 50 mg daily	Supplementing with zinc may help speed the repair of damaged stomach tissue.
Zinc 25 to 50 mg daily Zinc is also needed for the repair of damaged tissue and has protected against stomach ulceration in animal studies.³¹ In Europe, zinc combined with acexamic acid, an anti-inflammatory substance, is used as a drug in the treatment of peptic ulcers.³² In a small controlled trial, high amounts of zinc accelerated the healing of gastric ulcers compared with placebo.³³ Some doctors suspect that such an exceptionally high intake of zinc may be unnecessary, suggesting instead that people with ulcers wishing to take zinc supplements use only 25 to 50 mg of zinc per day. Even at these lower levels, 1 to 3 mg of copper per day must be taken to avoid copper deficiency that would otherwise be induced by the zinc supplementation. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Zinc-L-Carnosine	150 mg of zinc carnosine complex twice per day	Studies have shown that a zinc salt of the amino acid carnosine protects against ulcer formation and promotes the healing of existing ulcers.
Zinc-L-Carnosine 150 mg of zinc carnosine complex twice per day Experimental animal studies have shown that a zinc salt of the amino acid carnosine exerts significant protection against ulcer formation and promotes the healing of existing ulcers.³⁴ ^{, 35} However, because zinc by itself has been shown to be helpful against peptic ulcer, it is not known how much of the beneficial effect was due to the carnosine.³⁶ ^{, 37} Clinical studies in humans demonstrated that this compound can help eradicate H. pylori, an organism that has been linked to peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.³⁸ The amount of the zinc carnosine complex used in research studies for eradication of H. pylori is 150 mg twice daily.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Calendula	Refer to label instructions	Calendula is another plant with anti-inflammatory and healing activities that can be used as part of a traditional medicine approach to peptic ulcers. The same amount as chamomile can be used.
Calendula Calendula is another plant with anti-inflammatory and healing activities that can be used as part of a traditional medicine approach to peptic ulcers. The same amount as chamomile can be used. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Carnosine	Refer to label instructions	Carnisone may protect against ulcer formation and promote the healing of existing ulcers.
Carnosine Experimental animal studies have shown that a zinc salt of the amino acid carnosine exerts significant protection against ulcer formation and promotes the healing of existing ulcers.³⁹ ^{, 40} However, because zinc by itself has been shown to be helpful against peptic ulcer, it is not known how much of the beneficial effect was due to the carnosine.⁴¹ ^{, 42} Clinical studies in humans demonstrated that this compound can help eradicate H. pylori, an organism that has been linked to peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.⁴³ The amount of the zinc carnosine complex used in research studies for eradication of H. pylori is 150 mg twice daily. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Chamomile	Refer to label instructions	Chamomile has a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes. It is also high in the flavonoid apigenin, which has inhibited growth of H. pylori in test tubes.
Chamomile Chamomile has a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes. It is also high in the flavonoid apigenin—another flavonoid that has inhibited growth of H. pylori in test tubes.⁴⁴ Many doctors recommend drinking two to three cups of strong chamomile tea each day. The tea can be made by combining 3 to 5 ml of chamomile tincture with hot water or by steeping 2 to 3 tsp of chamomile flowers in the water, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Chamomile is also available in capsules; two may be taken three times per day. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Comfrey	Refer to label instructions	Comfrey has history of traditional use for treating gastrointestinal problems, including stomach ulcers.
Comfrey Comfrey has a long tradition of use as a topical agent for improving healing of wounds and skin ulcers.⁴⁵^{, 46} It is also used for people with gastrointestinal problems, including stomach ulcers, though these traditional uses have yet to be tested in scientific studies. People should only use comfrey preparations made from the leaves and avoid those made from the root. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Corydalis	Refer to label instructions	Corydalis extracts are useful in relieving pain and in treating stomach ulcers.
Corydalis Extracts of the herb corydalis are not only helpful as pain-relief agents but also may be useful in the treatment of stomach ulcers. In a study of people with stomach and intestinal ulcers or chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, 90 to 120 mg of corydalis extract per day (equal to 5 to 10 grams of the crude herb) was found to be effective in 76% of the participants.⁴⁷ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
DMSO	Refer to label instructions	DMSO is believed to have antioxidant activity and was found in one study to reduce relapse rates better than the ulcer drug cimetidine (Tagamet).
DMSO Oral supplementation with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reduced relapse rates for peptic ulcer significantly better than did placebo or the ulcer drug cimetidine (Tagamet) in one study.⁴⁸ Previous research showed that DMSO in combination with cimetidine was more effective than cimetidine alone.⁴⁹ These trials used 500 mg of DMSO taken four times per day. The authors of these trials believe the antioxidant activity of DMSO may have a protective effect. Oral supplementation with DMSO should not be attempted without the supervision of a doctor. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Garlic	Refer to label instructions	Garlic has been reported to have anti-Helicobacter activity in test-tube studies and may be helpful for peptic ulcers.
Garlic Garlic has been reported to have anti-Helicobacter activity in test-tube studies.⁵⁰^{, 51} In a preliminary trial, garlic supplementation (300 mg in tablets three times daily for eight weeks) failed to eradicate H. pylori in participants with active infections.⁵² In another preliminary trial, participants with active H. pylori infections added 10 sliced cloves of garlic to a meal.⁵³ The addition of garlic failed to inhibit the growth of the organism. Further trials using garlic extracts are needed to validate the anti-Helicobacter activity of garlic observed in test tubes. Until then, evidence to support the use of garlic for H. pylori-related peptic ulcers remains weak. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Glutamine	Refer to label instructions	Glutamine, an amino acid, is the main energy source for cells that line the small intestine and stomach. Supplementing with it may help people overcome peptic ulcers.
Glutamine Glutamine, an amino acid, is the principal source of energy for cells that line the small intestine and stomach. More than 40 years ago, glutamine was reported to help people with peptic ulcer in a preliminary trial.⁵⁴ Glutamine has also prevented stress ulcers triggered by severe burns in another preliminary study.⁵⁵ Despite the limited amount of published research, some doctors suggest 500 to 1,000 mg of glutamine taken two to three times per day to help people overcome peptic ulcers. What Else Is This Supplement Used For? See Drug Interactions

Supplement	Amount	Why
Marshmallow	Refer to label instructions	High-mucilage-containing herbs such as marshmallow have a long history of use for irritated or inflamed mucous membranes in the digestive system.
Marshmallow Marshmallow is high in mucilage. High-mucilage-containing herbs have a long history of use for irritated or inflamed mucous membranes in the digestive system, though no clinical research has yet investigated effects in people with peptic ulcer. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Plantain	Refer to label instructions	Because of plantain’s anti-inflammatory and healing effects, it may be beneficial in some people with peptic ulcer.
Plantain Because of the anti-inflammatory and healing effects of plantain, it may be beneficial in some people with peptic ulcer. Clinical trials have not been done to confirm this possibility. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Vitamin C	Refer to label instructions	Vitamin C may be useful in treating peptic ulcers because of its ability to help eradicate H. pylori
Vitamin C Little is known about the effects of vitamin C supplementation for people with peptic ulcer. People with gastritis, a related condition, have been found to have low levels of vitamin C in their stomach juice. Vitamin C may also help eradicate H. pylori in people with gastritis. Vitamin C may one day prove to have a therapeutic effect for people with peptic ulcer; however, further research in this area is needed. 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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