Ulcer Causes and Foods to avoid Ulcers
Consume
• A balanced, varied diet to promote healing.
• Lean meat, poultry, enriched or fortified breads and cereals, legumes, and dried fruits for iron lost through bleeding.
AVOID
• Coffee, including decaffeinated, and other sources of caffeine.
• Spices such as pepper, chili peppers, cloves, and garlic, which trigger acid secretion.
• Alcohol.
• Smoking.
• Fatty foods.
• Late-night snacks.
CAUSES OF ULCERS
The antacid industry is based on the notion that oversecretion of stomach acid causes ulcers as well as indigestion and heartburn. Although excess acid secretion plays a role, most ulcers develop when a common bacterium, called Helicobacter pylon, infects the intestinal tract. Smoking, emotional stress, and heavy drinking can also contribute to a person’s risk of ulcers, and some people may have a hereditary predisposition. Ulcers frequently occur in people subjected to extreme physical stress, such as serious burns or surgery. The other major cause of ulcers is the heavy use of drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammat6ry drugs (NSAIDs), which erode the mucous membranes. Aspirin’s effects are particularly serious, because it also inhibits blood clotting and promotes bleeding.
