Diet for gastritis: Foods that aid in the treatment of gastritis

What is the connection between nutrition and gastritis?

Did you know that the stomach lining reacts to almost everything that passes through it - food, drinks, even stress?

Gastritis is an inflammation of the top layer of the stomach lining. It is a relatively common condition that accompanies the lives of a large part of the population. Momentary irritation (lasting days or weeks) is characteristic of acute gastritis. The condition becomes chronic if the process continues for longer or is exposed to irritants, leading to frequent reactivation.

What is the dietary regimen for gastritis and how can we help ourselves through the right selection and rhythm of eating?

SYMPTOMS OF GASTRITIS

First, let us say a few words about the clinical picture of gastritis. Inflammation of the stomach lining leads to various types of discomfort, pain, and general malaise, heartburn, indigestion, and a burning sensation behind the sternum. The following are also frequently felt:

• Bloating
• Heaviness in the upper abdomen
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Decreased appetite or lack of appetite
• Abdominal pain on an empty stomach or after eating, accompanied by bloating
• Frequent hiccups, unpleasant taste in the mouth

Symptoms can vary from person to person, which makes a suitable diet a key element in stomach care.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT OF GASTRITIS

Conventional treatment for gastritis includes taking antacids or more modern proton pump inhibitors, the long-term use of which can lead to serious side effects, such as osteoporosis or a condition called hypochlorhydria (low stomach acidity).

Taking antacid pills has a temporary effect and is a suitable symptomatic measure, but it does not cure the cause of the inflammation of the stomach lining. A proper diet for gastritis is a key element of treatment and should not be neglected.

A healthy, balanced diet that does not irritate the stomach lining, combined with the avoidance of daily "culprit" foods, is the key to lasting treatment of gastritis.

Follow our six dietary tips and you will facilitate the elimination of the root cause of gastritis. Antacid tablets can mask symptoms of gastritis, but changes in diet are a key element in the therapy of gastrointestinal tract diseases.

DIETARY TIPS FOR GASTRITIS

TIP #1

Ensure your diet regularly includes foods that kill the bacteria responsible for stomach inflammation - Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

• Broccoli. The nutrient in broccoli called sulforaphane has a clinically proven effect in destroying H. pylori bacteria in the stomach lining. Broccoli sprouts contain 20 to 50 times more sulforaphane than mature plants. Since more than 50% of the world's population is a carrier of H. pylori - even if there may be no complaints - the consumption of broccoli several times a week or taking broccoli supplements is recommended for everyone.
• Garlic is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal agent, and H. pylori bacteria are highly sensitive to it, which makes it a good food for gastritis. People with increased acidity do not react well to garlic, so it is good to consume small amounts of garlic (or take garlic capsules) and gradually increase the amount. [3]

TIP #2

Do not neglect probiotics.

A number of studies indicate that the intake of probiotics supports the treatment of H. pylori. Probiotic strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium contain beneficial bacteria that colonize the soft lining of the intestinal tract and support the digestive system.

Taking probiotics can support the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients. For people who have gastritis and a vitamin B12 deficiency, taking foods with probiotics and probiotic supplements with B-group vitamins can have a significant positive impact.

Which foods are naturally rich in probiotics? Organic yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and sourdough bread are popular and accessible probiotic products.

The new product from LactoFlor Helico Protect contains the clinically tested strain L. Reuteri - a “good” bacterium that binds specifically to the “bad” H. pylori and removes it from the body through the digestive tract, without altering the stomach microbiome.

Why choose LactoFlor Helico Protect:

• Reduces H. pylori levels in the stomach
• Contains clinically tested strains with proven positive action
• Zn-L-carnosine synergistically suppresses stomach inflammation and supports the healing of stomach ulcers
• Has no side effects and does not affect human microbiota
• Is not affected by antibiotic intake

Lactoflor Helico Protect is a combination of a patented and clinically tested strain of Lactobacillus reuteri - Pylopass™, and Zn-L-carnosine, which specifically form co-aggregates with H. pylori bacteria and ensure its effective removal from the gastrointestinal tract.

TIP #3

Consume foods that reduce the damage caused by the use of medications such as ibuprofen, piroxicam, diclofenac, etc. You can use specific products that are useful both for treating the stomach and for relieving gastritis symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, burning, bloating, and heartburn:

• Ginger / ginger decoction
• Apple cider vinegar / diluted with water
• Turmeric
• Oregano
• Cranberry juice
• Pineapple (the enzyme bromelain in pineapple helps with better digestion)

Focus on vitamin A (beta-carotene), found in carrots, vegetables, spinach, asparagus, sweet potatoes, peaches, and apricots. Vitamin A is essential for the proper regeneration of mucous membranes and tissues.

TIP #4

Create a food diary. Avoid foods and drinks that worsen gastritis symptoms.

For two to four weeks, write down everything you eat or drink, with the exact date and time. At the same time, note every time you feel unpleasant symptoms.

Once your food diary is complete, track the correlation between food consumption and the symptoms you experienced.

For example, do you have nausea or heartburn an hour after eating pizza? Or do you feel bloating and cramps in your abdomen after bread or sweets? Once you understand which foods worsen the condition, make it a habit to avoid them.

TIP #5

Constant relief of gastritis symptoms involves a change in your lifestyle. Although it is not easy, be persistent!

Eat a nutritious diet with balanced foods containing easily digestible proteins, natural fats, and slow-absorbing carbohydrates.

TIP #6

Do not do it.

Sweets can worsen gastritis. Diet choice is key to relieving and avoiding the symptoms of gastritis.

Avoid “irritant foods” that can damage the gastrointestinal tract and your immune system. Exclude these products from your menu:

• Milk and dairy products (other than yogurt)
• Soy, corn, beans, legumes
• Hard-to-digest grains
• Potatoes
• Spicy foods
• Confectionery
• Carbonated drinks
• Too much coffee
• Energy drinks
• Alcohol

4 MAIN CAUSES LEADING TO GASTRITIS

There are several reasons why a person may develop this disease:

- invasion of the H. Pylori bacterium,

- chronic stress leading to increased secretion of hydrochloric acid,

- poor diet and intake of fatty, heavy, and spicy foods,

- intake of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc.

1. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This is a bacterium that is found in a large part of the population and can be a factor in irritation of the stomach lining. About 50% of the world's population is infected with this bacterium, although most people do not experience symptoms or even know about it. [1] H. pylori can cause inflammation in the lining of the stomach, leading to gastritis and stomach ulcers.

2. Conditions associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. This occurs when the gastrointestinal tract does not absorb vitamin B12 properly, most likely due to chronic inflammation - gastritis. Therefore, conditions that cause gastritis are the same as those that cause vitamin B12 deficiency: celiac disease (gluten sensitivity), Crohn's disease, recent stomach surgery, recent infection, malnutrition, thyroid disease, or pernicious anemia (a form of anemia that occurs when the stomach lacks a naturally occurring substance called intrinsic factor, which is necessary for the proper absorption of vitamin B12).

3. Use of certain medications. Sometimes symptoms of gastritis stem from taking medications that cause stomach problems or even stomach bleeding: aspirin, NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen), prednisone, chemotherapy drugs, etc.

4. Carbonated drinks, spicy foods, heavy or acidic foods. Drinks such as coffee, alcohol, juices with citric acids, and spicy foods can worsen the symptoms of gastritis.

Don't forget to consult your GP as well!

SOURCES:

[1] Mayo Clinic.
[2] Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 May 28; 99(11): 7610-7615.
[3] J. Nutr. 2011 March 1; 131(3): 1106S-1108S.