DGL and Vitamin U for Peptic Ulcers

By Shary Blackard

Gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, irritations from aspirin or drugs, alcohol, stress or spicy food. Most peptic ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection. Scientists from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, working at the University of Michigan Medical School, conducted two studies with laboratory mice. The mice that were treated with acid blocking prescription drugs (proton pump inhibitors or PPIs), acquired more bacteria and developed more inflammatory changes in their stomach linings than untreated mice (www.altmedicine.com). 

When ulcer patients are prescribed antacids, proton pump inhibitors and histamine blockers (Tagamet®, Zantac®, Prilosec® and Prevacid®), stomach acid is greatly reduced and so is the body’s natural defense mechanism against invading microbes. The UM study found that by inhibiting gastric acid production, greater numbers of bacteria were present in the stomach cell samples of the study animals. 

DGL (deglycrrhizinated licorice) has been used to promote healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers for many years. When compared to antacids (Tagamet® and Zantac®) in 874 patients with chronic duodenal ulcers, the healing rate showed no significant difference, but fewer relapses were noted in the DGL group (Kassir, Z.A., Irish Med. J. 1985, 78:153-56). In another study, one hundred patients with gastric ulcers received either DGL (760 mg 3 times a day between meals) or Tagamet® (200 mg 3 times a day and 400 mg at bedtime). Ulcers healed after 6 weeks and 12 weeks were similar in both groups (Morgan Ag, et al, Gut 23:545-51). 

Cabbage extract factor, also known as vitamin U, has been the focus of numerous studies. In one study, 55 patients were treated with vitamin U, eleven suffered from gastric, forty-two from duodenal and 2 from jejunal ulcers. All but 3 patients were symptomatically relieved in 2 to 5 days. Of the 3 who were not relieved, surgery was required for the chronic type of penetrating ulcer in two instances. The healing time of the craters varied between 8 and 23 days with an average of 11.5 days (Cheney, G. Calif, Med. 77 (4): 248-252. 1952). 

~ Excerpt from GERD and Peptic Ulcers ADJUNCTIVE THERAPIES AND ALTERNATIVES TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (http://www.needs.com/product/HWC04-DGH-02/l_Heartburn)