Hole in Your Stomach?

Peptic Ulcers are little eroded holes in the stomach lining caused by gastric juices. Gastric juices are made up of hydrochloric acid and are designed to digest the food we eat. Under normal conditions there is a protective mucous layer in the stomach that can withstand the onslaught of gastric juices. When the mucous layer is weakened, the acid erodes the stomach lining, producing an ulcer. The three main causes of a weakened mucous layer are: 1. stress ( stress causes an increase in gastric juices) 2. anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen 3. poor dietary habits, including junk food, soda pop, too much caffeine and alcohol. Healing an ulcer would involve ridding the body of these three contributors. In addition, Vitamin K has been shown to repair damage to the mucous layer, so eat lots of leafy green vegetables. Cabbage juice heals ulcers and a diet filled with acidolphilus, found in yogurt has also been proven beneficial.

This weeks Thought for the Week, comes from Hippocrates. " Diseases are crises of purification, of toxic elimination. Symptoms are the natural defenses of the body. We call them diseases, but in fact they are the cure of diseases."