Gastric Mucosa Inflammation: Nutritional Therapy

Acute gastritis

Local effects such as drugs, alcohol, nicotine, irregular eating, bacterial toxins, infection by Helicobacter pylori, and stress resulting from trauma, burns, shock, and surgery often trigger inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa by damaging the mucosal barrier

Nutritional recommendations in acute gastritis

As part of nutritional therapy, alcohol, nicotine, and drugs that damage the mucosa must be avoided in particular.

Chronic gastritis

Chronic gastritis is divided into three types:

Chronic gastritis type A Autoimmune gastritis 5% of cases.
This form of gastritis is an autoimmune disease with antibodies to the gastric mucosal cells or intrinsic factor, resulting in mucosal atrophy (regression of the mucosa) and a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. On the one hand, folic acid can no longer be sufficiently absorbed, and on the other hand, the gastric mucosa is no longer able to produce sufficient amounts of the intrinsic factor required for vitamin B12 absorption. The symptoms that occur are usually the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Affected individuals must be injected intramuscularly with vitamin B12 for the rest of their lives. Chronic gastritis type B 85 % of cases
The type B form of chronic gastritis is triggered in about 90% of cases by a colonization of the gastric mucosa with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. In most cases, mucosal colonization with these pathogens occurs as a result of inadequate housing, food and drinking water hygiene. An excessively high salt content in the diet in cured and smoked foods as well as increased caffeine and alcohol consumption also promote a Helicobacter pylori infection. Both the ammonia produced by the pathogen and specific cytotoxins (cell toxins) damage the mucosa, resulting in tissue loss of the mucosa and reduced gastric acid secretion. Consequently, the pH of gastric juice increases, causing bacterial colonization of the normally largely sterile stomach. The increased bacterial count in gastric juice also favors the development of gastric cancer, as nitrate-reducing bacteria convert the ingested nitrate into nitrite. Nitrite and nitrogenous substances can form cancer-causing N-nitrose compounds in the stomach. If attention is paid to an adequate intake of secondary plant compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and sulfides, the growth of cancer cells in esophageal, gastric and colon cancer can be inhibited. Sulfides specifically protect against stomach cancer. Adequate dietary sulfide intake can inhibit bacterial growth in the stomach due to its antibacterial effect. As a result, less nitrate is converted into nitrite and consequently fewer cancer-promoting nitrosamines are formed. Phenolic acids also exhibit protective effects against stomach cancer. They have a strong antioxidant effect and can thus inactivate numerous cancer-promoting substances, especially nitrosamines and mycotoxins [4.3]. Secondary plant compounds are also able to inhibit the phase 1 enzymes responsible for carcinogenesis and prevent the growth of DNA-damaged cells. In addition, they activate natural killer cells as well as cell-killing T-lymphocytes to stop carcinogenesis. The absorption (uptake) of some vital substances is significantly impaired both by the infection with Helicobacter pylori itself and by the widespread therapy with various combined antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors inhibit the occupant cells and thus the acid production. Intestinal absorption of vitamins B12, C, E, beta-carotene and iron may thus be reduced. Chronic gastritis type C 10% of cases.
The type C form is a chemically triggered gastritis and results from the reflux of bile from the duodenum.

Chronic gastritis vital substance deficiency

Vital substance	Deficiency symptoms
Beta-carotene	Decreased antioxidant protection, increased risk for lipid peroxidation as well as oxidative DNA damage. Weakened immune system Drying up to cornification of mucous membranes in the mouth, in the salivary gland excretory ducts. Enhancement of mucosal atrophy Favors tissue remodeling Increased risk of skin, lung, prostate, cervical, breast, esophageal, stomach, and colon cancers Reduced skin and eye protection
Vitamin E	Lack of protection against radical attack and lipid peroxidation. Decreases the immune response High susceptibility to infection Disease of the muscle cells as a result of inflammation of the muscle tissue myopathies Shrinkage as well as weakening of the muscles Disease of the peripheral nervous system, neurological disorders, disorders in neuromuscular information transmission neuropathies. Reduced number and lifetime of red blood cells. Deficiency symptoms in children Anemia (anemia) Impairment of blood vessels leads to bleeding Disturbances in neuromuscular information transmission. Disease of the retina, visual disorders neonatal retinopathy. Chronic lung disease, respiratory distress bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Cerebral hemorrhage
Vitamin B12	Decreased vision and blind spots Functional folic acid deficiency Weakened antioxidant protective system Blood picture pernicious anemia Anemia (anemia) decreases the ability to concentrate, leads to fatigue, decreased performance, poor memory, shortness of breath and a yellowish discolored skin. Reduction of red blood cells, larger than average and rich in hemoglobin. Impaired growth of white blood cells weakens the immune system Risk of bleeding due to reduced production of platelets. Gastrointestinal tract Tissue atrophy and inflammation of the mucous membranes. Rough, burning tongue Reduced absorption of nutrients and vital substances Loss of appetite, weight loss Neurological disorders Numbness and tingling of extremities, loss of sensation of touch, vibration and pain. Poor coordination of the muscles, muscle atrophy. Unsteady gait Spinal cord damage Psychiatric disorders Memory disorders, confusion, depression Aggressiveness, agitation, psychosis
Vitamin C	Antioxidant deficiency Weakness of blood vessels leads to Abnormal bleeding Mucosal bleeding Hemorrhage into the muscles associated with weakness in heavily used muscles Inflamed as well as bleeding gums (gingivitis). Joint stiffness and pain Poor wound healing Carnitine deficit leads to Symptoms of exhaustion, fatigue, indifference, irritability, depression. Increased need for sleep, decreased performance. Weakness of the immune system with increased risk of infection Decreased oxidation protection increases the risk of heart disease, apoplexy (stroke) Deficiency symptoms in children Weakened immune system Recurrent infections of the respiratory tract, urinary bladder, and the auditory tube, which is connected to the nasopharynx via the tympanic cavity of the middle ear Increased risk of vitamin C deficiency disease Möller-Barlow disease in infancy with symptoms such as. Large bruises (hematomas). Pathological bone fractures associated with severe pain Wincing after every lightest touch jumping jack phenomenon Stagnation of growth
Iron	Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) Loss of appetite Disorders of thermoregulation High susceptibility to infection of the upper respiratory tract Dry skin with itching Decreased concentration and retentiveness Increased lactic acid formation during physical exertion associated with muscle cramps. Increased absorption of environmental toxins Body temperature regulation may be disturbed Anemia Symptoms of deficiency in children Disturbance of physical, mental and motor development. Behavioral disorders Lack of concentration, learning disorders Disturbances in the child’s intelligence development Loss of appetite High susceptibility to infection of the upper respiratory tract Body temperature regulation may be disturbed