Understanding Peptic Ulcer Disease: A Functional Medicine Perspective

December 11, 2024

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a condition that affects millions worldwide, characterized by open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus. While conventional medicine often focuses on treating the symptoms with medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or antibiotics, functional medicine seeks to address the underlying root causes, aiming for long-term healing and prevention.

Here’s a closer look at peptic ulcer disease through the functional medicine lens.

What Causes Peptic Ulcer Disease?

The primary culprits of PUD are:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A spiral-shaped bacterium that disrupts the stomach’s protective mucus layer.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like ibuprofen or aspirin can irritate and weaken the stomach lining.
Stress and Lifestyle Factors: Chronic stress, poor diet, and smoking can contribute to PUD.
Imbalanced Gut Microbiota: Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, may exacerbate susceptibility.

From a functional medicine perspective, the causes of PUD often reflect a deeper imbalance in the body’s systems, including chronic inflammation, poor gut health, and hormonal imbalances.

The Dangers of Traditional Treatments

While conventional treatments such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antibiotics play an important role in managing severe symptoms, their long-term use can come with significant risks, particularly for brain health.

PPIs and Cognitive Decline: PPIs, commonly prescribed to reduce stomach acid, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline in several studies. These medications can impair the absorption of essential nutrients like magnesium, vitamin B12, and zinc—nutrients critical for brain health. Chronic use may also alter gut microbiota, which plays a direct role in the gut-brain axis, the bi-directional communication system between the brain and the gut.
Antibiotics and Gut Dysbiosis: While they may be necessary in certain cases to eradicate H. pylori, overuse of antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome, killing off beneficial bacteria and fostering the growth of harmful pathogens. This imbalance not only impairs gut health but also impacts the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are largely produced in the gut and vital for mood and cognitive function.
Chronic Acid Suppression and Alzheimer’s Risk: Stomach acid is essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Long-term suppression with PPIs can interfere with the breakdown of proteins, allowing more readily available amino groups to react with sugars and form advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) during digestion. An accumulation of AGEs is linked to oxidative stress and Alzheimer’s disease.
Unresolved Root Causes: Traditional treatments often mask symptoms without addressing the underlying drivers of PUD, such as inflammation, stress, and microbiome imbalances. This can lead to recurring ulcers and systemic issues that contribute to chronic disease, including neurodegenerative conditions.

Functional Medicine’s Approach to Peptic Ulcer Disease

Functional medicine’s personalized approach is uniquely suited to PUD. Instead of merely suppressing symptoms, this strategy aims to:

Restore the stomach’s natural protective barriers.
Rebalance the microbiome for long-term resilience.
Equip patients with tools to prevent recurrence.

Here are the steps we take:

1. Identify and Eliminate Triggers

Functional medicine begins by identifying the root causes through advanced testing and patient history. For PUD, this might include:

Comprehensive stool analysis to evaluate gut health and microbiome status.
Food sensitivity testing to identify inflammatory triggers.
Hormone testing to assess stress levels, particularly cortisol, which impacts stomach acid production.
H. pylori Testing: Accurate diagnosis through stool antigen tests or breath tests is critical.
NSAID Usage: Evaluating whether these medications are necessary or if alternatives are possible.
Lifestyle Assessment: Stress levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, and dietary habits are analyzed.

2. Heal the Gut

The gastrointestinal lining needs to be repaired and protected. Functional medicine uses strategies that support natural healing:

Dietary Adjustments:
- Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods.
- Incorporate gut-healing foods like bone broth, fermented foods (if tolerated), and aloe vera juice.
- Avoid irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and sugar.
Targeted Supplements:
- L-glutamine: An amino acid that supports mucosal repair.
- Zinc carnosine: Shown to enhance gut healing and reduce inflammation.
- DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice): A natural remedy to soothe and protect the stomach lining.

3. Balance the Microbiome

Addressing dysbiosis is crucial to long-term healing:

Probiotics: Specific strains like Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus can inhibit H. pylori growth and support microbiome diversity. This can be done both through supplementation and through increased intake of fermented foods.
Prebiotics: Feeding beneficial bacteria with foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus helps restore balance.

4. Address Systemic Stress

Chronic stress increases stomach acid production and impairs the body’s ability to heal. Functional medicine emphasizes stress reduction techniques such as:

Mindfulness meditation and yoga.
Deep breathing exercises.
Adequate sleep and relaxation routines.

5. Reduce Inflammation

PUD is a condition of chronic inflammation. Functional medicine focuses on systemic anti-inflammatory strategies:

Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Fatty wild-caught fish, spices (like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, etc), herbs (like basal, rosemary, oregano, etc), leafy greens and colorful berries are staples.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil or algae supplements, these reduce gut inflammation.
Herbal Support: Herbs like chamomile and marshmallow root provide soothing effects.

Takeaway

Peptic ulcer disease is a complex condition that requires more than a quick fix. Functional medicine offers a roadmap for true healing by addressing the underlying causes and empowering patients with sustainable lifestyle changes. If you’re tired of living with ulcers or relying on medications alone, it might be time to explore a more comprehensive approach.

Interested in learning more? Let’s talk. Schedule your free discovery call at the link in the menu bar.