Health Notes, August 17th 2008, by Sarah Stacey

Dear Gordon Ramsay
I was sorry to hear about your stomach ulcer.  These sore erosions or holes in the stomach lining are very common but knowing that doesn’t make up for the painful symptoms – which can’t have done much for your temper...  The indigestion-like pain in your upper abdomen or lower chest may have woken you at night and you might have found swallowing difficult – or feel sick after eating.  I don’t know what prompted you to consult a doctor, but I guess you might have vomited blood (either bright red or looking like coffee grounds), had sudden severe abdominal pain, or passed black or tar-like stools.

You’ve said - allegedly - that the cause is the junk food you had to endure while filming your latest series in America.  That’s unlikely, according to GP Dr Rob Hicks: ‘it used to be thought that “worry, hurry and curry” were the villains behind peptic (aka gastric) ulcers but breakthrough research in Australia in the 1980s revealed that about 80 per cent are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.  The infection damages the protective lining of the stomach and duodenum - the upper part of the intestine - exposing the sensitive tissue of the stomach wall to powerful gastric acid, one of which – hydrochloric acid – is so corrosive it can dissolve iron nails.  The result is an ulcer.’   Other stomach ulcers are caused by painkillers (non-steroidal antiinflammatories or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) which also damage the stomach lining.  The treatment is to stop them and take an acid-reducing drug while the ulcer heals.

Helicobacter pylori is treated with two antibiotics plus an acid-reducing drug, known as ‘triple therapy’. Probiotics help replenish good gut bacteria and studies have shown they support the action of the drugs, and alleviate side effects . Dr Andrew Weil recommends Culturelle by Allergy Research, which contains Lactobacillus GG, £22 for 30 Capsules, from Victoria Health, click here.

Dr Hicks also recommends two to three teaspoons daily of Manuka Honey, which contains natural antibacterial compounds.   Try Manuka Honey UMF20+ by Comvita Products, which contains high levels of antibacterials, £22 for 250g. Just click here.

Although junk food isn’t considered a direct cause of ulcers, eating little fruit and veg may be a factor as research shows  H. pylori infection is more likely if you have low blood levels of vitamin C.  Studies also suggest a high salt diet (as in junk food) could make H pylori more able to cause an ulcer.  

A bigger risk is eating erratically and, in particular, missing meals, which can trigger the condition in someone who has a latent infection, according to gastroenterologist Professor Roy Pounder.  ‘eating neutralises the acid: it’s the equivalent of taking an antacid or drinking a glass of milk.  If you don’t eat for a prolonged period – as I imagine Gordon Ramsay may not have while filming – acidity just goes on rising.’ The advice is to eat small meals frequently, and avoid milk and milk products which increase acid production: instead drink peppermint and chamomile teas (Dr Stuarts Peppermint Tea £3.80 for 40 bags and Chamomile Tea £3.90 for 100 bags, from Victoria Health, click here.  And try one teaspoon of aloe vera juice after meals which helps to health ulceration (Organic Aloe Vera Juice by Lily of Desert £5.49 for 500 ml, click here.

With your lifestyle, pharmacist Shabir Daya suggests GastroSoothe by Enzymatic Therapy (£12.99 for 100 chewy tablets, just click here: ‘Chew a tablet two or three times daily: it contains calcium carbonate to buffer stomach acid, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which has excellent soothing and healing properties for the stomach lining, and glycine an amino acid that encourages the healing of damaged tissues, including ulceration.’  

Finally, neither worry, hurry nor cursing will help your recovery – so chill, try yoga (real men do it,  truly!) and graze on your own cooking, not the processed stuff.

Get better soon, Sarah

Ps  I’m sure your doctor will have organised this but do have a test for H. pylori and, if it’s positive, take the drugs.

Mad about the bears
They’re meant as comforters for newborn babies, but all the grownups I know love cuddling FLATOUT sheepskin bears; they’re good as pillows while travelling too, I’m told.  Big ones come in milk, honey, latte, chocolate, koala and liquorice, £36, and FLATOUT Bear Baby in honey, milk and koala at £25.   From Victoria Health, just click here.

Lime & Mint Tea
I love fresh mint tea – just infuse a handful of bruised leaves for five to ten minutes – and am sniffy about teabags but my niece Alex, currently on a detox, says that organic Lime Mint Tea by Yogi Tea is absolutely delicious.  Also good chilled and served with sprigs of fresh mint and lime or lemon slices. £1.82 for 15 teabags, from Victoria Health, just click here.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: www.bobfood.co.uk
The website where you can order Bob and the Lunchbox Classroom, a pack of materials designed to teach children about healthy eating.  Developed by Dorset GP and mother of four Dr Sue Beckers, the pack has earned praise from professionals, parents – and children, price £24.99 plus £3 p & p.