TREATMENT OPTIONS

If aiming to withdraw from Proton Pump Inhibitors or H2 blocker (acid blocking) medications

Once addressed primary drivers (e.g. diet and stress) and patient is asymptomatic, continue with:

BCM-95™ Tumeric and GutGard ^® Liquorice for Heartburn and Reflux

1 capsule three times daily before meals

at least 2 weeks WITH medication then gradually reduce medications

If with gastric acid irritation, overweight OR with high carbohydrate diet

Shake It Practitioner Weight Management Program

OR

Wellness and Healthy Ageing Program

If with indigestion after fatty meals

Liver and Gall Bladder Support

1 tablet twice daily

Alphabetical Reference of Nutritional Support

Formula Catch Phrase

Key Benefits

Antimicrobial Herbs for the Management of Dysbiosis

Helicobacter pylori is linked with a range of digestive issues Nigella has been shown to possess anti-helicobacter activity in vitro, as well as in comparative human trials as well as peppermint oil’s showing antibacterial effects against a range of bacteria including H. pylori, S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes this potent herbal blend for the management of gut dysbiosis is also effective for the eradication of H. Pylori infection.

BCM-95™ Tumeric and GutGard ^® Liquorice for Heartburn and Reflux

Proprietary extracts of turmeric (BCM-95 ^TM) and liquorice (GutGard ^®) for symptomatic reduction of gastritis, reducing inflammation, and normalising gastric function and motility. Globe artichoke, chamomile and fennel provide digestive support.

Cordyceps, Coriolus and Reishi for Immune Stimulation

Four clinically proven medicinal mushroom extracts with demonstrated potency to enhance immunity. Supports the resolution of chronic, latent and/or recurrent infections, such as H. pylori infections.

Dandelion, Ginger and Meadowsweet for Healthy Digestion

Digestive herbal formula to stimulate gastric, pancreatic and hepatic digestive secretions. Meadowsweet and cinnamon are both shown to exert significant inhibitory activity on H. pylori whilst reducing mucosal damage.

High Strength, Researched Probiotic Strains

These scientifically validated strains including Lactobacillus acidophillus (NCFM ^®) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bi-07) are formulated to maintain healthy flora and support digestive and immune health.

Liver and Gall Bladder Support

Herbal and nutritional liver tonic that aids digestion for bile production and fat metabolism.

High Bioavailability Zinc with Vitamin C

Zinc and vitamin C are amongst the most critical nutrients in healthy immunity, as both are involved in wound healing, immune balance and boost resistance to infection.

Supportive Lifestyle Programs

Metagenics Allergy and Reactivity Reduction Program

Choose form either a 6 week REST and RESET or 12 week REST and TEST option. The Program involves Resting from foods whilst reducing the load on the immune system while concurrently improving barrier integrity and immune regulation in order to increase allergen tolerance. The Diet option including Low histamine Diet, FODMAPS diet and customised diets are to be selected.

Gut Pathogen Elimination Program

The health of the upper digestive tract determines the health and environment of the rest of the digestive tract. Commonly patients with upper GI complaints, such as gastritis, consequently have bowel dysbiosis. This program addresses microbial imbalances throughout the digestive tract, gut repair and liver regeneration to support healthy digestion and detoxification capacity.

Shake It Practitioner Weight Management Program

This carbohydrate-restricted Ketogenic diet is a safe and effective fat loss program with are also found to help resolve upper GI complaints such as gastritis and GORD. Reducing carbohydrates reduces excessive bacterial fermentation and gas production in the small intestines to reduce pressure on the lower gastric sphincter to cause gastric contents and acid to regurgitate to the oesophagus.

Wellness and Healthy Ageing Program

This program recommends a low-reactive, low glycaemic load, unprocessed diet with lifestyle recommendations for exercise, relaxation, intellectual stimulation and effective stress management – all factors associated with healthy digestion and chronic disease prevention.

Aetiology / Risk factors

Major causative factors and risk factors that can contribute to the incidence of gastritis include:

• NSAID use
• Exposure to ulcerogenic drugs
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Cigarette smoking
• Reflux – bilious reflux and/or hyperchlorhydria
• Recent trauma (e.g., surgery, radiation, vomiting, foreign body)
• Bacterial infections (e.g., H. pylori, Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
• Colonisation with H. pylori in early childhood
• Familial contact infected with H. pylori
• Systemic inflammatory disease (e.g., Crohn's disease, sarcoidosis)
• Autoimmune aetiologies
• Stress and anxiety
• Age over 60 years
• Gastric lymphoma

Signs and Symptoms

Most gastritis patients are asymptomatic – even gastric erosions and haemorrhages are not usually associated with abdominal pain. When patients are symptomatic they present with:

• Dyspepsia, indigestion, bloating and general upper GI discomfort
• Feeling of fullness or burning in the stomach
• Nausea in the mornings
• Belching
• Vomiting of mucous and/or blood
• Upper abdominal distension
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Bleeding gums (gingivitis)
• Anorexia
• Epigastric and/or abdominal pain often aggravated by eating
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

Diet and Lifestyle

Dietary and lifestyle guidelines may assist in the management of gastritis:

• Avoid smoking as this interfere with oesophageal competence.
• Identify and eliminate any known dietary irritants, using the Metagenics Allergy and Reactivity Reduction Program
• Dietary hygiene, whether it is the elimination of specific foods or beverages or a change in macronutrient composition or meal size, can be helpful for digestive complaints depending on the clinical picture.
  • Reduce meal size to minimise fullness and distension
  • Increase meal frequency to achieve caloric and nutritional requirements
  • Reduce fat and fibre, as these may slow gastric transit time
  • Utilise liquid meals to increase gastric transit time and boost nutrition
• Avoid foods that promote reflux, induce delayed gastric emptying, oesophageal sphincter relaxation or direct irritant effects, including:
  • Citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeinated drinks or alcohol, fatty and fried foods, garlic and onions (especially raw), mint flavourings, spicy foods, tomato-based foods, carbonated (fizzy drinks) – especially if caffeinated.
• If well tolerated, include sulphur-containing foods such as garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower in the diet. Sulphur is a precursor to glutathione which provides antioxidant protection to the gastric mucosa.
• Black and red pepper, chillies, chilli powder and hot peppers often irritate the stomach lining. Avoid or limit these items
• Low carbohydrate diets are effective for managing symptoms reflux and dyspepsia by reducing small intestinal fermentation and gas production to interfere with digestive motility.

Pharmaceutical Treatments

• Antibiotics: given to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori is difficult to eradicate, so three medications are used simultaneously. This is called "Triple Therapy". The best treatment at present is called OAC, taken for 7 days includes: O = Omeprazole (which decreases the acid level in the stomach), A = Amoxicillin (a penicillin antibiotic) and C = Clarithromycin (an antibiotic related to erythromycin). OMC is used in those who are penicillin allergic, where M = Metronidazole. If triple therapy fails, quadruple therapy utilising bismuth subcitrate along with omeprazole, tetracycline and metronidazole may be used (via a gastroenterologist who is able to access bismuth).
• Antacids: these alkaline medicines neutralise stomach acid in cases of digestive disturbances where reflux is a major concern. Examples include Mylanta, Gaviscon and Rennie.
• H ₂-receptor antagonists: These inhibit the action of histamine on the parietal cell so reducing gastric acid secretion. Examples include famotidine (Pepcidine), ranitidine (Rani) and cimetidine (Tagamet).
• Proton Pump Inhibitors: these drugs have a pronounced and long-lasting effect on reduction of gastric acid production through inhibition of the H ⁺ pumps in the stomach. E.g., omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole.