Chronic Gastritis: Symptoms, Root Causes, and Effective Solutions

PREMIUM CONTENT

Gastritis is a challenging condition characterized by inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. I've worked with several clients struggling with gastritis. It is a condition that requires a lot of patience and consistency. 

Common Symptoms of Gastritis

• Pain and burning in the upper left areas of the abdomen
• Stomach ulcers
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling full quickly after meals
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating and unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting blood, a severe symptom requiring immediate medical attention
• Nutrient deficiencies, including iron, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D

Exploring the Root Causes

Understanding the causes behind gastritis is very important. Several factors contribute to this condition:

• Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the stomach lining
• NSAIDs: Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can trigger gastritis
• Trauma and Physical Injuries: Severe physical trauma may lead to gastritis
• Bile Reflux: When bile flows back into the stomach, it can cause irritation
• H. pylori Infection: This is a common bacterial infection that is linked to stomach inflammation. To effectively tackle dysbiosis, addressing underlying toxicities and drainage issues is crucial to eliminate the persistent infection
• Autoimmune Gastritis (Pernicious Anemia Protocol): An autoimmune condition attacking the stomach lining
• Chronic Stress and Worrying: Prolonged stress can impact stomach health

Order of Operations

To address gastritis effectively, a systematic approach is essential:

1. Balance Circadian Rhythm and Prioritize Sleep: Restoring proper sleep patterns is vital for healing. To learn more about how I've optimized my sleep, check out 8 Hacks that Took my Sleep to the Next Level
2. Lifestyle Modifications: Avoid alcohol, coffee, smoking, and NSAIDs
3. Dietary Adjustments: Opt for a low-acidic diet, avoiding specific foods that can exacerbate gastritis symptoms. Learn about foods that you should avoid below. 
4. Nutrient Support: Replenish nutrient deficiencies caused by gastritis. The most common will be vitamin C, folate, B6 and B12, and minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. 
5. Water Filtration and Mineralization: Ensure clean, mineral-rich water intake for improved stomach health. You can filter your water either with reverse osmosis such as AquaTru (link applies discount automatically), or with a distillation machine such as My Pure Water (code: PAOLA)
6. Support Drainage for Liver, Gallbladder, and Colon: Support these major drainage pathways to ensure proper elimination. An easy kit is Cellcore's Energy & Drainage. To access Cellcore's products and kits you can sign up here using my Patient Direct Code: FRtTCWs0
7. Address H. pylori: If diagnosed positive for H. Pylori, check out the H. Pylori Protocol
   • You can test your H. Pylori levels with the H. Pylori Breath Test
8. Seal the Stomach Lining: I've listed supplements and instructions below that can help seal the lining. 

Effective Supplements for Gastritis

• Pepzin GI by Endurance Products: 4 capsules per day, in divided doses. 20 minute before meals and at bedtime 
• DGL by Bioclinic: 3-6 chewables per day, in divided doses. 20 minutes before meals
• Acerola Vitamin C by Perfect Supplements (Coupon PAOLA): 1-2 teaspoons per day, in divided doses, in water, with or without food
• Pure GG by Pure Encapsulations: 1 capsule per day, in water, on an empty stomach or with breakfast

Instructions: All of these supplements can be found on Fullscript. Save 20% on all supplements when signing up for Fullscript here. I would follow this protocol for 30-90 days. 

Acid-Reducing OTC:

• Pepcid: 20-40 mg per day, in divided doses, upon waking and at bedtime. Pepcid can be added if stomach burning is unbearable or persists with the supplements.

Gastritis Diet Guidelines

Optimization Tip: Choose mainly foods that are local and in season 

Teas for Gastritis Relief

• Marshmallow Root Tea: Consuming 1-3 cups daily.
• Slippery Elm Tea: 1-3 cups a day can offer additional relief