Peptic Ulcers - Lifestyle Changes

Vitamins. Although no vitamins have been shown to protect against ulcers, H. pylori appears to impair absorption of vitamin C, which may play a role in the higher risk of stomach cancer.

Exercise

Some evidence exists that exercise may help reduce the risk for ulcers in some people. In one 2000 study, exercise was associated with a lower risk for duodenal (but not gastric) ulcers in men. In this study, exercise appeared to have no effect on ulcer development in women.

text continues below

Stress Relief

Stress relief programs have not been shown to promote ulcer healing, but they may have other health benefits.

Alternative Treatments

Melatonin is a hormone found in the brain that is normally associated with its role in sleep. Researchers have also observed that gastrointestinal tract is rich in melatonin, and that the hormone may have properties that help prevent ulcers, reduce acid secretion, and improve blood flow. It is not known whether this would benefit peptic ulcers, but it appears to warrant some research. Melatonin is a powerful hormone that can have major effects on all parts of the body. Doses of melatonin over 0.3 can disrupt the body's natural clock in the brain and long-term consequences are unknown. High doses have been associated with the following adverse events:

Mental impairment.
Severe headaches.
Nightmares.

Interactions with other drugs are not completely known. It should be stressed that melatonin is currently classified as a dietary supplement and not as a drug, so its quality and effectiveness is uncontrolled in the US. (The United States is the only developed nation that does not regulate this agent.) The bottom line is that at this time, people who take melatonin are experimenting on themselves.