A: Forget any of the mainstream standbys for ulcers. They're a waste of time and money. For years, psychiatrists insisted that ulcers were caused by stress, depression, and emotional flummery in general, but as with so many other things, they were way off the mark. Peptic ulcers are caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). If they're going to prescribe you anything, it should be antibiotics. But that should never be your first resort. There have been numerous studies showing that two fruits in particular are effective in treating ulcers: cranberries and grapefruit. That cranberries would be helpful in treating ulcers is hardly surprising since they are a well-known antibacterial. Stay away from the junk cranberry juice in the grocery store-it has sugar added to it to make it sweet. If you can drink the stuff straight, more power to you. But I usually mix mine into a fruit smoothie. (I like mine with real heavy cream, melon, mango, and cranberry juice.) Another study published a few years ago also showed that grapefruit seed extract may also help to heal stomach ulcers. The study focused on several animal study groups that received different dosages of grapefruit seed extract over time. In the group that received what proved to be the most effective dose (in this case, 10 milligrams), the lab rats experienced a 50-percent reduction in ulcer-causing gastric acid secretion, and progressive decreases in ulcer size following either 6 or 9 days of treatment. The study also noted a major increase in blood flow at ulcer sites. If you suffer from stomach ulcers, you may want to give some grapefruit seed extract a try. You can get it most anywhere. Health food stores and compounding pharmacies are some of the best sources. | 
