Milk and its effect on Peptic Ulcers 

Milk in glass jug and cup

Overview 

Overtime, health practitioners commonly recommend milk for patients with peptic ulcers. That was before better remedies like acid-blocking drugs, came along. Today, we know milk can not help prevent or relieve an ulcer. It might even make things worse by prompting your stomach to make more acid. 

Milk is a natural food source for mammals. Animals, including humans produce milk in the form of food for thier young ones until they are matured for heavy foods. Milk contains vital nutrients that help support a growing body, including calcium and protein. There are many possible health benefits of milk, including support for bone, teeth, muscle, and heart health, barrier to osteoarthritis and depression.

In this article we will explore the effects of milk nutrients on peptic ulcers.

Effects of milk on peptic ulcer patients 

Milk on its own can be classified as an adequate diet since it is made up of the six classes of food but on a second thought, it has great influence on peptic ulcers. In as much as milk has beneficial cooling effect on peptic ulcers, it can actually aggravate it. 

Cows' milk:

Splash of milk

According to a study published in Encyclopedia of Food Science and Nutrition (2003), cows' milk is a nutrient-dense food consisting of varying amounts of carbohydrate, fat and protein. The majority constituents of cows' milk are water with an approximate % of 87.4 and milk solids (12.6%), which includes vitamins ( A, B and D), minerals, carbohydrate, fat and protein. Cows' milk has great health benefits and also effects on patients living with peptic ulcers.

Effects 

Studies have shown that the mineral component in milk called calcium can help to calm stomach acid in a short while but stimulate stomach acid production after a few hours which can make you feel sick again after a short period of relief. The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux. The milk protein casein might stop milk from settling your stomach. It stimulates the release of the hormone gastrin, which in turn controls the production of gastric acid. Experiment conducted in India (1980)  on patients with peptic ulcers who fed on milk and those who went on a normal  hospital meal, both  patients were also placed on a daily consumption of fruits, showed that Lactose sugar present in milk inhibits acid secretion of the stomach in patients with duodenal ulcer and prolonged gastric emptying time while those who went on normal hospital meal experienced greater healing. Moreso, researchers have concluded that the vitamin D component in milk ensures calcium absorption resulting in the coating of the stomach lining affected with ulcer. Vitamin D intake can influence the prevalence of stomach ulcers. In order not to loose on the health benefits of Vitamin D constituent in milk, it is advisable to consume other sources of vitamin D as its receptors help your gut produce tight junctions to maintain your stomach and intestinal barriers.

Conclusion

Milk is no longer recommendable for people with ulcers because it may seem that the cooling effect of milk is beneficial but it can actually do the opposite of soothing and make them worse. Hence, milk can hinder the healing process of peptic ulcers. Lactose -free or soy milk may be good substitute that do not irritate the ulcer. Certain drinks such as cabbage juice or honey water, may help soothe stomach ulcers, though people may wish to avoid other drinks such as alcohol and coffee, stop smoking, indulge more in daily exercise and eat healthy.