Which clinical studies prove that peptic ulcers and gastritis are caused by a free radical overload?
There were many studies done worldwide to confirm that peptic ulcers and gastritis are caused and mediated by free radicals, and to justify using natural antioxidants to treat them. All of these studies pointed to the correctness of this assumption, but one of them merits particular attention. The study in question, entitled The Role of Free Radicals in Peptic Ulcers and Gastritis,2 took place in Turkey in 2003, and covered 42 people. In a total group of 42, there were 15 cases of peptic ulcers, 14 cases of gastritis, and 13 controls. All 29 patients with peptic ulcers and gastritis were H. pylori-positive. The conclusion of this study, according to the abstract noted, “Depletion of gastric mucosal glutathione in cases with H.pylori positive peptic ulcer and gastritis may be caused by accumulation of free radicals that can initiate membrane damage by lipid peroxidation.” The study pursued two goals: 1) to verify that peptic ulcers and gastritis are closely related with the activity of
