Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (80 page)

Try goldenseal.
Goldenseal is soothing to mucous membranes and also has antiseptic properties. It can be taken internally in a tincture, as a tea, in capsules, or dabbed directly on the sores.

Try castor oil.
An old Edgar Cayce remedy is to soak a cotton swab in castor oil and apply to the canker sore.

Thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth and throat. It has a white, cottage-cheesy look and is common after use of antibiotics. Thrush can be treated with either prescription or natural medicines. If it persists, you must treat yourself systemically. It is of primary importance to use probiotic supplements of acidophilus and bifido-bacteria to reestablish normal mouth-throat flora. Natural remedies such as garlic, grapefruit seed extract, pau d’arco, and mathake tea, along with dietary changes, can make your body inhospitable to candida. Follow the protocols for candida infections. In one study, one-third of people with thrush were found to have folic acid, vitamin B
₆
, or vitamin B
₁₂
anemia, so it’s worth having your doctor check you for anemia and B-vitamin status.

Tongue problems can arise from systemic illness, so celiac disease, diabetes, Behcet’s disease, anemia, and syphilis should be ruled out by your physician. More often, tongue problems are indicators of nutritional needs or mouth irritants, such as smoking or other chemicals.

Glossitis is an inflammation of the tongue, which can be extremely red and smooth, like a bald tire. Studies have found that glossitis is a sign of protein calorie malnourishment, nutritional deficiencies, or marginal nutritional deficiencies of several vitamins and minerals. Glossitis affects 5 percent of our elderly. It most often signals the need for increased B-complex vitamins and iron. You will often find a reddened tongue with pellagra, which is caused by a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B
₃
).

Other people may also develop what’s called a geographic tongue, where the center of the tongue looks like a miniature Grand Canyon. Look in a mirror, look at your friend’s and family’s tongues, and you’ll probably find one. Cracks down the center of the tongue are an indication of the need for increased B-complex vitamins, especially folic acid and B
₁₂
, and possibly zinc and iron. A bald or pale tongue may be associated with deficiencies of folic acid, B
₁₂
, B
₂
, or iron. A tongue with scalloped edges has been associated with grinding one’s teeth (bruxism), temporomandibular joint issues (TMJ), or a niacin or B
₁₂
deficiency.

I’ve worked with several people who have burning tongues. I’ve found that it’s often associated with candida issues, although the research on it is mixed. Take a look at the section on candida and yeast overgrowth in
Chapter 8
to find out if it can help you. Burning tongue is also associated with cadmium overload. Sources of cadmium include denture paste, cigarette smoke, and some white flour products. Research also reports that this can be associated with menopause and hypothyroid, so think about hormone therapies. Use of lipoic acid can help. Lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Stress, anxiety, and depression are all associated with burning tongue syndrome. I, too, would be anxious if my tongue burned all the time, but do look at stress factors in your life that may be contributing.

Take B-complex vitamins.
The most important B vitamins for tongue health are riboflavin (B
₂
), niacin (B
₃
), vitamin B
₁₂
, and folic acid. Choline is found in
B-complex vitamins and also plays a vital role in tongue health. Take 50 to 100 mg of B complex one to three times daily for a trial period of four to six weeks.

Address iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause a sore and inflamed tongue. Have your physician check to make sure your iron status is normal. Thorough testing would include hematocrit, hemoglobin, ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin.

Take zinc.
Zinc is important for healing. Take 25 to 50 mg daily.

Investigate food sensitivities.
Check for food sensitivities using an elimination diet or other method found in
Part III
.

Take vitamin E.
One study of elderly people with glossitis found that they had lower serum levels of vitamin E. It is not known if vitamin E is just a marker or if it will help therapeutically, but vitamin E has low toxicity and is worth trying. You should take 400 IU every day.

Try lipoic acid.
In one study 26 percent of people benefited from lipoic acid. Begin with 100 to 300 mg daily.

The most common problems in the esophageal area are belching, medically called eructation; heartburn, also called gastric reflux; and Barrett’s esophagus.

Belching is a symptom of gas in the upper part of the digestive tract. Air trapped in the stomach can be painful, and belching is a safety valve that relieves the pressure. It is a release of trapped air from the stomach and usually comes from swallowed air. Just as a baby needs to be burped if she swallows air, we also burp if we swallow air—it’s normal. Other than being culturally embarrassing, it’s usually without problem.

Foods and drink that contain air contribute to belching. Without fail, when I have a carbonated drink, I burp. Whipped cream and egg whites can have the same effect on many people. Gulping drinks and food causes us to take in more air, while eating slowly prevents us from swallowing air. People also swallow air during exercise, while chewing gum, and while sucking on pipes, straws, or cigarettes. If you are overweight, you are more likely to belch from exercise.

On the other hand, if you are someone who belches a lot, figure out why. Typically I find that people who belch too much have issues with low hydrochloric acid levels. Some have H. pylori infections.