Salt's latest crime, ugly ulcers

Stress won't give you ulcers but excess sodium will.

Ulcers, specifically those that occur in the gastrointestinal tract, also called peptic ulcers, are known to be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). However, now there seems to be a new culprit lurking in your kitchen and in your food "" salt.

A new US study has found that a high-salt diet might increase the risk of developing gastric and duodenal ulcers, one of the more ulcer prone areas of the gastrointestinal tract. The study concludes that high concentrations of salt in the stomach seem to induce gene activity in the ulcer-causing Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacterium that makes it more virulent. The H pylori bacterium accounts for up to 90 per cent of duodenal ulcers and up to 80 per cent of gastric ulcers. However, while many people may be infected with the bacterium, not all develop ulcers.

Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA claimed that epidemiological evidence has long implied that the H pylori bacterium is connected with the composition of one's diet in some way and this may be especially true for salt enriched diets. They added that H pylori, when exposed to high levels of salt in vitro, exhibit a defect in cell division and increased the transcription of two genes responsible for the virulence of the bacterium.

Contrary to popular belief though, spicy foods and stress do not cause ulcers even though they can worsen ones already present. Common symptoms of peptic ulcers include abdominal pain with severity of the pain depending upon mealtime (in some cases the pain eases after a meal), bloating, nausea, vomiting and weight and appetite loss. Usually a history of heartburn can also lead to the development of ulcers. Antacids that act as acid blockers and antibiotics to kill the bacterium are often prescribed to treat ulcers. In some cases however, the infection can recur and treatment may be required, though with other antibiotics.