Peptic antiseptics  Once again, the medical establishment is starting to catch on to something I've been saying for years...  Way back in January of 2003 (Daily Dose, 1/6/03), I wrote to you all about the power of fruits to heal stomach ulcers. Back then, it was the common American cranberry I was talking about - a fruit well know for its antibacterial qualities. These same qualities are why so many women drink cranberry juice to prevent and lessen the duration of urinary tract infections. This is only one reason to consume fruits: The powerful cancer-fighting antioxidants are another.  But I digress. I was saying how once more, the mainstream's echoing me. Sort of.  According to a recent Polish study presented at this past spring's 2005 Digestive Disease Week conference in Chicago, 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% 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.  Interestingly enough, it was the antioxidant properties of the extract that were touted by the study's authors as the active component. No mention was made of the well-known antibacterial effects of grapefruit seed extract, one of the most powerful natural bacteria-killers in the world. I wonder if they considered this, or if the study simply proved that the antioxidants were responsible.  Either way, 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.  And if it seems a little counterintuitive to ingest something as acidic as grapefruit seed extract (or cranberries) to fight ulcers, remember this: Few acids on Earth are as potent as human stomach acid. One doctor I know and respect - Dr. Jonathan V. Wright - often recommends ingesting hydrochloric acid for ulcer and digestive issues with great success. Naturally, you wouldn't want to do this without first researching the matter carefully and consulting with your physician - I'm just making the point that there aren't many things you could ingest that would make your stomach MORE acidic than it should be naturally.  And speaking of counterintuitive cures for digestive ulcers...  ****************************************************  One for the "yuck" file  According to a report in a recent issue of the journal Gastroenterology, there's an exciting new treatment out there for sufferers of Ulcerative Colitis:  Parasitic intestinal worms!  The 12-week study, which featured 54 patients with active ulcerative colitis, found that those who had consumed a liquid solution of the eggs of the Trichuris Suis parasite (rendered non-multiplying of course) spurred either a moderate or major improvement in the condition among 43% of test subjects! A few patients even experienced complete resolution of their disease.  Apparently, this isn't the first time T. Suis worms (also called helminths) have been shown to have a positive effect on digestive ailments. Previous animal studies are reported to have demonstrated "helminth therapy" to have a positive effect on colon inflammation. Researchers theorize that the presence of the worms somehow alters the body's immune system to be more resistant to outbreaks of ulceration.  Whether or not this is the mechanism will take further study to determine. However, since no complications or side effects were noted in the human study's subjects, I say it doesn't matter HOW it works - let's use it anyway. Colitis can be a horrifically painful and embarrassing condition, and if it takes eating a few worms to get it under control, I'm sure some would acquiesce...But I would prefer to take photoluminescent therapy which is very effective, IF you can find it.  Enjoying the "fruits" of my labor,  William Campbell Douglass II, MD