Squelching those cancer-causing flames Q: I was diagnosed a little over a year ago with chronic inflammation of the stomach lining and the lower esophagus. My doctor says that if I don't get the inflammation under control it could lead to stomach cancer. He has been trying to get me to take prescription anti-inflammatories, but I am interested in learning about any natural alternatives that I could consider trying first. JVW: The first thing to try for any type of chronic inflammation is cod liver oil, 1 1/2 tablespoonsful twice daily. The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil are "nature's anti- inflammatories." Make sure to accompany each tablespoonful of cod liver oil with 400 IU of vitamin E, as mixed tocopherols. Also, look for a cod liver oil formula with 1,000 IU of vitamin D per tablespoonful, since vitamin D has it's own anti-cancer properties. Next, consider trying deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which has been shown in numerous studies to ease inflammation in the lining of the stomach and esophagus. Chew and swallow two tablets, three to four times daily on an empty stomach, and make sure not to eat anything for an hour before or after. If you can't stand licorice, try aloe vera gel (not liquid) instead. Zinc carnosine, 30 milligrams twice daily with meals; L-glutamine, 1,000 milligrams daily; and sodium ascorbate (not ascorbic acid), 1,000 milligrams twice daily, can also help heal an inflamed stomach lining. Make sure it's zinc carnosine, though -- other forms of zinc have not yet been found to have this effect. | 
