A safe and effective anti-ulcer compound
• Supports the health of the digestive system
• Relieves the symptoms of ulcers
• Stimulates anti-ulcer defense mechanisms

Protection for the digestive system
DGL is deglycerrhizinated licorice, a supplement that supports a healthy digestive system and relieves the symptoms of ulcers. Ulcers occur because of a loss of the integrity of the intestinal lining. Most drugs that are used to treat ulcers do not address this underlying cause, and some are associated with negative side effects. DGL works by stimulating defense mechanisms to prevent ulcer formation, rather than simply inhibiting the release of stomach acid.

Effective against ulcers
Clinical trials have found that DGL is an effective supplement for fighting ulcers. DGL helps to enhance the quality and quantity of protective substances lining the intestinal tract. It increases the life span of intestinal cells, and improves the blood supply to the intestinal lining. The flavonoids found in DGL also help to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which is often a root cause of ulcers.

A safe supplement
While licorice has been associated with effects on the adrenal glands and blood pressure, deglycerrhizinated licorice benefits the health of the digestive system without these other effects. It is a safe and effective supplement that promotes true healing from peptic ulcers.

Until recently, medical treatment of peptic ulcers focused on reducing gastric acidity with antacids and/or drugs that block stomach acid secretions. With the recent discovery of Helicobacter pylori bacteria as the true cause of the overwhelming majority of peptic ulcers, powerful antibiotics have been added to the cocktail. Though effective in relieving symptoms, these treatments can be expensive, carry some risk of toxicity, disrupt normal digestive processes, and alter the structure and function of the cells that line the digestive tract.

Zantac® (Ranitidine) and Tagamet® (Cimetidine) are examples of histamine receptor antagonists. These drugs act to block the action of histamine on the secretion of stomach acid. Histamine normally acts to stimulate the secretion of stomach acid by gastric cells. By blocking this effect of histamine, stomach acid output is greatly reduced.

Effectiveness and Safety
Although they are effective in providing symptomatic relief, Zantac®, Tagamet®, and other H2 receptor antagonists have the highest recurrence rate among anti-ulcer treatments. In addition, both drugs are associated with numerous side effects. Because H2-receptor antagonists block the vital bodily function involved in digestion, digestive disturbances are quite common and can include nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Nutrient deficiencies can appear as a result of impaired digestion. Other possible side effects include liver damage, hair loss, breast enlargement in men, dizziness, allergic reactions, headaches, osteoporosis, depression, insomnia, and impotence. Cost: A month's supply of Zantac® or Tagamet® at therapeutic levels typically costs between $40 and $60.

Clinical Trials
The use of Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) compared to standard drug therapy is a classic example of addressing the underlying cause of a condition rather than simply blocking an effect. Most people do not get ulcers because of over secretion of acid. The cause in most cases is a breakdown in the integrity of the intestinal lining. While drugs like Zantac® and Tagamet® can block symptoms and promote temporary healing, they don't address the underlying cause. DGL addresses the underlying factors and promotes true healing. Rather than inhibit the release of acid, licorice stimulates the normal defense mechanisms that prevent ulcer formation. Specifically, flavonoids present in DGL inhibit the growth of H. pylori in vitro, while the whole extract improves both the quantity and the quality of the protective substances which line the intestinal tract, increases the life span of intestinal cells, and improves blood supply to the intestinal lining.

Numerous clinical studies over the years have found DGL to be an effective anti-ulcer compound. For example in one study, 33 gastric ulcer patients were treated with either DGL or a placebo for one month. At the end of the study, there was a significantly greater reduction in ulcer size in the DGL group (78%) than in the placebo group (34%). Complete healing occurred in 44% of those receiving DGL, but in only 6% of the placebo group. In several head to head comparison studies, DGL has been shown to be more effective than either Tagamet® or Zantac® in both short-term treatment and maintenance therapy of peptic ulcers. However, while these drugs are associated with significant side effects, DGL is extremely safe and is only a fraction of the cost.