Q: Should a patient suffering from gastritis avoid milk and milk products?

A:Milk is rich in calcium which is a potent stimulus to acid production by the stomach. Therefore, unlike the recommendations in the past (when patients with ulcer disease were put on high milk diet), we now no longer recommend a special diet for ulcer disease. With the introduction of more potent anti-acid medications like omeprazole the role of diet is now negligible and patients can consume a regular diet including resonable quantities of milk.