A-Z stomach health Articles

Digestive health plays a key role in how you feel day to day, influencing everything from nutrient absorption to overall comfort. When imbalances occur, they can disrupt this delicate system and impact your well-being. Heliobacter Pylori has become an important focus in digestive health, as more people look for ways to better support their gut and maintain balance.

In this article, we'll explore how to support your digestive system and promote optimal gut health.

What is Heliobacter Pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that is estimated to already infect over 50% of the world’s population. Most commonly (in over 80% of cases), there are no symptoms of infection. This bacterium is stable in the strongly acidic environment of the stomach because H. pylori is able to raise the pH in a mini-environment around itself.

At the same time, H. pylori reduces plasma levels of certain hormones that affect appetite and trigger the release of inflammatory molecules into the circulation. These effects combine to cause the digestive symptoms commonly associated with H. pylori, and can trigger other inflammatory processes in the body like arteriosclerosis.

Sources of Infection

Researchers have not yet identified how H. pylori spreads. Scientists suspect contaminated food or water may transmit it. Current research remains inconclusive. Some infected people carry H. pylori in their saliva. The bacteria may also spread through saliva contact or shared utensils.

Signs and Symptoms of Heliobacter Pylori Infection

Most people with H. pylori infection remain asymptomatic carriers. However, some individuals develop symptoms commonly associated with the infection. Some possible signs and symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Nausea
• Frequent burping
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite
• Bloating
• Weight loss

Illnesses Associated with H. pylori Infection

H. pylori infection has been linked to an increased risk of several diseases. Gastric cancer remains the most serious concern. This is likely due to the association of infection with initiating conditions such as gastritis and peptic ulcers. Both of these conditions increase cell turnover, and it is this increased replication of cells that causes a higher risk of DNA errors and thus cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization has classified H. pylori as a group A carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Interestingly, recent research has also found a correlation between infection with certain H. pylori strains and an increased risk of a serious thyroid condition known as Graves’ disease. Other inflammatory conditions have also been associated with the immune response triggered by H. pylori infection. The most common of these is arteriosclerosis.

The Role of Stomach Acid

Stomach acid in the body is responsible for activating digestive enzymes in the stomach for proper digestion. It also protects the digestive tract against invading pathogens like bacteria and parasites. During infection with H. pylori, the levels of bacteria grow larger until the basic environment that they create can actually negate the stomach acid present and prevent proper digestion and defense.

Nutritional Deficiencies Associated With Heliobacter Pylori

There is an association between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia, as well as reduced absorption of vitamin B12, vitamin A, C, E, and folic acid. These are all due to the hypochlorhydria (reduced stomach acid) or achlorhydria (absent stomach acid) caused by infection. This reduced stomach acid also allows for other bacterial infections to invade the digestive tract, which can lead to further complications such as diarrhea and leaky gut syndrome.

How Is H. Pylori Diagnosed?

There are various methods of testing available to find out if you are infected with H. pylori. There are tests that check your bodily fluids, like tests for stool samples that look for a bacterium called Hp antigens and blood tests that look for the presence of H. pylori antibodies. Endoscopy with biopsy is the most invasive diagnostic method. Doctors pass a small camera through the throat and collect tissue samples. They then check for inflammation and infection. An easier, less invasive test called a urea breath test is available as well. During this test, patients swallow a radio labeled urea solution or capsule. Clinicians test the breath 15 to 30 minutes later. If H. pylori is present, it breaks down urea into carbon dioxide and releases it through the breath. Without H. pylori, the body absorbs the urea completely and excretes it in urine. Thus, the presence of the radiolabel in the breath represents a positive H. pylori breath test.

What Are Treatment Options for Heliobacter Pylori?

Conventional Treatment

When doctors diagnose H. pylori infection, they often prescribe triple therapy. This treatment combines two antibiotics with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Common antibiotics include amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and levofloxacin. In recent years, antibiotic therapy success rates have been dropping, and current research indicates a success rate well below 80% because of the development of increasing antibiotic resistance.

Natural Supplements For Heliobacter Pylori

Probiotics – L. rhamnosus
Probiotics have been clinically shown to help reduce the inflammatory effects of H. pylori infection. Thus, supplementation with beneficial bacteria may help to reduce some of the side effects associated with infection. One particularly beneficial strain against H. pylori is Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus). It is particularly able to withstand the acid environment of the stomach, which allows it to directly compete with H. pylori there. A good multi-strain probiotic, high in L. rhamnosus, will help to reduce the symptoms of a current H. Helicobacter pylori infection can also protect against reinfection after treatment.

Sulforaphane
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and kale all contain a substance called sulforaphane (SGS). Research shows that SGS may help destroy H. pylori. SGS may also protect against gastric irritation linked to ulcers and stomach cancer. In addition to food sources, SGS is available as a supplement.

Mastic Gum
Studies show that two weeks of mastic gum supplementation can significantly reduce peptic ulcer symptoms. Longer use may help reduce H. pylori levels in the digetive tract. However, researchers continue to debate its effectiveness as a complete treatment for H. pylori infection.

Other Treatments – Stomach pH
Many proposed treatments for H. pylori are available. However, research does not support all of these treatment options. Some of these are manuka honey, apple cider vinegar, and some other antibacterial or acid-promoting supplements. Raising the acid content in the stomach can make it harder for H. pylori to survive, but unfortunately, it can also further damage the stomach lining. This is especially risky in those already suffering from gastritis or ulceration of the stomach. Altering your stomach pH in these cases should only be done under the supervision of your healthcare provider.

Protecting the Stomach
Because H. pylori bacteria damage the stomach lining, it is important to combine antibacterial treatments with supplements that can soothe and protect the digestive lining. Herbs that perform this function are called demulcents. Some great demulcents are: slippery elm, marshmallow, and licorice.

Digestive discomfort can significantly impact daily life, especially when symptoms become persistent. Finding effective strategies for ulcer relief often involves more than symptom management alone, requiring support for digestive health, lifestyle modifications, and addressing underlying factors that may contribute to irritation. Alongside conventional treatments, many people explore nutrition and natural approaches to help soothe the digestive tract and promote healing. In this article, we'll explore ways to support digestive comfort and encourage long-term gut health.

What Are Ulcers?

Ulcers are open sores that develop when the protective lining of the digestive tract becomes damaged, allowing stomach acid and digestive juices to irritate and erode underlying tissues. They can occur in different areas of the gastrointestinal tract and may lead to symptoms such as burning abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, indigestion, reduced appetite, or discomfort that worsens between meals or during the night.

The term peptic ulcer is a broad category used to describe ulcers that develop in areas exposed to stomach acid, including the stomach and upper small intestine. Gastric ulcers are a specific type of peptic ulcer that form in the lining of the stomach itself. Another common type of peptic ulcer is a duodenal ulcer, which develops in the upper portion of the small intestine. While symptoms can overlap, the location of the ulcer may influence when symptoms occur and how they are managed.

Common Causes of Ulcers

Several factors can contribute to ulcer development, including:

• Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria
• Frequent use of anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs
• Smoking & Lifestyle factors that weaken the digestive lining
• Excessive alcohol or caffeine intake
• Chronic stress
• Excessive or deficient digestive juices
• Poor Diet

How Can I Tell If I Have An Ulcer?

Ulcer symptoms can vary depending on the location and severity of the ulcer, but the most common symptom is a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen. This discomfort may come and go and is often worse between meals, at night, or when the stomach is empty. Other common symptoms include a hungry feeling, nausea and vomiting, bloating, indigestion, frequent burping, acid reflux, loss of appetite, and feeling full quickly when eating.

In some cases, ulcers may also cause unexplained weight loss or discomfort after meals. More serious symptoms, such as vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, dizziness, or severe abdominal pain, may indicate bleeding or complications and require prompt medical attention. 

Peptic ulcers produce symptoms several hours after eating and sometimes in the middle of the night. Food that eases the stomach usually helps to stop this type of pain. Ulcers can cause complications like internal bleeding, weight loss, perforation of the digestive tract and anemia.

Ulcer Relief: Treatment Options

Conventional Treatments

The conventional treatment for ulcers is to take antacids, antibiotics, ranitidine or cimetidine. These medications treat the symptoms of ulcers, however, and not the cause. They also do not repair the damaged tissue. In addition, they have various side effects; among them, they can cause a rebound in acid production. 

Natural Remedies For Ulcer Relief

Some natural interventions are to not lie down following a meal and drink natural juice, like carrot and cabbage juice, to heal the mucosal lining.

Fruits and vegetables that are usually well tolerated by ulcer patients include spinach, cucumber, avocado, cabbage, potato, banana, apple, melon and cantaloupe. Eat soothing foods that produce a protective coating over the digestive tract, for example, ground flax seed, yogurt, porridge and congee. Consume fermented products like yogurt, kefir, quark, buttermilk and natural cheeses to replenish the friendly bacteria that assist with nutrient digestion.

Dietary change is often the only way to completely resolve an ulcer. Eliminate all processed and refined foods from the diet. Also avoid fatty, rich foods, vinegar, citrus fruits, plums, coffee and black tea. Cook all foods well and eat small, frequent meals in a comfortable environment.

Decrease stress and deal with underlying emotional concerns that may be affecting the ulcers. Place a hot water bottle over the abdomen because warmth increases circulation to the area. Drink marshmallow or slippery elm tea to soothe the digestive tract, but allow the tea to cool significantly before drinking it.