Alternative Treatments for H Pylori

H. plylori (helicobacter pylori) is a powerful bacteria capable of invading the digestive tract, particularly the stomach. This bacteria is not rare and there may be a good chance you are living with it in a dormant or active state. Unfortunately it is a bacteria that can only be eradicated through medical intervention, however by working with your physician and, if available, a professional naturopathic doctor, you may be able to apply these updated alternative treatments for H. pylori as an adjunct to medication.

Prevent It

H. pylori mostly infects the lining of the stomach. It is usually transported through unclean conditions. It can lead to serious ulcerative diseases that can be painful and require continuous pharmacological intervention. Reducing your chances of catching H. pylori is your first line of defense. 

Follow these steps to mitigate your chances as recommended by WebMD and the Mayo Clinic:

• Avoid food or water that’s not clean
• Don’t eat anything that isn’t cooked thoroughly
• Avoid food served by people who haven’t washed their hands
• Wash your hands after you use the bathroom and before you prepare or eat food 

Don’t Live With It

Avoid or fix these living situations which have been directly related to being infected by the H. pylori bacteria:

• Living in crowded conditions – You have a greater risk of H. pylori infection if you live in a home with many other people
• Living without a reliable supply of clean water – Having a reliable supply of clean, running water helps reduce the risk of H. pylori
• Living in a developing country – People living in developing countries, where crowded and unsanitary living conditions may be more common, have a higher risk of H. pylori infection
• Living with someone who has an H. pylori infection – If someone you live with has H. pylori infection, you’re more likely to also have H. pylori infection.

Botanical Applications

Many pharmaceuticals are derived from plant-based sources. However, the mass packaging of these pharmaceuticals can sometimes result in side-effects due to chemical manipulation.

These botanical applications for H. pylori have been shown to help reduce symptoms and bacterial growth without the side effects often associated with pharmaceuticals:

• Licorice root – This herb has been shown to reduce the ability tor H. pylori to stick to stomach cells making it difficult for the bacteria to thrive. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology concluded that, “Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra [licorice] are strong anti-adhesive systems, which may be used as potent tools for a further development of cytoprotective [protects cells] preparations with anti-infectious potential.”

• Olive oil – Next time you eat a salad you may want to drizzle some virgin olive oil on top. Research published in Agricultural and Food Chemistry describes the incredible benefits of this ancient oil, “Virgin olive oil is an unrefined vegetable oil that contains a significant amount of phenolic compounds. Under simulated conditions, we have demonstrated that these substances can diffuse from the oil into the gastric juice and be stable for hours in this acidic environment. In vitro, they exerted a strong bactericidal activity against eight strains of H. pylori, three of them resistant to some.”

Take the Good Bacteria

Probiotics are becoming very popular, yet doctors cannot pinpoint the exact dosage. In a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, the probiotic ‘bifidobacterium’ was shown to be most effective against H. pylori. However, taking probiotics as a multi-formula of many other strains (how it is often sold) may be just as effective.

“Bifidobacterium exerts an in vitro anti-H. pylori effect and inhibits adhesion to the mucosa by competition. Several studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between the addition of potential probiotic strains and the in vitro inhibition of H. pylori growth. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, Bacillus subtilis, and Weissella confusa, among others, have an antagonistic effect on H. pylori.”

As stated, to completely eradicate H. pylori you will need powerful antibiotics. Using some of these and other natural remedies could work at mitigating symptoms while acting as an effective adjunct to medical treatment. In the meantime, stay away from raw meats and fish as well as fruits and vegetables that have not been thoroughly cleaned.

Source:

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/h-pylori-helicobacter-pylori

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/h-pylori/symptoms-causes/syc-20356171

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109004371

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jf0630217

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27751367/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925854/