What is H. Pylori?
Helicobacter Pylori is a spiral shaped bacterium with a propensity to attack the lining of the stomach and proximal small bowel. It can survive in the acidic environment in the stomach by burrowing into the mucosal layer where it stays, sometimes from early childhood. At some point in some people, it becomes a harmful pathogen and starts to cause symptoms and eventually serious diseases. According to the CDC 66% of world population is infected with H. Pylori and this goes up to 80% in developed countries. It is responsible for 80% of gastric ulcers! Helicobacter pylori can increase stomach cancer risk by 6 times and causes ulcers and gastritis by secreting a toxin that damages the bowel lining.
Here are some of the symptoms that you can get from H. Pylori:
Bloating, belching and gas
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal discomfort with burning sensation
Fatigue
Anorexia or loss of appetite
Foul breath
More serious complications of active H. Pylori infections include:
Severe Abdominal pain
Internal Bleeding
Vomiting blood
Dark or tarry stools
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Peptic ulcers
Stomach Cancer
How can I get tested for H. Pylori?
Breath testing is currently the best way to check if your symptoms are related to H. Pylori and Dr Jay can help with the diagnosis and treatment plan.
What are the conventional treatments available for me?
Western medicine and your GI doctor will most likely recommend a conventional treatment plan comprised of the following:
Antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s)
Bismuth subsalicylate
3 Antibiotics
Biaxin
Flagyl
Amoxicillin
What would my Navigator recommend?
Here at Rejuvenate, your H. Pylori infection will be treated with a more natural approach that addresses the underlying causes of H. Pylori overgrowth and the condition of your gut at the time you come and see me.
Nutrition as medicine
Wild caught fish with high Omega-3 fatty acids
Fax and chia seeds with Omega-3 fatty acids
Manuka honey with green teas
Berries
Cruciferous vegetables
Olive oil is antibacterial
Foods to avoid
Grains with low-fiber content
Sugary foods
Caffeine
Probiotics – crowding out of the bad bacteria by good bacteria
Supplements can help eradicate the bacteria as well
Use multiple strains –check out my blog on probiotics
Lactobacillus species have been scientifically studied
fermentum, casei, and brevis
Kefir and Probiotic-rich foods
What Supplements should I consider?
Zinc carnosine 75 mg twice a day
Berberine 500 mg twice a day
Bismuth citrate 250 mg twice a day
Mastic gum 2 grams twice a day
Black Seed (Nigella Sativa)
2 grams a day
Broccoli Sprout Oil
30 grams twice a day for a week
Green Tea
Inhibits the growth of H. Pylori
Heals gastric inflammation
Garlic
Antibiotic effect
3 grams with meals
Propilis Extract
Made from honey bee hives
Contains phenolic compounds
Herbal therapies
Goldenseal
Meadowsweet
Sage
What lifestyle changes will help you stay healthy?
Stay hydrated with clean water
H. Pylori is contagious within families, so everyone needs to be treated and practice good hygiene
Reduce stress – will help with digestion and acid production in the stomach
How can I heal my gut while I eradicate or subdue this bacterium?
DGL Licorice 500 mg between meals
L-glutamine powder 3 grams before meals
Aloe liquid
Marshmallow root