by: Dr. Craig A. Maxwell
Do you have chronic stomach problems, sinus problems, and allergies? Is chronic fatigue weighing you down? Your health problems could be caused by a bacterial infection known as Helicobacter pylori. You may know that the H. pylori bacterium is a common contributor to the development of acid reflux and stomach ulcers. You may not realize that H. pylori can also cause symptoms you have never associated with it. In this article, I discuss the best foods and natural treatments for H. pylori.
What is Helicobacter Pylori?
H. pylori infection is often contracted in childhood from direct person-to-person contact. It may take years for symptoms to begin. H. pylori infection can also be picked up at any age from exposure to contaminated food or water, kissing, saliva (using the same drinking glass, for example) and the fecal-oral route by not washing hands after touching contaminated surfaces.
Some individuals are “carriers” and have no symptoms.
5 Common Symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori
- Gastrointestinal Problems
One of the primary indicators of H. pylori infection is chronic gastrointestinal upset. Gastrointestinal reflux disease, diarrhea, gas, flatulence, bloating, and leaky gut syndrome are all indicators of a possible H. pylori infection.
- Weight Gain/Loss
An inability to lose weight or a sudden drop in weight could be another tell-tale indicator of an H. pylori infection. By affecting levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, people can be affected differently depending on their metabolic makeup.
This could cause either an inability to lose weight or a sudden drop in weight due to lack of appetite and feelings of anxiety. Furthermore, H. pylori infection interferes with the level of acidity in your gut, often affecting your ability to digest fats and proteins. This could cause you to lose muscle mass, which is a dangerous way to lose weight.
- Mood Swings and PMS
H. pylori infection can cause irregular fluctuations of your cortisol levels, which can contribute to the hormonal fluctuations associated with mood swings and PMS.
- Oral Health Problems
Receding gums, gingivitis, chronic oral infections, bad breath, and even dental cavities can often be traced back to H. pylori infection.
- Chronic Sinus Problems
Your sinuses are closely connected to the function of your gastrointestinal system. A chronically-blocked nose, frequent sinus infections, painful sinuses, and post-nasal drip may all be subtle indicators of a hidden H. pylori infection.
How to Determine if Your Symptoms are Related to H. Pylori
If you’re living with any of the symptoms listed above, you’ve likely seen your doctor about them. He or she may have given you one or two prescription drugs to stop your symptoms but these drugs did nothing to address the underlying cause. They may have even contributed to the development of even more symptoms.
In my opinion, the best way to treat any type of chronic disorder is to get to the source of the problem. That’s why, if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, I recommend using the Stool Antigen Test. It is a very good way of detecting the presence of H. pylori infection.
This test can be taken in the privacy of your home, and sent to the lab in a prepaid mailer. The results are reported directly to you. If you wish, the results may also be sent to any doctor you choose.
Conventional H. Pylori Treatments May Worsen Problem
The most common conventional course of treatment for H. pylori infection is a course of two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The antibiotics may eliminate the H. pylori infection from your gut, but they’ll also destroy your healthy bacteria as well. This can leave you more vulnerable to the development of chronic candida (yeast) infection.
Proton pump inhibitors may temporarily stop the pain of acid reflux, but extended use may cause nutritional deficiencies due to disruption of acid production. Extended use is also linked to osteoporosis.
Natural Treatments to Eradicate H. Pylori
Over the years, many patients with H. pylori infection have come to me at the end of their rope. Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors have only made the problem worse (or not worked) and they just don’t know what else to do. In many cases, they simply cannot tolerate the “triple treatment” or are reluctant to take it due to potential side effects.
In each case, I’ve recommended a two-fold supplement process that has been met with great success:
Here Are My Recommendations For Eliminating Helicobacter Pylori
How do you get rid of H. pylori and keep it gone? I am glad you asked this question! Over the years, I have recommended the following two supplements:
1.) Diamond Nutritionals’ Stomach Support Formula contains a synergistic blend of healing ingredients designed to eliminate H. Pylori without the side effects associated with conventional treatments.
These ingredients include:
- Mastic Gum Extract – Mastic gum has traditionally been used to protect the stomach lining, especially related to gastric ulcers. Studies show mastic gum kills and inhibits the growth of H. pylori.
- Bismuth Citrate – Bismuth has been used with antibiotic therapies to reduce H. Pylori growth. It has been widely used in anti-H. pylori protocols for its soothing actions on the gastric and mucosal linings.
- Zinc Carnosine – Zinc carnosine has been approved as a drug in Japan since 1994 for its use in stomach disorders such as ulcers, dyspepsia, and infections with H. pylori. Studies also show zinc carnosine has a strong ability to support the gastric mucosa and initiate healing.
- Berberine Sulfate Hydrate – Berberine sulfate has well-studied antibacterial properties. Studies show plant extracts containing berberine have strong anti-H. pylori activity.
2.) Diamond Nutritionals’ Probiotic Formula contains twenty billion live, active cultures consisting of six different strains of bacteria. BioShield technology ensures that these are delivered live to your GI tract, and survive stomach acid. Many store-bought probiotics either have too few bacteria (1-15 billion), or not enough strains (there should be at least six). The proper amount and strains of probiotics help to eliminate H. pylori growth and keep it gone.
I recommend taking Stomach Support Formula, one capsule twice a day with food for one month, along with one Probiotic Formula capsule a day. Both may be taken together. Probiotic Formula should be continued as part of a good proactive health/prevention plan.
Make Dietary Changes
Once you’ve eliminated that H. pylori infection from your system, it is important to support your continued digestive healing by making the necessary dietary changes. Slowly wean off of processed food and invest in whole foods such as organic vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, and healthy fats like coconut oil, and olive oil. Eat smaller, more frequent meals and include a spoonful or two of fermented foods at each meal.
Here are some foods known specifically to help prevent recurrence of H. pylori infection:
- Broccoli – Broccoli contains a potent compound called sulforaphane, which helps to eliminate the H. pylori bacterium that contributes to the development of most ulcers.
- Celery Seeds – According to a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, researchers identified an anti-microbial compound in celery seeds, which blocks the growth of H. pylori.
- Garlic – Raw, organic garlic releases a sulfur compound that helps eliminate an overgrowth of H. pylori.
- Virgin Coconut Oil – Laboratory studies have confirmed the antimicrobial activity of virgin coconut oil.
- Green Tea – Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can heal the intestinal damage caused by Helicobacter pylori infection.
H. pylori infection does not just cause stomach problems, it can also give you an overall feeling of fatigue and ill-health. Find out if the mystery symptoms you’re experiencing are related to Helicobacter pylori and then eliminate it naturally.
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