`Fact checked – 7 min read
During the last two years I have experienced a notable upsurge in clients with either diagnosed, or suspected Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection. In one particular case, I detected the presence of the opportunistic bacteria in an unsuspecting client. In the blogpost below, I discuss what H.pylori is, causes, consequences, conventional medical treatments and I present the case of a client with recurrent, antibiotic resistant H.pylori infection, and how Nutritional Therapy helped eradicate the bacteria naturally without medications, whilst improving health and wellbeing.
What is H.pylori?
H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium that colonises the stomach lining (fig. 1). It is one of the most common chronic infections worldwide and is often acquired during childhood. Many people remain asymptomatic, but in some individuals the organism causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and is associated with gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Identifying and eradicating the infection can therefore have important long-term health benefits (1,2)
How does H.pylori survives and proliferates
H. pylori survives in the harsh, acidic stomach by burrowing into the protective mucus layer that coats the stomach lining. It uses tiny tail-like structures (flagella) to move through the mucus and then sticks to the surface of stomach cells using special ‘sticky’ proteins on its outer surface. Once attached, it produces substances called urease that help neutralise stomach acid nearby, allowing it to live there more comfortably. This close attachment lets the bacteria irritate and inflame the stomach lining over time, which can contribute to indigestion, ulcers and other complications if the infection persists.
What are H.pylori symptoms?
Many people with Helicobacter pylori have no symptoms at all, but when symptoms do occur they are usually related to irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining. The most common symptoms are those of dyspepsia (indigestion). People may notice a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen, often when the stomach is empty, along with bloating, nausea, early fullness when eating, excessive burping and sometimes mild reflux (fig.3). Some experience a reduced appetite or unexplained weight loss, particularly if symptoms are persistent (1,2)
Potential complications of H.pylori
If the infection leads to a peptic ulcer, symptoms can become more pronounced. Ulcers may cause more intense upper abdominal pain, especially at night or between meals, and occasionally vomiting. In more serious cases there may be signs of bleeding, such as black stools, vomiting blood, or unexplained anaemia and fatigue. These symptoms require urgent medical assessment (1). Long-standing infection can also contribute to chronic gastritis and, over many years, increasing the risk of gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma (fig.4).
Conventional medical treatment
In the UK, testing is usually recommended for people with dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease or certain risk factors. Treatment aims to eradicate the organism using a combination of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin, or metronidazole, and acid suppression medications, Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Omeprazole (4).
Side effects of medical treatment
The medications used in eradication regimens are generally well tolerated but can cause side effects. Antibiotics may lead to gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, taste disturbances and, less commonly, allergic reactions or antibiotic-associated colitis. PPIs can cause headache, abdominal discomfort and, with longer use, are associated with risks such as nutrient malabsorption and altered gut microbiota (4,5).
Eradication not always successful.
Antibiotic resistance has led to declining success rates in many countries. First-line treatment typically achieves eradication in around 70–85% of patients, meaning that a proportion will require second-line therapy. Confirmatory testing after treatment is often done to ensure the infection has been cleared, especially in those with ulcers or persistent symptoms (2,6), such as my client. In her case, she had undergone several medical treatments without success and worsening digestive symptoms which was affecting her quality of life, and came to me for help.
Nutritional Therapy succeeds
Presentation: 25yr old female with history of recurrent H.pylori from a holiday abroad in the fast east. A medical endoscopy whilst on holiday, revealed gastric inflammation and the presence of the bacteria. The client had a history of dyspepsia, chronic bloating, excessive burping, nausea and frequent vomiting impacting nutritional status and mental well-being. After several courses of antibiotics she reported persistent digestive and general malaise. Whilst attending my consultation, a baseline dietary analysis and blood test revealed a number of imbalances. Stoping the vomiting and ensuring sufficient hydration and electrolytes was the first goal. After two weeks of Nutritional Therapy, which included a phased plan for introduction of certain foods and liquids, and targeted supplements, she reported much less bloating, no more vomiting, considerably less nausea and generally feeling a lot better. By the third week, a H.pylori stool antigen test by her GP revealed the absence of H.pylori which was great news for both of us. By the end of the first month, she reported feeling better than she had felt in years, and in a much better place mentally and digestive-wise. The therapy was very safe and well tolerated, reporting no side effects. The client has now started transitioning to phase 2 in her recovery, which will focus in normalising digestive health and preventing H.pylori relapse by building immune resilience. Support continues.
The advantages of natural therapies
Some evidenced-based natural approaches to H. pylori avoid contributing to antibiotic resistance, but their effectiveness at reliably eradicating the infection is less well established than standard antibiotic regimens. Another advantage is that it supports the healing of the stomach mucosa, which is key to prevent future complications. Additionally, the interventions I often use can actually improve the eradication rates when used with conventional treatments and medications, which many clinicians are not aware of. I came across these studies back during my student days and kept them in my ‘memory locker’ and has been incredibly useful and effective for me in supporting many clients with H.pylori.
Conclusions
Overall, H. pylori remains a common but treatable infection. Appropriate testing and detection, and first line medical treatment and follow-up testing are key to reducing complications such as ulcers and gastric cancer. While medical treatment can cause temporary side effects, successful eradication offers significant long-term benefits for many patients. However, Antibiotic resistance is a big problem nowadays, and this is where Nutritional Therapy can lend a hand and successfully support many clients who may not have had any success with convention treatments. Do you have a history of, or recent diagnosis of H.pylori and want to work with me to heal and recover? Get in touch with me.
1 Kusters JG, van Vliet AHM, Kuipers EJ. Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006;19(3):449-490.
2 Crowe SE. Helicobacter pylori infection. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(12):1158-1165.
3 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in adults: investigation and management (CG184). London: NICE; updated guidance.
4 NICE. British National Formulary: Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens. London: NICE; current edition.
5 Freedberg DE, Kim LS, Yang YX. The risks and benefits of proton pump inhibitors. Gastroenterology. 2017;152(4):706-715.
6 Thung I, Aramin H, Vavinskaya V, et al. Review article: the global emergence of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2016;43(4):514-533.
