Eradication of H pylori with both medication and natural remedies
Helicobacter pylori ( H. Pylori) are gram negative bacteria that infect the lining of the stomach. These bacteria cause peptic ulcer diseases and duodenal ulcers.
H.pylori caused gastric inflammation which can lead to superficial gastritis, ulcers, and even gastric cancer.
Treatment with Medications
Helicobacter pylori can be eradicated with the use of antibiotics; however, more than 1 agent has to be used in combination with either a proton pump inhibitor or bismuth to achieve eradication rates of 90% or greater.
According to several international guidelines:
- The first-line therapy for treating H. pylori infection consists of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or ranitidine bismuth citrate, with any two antibiotics among amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole, given for 7-14 days. However, even with these recommended regimens, H. pylori eradication failure is still seen in more than 20% of patients. The failure rate for first-line therapy may be higher in actual clinical practice, owing to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
- The recommended second-line therapy is a quadruple regimen composed of tetracycline, metronidazole, a bismuth salt and a PPI. The combination of PPI-amoxicillin-levofloxacin is a good option as second-line therapy. In the case of failure of second-line therapy, the patients should be evaluated using a case-by-case approach. European guidelines recommend culture before the selection of a third-line treatment based on the microbial antibiotic sensitivity. H. pylori isolates after two eradication failures are often resistant to both metronidazole and clarithromycin.
- The alternative candidates for third-line therapy are quinolones, tetracycline, rifabutin and furazolidone; high-dose PPI/amoxicillin therapy might also be promising.
Antibiotics can cause side effect. Using natural treatment might be helpful in preventing these side effects, protecting the stomach, helping the body to better fight infection, and promoting overall good health.
As the natural treatment are unlikely to eradicate h.pylori entirely, people might choose to use them alongside conventional therapy.\
Natural treatments for H. pylori
Researchers have conducted a range of studies on natural approaches to treating H. pyloriinfections. Eight potential natural treatments include:
1. Honey
Honey is known for its antibacterial properties, and people have used it as a medicine since ancient times.
One study showed that Manuka honey suppressed the growth of H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells.
Other studies have demonstrated that honey has other anti-H. pylori properties, but more animal studies and clinical trials are needed to assess honey’s efficiency as a complementary or alternative treatment.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is an herbal remedy used to treat a variety of illnesses, including:
- constipation
- detoxification
- digestive health
- wound-healing
In one study, the gel from inside the leaves of an aloe vera plant was effective in both inhibiting growth of and killing H. pylori strains, even those that were drug-resistant in a laboratory environment.
This suggests that aloe vera could be effective against H. pylori infection when used in combination with antibiotics.
3. Broccoli sprout
Sulforaphane, a compound found abundantly in broccoli sprout, has been shown to kill H. pylori.
Studies performed both in test tubes and on animal and human subjects have demonstrated the favorable effects of sulforaphane against H. pylori bacteria. Broccoli sprout also decreased gastric inflammation in H. pylori-infected mice.
4. Milk
Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein found in both human and cow’s milk, has shown inhibitory activity against H. pylori. One study used a combination of antibiotics and lactoferrin from cow’s milk, which resulted in a 100 percent eradication rate of H. pylori in 150 affected people.
Also, a compound called melanoidin appears to inhibit the growth of H. pylori bacteria. Melanoidin is a compound formed by a chemical reaction between the sugar lactose and a protein called casein in milk and dairy products. Research has shown that melanoidin suppresses H. pylori colonization in both mice and humans.
5. Lemongrass oil
People must not ingest essential oils. Instead, they can inhale them and use them as part of an aromatherapy approach. According to studies carried out on humans and animals, lemongrass essential oil inhibits the growth of H. pylori.
In a study on mice, the density of H. pylori colonization in the stomach was significantly reduced compared to mice not treated with lemongrass oil.
6. Green tea
Green tea is one of the healthiest and most widely consumed beverages in the world. It contains many antioxidants and nutrients.
In an animal study, green tea decreased both the number of bacteria and the inflammation score of H. pylori-infected mice. However, researchers found that mice that received green tea before infection achieved better results.
7. Probiotics
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, probiotics are live microorganisms that offer health benefits to people. Interest in probiotics as a treatment for H. pylori is increasing.
There are numerous types of probiotics. Many people use Bifidobacterium, which is found in dairy and fermented products, to prevent gastrointestinal infection.
Research has shown that Bifidobacterium exerts its effect against H. pylori by competing with the bacteria to stick to the mucous lining of the stomach.
8. Phototherapy
Research suggests that H. pylori bacteria are sensitive to ultraviolet light. During phototherapy, an ultraviolet light source illuminates the whole stomach.
Phototherapy has been shown to reduce the number of bacteria in the stomach significantly. However, the bacteria will repopulate a few days after illumination.
While phototherapy is not a complete fix, it may have the potential to become an effective treatment against H. pylori, particularly for people who cannot take antibiotics.
Reference: Wemed, MedicalNewsToday
Written by: Ruth Olusegun
