H. Pylori: Natural Treatment and Diet Tips
It was only a number of years ago in 1982 when scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren discovered that Helicobacter pylori were present in individuals with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers.
This was a game-changing discovery because these conditions were not thought to have a microbial cause at the time.
Like many conditions, the research is evolving and we are still learning about the effects they have on our health and what we can do to treat them if they are causing problems.
A lot of times, H pylori is asymptomatic but sometimes it causes problems for people. In this article, we will break down what H. pylori is, the symptoms that can occur, how to test for it, which H. pylori natural treatment options are best, and what the H. pylori diet looks like.
After you’ve finished this article, you will be able to heal your gut!
What is H. pylori?
Helicobacter pylori is a type of spiral-shaped bacteria that colonizes the stomach and duodenum. It has been found to cause more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and up to 80% of gastric ulcers.1 It causes ulcers by damaging the protective lining of the intestines and allowing stomach acid to create an open sore also known as an ulcer.
This bacteria has been around as long as humans have and is known to exist in up to two-thirds of the world’s population. In the majority of people, H pylori won’t cause any severe symptoms but in some people, it can lead to inflammation, ulcers, and other digestive problems.
It’s also important to note that scientists think H pylori is contagious because it has been found to run in families and is more common in crowded or unsanitary areas. But, the exact method that H pylori has been found to spread is not entirely clear.2 This is why it’s so important to practice good hygiene and eat clean foods!
Symptoms of H. pylori
Thankfully, Helicobacter pylori do not cause symptoms in the majority of people. It’s still not entirely sure why H. pylori can cause problems in some people and not in others. It’s truly fascinating and shows how bacteria can change based on genetics and the environment.
On the other hand, some people do develop symptoms from H pylori which are listed below.3
Some infected people have occasional symptoms of:
- Belching
- Bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
More severe H pylori infections can cause:
- Abdominal pain
- Passing dark or tarry stools
- Fatigue
- Low red blood cell count
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Ulcers
- Heartburn
- Bad breath
How Do You Get H. Pylori?
There are a couple different ways you can pick up H pylori. You can get H pylori from unsanitary living conditions such as contaminated water or food, or pick it up from person-to-person contact through saliva and fecal matter.4
Often times, H pylori are picked up during childhood when kids are living with someone who has been infected by H. pylori or become exposed to unsanitary living conditions. Once again, this is why it’s important to wash your hands, cook your food, and practice healthy hygiene routines.
How Do You Test For H. Pylori?
If you’re having problematic digestive issues in your upper gut (stomach and duodenum) it’s probably a good idea to see if you have H. pylori. Like I said above, in the majority of cases H. pylori don’t cause any problematic symptoms, but for some people, it can cause issues and would be worthwhile testing for. The main methods for testing are by stool, breath, and blood. Stool testing is usually a pretty accurate way to detect H. pylori.
There is a test you can order online without a prescription. Yes, it’s always important to work with an expert to make sure you follow the correct protocol, but sometimes it helps to know if you really do have H pylori so that you can try a natural remedy to find some relief!
What is The Conventional H. Pylori Treatment Method?
The standard H pylori treatment doctors use when someone is suffering from ulcers or other digestive symptoms related to the bacteria is a combination of antibiotics such as amoxicillin
and tetracycline plus acid-suppressing drugs.5
They use a combination of a few different antibiotics to kill the bacteria and also acid reducing medication to help heal the gastric lining and enhance the effect of the antibiotics. This treatment is usually conducted for a couple weeks where patients would then retest to see if H pylori is gone. If that treatment doesn’t work sometimes doctors will resort to the triple antibiotic therapy!
The only issue with using a conventional treatment method is the side effects that come with using broad-spectrum antibiotics and acid-suppressing drugs. It has been shown that antibiotics can have an impact on your gut flora since they don’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria. You will definitely be taking a risk of disrupting your microbiome using this potent treatment.
Also, when using large courses of antibiotics you will develop some antibiotic resistance which is when bacteria adapt to the antibiotics and change into resistant strains. This means that next time you try using a course of antibiotics they won’t have the same effect since the microbes have adapted to resist this drug.
The bottom line is, sometimes it’s entirely necessary to use antibiotics, but for the majority of people it may be worth testing a natural treatment remedy first.
5 H. Pylori Natural Treatment Options
If you’re not interested in the side effects that could come with the conventional treatment method don’t worry. There are some great supplements and natural remedies for H pylori you can try first. Hopefully, you find one of these options to be your H pylori natural cure!
1. Allimed (Garlic)
Allimed is a potent herbal supplement which contains stabilized allicin. Allicin is the component in garlic responsible for its antibacterial activity and other health benefits. This supplement is effective for many bacterial infections and has been used effectively in treating H pylori in many people.
In this scientific study, it was concluded that garlic has antibacterial effects against H. pylori residing in the stomach and may be prescribed with other medications.
Allimed Dosage for H. pylori:
- Take 1-2 capsules 3 times per day for 2-4 weeks
2. Mastic Gum
Mastic gum is a rare resin obtained from mastic trees in Chios, Greece. It has a long history of medicinal use including helping heal internal bleeding, stomach issues, and for its antibacterial properties. This rare gum is used effectively in treating H pylori. In this scientific study, it was shown that even in a low dose mastic gum can cure peptic ulcers and eradicate H pylori.
Mastic Gum Dosage for H. Pylori:
- 1000 mg of mastic gum per day for 14 days
3.Apple Cider Vinegar for H. pylori
Many people have success consuming apple cider vinegar a few times throughout the day to help keep the stomach environment acidic which H pylori doesn’t like. While there’s no scientific research on this natural remedy it may be worth a try.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help maintain your gut microbiome balance. In this scientific study, it was shown that using probiotics before or after a treatment protocol for H pylori improved eradication rates. This suggests that including probiotics in your treatment plan may help some individuals. One of the highest quality medical grade probiotics is VSL #3.
5. Green Tea and Licorice root tea
Including high-quality tea in your treatment protocol can be very beneficial. Tea helps to soothe the gut, aid in digestive function, and help with detoxification. For H pylori in particular, green tea and licorice root tea have been shown to inhibit the growth of the bacteria. If you’re going to get some tea, get the highest quality green tea to get the most health benefits. I recommend the brand below from Capital Teas.
The H. pylori Natural Cure
So, maybe you’ve read a bunch of information on different options to use but are still wondering how to treat H. pylori naturally. This is the combination protocol that combines the most effective natural options available into one simple plan.
As always, you should consult a doctor for expert medical advice but if you want to try a natural solution on your own this is a great option.
- Allimed 2 capsules 3 times a day (for 3 weeks)
- 1000 mg of mastic gum (for 3 weeks)
- 2 cups of high-quality green tea a day
- VSL #3 probiotic blend introduced after 3-week treatment
What is a Good H. Pylori Diet?
It’s always important to eat a healthy whole food diet especially if you are dealing with gut issues like an H pylori infection. Usually, it’s not until someone combines a treatment protocol with diet and lifestyle modifications where they find lasting success. I think it’s best to keep diet simple and stick to the basics so you can actually follow through. Below are the diet basics you should stick to when dealing with H pylori.
H. Pylori Diet Basics:
- Healthy whole food lower carbohydrate diet
- Meats, fish, and eggs
- Fresh vegetables
- Berries like raspberry, strawberry, blueberry
- Manuka honey
- Green and herbal tea
- Chia and flax seeds
- Brown rice and potatoes
- Fermented foods
Foods to Avoid with H. Pylori:
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Too much spicy foods
- Too much sugar
- Carbonated drinks
- Processed foods
Sticking to these general H. pylori diet guidelines can help you heal your gut and eradicate H pylori. Like I said earlier, you will most likely need to combine a healthy H. pylori diet with an effective treatment protocol and lifestyle modifications for lasting success. Don’t forget that building and maintaining good health is a commitment and takes consistency over time!
Final Thought on Treating H. Pylori Naturally
Like any other health challenge, the road to eradicating H pylori successfully and maintaining optimal health will not be an easy one. It takes time, an effective treatment protocol, and incorporating healthy changes. Hopefully, after reading this article you have a better understanding of H pylori and the natural treatment options you can try if you’re experiencing symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms the first thing to do is order a test to see if you do in fact have H pylori. If you find out you do have H pylori and are presenting with digestive symptoms it’s probably smartest to test out a natural treatment option before resorting to triple therapy antibiotics.
On the other side, if you want to treat SIBO in an easy and natural way, we recommend the SIBO Elimination Toolkit. Click on the link below to get your copy!
