Helicobacter Pylori: A bug that strives on stress

Understanding Helicobacter pylori infections and natural treatment strategies

As chronic unmanaged stress can be a threat to our immune system and expose us to unhealthy behaviours (like unhealthy foods, poor sleep hygiene or lack of exercise), we get sometimes almost silently exposed to various diseases and infections. One such health issue that can be exacerbated by stress is an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This infection is a common culprit behind many peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis cases, but if detected early, it can be managed with simple solutions.

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacterium that infects the stomach lining. This infection is very common as 50% of the World population is believed to be affected, and many people may be unaware that they have it because it often causes little to no noticeable symptoms, requiring little or no treatment at all. It is even considered as a commensal bacteria by some experts, in other words a bacteria that can live in its host without creating damages. However, H. pylori can lead to digestive issues, including painful ulcers and, in some cases, stomach cancer. Note that only 2% of those with H. pylori infection get stomach cancer. 

H. pylori can hide in the gastric lining, where it produces the enzyme urease. This enzyme helps reduce stomach acid, allowing the bacterium to survive in the acidic environment and making the host more susceptible to other bacterial infections. Additionally, some strains of H. pylori have virulence factors that are correlated with an increased risk of peptic ulcers and stomach cancer, so their presence should not be overlooked.

Symptoms of H. pylori infections

While some individuals with H. pylori may not experience any symptoms, others might suffer from:

  • Abdominal pain: A dull or burning pain in the stomach, often occurring when the stomach is empty.

  • Excessive bloating and burping: Increased gas and frequent burping.

  • Nausea: Feeling nauseous, especially on an empty stomach and sometimes vomiting.

  • Unintentional weight loss: Losing weight without trying, which can be a sign of a more serious condition.

  • Silent symptoms: Some people may experience fatigue, bad breath, or certain skin conditions without obvious digestive discomfort.

Complications of H. pylori infections

When left untreated, H. pylori can cause various complications:

  • Chronic gastritis: Long-term inflammation of the stomach lining.

  • Peptic ulcers: Sores that develop on the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or oesophagus.

  • Atrophic gastritis: A condition where the stomach lining becomes thin and unable to produce enough digestive acids.

  • Increased risk of stomach cancer: Chronic infection and inflammation can lead to precancerous changes in the stomach lining.

  • Non-digestive complaints including iron deficiency anaemia, migraines, skin disorders, Raynaud's syndrome (10)

 

Diagnosing H. pylori infections

If you suspect you have an H. pylori infection, there are several tests that can help confirm the diagnosis:

  1. Stool antigen test: This non-invasive test checks for H. pylori antigens in the stool. The test allows to confirm the presence of the bacterium but not its level. It is commonly used and reimbursed by the Australian Medicare system.

  2. Urea breath test: This test involves drinking a special solution and then blowing into a bag. If H. pylori is present, it will break down the solution and release carbon dioxide, which is detected in your breath. This test is also reimbursed by Medicare.

  3. Stool test microbiome mapping. This functional test allows a quantitative and qualitative assessment of H. pylori and determines any virulence factors of the bacterium. The microbiome mapping includes other assessments, such as the quantities of both harmful and beneficial microbes. If you have digestive symptoms, this test provides valuable insights and helps target your treatment.

 

The role of stress

Stress is a significant factor that can aggravate H. pylori infections. When you're stressed, your sympathetic nervous system is turned on, you are in fight-or-flight, while the parasympathetic nervous system is turned off. With reduced parasympathetic nervous system, the digestion is impacted, gastric emptying slows down, food lingers in the stomach, encouraging more stomach acid to be produced, which can alter the acid production capacity on the long term. Increased stomach acid can irritate the damaged stomach lining and worsens pain, while H. pylori burrows further in the lining until it can proliferate again and do more damage. That is why eating provides some relief to pain, and then 30mn after eating, you are in pain again. Moreover, stress can weaken the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. Therefore, managing one's stress is a crucial part of the treatment strategies of H. pylori infections.

 

Natural treatment strategies

 At Ginkgo Naturopathy, we focus on holistic and evidence-based approaches to help manage H. pylori infections. However, depending on the level of H. pylori detected, their virulence factor(s), and your previous medical history with H. pylori, we may refer you to your GP, who will prescribe you the appropriate antibiotic treatment and possibly some proton pump inhibitor medication to assist with pain management. Natural approaches can be used as complementary or alternative treatment (if adapted). If you have been diagnosed with H. pylori infection, always get the supervision of a health professional: there are several strategies, herbal or nutritional supplements, protocols to follow, depending on other presentations you might experience. Here are some natural treatment strategies that can be used, always being aware that none of these strategies work on their own. A combination of those strategies has to be carefully tailored to the unique presentation of the person and the strains of the H. pylori present in their system, to be most effective:

  1. Dietary changes:

  • Avoid nickel-rich foods: H. pylori uses nickel to produce urease, an enzyme that helps it reduce the stomach acid and survive in its acidic environment. (1 & 1a) Examples of food sources are cocoa/chocolate, soy products, almonds.

  • Consume fruits and vegetables: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they can help reduce inflammation and support the immune system.

  • Avoid spicy and acidic foods: These can irritate the stomach lining and worsen your symptoms.

 

2. Herbal remedies:

  • Liquorice root: Known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and muco-protective properties, liquorice helps soothe the stomach lining.(2) (3)

  • Green tea: Contains compounds that inhibit the growth of H. pylori as well as fight oxidative stress that results from antibacterial activity. (3)

  • Manuka honey: Has antibacterial properties that can help fight H. pylori. (4)

 

3. Nutritional supplements:

  • Zinc-carnosine: Supports the healing of the stomach lining (5) and gut lining.

  • Vitamin C: Boosts the immune system and may help reduce the risk of stomach cancer. (6)

  • Mastic gum: Derived from the mastic tree, it has been shown to have antibacterial effects against H. pylori. (7)

  • Probiotics: Certain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have shown promise in inhibiting the growth of H. pylori. They can be consumed through fermented foods or supplements and may help enhance gut health and reduce the side effects of antibiotics. (8) Saccharomyces Boulardii is a yeast probiotic that has been found supportive to conventional antibiotic treatments of H. Pylori (9).

 

4. Stress management:

If you find it difficult to unwind and relax, exercise or have not prioritised your sleep for some time, these are signs that your body is stressed and might need a little bit of support to manage your stress and thus help it eradicate your H. pylori infection. There are medicinal plants and lifestyle strategies than can support you.

In Summary:

Managing an H. pylori infection involves a multifaceted approach that may include dietary changes, nutritional supplements, antibiotic or herbal remedies treatment, depending on your preferences, the level of infection and the symptoms. Almost always, a stress management strategy is a part of the treatment that should not be overlooked or dismissed. At Ginkgo Naturopathy, we are committed to providing you with the tools and answers you need to empower you to support your body's innate healing abilities. Remember, health is a lifelong journey, seeking help is so much quicker and beneficial. By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of health, we can work together to optimise your well-being and help you lead a vibrant life.

If you resonate with the challenges discussed in this blog and are looking for a supportive and evidence-based approach to managing your health, feel free to contact us and learn more about how we can assist you on your journey to optimal health.

References

 (1) Campanale, M., Nucera, E., Ojetti, V., Cesario, V., Di Rienzo, T. A., D’Angelo, G., ... & Gasbarrini, A. (2014). Nickel free-diet enhances the Helicobacter pylori eradication rate: a pilot study. Digestive Diseases and Sciences59, 1851-1855.

(1a) Yousaf, A., Hagen, R., Mitchell, M., Ghareeb, E., Fang, W., Correa, R., ... & Gayam, S. (2021). The effect of a low-nickel diet and nickel sensitization on gastroesophageal reflux disease: A pilot study. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology40, 137-143.

(2) Valizadeh, M., ur Rehman, F., Hassanzadeh, M. A., Beigomi, M., & Fazeli-Nasab, B. (2021). Investigating the Antimicrobial Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Salvia officinalis Ethanolic Extract Against Helicobacter pylori. International Journal of Infection, 8(4).

(3) Sathianarayanan, S., Ammanath, A. V., Biswas, R., Sukumaran, S., & Venkidasamy, B. (2022). A new approach against Helicobacter pylori using plants and its constituents: A review study. Microbial Pathogenesis, 168, 105594.

(4) Medical News Today. (2024, February 16). H. pylori: Natural treatments and more. Retrieved from Medical News Today

(5) Efthymakis, K., & Neri, M. (2022). The role of Zinc L-Carnosine in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal mucosal disease in humans: a review. Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology46(7), 101954.

(6) Öztekin, M., Yılmaz, B., Ağagündüz, D., & Capasso, R. (2021). Overview of Helicobacter pylori infection: clinical features, treatment, and nutritional aspects. Diseases, 9(4), 66.

(7) Soulaidopoulos, S., Tsiogka, A., Chrysohoou, C., Lazarou, E., Aznaouridis, K., Doundoulakis, I., ... & Lazaros, G. (2022). Overview of chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus) effects on human health. Nutrients14(3), 590.

(8) Saracino, I. M., Pavoni, M., Saccomanno, L., Fiorini, G., Pesci, V., Foschi, C., ... & Vaira, B. (2020). Antimicrobial efficacy of five probiotic strains against Helicobacter pylori. Antibiotics, 9(5), 244.

(9) Keikha, M., & Kamali, H. (2022). The impact of Saccharomyces boulardii adjuvant supplementation on alternation of gut microbiota after H. pylori eradication; a metagenomics analysis. Gene Reports, 26, 101499.

(10)  Kishore, G., Ejaz, M., Kumar, J., Lal, A., Tahir, H., Anjum, Z., Naz, S., Maher, W., Khan, S., & Rizwan, A. (2021). Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Serum Iron Profile. Cureus, 13(9), e17925. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17925

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Managing Stress Naturally: A Holistic Approach to Regain Energy and Clarity