Probiotics: The Gut Warriors Against Helicobacter pylori

If you've ever dealt with a #gastriculcer, you're probably familiar with the term #Helicobacterpylori – the bacteria that causes ulcers and can even lead to #gastriccancer.

This bacteria is one of the most resilient pathogens in the human body, but recent studies suggest that #probiotics might be the game-changer in eradicating it.

#Helicobacterpylori is not only linked to stomach ulcers but is also associated with gastric cancer and other serious gastrointestinal conditions.

It survives in the acidic environment of the stomach by secreting urease, which neutralizes stomach acid and allows it to adhere to the stomach lining (Keikha & Karbalaei, 2021).

Eradicating this bacterium has been a major challenge due to its resistance to most antibiotics and its ability to anchor itself to the stomach walls.

Interestingly, #probiotics may play a crucial role in improving the effectiveness of H. pylori treatments.

Studies have shown that taking #probiotics alongside standard medical treatments can significantly increase the eradication rate of H. pylori (Yang et al., 2024).

#Probiotics work through several mechanisms:

They enhance the body’s immune response against the bacteria.

Certain probiotic strains produce bacteriocins, which are natural antibiotics that target H. pylori.

Probiotics can occupy the same niches in the gut, making it harder for H. pylori to thrive.

Additionally, probiotics help alleviate the common side effects of antibiotic treatments, such as #diarrhea and #gastrointestinaldistress (Keikha & Karbalaei, 2021).

This means that probiotics not only help fight H. pylori but also reduce the unpleasant side effects of the antibiotics used to treat it.

It’s important to note that the efficacy of probiotics is strain-specific.

Not all probiotics are effective against H. pylori; the right strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are key to achieving the desired effect.

By choosing the right probiotic strain, you can potentially boost the success of your treatment and protect your gut health.

References:

Keikha, M., & Karbalaei, M. (2021). Probiotics as the live microscopic fighters against Helicobacter pylori gastric infections. BMC Gastroenterology, 21(1), 388. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-01977-1

Yang, Z., Zhou, Y., Han, Z., He, K., Zhang, Y., Wu, D., & Chen, H. (2024). The effects of probiotics supplementation on Helicobacter pylori standard treatment: an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 10069. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59399-4