So many people suffer from symptoms such as bloating, acid reflux, stomach pain or chronic nausea. In fact, in the National GI study in 2019, 61% of participants reported having more than one digestive symptom in the past week. Over the counter medications or prescription drugs are often prescribed to provide relief. As a dietitian, seeing many patients with these conditions, I have to wonder, what could be the underlying cause? One organism could be the root cause of these conditions: H. pylori.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach lining. Helicobacter pylori are estimated to be present in roughly 50% of the human population but will only cause disease in roughly 15% of those cases. It’s one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide and is often acquired in childhood. H. pylori are often asymptomatic but it can cause serious problems for some people.
H.Pylori can be found in the following areas in the human body:
- Stomach lining – the main site of colonization
- Duodenum – particularly in cases of duodenal ulcers
- Dental plaque and saliva – can act as a reservoir and contribute to reinfection
- Feces
To adapt to the low pH of the stomach, H. pylori can produce urease, an enzyme which neutralizes the stomach acid. H. pylori’s urease allows it to survive, colonize, and damage the stomach lining. If concentration of the infection is high enough, this may significantly affect the amount of acid that the stomach can produce. This results in hypochlorhydria which means that the gastric pH is less acidic. This can contribute to significant effects such as:
- Inability for the lower esophageal sphincter to completely close, which can lead to heartburn or GERD Inability to produce enough digestive enzymes. Dysbiosis which is defined as:
- Loss of beneficial microbes that inhabit the gut
- Overgrowth of potentially harmful organisms
- Reduced microbial diversity
- Disrupted metabolic or immune functions
- Small intestinal overgrowth (SIBO)
- Nutrient malabsorption leading to nutrient deficiencies
Additional Health Implications from H. Pylori:
- GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease)
- Gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach
- Peptic ulcers (in the stomach or duodenum)
- Stomach cancer
- Migraines – H. pylori is a histamine producer which can trigger migraines.
- Rosacea – a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the face.
The potential symptoms of an H. pylori infection are vast and in descript. You may feel any of these common symptoms:
- Burning stomach pain
- Bloating
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent burping/belching
- Acid reflux or indigestion
- Dark or tarry stools
There are several ways to test for H. pylori. The following diagnostic tests can help identify it:
- Breath test (urea breath test)
- Blood test
- Endoscopy with biopsy (for more serious or unclear cases)
- Stool Test, which is evaluating the DNA of the bacteria
At the Unconventional Dietitian, a GI MAP stool test can be ordered. One of the strengths of the GI MAP is that it detects H. pylori with great sensitivity.
There are various approaches to the treatment of H. pylori. Whether you go with an allopathic, or traditional medicine path or functional approach, the type and severity of the infection will determine what will be most effective. From the traditional medicine aspect, usually antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors are used. From a functional medicine side there are a variety of supplements, including mastic gum, DGL licorice, and oregano oil that can be used.
Oral care plays an important role in managing H. pylori infections. The mouth can act as a reservoir for the infection, making oral hygiene crucial—especially for preventing reinfection after treatment.
H.pylori and the Mouth:
- pylori have been detected in dental plaque, saliva, and periodontal pockets.
- Poor oral hygiene can contribute to persistent or recurrent gastric infections.
Oral Care Recommendations for H. pylori Management:
- Brush teeth at least twice daily.
- Floss daily – removes plaque that may harbor bacteria.
- Use a water pic with hydrogen peroxide
- Use a periobiotic toothpaste (fluoride-free, probiotic based toothpaste)
- Regular dental checkups – address gingivitis or periodontitis, which can harbor H. pylori.
Diet plays an important role in managing H. pylori.
- There are a variety of foods that may contribute the loosening of the lower esophageal sphincter. These foods are often recommended to be avoided with an H. pylori infection, especially if heartburn is occurring. With healthy foods such as onions and garlic, it is recommended to eat them and pay close attention to the body’s reaction.
- Fats, greasy, fried foods
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Mint
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Tomato and tomato products
- Spicy food
- Carbonated drinks
- Onion and garlic
- NSAIDs and aspirin
- General healthy whole foods diet
- Cut sugar and processed foods especially processed meats and smoked foods.
- Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane, which has been shown to have anti-H. pylori activity
- Fruits rich in antioxidants such as berries and apples which help in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Probiotic foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and miso. Probiotics can help in restoring gut balance.
- Yellow foods such as bananas, lemons, pineapple, pears, squash (summer and winter), yellow onion including bioflavonoid constituents that may modify gastric microbial activity, such as H. pylori and the propensity towards ulcers.
- Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines, tuna), flaxseeds and chia seeds.
H.pylori can exist without symptoms for most people. However, it can be a significant factor in various health conditions. Through diagnostic tests, proper treatment and diet protocol, H. pylori and its health effects can be remedied.
