How can one manage H. pylori infection? Most modern treatments for H.pylori infection are aimed at reducing the secretion of gastric acid. The patients are often prescribed medications called antacids that reduce the acidic secretions in the stomach thus reducing the burning sensation and pain temporarily.
While these medications do help to relieve the symptoms, they also cause a few adverse effects as they tend to interfere with the secretion of the digestive enzymes. The reduced secretion of digestive juices in the stomach could hamper the breakdown of nutrients in the food, especially proteins. This could put you at a risk of deficiency of some essential nutrients.
Moreover, antibiotics prescribed for the treatment of H.pylori infection can also destroy healthy bacteria in the gut and cause imbalances in the gut microbiota.
Hence, there is a need to adopt natural ways to manage H.pylori infection that work by enhancing the body’s own defense mechanisms without interfering with the secretion of digestive enzymes.
Here are some herbs that have been found to possess immense potential to help manage H. pylori infection.
Zinc
Zinc would help to boost the immune functions and strengthen the body’s response to infection-causing bacteria including H. pylori. This would help to clear the infection and restore the healthy functions of the stomach and intestine. [8]
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the most powerful probiotic bacteria that could colonize your gut and improve digestive functions as well as immunity. It would regulate the gastric secretions and provide relief from hyperacidity, heartburn, and sour eructation. [9] [10]
Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts contain bioactive compounds that would act as natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. These compounds could play a role in reducing inflammation and damage to the stomach mucosa and reducing the risk of ulceration and cancer.
These benefits would be further supported by natural antioxidants in Mastic Gum that would attack and destroy free radicals thus preventing cancerous changes in the stomach. [11]
Berberine
Patients diagnosed with peptic ulcers due to H. Pylori infection may use Berberine in combination with Cat’s Claw. These herbs would produce a powerful anti-inflammatory action and prevent damage to the stomach mucosa. [12]
The healing nutrients in these herbs would also accelerate the repair of the damaged mucosa thus restoring the digestive functions in a shorter duration.
Bismuth Citrate
Bismuth citrate is an anti-ulcer agent that has the ability to produce a bactericidal and anti-secretory action thus destroying H. Pylori bacteria in the stomach and reducing the excessive secretion of acid in the stomach. [13]
Green Tea
The use of green tea together with Licorice could boost the body’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses and protect the stomach mucosa against damage due to H. Pylori bacteria as well as the acidic secretions. [14]
Effective lifestyle interventions to manage H. pylori infection
Practicing healthy dietary habits and hygiene could help prevent this infection. Here are some effective ways to avoid your risk of an H. pylori infection:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating and cooking, or after using the washroom
- Drink clean water
- Foods that weren’t cooked safely or cleaned properly should be avoided
Natural supplements vs modern drugs to manage H. Pylori infection
Natural supplements containing the herbs mentioned above could provide relief from the symptoms of H. pylori infection by protecting the stomach mucosa against ulceration, inflammation, erosion, and cancerous changes.
This is why herbal supplements are considered superior to modern treatments like antacids and antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for the management of H. pylori infection.
H. pylori infection can put you at a risk of recurrent digestive issues, which can progress and cause serious life-threatening conditions like stomach cancer.
Regular use of supplements containing these herbs and nutrients is highly recommended as a safe and effective way to manage H. pylori infection and boost your digestive health.
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