Helicobacter pylori Infection: Most Effective Supplements

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacterium that primarily colonizes the human gastric mucosa. Discovered in 1983 by Warren and Marshall, this bacterium is mainly associated with chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as certain forms of gastric cancer. H. pylori is the only known bacterium capable of surviving in the very acidic environment of the stomach, thanks to the production of urease which neutralizes gastric acidity. Its helical shape and flagella allow it to move through gastric mucus and adhere to the stomach lining. Once established, it secretes toxins that damage epithelial cells of the stomach, promoting inflammation and lesion formation.

Epidemiology

H. pylori infection is primarily contracted in the early years of life and often persists indefinitely if untreated. The prevalence of the infection varies by region in the world, with higher incidence in older individuals and those raised under disadvantageous socio-economic conditions. At least 50% of the world's population is infected with H. pylori.

Symptoms

H. pylori infection can be asymptomatic, but when symptomatic, it presents with epigastric pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and bloating. The infection can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency because the bacterium disrupts nutrient absorption in the stomach. There is also a link between H. pylori and certain non-digestive pathologies, such as autoimmune diseases (lupus, psoriasis) and chronic inflammatory or neurodegenerative conditions.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of H. pylori infection can be established by invasive and non-invasive methods: 2 Invasive tests: gastric biopsies obtained during gastroduodenoscopy for rapid urease tests and histological examinations. 2 Non-invasive tests: detection of specific antibodies in serum, urea breath tests, and stool antigen tests.

Complications

The main complications of H. pylori infection include: 2 Ulcers: The bacterium is a major cause of duodenal and gastric ulcers by stimulating gastric acid secretion. 2 Gastric cancer: Chronic infection with H. pylori is an established risk factor for the development of stomach cancer. 2 MALT lymphoma: The infection is also associated with a specific form of gastric lymphoma that can regress after eradication of the bacterium.

Treatment

Treatments for H. pylori infection primarily rely on the use of antibiotics combined with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce gastric acidity, which increases the efficacy of antibiotics. Triple therapy is the most commonly used first-line treatment. It consists of a combination of two antibiotics and a PPI: 2 PPIs: Omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, or esomeprazole. 2 Antibiotics: Amoxicillin and clarithromycin, or metronidazole in penicillin-allergic patients. In cases of high resistance to clarithromycin (20%) or failure of triple therapy, a quadruple therapy may be used: 2 PPIs: As above. 2 Bismuth: Bismuth preparations. 2 Antibiotics: Tetracycline and metronidazole. New solutions are emerging such as the use of probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri DSMZ17648, which acts by reducing the bacterial load in the stomach and facilitates the elimination of H. pylori without affecting the gut microbiota. Prevention of H. pylori infection involves strict hygiene measures, such as hand washing, consumption of clean water, and thorough cleaning of food.