There is a certain bacterial infection that has been around for an incredible 200,000 years and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down yet.

It’s VERY contagious and affects a staggering 66 percent of the world’s population (2 out of 3 of us). 

In the vast majority of cases (90 percent), there are no symptoms at all, so most people who have contracted it don’t even know it. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s innocent or harmless…because this bacterial infection can increase your stomach cancer risk by an alarming 600 percent!

And unfortunately, the standard medical treatment isn’t always effective, plus it presents its own long list of side effects to boot.

This ancient but potentially deadly infection is…

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)!

Here is what you need to know to help prevent it taking its toll on you.

Share and share alike

Since H. pylori has apparently been around since the dawn of time and is still as common as ever, that’s certainly a statement as to its ability to survive and thrive.

And the reason that two out of three of us are infected is because H. pylori is relatively easy to get!

It’s transmitted through direct contact with the saliva, vomit or feces of an infected person, so things like kissing and sharing drinkware or utensils can pass the bacteria from one person to another. 

Plus it can be contracted through consumption of contaminated food or water. 

A variety of symptoms

While most people don’t have symptoms, when H. pylori does stir up symptoms they can include:

• Bloating
• Belching
• Nausea, vomiting
• Heartburn, acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Bad breath
• Dark, tarry stools
• Anemia
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain

 

But H. pylori’s main “accomplishment” is that it’s the underlying cause of most ulcers.  Current estimates are that H. pylori causes about 80 percent of peptic (stomach) ulcers, and 90 percent of duodenal (upper small intestine) ulcers. 

It can also cause ulcers in the esophagus, and lead to gastritis (chronic stomach inflammation) too.

But most disturbingly, having H. pylori can raise your risk of developing stomach cancer by up to six times higher!

The cure isn’t always a cure…and can make things worse!

The typical treatment for H. pylori is “triple therapy”—two antibiotics paired with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). 

That can mean gulping up to 20 pills or more a DAY—and if the thought of that doesn’t make you gag, I don’t know what will.

But this “cure” continues to decrease in effectiveness because H. pylori (like many other species of bacteria) is becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Plus let’s not forget that antibiotics obliterate your gut microbiome—which can severely impact your digestion and weaken your immune system function.  It can take your microbiome up to a YEAR to fully recover from just one single course of antibiotics.

And the documented dangers of PPIs continue to grow, including increasing your risk of chronic kidney disease, heart attack, Alzheimer’s and fractures, as well as increasing your overall death risk by a whopping 50 percent.

Natural ways to treat H. pylori (and ulcers, acid reflux and gastritis too!)

H. pylori and the problems it causes will likely continue to be on the rise since the mainstream medical community is running out of answers to effectively treat it.

But the good news is there are several very effective natural ways to counter H. pylori, without the harmful health risks of triple therapy!

Here are some of the best:

Mastic gum and ginger

Mastic gum has been used in treating gastric illnesses since about 3,000 BC and has been shown in studies to be a very effective antibacterial agent against H. pylori. 

And ginger has been found to generate a protective effective against H. pylori, inhibiting its growth.

Our Gastro BeCalm Blend combines both these herbal superstars, along with licorice root (a natural heartburn/acid reflux remedy) and marshmallow root (which soothes the GI tract)!

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibacterial, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory which has been shown to kill off and inhibit the growth of H. pylori.  It is also associated with a lower risk of gastric cancer.

The best way to consume fresh garlic and get the maximum effect from it is to eat it raw.  Although that might not appeal to everyone, you can mince it up, combine it with some olive oil, sea salt and pepper, and use that as a topping for vegetables. 

Probiotics

Your gut takes a double hit when you’ve got H. pylori.  First, it is a harmful species of bacteria which can challenge your friendly intestinal flora all on its own.

Plus if you’ve taken antibiotics for H. pylori (or any other infection for that matter), your poor gut microbiome is likely struggling and waving the white flag of defeat!

But a potent, full-spectrum probiotic formula like Super Shield PLUS multi-strain probiotic formula can help repopulate your helpful intestinal inhabitants and support a healthier flora balance which can better protect you from harmful microbes including H. pylori.

Two of Super Shield PLUS’s strains—Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus brevis—have been shown in research to be VERY effective at fighting H. pylori.

Cranberry juice

Most commonly known for helping with urinary tract infections (UTI), cranberry juice has also shown promise in various studies to counteract and weaken H. pylori.

Green tea

Green tea has been shown to inhibit the growth of H. pylori as well as help prevent inflammation and treat gastritis.

Reduce stress

Not only can stress cause harmful changes to your gut microbiome, but it also worsens the symptoms of H. pylori. 

Historically, people with anxiety and high levels of stress have been shown to have weaker immune functioning, and higher than normal rates of H. pylori infections, stomach inflammation and stomach ulcers.

Do whatever you need to do to reduce your stress level.  Regular exercise is the best, but also acupuncture, prayer, meditation, deep breathing or even adopting a pet (if you’re an animal lover) have been shown to help.

And if it’s a job or relationship that is causing stress, well, it may be time to consider making a change.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia