Does Probiotics Help With Stomach Ulcers

Symptoms And Standard Treatments

People with gastritis typically experience pain in the upper abdominal area, nausea and vomiting, according to the NIDDK. Other symptoms include burning stomach pain, loss of appetite and burping. Erosion of the stomach lining due to gastritis can lead to bleeding and symptoms of blood loss, such as dizziness, shortness of breath, paleness, fainting and blood in vomit or stool.

Gastritis treatment typically involves managing acid production in the stomach with hydrogen blockers and proton-pump inhibitors to cut down on inflammation and eradicating the H. pylori population with antibiotics. Some patients also rely on antacid tablets to help neutralize stomach acid. The triple therapy combo of H2 blocker or PPI plus two antibiotics was the preferred course of treatment for the past 20-plus years, as noted in the Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology review.

The wide-spread use of antibiotics to fight H. pylori has resulted in an increase in antibiotic resistance for some of the drugs commonly prescribed. When bacteria become resistant to medication, the treatment is less effective. According to the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, the success rate for treatment with antibiotics may be as low as 70 percent.

What Should I Look For When Choosing A Probiotic

Other probiotics provide different types or strains of good bacteria in different amounts compared with VSL#3®. The number of good bacteria is measured in colony-forming units . Studies have shown that greater diversity of bacteria may provide better results. Studies have also shown that bacteria need to remain alive in the digestive tract in high amounts to have a positive impact. When choosing a probiotic, you should consider both the number of different strains and the total CFU count, which is usually measured in billions.

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Probiotic Foods And Drinks Vs Supplements

You can introduce probiotics to your daily regimen by opting for probiotic-rich foods and drinks, as well as by taking a probiotic supplement.

There are benefits to adding probiotic foods and drinks to your diet, but more so there are potential issues to consider.

If youre looking for a truly effective digestive and gut health, its best to reach for a multispecies and multistrain, specifically combined probiotic supplement that is tailored to your needs and manufactured in a way that can prevail through the harsh GI tract.

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Prevalence Of H Pylori In East Africa

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative spiral bacterium that inhabits the surface of the mucous layer of the human stomach and duodenum , usually in a chronic manner, though H. pylori colonization can also be temporarily . The majority of carriers have acquired this bacterium through contact with other human beings before the age of 10 years old, more so in cramped housing areas with poor sanitation practices. When present, H. pylori is the dominant microorganism, as very few other bacteria can survive in the stomach.

TABLE 1. Summary of studies on the incidence of H. pylori and gastric pathology in East Africa.

Best Probiotic Supplements In The Uk For A Healthy Digestive System

Give your gut a break with our pick of the best probiotics

ith each passing day bringing us news of some new health concern weve got to worry about, a food item we should no longer be eating or a brand new supplement we simply must be adding to our diets, its easy to become completely overwhelmed and fatigued by all things health.

It often seems that the more we try to look after ourselves, the harder it gets. Its enough to make you want to give up the whole shebang entirely and just order another pizza.

But gut health is actually a real concern and one that shouldnt just be on our minds the day after a night out.

Theres plenty of research that shows the gut is actually the second brain so called because of its connection to our thoughts, feelings and actions.

From following our gut instinct to feeling butterflies when were nervous, our gut can tell us a lot about whats going on in our heads, so if we dont look after it, it stands to reason that were not looking after our minds properly, either.

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Support A Healthy Weight

According to the CDC, over 40% of the American population suffers from obesity. Those who suffer from obesity are at a higher risk of various illnesses and diseases, including:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Certain cancers

• Digestive problems

Gut bacteria play an important role in your metabolism, and studies have found that the gut microbiome of those with obesity is different from the microbiomes of healthy-weight individuals. Obese individuals may not have the right microbiome balance to properly break down food, leading to weight gain or trouble losing weight.

While taking probiotic supplements alone wont make you lose weight, they can also play a positive role in weight maintenance through a number of different mechanisms. For example, some probiotic supplements can prevent the absorption of dietary fat in the intestine.

Probiotics can also help your body feel full for longer, store less fat, and burn more calories. This is partly due to the increase of certain hormones that help with your metabolic state.

• How do you heal your stomach lining?

When it comes to probiotics, there are many different strains that offer a variety of benefits. While some strains are good for gut health, others can help improve immune function. But, are probiotics good for stomach ulcer? Lets find out in this health blog.

Choosing The Right Amount Of Probiotics To Take

As with most things leaky gut related, the probiotic dosage recommendations out there vary widely and be quite confusing.

But heres the thing: it is impossible to give a blanket statement until we cover a few points of distinction.

Unsurprisingly, most people never mention these points as they require deeper level thinking, but they are very important. The goals you personally want to achieve from taking probiotics and the quality of supplements you choose can really make all of the difference.

And as with everything, speak to your healthcare professional to work out what makes sense for you personally.

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The Right Probiotics For Your Stomach Problems And More

Youve probably heard that probioticsthe active cultures in some yogurts, for exampleare good for your health. But not all probiotics are created equal. Heres what you need to know to boost immunity, soothe itchy skin, quell an upset stomach, and more.

Michelle Klawiter was nine days into a course of antibiotics for a sinus infection when the gut pain hit. Bloody diarrhea quickly followed. The 42-year-old secretary and mother of three in Chandler, Ariz., had developed a nasty intestinal infection, the kind that sometimes occurs when antibiotics kill your bodys good bacteria along with the bad and lower your defenses to other invaders.

Doctors prescribed a series of increasingly potent antibiotics to try to knock out the new bad bug, Clostridium difficile , but nothing worked. Her tummy troubles turned into antibiotic-associated colon inflammation.

And even after three months, sometimes the pain and cramping was so bad I thought I would pass out, Klawiter says. Having lost 20 pounds and feeling unable to cope at her job in a small office with two bathrooms, she quit. RELATED: The Best Foods for an Upset Stomach

The nightmare ended only after Klawiter tried a probiotic that her gastroenterologist had read was effective against C. diff. Klawiter found the over-the-counter product, called Florastor, at her drugstore. Within a week, she recalls, I was eating normally again.

Garden Of Life Raw Probiotics Men

Another raw probiotic supplement by Garden of Life, this one contains 31 strains of bacteria derived from Bulgarian yogurt concentrate. This product, presumably because of its full-spectrum of probiotics, aims to support digestion, immunity, stress management, and cardiovascular health, particularly during times of heavy exertion.

Unfortunately, Garden of Life doesnt test its final products, so theres no evidence to back up these claims.

This supplement also contains additional minerals, enzymes, and raw food ingredients. So remember to check the label to make sure these extra ingredients align with your health goals.

• Dosage/day: 1 capsule 3 times per day
• Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, soy-free, raw, non-GMO, contains dairy
• Clinical studies using final formulation: No

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Alternative Remedies And Natural Ulcer Treatments For Horses

Many equine owners turn to herbal or alternative remedies such as aloe vera juice, marshmallow root, slippery elm, etc., in order to treat ulcers in their horses, and while some of these remedies do have gut-soothing properties, most of them are better suited for prevention, rather than treatment purposes.

Ive been in barns where the trainers have done everything they can to try to keep horses off medication, and theyre really making all the right moves in the way that they feed, supplement, and manage the horses, says Franklin. Even so, after scoping, we have found that unfortunately, those horses still have a very high incidence of developing gastric ulcers.

Because of this, Franklin recommends that horse owners focus on healing the condition first and foremost, and then trying to prevent them from coming back by using certain supplementsthose that are backed by science.

Are Probiotics Effective

Probiotics have been shown to help with digestive discomfort, such as diarrhea and inflammation, according to the NCCIH. Individuals with gastritis often experience imbalance within the microbiome of organisms in the digestive tract due to the pathogenic effects of H. pylori, such as a decrease in the population of Lactobacillus bacteria.

The Gastroenterology Research and Practice review, which assessed the use of probiotics to treat H. pylori, states that probiotics alone dont eradicate the H. pylori but can reduce the colonization to a level that inflammation decreases. In general, the addition of probiotics to triple therapy or antibiotics may increase the rate of eradication of H. pylori compared with medication alone. Researchers also note that some specific strains of probiotics may be more effective for treating gastritis than others.

According to the NCCIH, probiotics have been shown to improve immune health by triggering an immune response to pathogens. A strong probiotic population in the GI tract can have an anti-inflammatory effect, which may improve the symptoms of gastritis. Probiotics also help boost the number of good bacteria that may be killed off by antibiotics used to treat H. pylori.

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How To Take Probiotics

When you take probiotics for UC, there are two key things to know.

To keep up the benefits, you have to keep taking them. If you stop, the balance of bacteria in your colon will change and a flare-up may occur. Talk to your doctor about a long-term probiotic plan.

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Avoid Caffeine Alcohol And Smoking

If this isnât already obvious, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine can make the symptoms of stomach ulcers worse. 13 If possible, quit tobacco use as soon as possible. Smoking increases your risk for stomach ulcers and also slows your recovery time. 14 Cut down on the amount of caffeine or alcohol you consume, especially if you notice more stomach pain after consumption.

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What Causes Peptic Ulcers

Ulcers form when digestive juices damage the walls of the stomach or small intestine. If the mucus layer gets too thin or your stomach makes too much acid, your gut will feel it. The two major causes are:

• Bacteria. Itâs called Helicobacter pylori , and as many as half of us carry it. Most people infected with H. pylori do not get ulcers. But in others, it can raise the amount of acid, break down the protective mucus layer, and irritate the digestive tract. Experts arenât sure how H. pylori infection spreads. They think it may pass from person to person through close contact, like kissing. You may also get it from unclean food and water.
• Certain pain relievers. If youâve been taking aspirin often and for a long time, youâre more likely to get a peptic ulcer. The same is true for other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They include ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs block your body from making a chemical that helps protect the inner walls of your stomach and small intestine from stomach acid. Other types of pain meds, such as acetaminophen, wonât lead to peptic ulcers.
• Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol also can make you more likely to get ulcers. Stress and eating a lot of spicy food donât cause ulcers, as experts once thought. But they can make ulcers worse and harder to treat.

Substantial Mechanism Of Probiotics Against H Pylori Infection

Probiotics have various mechanisms to eradicate or restrict H. pylori growth within the stomach of humans including, inhibition the colonization of H. pylori via conquering gastric epithelial receptors or co-aggregation mechanism, anti-H. pylori activity throughout the production of bacteriocins, organic acids, as well as bio-surfactants, supportive role in intestinal tissues by promoting mucin synthesis, modulation of immune system response, , induction of antigen-specific antibodies, and reduction of stomach inflammation . The details of each of the hypotheses proposed are discussed below.

Fig. 2

Defenses mechanisms against H. pylori infection which subdivided into two main mechanisms including physiological barriers and immune system. Upon entrance of H. pylori into the stomach, both innate and specific immunity enter the area of infection . Consumption of probiotics has several advantages in strengthening and stimulating immune system versus this pathogen. Antibacterial activities of probiotics direct and indirect are helpful for human health. Therapeutic effects of these bacteria in gastric tract are including immune modulation , anti-H. pylori activity, co-aggregation of invasive bacteria, decrease pH by secretion of short chain fatty acids, support epithelial barrier integrity, mucin production, as well as promoting immune cells to inhibit gastric inflammatory response particularly IL-8 production, and induction of immunoglobulin secretions

Mucosal barrier

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Probiotics May Support Mental Health

Probiotics influence mental health in several ways.

Healthy Gut-Brain Connection

The gut and the brain stand in constant communication with one another. Probiotic bacteria help to produce and metabolize the messenger signals that are sent via the bloodstream to the brain. Therefore, the composition of gut bacteria can influence the messages that get sent to your brain and impact your mental wellbeing.

For example, up to 95% of your happiness hormone Serotonin, as well as a significant amount of the pleasure neurotransmitter Dopamine, are produced in the gut. Both of these substances are directly linked to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

Inflammation

Inflammation in the gut is commonly linked to inflammation in the brain, also known as neuroinflammation. A clinical study by Leblhuber, et. al, published in Current Alzheimer Research in 2018 investigates that a dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota in the elderly can cause a leaky gut, which may result in silent systemic inflammation and promote neuroinflammation a relevant pathomechanism in the early course of Alzheimers disease. The rebalancing of the gut microbiome can reduce inflammation in the gut and throughout the body, including the brain.

Healthy Nutrient Absorption

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Treatment Options For Ulcers

Ulcers caused by H. pylori will most likely need to be treated with antibiotics. Strict adherence to your treatment plan and close follow-up with your doctor are the best ways to make sure your treatments are effective and your ulcers are healing.

You will also be prescribed a medication that temporarily keeps your stomach from making or secreting as much acid as it normally would. This medication may be a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker.

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Can Probiotics Control Ulcers

As H. pylori is one of the major causes behind stomach ulcers, it is very important to first control the growth of these bacteria in your system. Treatments that include the use of antibiotics, have failed in giving sufficient and 100% results. After many researches and experiments, it was found that taking probiotics may help suppress the harmful bacteria which causes ulcers. In a study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, researchers tested a strain of probiotic bacteria called Bifidobacterium bifidum, against H. Pylori. They tested the activity of this bacteria in mice. After some days, they found that the mouse treated with probiotics had fewer ulcers, as compared to the others. Advanced tests reveled that even the damage to the stomach lining was partially cured by probiotics, as it helped in reducing the inflammation.

When we take probiotics, it competes with H.pylori for oxygen and food, which kills H.pylori. Apart from this, probiotics also reduce inflammation of the stomach, which aids in healing ulcers. It was also found that ingestion of these bacteria is harmless in most of the cases.

Along with medication, if you exercise regularly, follow a healthy diet, avoid alcohol and tobacco completely, you will recover faster.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.