Probiotics for Ulcers: Are They Effective?

Scientists once believed that stress was responsible for most peptic ulcers, but now they know the real culprit is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori - or H. pylori. H. pylori isn't the only cause of ulcers. People who have a medical condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and those who use aspirin and NSAID are at high risk - but H. pylori is responsible for a large percentage of peptic ulcers. Now, some researchers are looking at the potential of using probiotics for ulcers caused by H. pylori.

Probiotics for H. pylori

Probiotics are gut-friendly bacteria that keep bad bacteria in check. It makes sense that probiotics might help peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori since H. pylori is a bacteria - and a very resilient one that lives quite comfortably in the acidic environment of the stomach. Probiotics have shown promise for treating other intestinal disorders such as traveler's diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease, so it's not surprising that focus has turned to probiotics for treating H. pylori ulcers.

How promising is the use of probiotics for H. pylori ulcers? In a study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, researchers tested a strain of probiotic bacteria called Bifidobacterium bifidum against H. Pylori - and found they stopped the growth of the Helicobacter bacteria. When they tested Bifidiobacterium bifidum in mice, the mice got fewer ulcers and the probiotics reduced some of the stomach damage caused by the H. pylori bacteria. It proved to be quite safe and effective in mice.

Probiotics for Ulcers

Of course, mice aren't humans and you can't necessarily draw conclusions based on one mouse study. On the other hand, other research shows that probiotic bacteria release factors that keep H. pylori from binding to stomach and intestinal cells. They also reduce inflammation of the intestinal lining, which could further benefit ulcer sufferers.

Treatment for H. pylori Ulcers: The Bottom Line?

Right now, the treatment for H. pylori ulcers is antibiotics combined with drugs that reduce acid production. Unfortunately, antibiotics are not very effective for completing eradicating H. pylori. Combining antibiotics therapy with probiotics could make the treatment more effective while reducing side effects - and probiotics are safe for most people with the exception of those with immune problems.

Probiotics for H. pylori aren't ready for prime time just yet. More studies are needed in humans to confirm their benefits - but stay tuned. Preliminary research looks promising.

References:

Medscape.com. "Probiotics in Controlling Gastric Colonizatino by H. pylori"

Medical News Today. "Strain of Probiotic May Help Treat Ulcers Caused By Helicobacter Pylori"