H PYLORI: THE UNTOLD STORY

THE DIAGNOSIS

I'm writing this a good year after a two-year illness. I finally conquered what was an undiagnosed infection that got worse over time as I started to get emaciated. I visited and re-visited about five gastrointerologists (GIs), two electrophysiologists (one was the head of Electrophysiology at Winthrop & the other was the head at St. Francis), my primary physician, and endured a hospital stay at North Shore LIJ Hospital.

My primary physician finally made the diagnosis close to two years later when I went to her, at the end of my very fatigued rope, and asked her to run and re-run a whole battery of tests I had gleaned from my internet research. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with H Pylori, a bacterial infection of the stomach lining, and that infection had taken me through all sorts of heart issues, including docs telling me that I needed to have EP studies done and being told that I had Brugada Syndrome. I fought that last one, contacting Dr. Brugada himself (well, his son who specializes in the syndrome) in Spain to determine that the diagnosis was wrong. Had I listened and obeyed the medical establishment, I would be walking around with an unnecessary defibrillator in my chest right now.

* What I hope you infer from this brief summary is that the medical establishment is not to the beat-all-end-all of what's going on with your body. Western medicine might be able to help you, but if you're not getting the answers you need, please use your head and ask elsewhere & research, research, research!

THE REMEDY

As a result of finally getting a diagnosis, the problem took the shape of a name. Naming the problem gives you some control. Ask anyone who has been to Alcoholics Anonymous: half the battle is understanding the problem.

My doctor told me of the usual antibiotic regimen that would enable me to heal; it's called triple therapy. However, I was allergic to two of the antibiotics they use in this recipe, and after doing some research, I discovered there are six strains of H Pylori and no guarantee that the antibiotic medley would eradicate the bacteria taking up residence in my gut. So I began to research other means of fighting the infection.

I came up with and now call my remedy the "Three M's: Monolaurin, Manuka Honey and Mastic Gum." These are food-based aids that, after two months of use, fully destroyed the bacteria and restored me to health. Even now when I start to feel like I'm fighting something, I take a spoon of the honey and pop a Monolaurin. I healed myself without the use of conventional medicine. You can find links to these food items below or just get them from your local health food store.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

A summary of the alternative treatments can be found at the end of this entry. You may also read through the comments to discover how these food-based medicines eradicated H Pylori for myself as well as others' experiences. Also, many of the treatments are linked and will lead you to the products I used and other sites that can offer help. Good luck to everyone in your treatment! Don't give up hope -- H Pylori infection is treatable!

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR H PYLORI (with Links)

* Manuka Honey (Active)– This is the new bomb for anyone suffering from a bacterial or staph infection — internally or externally. It’s picking up steam in serious cases of flesh wounds and post-surgery (watch this graphic video) that won’t heal due to antibiotic-resistant bugs, and they’ve also documented its use against h pylori. Expensive but well worth the investment. I’ve gotten all three of my bottles now from Amazon, though you can pick it up on other sites. And it tastes yummy too!

* Probiotics — “Probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis 3, whose safety has previously been demonstrated, is known to have antagonistic properties against species of the family Enterobacteriaceae. In the present study, it was also found to inhibit H. pylori” (Source: AAA).You should be taking a probiotic supplement, whether you’re sick or not, but especially if you use antibiotics. After much compartive shopping and on the recommendation of Dan Hoy, I use Jordan Rubin’s Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra, which you can also purchase on Amazon or at your local Vitamin Shoppe.

* Mastic Gum — “Even low doses of mastic gum — 1 mg per day for two weeks — can cure peptic ulcers very rapidly, but the mechanism responsible has not been clear. We have found that mastic is active against Helicobacter pylori, which could explain its therapeutic effect in patients with peptic ulcers” (Source: New England Journal of Medicine). I’ve been taking one gram a day in the morning on an empty stomach.

* Broccoli Sprouts (American Journal of Gastroenterology) — In laboratory tests the chemical, sulforaphane, killed helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers and often fatal stomach cancers. And the good news is there appears to be enough of it in broccoli sprouts and some varieties of broccoli to benefit people who eat the vegetables” (Source: USA Today).

“A diet rich in broccoli sprouts significantly reduced Helicobacteri pylori (H. pylori) infection among a group of 20 individuals, found a team of researchers in Japan. H. pylori is known to cause gastritis and is believed to be a major factor in peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.

Scientists are focusing on the anti-cancer properties of a chemical derived from broccoli sprouts called sulforaphane. Among other things, this chemical can help cells defend against oxidants, the highly reactive and toxic molecules that damage DNA and kill cells, potentially leading to cancer” (Source: DNC).

Along with eating more broccoli, I take one capsule of Broccolive by New Chapter in between meals each day now.

* THE BOMB – Monolaurin (Lauric Acid) – I came upon Dr. Marcus Ettinger’s blog and this doozey of an entry in which he describes his own bout with and treatment of h pylori. He has since very kindly emailed with me and stressed the importance of the monolaurin.

“Researchers have shown that monolaurin has a direct and potent germ killing effect on H. pyloria, regardless of stomach pH. The H. pyloria germ killing ability of monolaurin has been confirmed by a second group of researchers” (Source: Wellness)

“Turmeric alone (or associated with gum Mastic, Pistacia lenticus L.for herbal synergy) acts to eliminate H. pylori. Modern western researchers have found that turmeric (active ingredient within: Curcumin) is:

• An Antioxidant
• Has Anti-inflammatory qualities
• Produces Anti-cancer activity
• It is Antimicrobial
• Has Anti HIV properties
• May slow down the development of Alzheimer’s”

“Both the methanol extract and curcumin inhibited the growth of all strains of H. pylori in vitro with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 6.25-50 micrograms/ml. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that curcumin inhibits the growth of H. pylori cagA+ strains in vitro, and this may be one of the mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its chemopreventative effects” (Nat. Institutes of Health).

FOODS — All sorts of organic soups, chicken broth, chicken legs, blueberries, kiwi fruit, sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli, Rudy’s organic raisin bread, capers, olives, avocados, bananas, carrots, lettuce, soy cheese, almonds, almond and peanut butters, fresh salmon, and oh, lots other lovely fresh items, many of which I obtained from my local Trader Joe’s. Eat well and frequently, especially alkalizing foods to avoid nasty reflux and heartburn, so the body has nutrients, is replenished often, and can fight!

I hate to tell you, because it’s tough, you need to give up –for a couple of months — your love of coffee, alcohol, white carbs such as white pasta, white rice, white bread (these convert to sugar in the gut), most fruits (also sugar), dairy (take a calcium supplement for a spell), and plain old sugar like the stuff found in yummy chocolate and cookies. Avoid other common acidic foods like tomatoes and orange juice. Sorry! Tough, but worth allowing your gut time to heal!