Do you have chronic stomach problems, sinus problems, and allergies? Is chronic fatigue weighing you down? Your health problems could be caused by a bacterial infection known as helicobacter pylori. You may know that H. Pylori bacterium is a common contributor to the development of acid reflux and stomach ulcers. You may not realize that H. Pylori may also cause some symptoms you may never have associated with it. In this article, I discuss the best foods and natural treatments for H. pylori.

What is Helicobacter Pylori?

H. Pylori infection is often contracted in childhood from direct person-to-person contact. This infection often runs in families and is often due to inherited immunodeficiency. H. Pylori infection can also be picked up from exposure to contaminated food or water.

Some individuals are carriers and have no symptoms.

5 Common Symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori

1. Gastrointestinal Problems

One of the primary indicators of H. Pylori infection is chronic gastrointestinal upset. Gastrointestinal reflux disease, diarrhea, gas, flatulence, bloating, and leaky gut syndrome are all indicators of a possible H. Pylori infection.

1. Weight Gain/Loss

An inability to lose weight or a sudden drop in weight could be another tell-tale indicator of an H. Pylori infection. By affecting levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, people can be affected differently depending on their metabolic makeup.

This could cause either an inability to lose weight or a sudden drop in weight due to lack of appetite and feelings of anxiety. Furthermore, H. Pylori infection interferes with the level of acidity in your gut, which affects your ability to digest fats and proteins. This could cause you to lose muscle mass, which is a dangerous way to lose weight.

1. Mood Swings and PMS

H. Pylori infection can cause a boost in your cortisol levels, which can contribute to the hormonal fluctuations associated with mood swings and PMS.

1. Oral Health Problems

Receding gums, gingivitis, chronic oral infections, bad breath, and even dental cavities can often be traced back to H. Pylori infection.

1. Chronic Sinus Problems

Your sinuses are closely connected to the function of your gastrointestinal system. A chronically-blocked nose, frequent sinus infections, painful sinuses, and post-nasal drip may all be subtle indicators of a hidden H. Pylori infection.

How to Determine if Your Symptoms are Related to H. Pylori

If you're living with any of the symptoms listed above, you've likely seen your doctor about them. He or she may have given you one or two prescription drugs to stop your symptoms but these drugs did nothing to address the underlying cause. They may have even contributed to the development of even more symptoms.

The best way to treat any type of chronic disorder is to get to the source of the problem. That's why if you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, I recommend using the Stool Antigen Test. It is a very good way of detecting the presence of H. Pylori infection.

This test can be taken in the privacy of your own home with results available within 7-10 business days.

Conventional H. Pylori Treatments Worsen Problem 

The most common conventional course of treatment for H. Pylori infection is a round or two (or three) of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. The antibiotics may eliminate the H. Pylori infection from your gut, but they'll also destroy your healthy bacteria as well. This can leave you more vulnerable to the development of chronic candida (yeast) infection.

Proton pump inhibitors may temporarily stop the pain of acid reflux, but extended use may cause nutritional deficiencies.

Natural Treatments to Eradicate H. Pylori

Many patients with recurrent H. Pylori infection have come to me at the end of their rope. Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors have only made the problem worse and they just don't know what else to do.

In each case, I've recommended a two-fold process that has been met with great success:

Eliminate the H. Pylori Infection

I routinely suggest the following three supplements to eliminate the H. Pylori infection:

• Vitamin C

Research has shown that high doses of vitamin C induce apoptosis (cell death) in H. Pylori cells. It has also been shown to provide an inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cells. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight infectious bacteria.

Regular supplementation of vitamin C rebuilds collagen, a protein that holds your tissues together.

• Probiotics

Probiotics are the live, active cultures found in fermented foods. Supplementing with a high-quality probiotic supplement may inhibit H. Pylori growth by secreting antibacterial substances.

Many of these more-popular brands do not contain enough probiotic strains to make much difference in your digestive health. Diamond Nutritional's Probiotic Formulacontains six different active strains of bacteria to heal your gut and eliminate pathogenic bacteria.

• Mastic Gum Extract

Mastic gum extract, even in small doses, is very effective at killing H. Pylori infection. This effective gastritis remedy comes from the Pistacia Lentiscu tree and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

Diamond Nutritional's Stomach Support Formula contains a synergistic blend of healing ingredients designed to eliminate H. Pylori the safe, natural way without the side effects associated with conventional treatments.

These ingredients include:

• Mastic Gum Extract - Mastic gum has traditionally been used to protect the stomach lining, especially related to gastric ulcers.  Studies show mastic gum kills and inhibits the growth of H. pylori.

• Bismuth Citrate - Bismuth has been used with antibiotic therapies to reduce H. Pylori growth. It has been widely used in anti-H. Pylori protocols for its soothing actions on the gastric and mucosal linings.

• Zinc Carnosine - Zinc carnosine has been approved as a drug in Japan since 1994 for its use in stomach disorders such as ulcers, dyspepsia, and infections with H. pylori.   Studies also show zinc carnosine has a strong ability to support the gastric mucosa and initiate healing.

• Berberine Sulfate Hydrate - Berberine sulfate has well-studied antibacterial properties. Studies show plant extracts containing berberine have strong anti-H. Pylori activity.

Make Dietary Changes

Once you've eliminated that H. Pylori infection from your system, it is important to support your continued digestive healing by making the necessary dietary changes. Slowly wean off of processed food and invest in whole foods such as organic vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, and healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and butter. Eat smaller, more frequent meals and included a spoonful or two of fermented foods at each meal.

Here are some foods known specifically to help prevent recurrence of H. Pylori infection:

• Broccoli - Broccoli contains a potent compound called sulforaphane, which eliminates the H. Pylori bacterium that contributes to the development of most ulcers.

• Celery Seeds - According to a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, researchers identified an anti-microbial compound in celery seeds, which blocks the growth of H. pylori.

• Garlic - Raw, organic garlic releases a sulfur compound that helps eliminate an overgrowth of H. pylori.

• Virgin Coconut Oil - Laboratory studies have confirmed the antimicrobial activity of virgin coconut oil.

• Green Tea - Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can heal the intestinal damage caused by helicobacter pylori infection.

H. Pylori infection does not just cause stomach problems, it can also give you an overall feeling of fatigue and ill-health. Find out if the mystery symptoms you're experiencing are related to helicobacter pylori and then eliminate it naturally.