This topic is near and dear to my heart. For years I worked on my anxiety through meditation, nervous system regulation and trying ALL the different supplements. Things maybe kind-of, sort-of worked? There were improvements, but not to the extent I had hoped to see. 

When my anxiety came to the point I decided to seek help, a functional medicine friend suggested looking to my gut - hint, hint- this was a huge turning point for me!  We did a GI-MAP and, voila - there was H. Pylori! We treated the H. Pylori and my anxiety drastically improved- like 95% better! 

So what is this little bacterium and why was it the cause of most of my anxiety? Well, keep reading to find out 😉

What is H. Pylori?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the digestive tract and has a tendency to attack the stomach lining. It is one of the most common infections worldwide, with a significant portion of the global population affected, particularly in developing countries. Estimates state between 44%-66% of the world's population has H. Pylori.

H. Pylori is a serious issue. It's linked to various gastrointestinal issues like gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer. While the majority of people who have H. Pylori don't show any significant symptoms, H. Pylori is attributable to 55% of new gastric cancer cases per year (Fahey, Stephenson & Wallace, 2015). 

So why don't we just eradicate it? The bacteria's ability to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach makes it a unique pathogen.

How Does It Get Away With It?

H. pylori has a unique way of surviving the harsh acidic environment of the stomach. It uses a clever mechanism to neutralize stomach acid (makes stomach acid lower), allowing it to thrive where other bacteria would perish. It's like a secret agent with an acid-proof suit! But it doesn’t stop there. The bacteria can also form biofilms and interact with host cells, making it a master of disguise and evasion. It also tunnels in to the mucus layer that covers the stomach lining so that it can hide and live for decades. 

With the changes in acid levels and the inflammation and immune activation caused by H. Pylori, a whole cascade of issues develop within the gut. Low stomach acid changes the environment and the way food is digested leading to dysbiosis or an imbalance of the gut microbiome (aren't sure what the microbiome is? Click HERE). This dysbiosis can create alterations in the communication between the gut and the brain. H. Pylori can alter mood regulation (hello anxiety!) through interactions with the gut-brain axis. Additionally with the inflammation and immune response triggered by H. Pylori, the body feels stress, leading to a maladaptive rise in cortisol which in turn leads to anxiety. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing H. pylori infection has become more efficient with advances in medical technology. Common diagnostic methods include:

• Fecal Antigen Test: This non-invasive test detects H. pylori proteins in stool samples. One of the benefits of GI-Mapping is H. Pylori detection. 
• Urea Breath Test: After ingestion of a urea solution, the test measures carbon dioxide in the breath, indicating the presence of H. pylori.
• Endoscopy and Biopsy: For more detailed examination, an endoscopy may be performed to take tissue samples from the stomach lining​. 

Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics and medications to reduce stomach acid. However, increasing antibiotic resistance is a growing challenge.

In the functional world, antibiotics are a last resort as they can create a huge issues with the microbiome and cause more issues. 

Other ways of eliminating H. Pylori include the use of targeted probiotics like S. Bourlardii and/or Pylopass, herbal preparations like oregano and thyme oils, as well as antimicrobial supplements like berberine. There is also a food-based approach to treating H. Pylori including using an anti-inflammatory diet with a focus on medicinal foods - bee products (manuka and propolis); probiotic foods; colostrum; broccoli sprouts; cabbage juice, garlic, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries; fish oil and blackcurrant seed oil (Fahey, Stephenson & Wallace, 2015). More research is needed in this area, but it is promising!

Conclusion

H. pylori is a prevalent and potentially serious infection that can lead to a range of gastrointestinal issues, including ulcers and gastric cancer. H. Pylori can also be a cause of anxiety. With the changes in acid levels and the inflammation and immune activation caused by H. Pylori, a whole cascade of issues develop within the gut. Low stomach acid changes the environment and the way food is digested leading to dysbiosis or an imbalance of the gut microbiome. This dysbiosis can create alterations in the communication between the gut and the brain. H. Pylori can alter mood regulation (hello anxiety!) through interactions with the gut-brain axis. Additionally with the inflammation and immune response triggered by H. Pylori, the body feels stress, leading to a maladaptive rise in cortisol which in turn leads to anxiety. Fortunately we can test for it and treat through conventional and alternative practices. 

Wonder if H. Pylori is causing your gut issues or anxiety? Click HERE and let's chat.

References:

Fahey, JW, Stephenson, KK, Wallace AJ. Dietary Amelioration of Helicobacter Infection. Nutrition Research. 2015 June; 35(6): 461-473. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2015.03.001

Labban SA, Murshid L, Yousef Alhazmi A, Bafarat AY, Alharbi NM. New-Onset Illness Anxiety Disorder After Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Case Report. Cureus. 2024 Jan 20;16(1):e52613. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52613. PMID: 38374842; PMCID: PMC10875716.