It's a nasty bacterium.
Shaped like a corkscrew, it burrows into the cells of the stomach lining where it's actually protected from antibiotics. And then what happens? That's hard to answer. For some people the bacterium known as H. pylori creates no problems. In fact, as much as half the world's population may be infected by H. pylori and many never show any symptoms. For others though, H. pylori weakens the protective coating of the stomach, allowing acid to irritate the sensitive stomach lining. Then the trouble starts: ulcers, skin diseases, autoimmune diseases risk of heart disease and even some forms of cancer. In the e-Alert "Avoiding Invasion" (5/3/05), I told you about the non-invasive urea breath test (UBT) for detecting H. pylori. If your doctor gives you this test and finds that you're H. pylori positive, there are two natural agents that can help rid your digestive tract of this bacterium without the unwanted side effects of antibiotics. In the August 2001 issue of the Member's Alert newsletter, we told you about a formula called Probiotics 12 Plus that contains a beneficial bacterial strain proven to destroy resistant pathogens. Laboratory testing has shown that that this formula's helpful bacterium, called TH 10, inhibits all strains of H. pylori - even those that have become resistant to antibiotics. Probiotics 12 Plus is available from Uni Key Health Systems. For more information, you can visit the web site at unikeyhealth.com. And in the November 1999 Members Alert, we told you how lactoferrin, a protein found in bovine colostrum, can kill H. pylori bacterium, and may also help protect you from becoming infected with H. pylori in the first place. Studies show that lactoferrin binds iron in your blood, keeping it away from cancerous cells, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that require iron to grow. Research also suggests that the lactoferrin protein activates specific strands of DNA that turn on the genes that launch your immune response. Lactoferrin is available through many sources online and in most health food stores. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute | 
