H. Pylori Infection

During treatment: avoid alcohol (irritates stomach, interferes with healing), avoid NSAIDs and aspirin (worsen gastric damage), avoid spicy foods, citrus, tomatoes, coffee (if symptoms worsen), avoid processed foods, sugar (feed bacteria, inflammation), Focus on: gastric-healing foods (bone broth, cabbage juice—historical remedy, contains glutamine, vitamin U), manuka honey (antimicrobial, gastric healing—1-2 tbsp twice daily between meals), fermented foods (probiotics after initial eradication—kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli sprouts—sulforaphane antimicrobial against H. pylori, eat daily), garlic (antimicrobial—raw or aged garlic extract), ginger (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial), turmeric, green tea (EGCG antimicrobial), bland, easily digestible foods during acute symptoms (white rice, bananas, cooked vegetables), adequate protein (healing), omega-3 foods (anti-inflammatory), After eradication: continue gut-healing diet, probiotics (restore microbiome damaged by antibiotics), Prevent reinfection: good hygiene (wash hands, clean food preparation), avoid contaminated water, don't share utensils/cups.

Eradication treatment: Triple therapy (PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin for 14 days—first-line, 70-85% eradication but resistance increasing), Quadruple therapy (PPI + bismuth + tetracycline + metronidazole for 14 days—if penicillin allergy or clarithromycin resistance), Sequential therapy (PPI + amoxicillin 5 days, then PPI + clarithromycin + metronidazole 5 days), Levofloxacin-based (if above fail—but resistance increasing), High-dose dual therapy (PPI + amoxicillin very high dose—if resistance), Duration: 14 days better than 7-10 days (higher eradication rates), Confirm eradication: wait 4+ weeks after treatment (need to be off PPIs 2 weeks before testing—urea breath test or stool antigen), Natural protocol (if refusing antibiotics, mild symptoms, or failed multiple antibiotic courses): Mastic gum 1000mg 3x/day + Bismuth 524mg 4x/day + Zinc carnosine 75mg 2x/day + Probiotics + Manuka honey + Broccoli sprouts daily for 8-12 weeks—some success but lower eradication than antibiotics, retest after treatment, Combination approach (best eradication rates, lowest side effects): Antibiotics + natural antimicrobials + probiotics (improves eradication 10-15%, reduces antibiotic side effects—diarrhea, yeast overgrowth), Improve antibiotic effectiveness: take on empty stomach or with small amount food (depends on antibiotic), complete full course (don't stop early), take probiotics 2-3 hours after antibiotics (not same time), NAC (breaks biofilm—enhances antibiotic penetration), Reduce PPI side effects: take only during treatment (long-term PPIs have significant risks—nutrient malabsorption, infections, bone loss, dementia), switch to H2 blocker or natural alternatives after eradication (DGL, zinc carnosine, aloe), After eradication: heal gastric damage (zinc carnosine, L-glutamine, DGL, bone broth), restore gut microbiome (probiotics, fermented foods, prebiotics for 1-3 months), retest to confirm eradication (4+ weeks post-treatment—important because symptoms may improve even if not eradicated), If eradication fails: retest antibiotic sensitivities (culture and sensitivity from endoscopy biopsy), try different antibiotic regimen, consider natural protocol, address biofilm (NAC, serrapeptase), Prevent recurrence: good hygiene, avoid contaminated food/water, don't share utensils, treat household members if symptomatic (prevent reinfection), Consider treating: some debate whether asymptomatic H. pylori should be treated—Gabriel recommends eradication (prevents ulcers, gastric cancer, especially if family history gastric cancer, atrophic gastritis, persistent dyspepsia), Stress management: stress worsens gastric symptoms, healing (meditation, yoga, therapy), Avoid smoking (worsens gastric damage, impairs healing, increases ulcer and cancer risk).