L’Helicobacter pylori it is the bacterium most responsible for chronic gastritis. What to eat if you suffer from Helicobacter?
Very often different stomach diseases as chronic gastritisnon-ulcer dyspepsia, peptic ulcer and stomach cancer, may be linked to the onset of Helicobacter pylori.
What is Helicobacter pylori?
L’Helicobacter pylori it’s a bacterium GRAM-negative, approximately 2.5-5 μm long, capable of colonizing the stomach mucosa, creating an infection that creates violent inflammation that can lead to the creation of serious pathologies.
To fight the gastritis you need to know the foods yes And the foods no and follow a diet capable of reducing all those foods that can worsen and exasperate the symptoms, for example fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, we also find other factors that can worsen gastritis, i.e. stress.
According to some recent statistics, as many as 12 million Italians suffer from gastritis and over a million of these are carriers of ulcers without even knowing it.
In recent years, however, researchers have been able to demonstrate that the cause of gastritis and ulcers, in over 90% of cases, is the infection caused by Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium causes type B gastritis, which is also called chronic gastritis.
L’Helicobacter pyloriwhich is found throughout the world, is present in almost all subjects suffering from ulcers and in 60% of subjects suffering from dyspepsia and digestive disorders of various types, it is transmitted through direct contact.
Helicobacter pylori, how is it caught?
How do you get the Helicobacter pylori bacterium? Is it contagious and there are various routes of transmission of the bacterium.
Let’s start by saying that it can be transmitted through direct contact with saliva, such as kissing. You can take theHelicobacter pylori also with i sexual relations.
The same also applies to sharing kitchen utensils or drinking from shared glasses as they can facilitate the passage of the microorganism from one individual to another.
Contact with the feces of an infected person can also lead to transmission of the bacterium. This can occur through poor hygiene practices or handling contaminated food or water.
Another important transmission route is represented by contaminated water. In places with poor hygienic conditions, contaminated water can act as a vehicle for the spread of the bacterium. Consuming non-heat-treated foods or drinks from polluted sources can increase the risk of contracting the bacterium.
It should be emphasized that not everyone who is colonized by the bacterium develops symptoms or illnesses. The body’s response to infection can vary greatly from person to person. However, Helicobacter pylori it is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of some gastric diseases, such as gastritis and peptic ulcers. Additionally, it has been associated with an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.
Helicobacter pylori: Symptoms
Before knowing what diet you need to follow to improve the symptoms, what foods to avoid and what foods are allowed, it is necessary to understand what are the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori:
- Stomach ache: between what causes Helicobacter pylori there is a continuous and widespread stomach ache that is relieved only by eating.
- Nausea: It is very mild and lasts all day.
- Burning: Stomach pain gets worse only by drinking a glass of water.
- Difficult digestion: the feeling of fullness is felt after a large meal.
- Vomiting: occurs on an empty stomach and on a full stomach.
- Swollen belly: digestion is difficult and too much air is created in the intestine.
- Feeling of emptiness in the stomach: you feel a feeling of emptiness in the stomach.
- Sour taste in the mouth: happens half an hour or an hour after meals.
- Palpitations: Heart beats fast after eating.
- Stinging on an empty stomach: painful, they only go away when you eat something.
Helicobacter pylori bacterium, tests for diagnosis
Diagnosis involves several tests aimed at identifying the presence of the bacterium in the stomach.
Among the tests for Helicobacter pylori is the test of urea breath test (Urea Breath Test). This test involves ingesting a small amount of urea labeled with carbon-13 or carbon-14. If the bacterium is present in the stomach, the urea will be broken down into ammonia and carbon dioxide, releasing the labeled carbon into the breath. Detection of this carbon in the breath confirms the presence of the bacterium.
The choice of test depends on the specific clinical situation and the availability of diagnostic resources.
Helicobacter pylori: what to eat and what not to eat
From Helicobacter pylori it heals and one of the main cures is sfollow a healthy and balanced diet.
First of all, it is advisable to eat small meals which must be spaced out correctly throughout the day and always taken at the same time, without skipping them, delaying them or bringing them forward excessively. This first rule is one of the main ones for saving your stomach and feeling better.
Another fundamental rule is to chew very slowly and carefully, all of which favors the digestive process and helps reduce the production of some acids which could be particularly harmful to the mucous membranes.
Finally, always remember to eat meals in situations of total tranquility, in fact the meal must be a particularly pleasant and relaxing moment for you, so don’t eat in a hurry and try to relax.
What to eat if you suffer from Helicobacter pylori
In case of gastritis from Helicobacter pylori what to eat for breakfastlunch and dinner?
We therefore advise you to consume milk, especially partially skimmed, but also yogurt, white meats, lean fish, low-fat cheeses, extra virgin olive oil. All fruit juices are also permitted except those that are very acidic.
You can also consume cooked vegetables, artichokes, cabbage, nettles, potatoes and bananas, all excellent foods for relaxing the stomach and helping improve digestion. In these cases, almost all fruit such as lemons, mandarins, oranges, citron, pineapple, currants, pomegranate and dried fruit are also excellent.
Helicobacter Pylori: broccoli and wasabi two formidable foods
The medical literature is full of interesting studies that allow us to discover new properties of foods. THE broccoli and the wasabifor example, are not only antibacterial, but are useful for fightingHelicobacter pylori. Both have a modest amount of isothiocyanates, i.e. sulfur compounds that act as anticancer, cardioprotective and antioxidants.
In a recent study the inhibitory action of sulforaphane and isothiocyanates in contact with urease ofHelicobacter pylori. The enzyme synthesizes ammonia which neutralizes the effect of gastric acids and is essential for its survival; unfortunately ammonia irritates the stomach mucosa causing gastritis to appear. Helicobacter Pylori colonizes the acidic environment of the stomach very easily and is one of the causes of the development of peptic ulcers. According to the study, the isothiocyanates which broccoli and wasabi are rich in exert a strong anti-urease action.
What foods should you avoid?
Instead, try to avoid fatty meats and fish, or all fatty cheeses such as gorgonzola and pecorino and overly seasoned and elaborate dishes.
Also say no to foods rich in flavonoids, such as apples, blueberries, garlic and onion, which create ideal conditions for the growth and development ofHelicobacter pylori inside the stomach.
More generally, avoid overeating, chew slowly and always choose very simple and lightly seasoned, light and healthy dishes.
Helicobacter pylori diet menu
What to eat if you suffer from Helicobacter pylori? What should be the menu for those suffering from this pathology?
As we have already seen if you suffer from gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori you should follow a balanced diet preferring lean and low-fat foods.
The typical menu of the diet against gastritis consists of a breakfast characterized by a glass of partially skimmed milk, accompanied with bread on which low-fat cheese must be spread. In case of Helicobacter pylori should be avoided coffee!
For a mid-morning snack we recommend consuming a pear or an apple which can also be cooked.
For lunch, however, you should consume a vegetable soup or a minestrone accompanied with slices of beef and finally a banana.
For a snack you can eat a slice of toast with honey spread on it.
For dinner, however, eat cooked vegetables accompanied with defatted cooked ham and a portion of low-fat cheese, and finally eat a peach for dessert. Alternatively you can consume peas with pan-fried ham cubes and Roman-style gnocchi, or cream of mushrooms served with steamed white fish is also excellent.
Prevent Helicobacter pylori
To prevent the appearance of‘Helicobacter pylori or alleviate its symptoms it is necessary to change and improve your lifestyle and above all daily nutrition by learning to eat healthy. The rules to follow are:
- A correct diet, free from foods that can irritate the gastric mucosa
- Avoid smoking to prevent the‘Helicobacter pylori comes to transform into stomach cancer
- Chew slowly it’s a good habit. In fact, it has been demonstrated by many studies that chewing foods slowly helps greatly facilitate digestion. A good chew can make digestion easier and reduce residence times of food in the stomach.
- Play sport for a period of five times a week for thirty minutes, this is an excellent habit to keep your body healthy and promote intestinal functions by making them regular. Regular physical activity can keep our body healthy and efficient.
- Eat small, frequent meals. Eating very small but frequent meals throughout the day helps keep your metabolic activity levels very good. All you need to do is eat at least five meals a day.
- Drinking lots of water is essential take the right amount of liquids and mineral salts to achieve the right level of hydration for our body. It is important to drink at least six glasses of water a day. It is also important to know that there are numerous other foods that are highly rich in water and mineral salts such as fruit and vegetables. Drinking water also helps our intestines to stay alive, active and healthy and to provide maximum benefits the elimination of harmful waste. In fact, liquids and saliva have the function of protecting the esophageal mucous membranes, for example For this reason, give the green light to the intake of liquids and mineral salts.
Helicobacter pylori: what is the cure?