Helicobacter pylori and stomach ulcers

General
1

Here we will gather some information about what to do when you have ulcers

3

@HowicuredAI write what books say about treating ulcers and Helicobacter pylori with natural methods and compare it with current methods according to the latest medicine

4

Below I’m gathering what I managed to find in the “books” (materials this bot is based on) and in more recent medical publications – and I’m comparing natural approaches with the current standard of treatment for H. pylori and ulcers.

1. What the Howicured “books” say about ulcers and H. pylori (natural approach)

In the materials I have access to, the topic of ulcers and H. pylori appears mainly in the context of:

  • the general theory of “toxemia” and chronic irritation of the mucosa,
  • the role of diet (especially raw, plant‑based),
  • avoiding drugs that irritate the stomach (especially NSAIDs).

1.1. Diet and lifestyle

Main ideas:

  • Cooking and processing food “weakens” its value and promotes gastrointestinal diseases.
    Source:

    • “Natural Hygiene: Man’s Pristine Way of Life – Herbert M. Shelton”
    • “Mucusless Diet Healing System – Arnold Ehret”

  • The most “physiological” foods for humans are:

    • fresh fruits,
    • vegetables,
    • simple, unprocessed foods, without excess spices, sugar, fat.

  • Gastrointestinal diseases (including ulcers) are seen as:

    • the result of chronic overload of the digestive system (overeating, heavy meals, mixing many products),
    • chronic “toxemia” – accumulation of toxins in the body,
    • weakening of self‑healing capacity.

Practical recommendations from these books:

  1. Stomach‑friendly diet:

    • predominance of cooked (but light) vegetables and well‑tolerated fruits (in the acute phase of an ulcer rather cooked than raw),
    • avoiding:
      • fried, very fatty, smoked foods,
      • coffee, alcohol, hot spices,
      • large amounts of animal protein (meat, cold cuts),
      • white flour, sugar.

  2. Small, frequent meals – so as not to overload the stomach.

  3. Limiting NSAID‑type painkillers (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, aspirin), which in the books are described as strongly irritating and “toxic” to the mucosa.
    Source:

    • “Natural Hygiene: Man’s Pristine Way of Life – Herbert M. Shelton” (chapters on drugs, NSAIDs, drug toxicity)

  4. Supporting the body’s self‑healing:

    • plenty of sleep,
    • stress reduction,
    • avoiding overwork,
    • in some texts – short periods of fasting (but rather under supervision, not on your own with an active ulcer).

These books do not describe H. pylori in detail (the bacterium was discovered and described later), but their general approach to ulcers is:

  • remove irritating factors,
  • simplify the diet,
  • allow the body to regenerate.

2. Natural remedies for H. pylori and ulcers – what modern literature says

Here we move into more recent studies (PubMed, scientific reviews). Important: most natural methods have supportive effects, and are not as strong as standard antibiotic therapy.

2.1. Diet and lifestyle (consistent with the books)

From studies and gastroenterology recommendations:

  • Avoiding NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, ketoprofen) – this is one of the main risk factors for ulcers.
  • Limiting alcohol and smoking – both increase the risk of ulcers and hinder healing.
  • Stomach‑friendly diet:
    • cooked vegetables, groats, rice, bananas, boiled potatoes,
    • avoiding very spicy, acidic, fried foods.
  • Stress reduction – stress is not the only cause, but it worsens symptoms and can hinder healing.

This is consistent with the approach from the books (Shelton, Ehret), only modern medicine adds a specific role for H. pylori and medications.

2.2. Natural substances studied in the context of H. pylori

Examples (from scientific reviews and monographs, e.g. “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine”):

  1. Probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium)

    • They can:
      • reduce the amount of H. pylori in the stomach,
      • alleviate side effects of antibiotics,
      • improve treatment tolerance.
    • They generally do not replace antibiotics, but can be a good adjunct.

  2. Green tea, broccoli (sulforaphane), garlic

    • In in vitro and animal studies they show activity against H. pylori.
    • In humans the effect is moderate; they are treated as supportive, not as stand‑alone treatment.

  3. Manuka honey

    • Has strong antibacterial effects, including against H. pylori in laboratory conditions.
    • Clinically – may relieve symptoms and support healing, but is not recognized as an independent eradication therapy.

  4. Turmeric (curcumin)

    • Described among others in “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine – Turmeric”.
    • Has anti‑inflammatory effects, may support mucosal healing.
    • Note: in high doses it can irritate the stomach and promote ulceration, so be cautious with an active ulcer.

  5. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)

    • Often used in natural medicine for reflux and ulcers.
    • May increase production of protective mucus in the stomach.
    • Requires caution in hypertension (classic licorice can raise blood pressure; DGL is deprived of most of this effect, but it’s still worth consulting).

Summary:
Natural agents can:

  • reduce inflammation,
  • support healing,
  • partially inhibit H. pylori,
    but they are not as effective as standard antibiotic therapy in completely eliminating the bacterium.

3. Current treatment standards according to modern medicine

Modern gastroenterology guidelines (various societies, based among others on reviews in journals such as “Lancet”) state:

3.1. Diagnosis

  • Tests for H. pylori:
    • urea breath test,
    • stool antigen test,
    • biopsy‑based tests during gastroscopy.

3.2. Treatment of H. pylori (so‑called eradication)

Most commonly used:

  1. Triple therapy (classic):

    • proton pump inhibitor (PPI, e.g. omeprazole, pantoprazole),
      • 2 antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin + clarithromycin),
    • usually 10–14 days.

  2. Quadruple therapy (when antibiotic resistance is higher or previous treatment has failed):

    • PPI,
    • bismuth,
      • 2 antibiotics (e.g. tetracycline + metronidazole).

  3. Efficacy control:

    • a few weeks after completing treatment – repeat test (breath or stool) to check whether H. pylori has been eliminated.

3.3. Treatment of ulcers

  • PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole) – reduce acid secretion, accelerate ulcer healing.
  • Avoiding NSAIDs – if possible, discontinuation or switch to other painkillers.
  • In case of complications (bleeding, perforation) – hospital treatment, sometimes endoscopic procedure or surgery.

4. Comparison: “books” vs. modern medicine

4.1. Common ground

  • Diet and lifestyle matter:
    • both sides emphasize the role of diet, avoiding alcohol, smoking, NSAIDs.
  • The body has self‑healing capacity:
    • the books (Shelton, Ehret) stress this very strongly,
    • modern medicine also knows that the gastric mucosa can regenerate if irritating factors are removed and acidity is reduced.

4.2. Main differences

  1. Role of H. pylori:

    • Books: unaware of this bacterium (written before its discovery), see ulcers mainly as an effect of “toxemia” and poor diet.
    • Medicine: H. pylori is a key factor in most duodenal ulcers and many gastric ulcers.

  2. Drugs vs. no drugs:

    • Books:
      • very critical of drugs, especially antibiotics and NSAIDs,
      • promote treatment with diet, rest, sometimes fasting.
    • Medicine:
      • the standard is antibiotic therapy + PPI,
      • drugs are treated as the main tool to remove H. pylori and quickly heal ulcers.

  3. Natural remedies:

    • Books: mainly general principles (raw/plant‑based diet, no toxins, no drugs).
    • Modern research: specific substances (probiotics, manuka honey, broccoli, green tea, licorice, turmeric) – but as adjuncts, not replacements for antibiotics.

5. How this can be practically combined (cautious approach)

This is not medical advice, but a general outline of how people often combine both approaches:

  1. Diagnosis by a gastroenterologist:

    • gastroscopy, H. pylori test,
    • assessment of whether the ulcer is complicated (bleeding, perforation, suspected cancer).

  2. If H. pylori is positive:

    • consider standard eradication therapy (antibiotics + PPI),
    • in parallel:
      • stomach‑friendly diet (consistent with the books’ recommendations: simple, unprocessed, no alcohol, coffee, hot spices),
      • probiotics (after consulting a doctor),
      • possibly manuka honey, green tea, broccoli – as support, not instead of treatment.

  3. After healing the ulcer and eliminating H. pylori:

    • in the long term you can move closer to the books’ recommendations:
      • more fresh fruits and vegetables,
      • less processed food,
      • avoiding chronic NSAID use,
      • taking care of sleep, stress, physical activity.

6. Books / materials the above comes from

From the “books” associated with Howicured:

  • “Mucusless Diet Healing System – Prof. Arnold Ehret”
  • “Natural Hygiene: Man’s Pristine Way of Life – Herbert M. Shelton”
  • “Natural Hygiene Classics – Herbert M. Shelton, Christopher Gian-Cursio, Eugene A. Bergholz, ed. Karl Anderson”
  • “Raw Eating – Arshavir Ter-Hovannessian (Aterhov)” – sections on raw diet and criticism of drugs
  • “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, 3rd Edition – entry: Ulcers, digestive; entry: Turmeric”

From more recent studies (internet, PubMed):

  • Reviews on natural agents against H. pylori (probiotics, manuka honey, sulforaphane from broccoli, green tea, garlic).
  • Reviews and gastroenterology guidelines on the treatment of H. pylori and ulcers (triple/quadruple therapy, role of PPIs, avoiding NSAIDs).

If you want, in the next post I can prepare a “mega answer” focused on just one of the aspects:

  • either a detailed diet and natural support plan for ulcers,
  • or a very thorough discussion of all H. pylori treatment regimens according to the latest guidelines.
5

@HowicuredAI I’d be careful with probiotics, because more of them do harm than good.

6

You’re right that probiotics aren’t as great as they’re advertised to be.

A few points to organize the topic (in the context of H. pylori and ulcers):

  1. What do the “books” from Howicured say?
    Authors in the style of Shelton or Ehret don’t rely on capsule probiotics at all – they focus on:

    • a natural, simple plant-based diet,
    • avoiding drugs and “toxic” additives,
    • supporting your own gut flora through fresh, unprocessed food.
      Sources:
    • “Natural Hygiene: Man’s Pristine Way of Life – Herbert M. Shelton”
    • “Mucusless Diet Healing System – Arnold Ehret”

  2. What does modern medicine say about probiotics in H. pylori?
    Reviews of studies roughly show that:

    • probiotics may slightly reduce antibiotic side effects (diarrhea, bloating),
    • they are not a standalone eradication therapy – they won’t “wipe out” H. pylori on their own,
    • effects are highly dependent on strain, dose, and duration of use.
      The problem: most supplements on the market:
    • have unclear composition (strains not specified or in too small amounts),
    • are sometimes contaminated or simply ineffective,
    • in some people with a damaged gut barrier can worsen bloating, discomfort, SIBO.

  3. When does extra caution make particular sense?

    • with SIBO, IBS, high gut sensitivity – probiotics can worsen symptoms,
    • with severe general condition, immunosuppression – rare but serious complications are described (sepsis from probiotic bacteria).

  4. An alternative closer to the “books”: prebiotics instead of probiotics
    Instead of capsules:

    • gradually increasing soluble fiber (cooked vegetables, flaxseed, oats, partially ripe bananas),
    • naturally fermented foods (if tolerated): sauerkraut, pickles – but with an active ulcer and strong hyperacidity, be cautious with acidity.
      This fits better with the philosophy of Natural Hygiene (supporting your own flora through food, not “pharmacy products”).

To sum up:

  • From the “books’” point of view – capsule probiotics are unnecessary and sometimes even contrary to their philosophy.
  • From the standpoint of modern medicine – they can be an adjunct to antibiotics, but they’re not essential and indeed in some people cause more mess than benefit.

If you want, I can lay out a specific “supplement-free” plan to support the stomach and intestines with ulcers/H. pylori, based mainly on diet and lifestyle (in the spirit of Shelton/Ehret, but taking today’s knowledge into account).

7

here I’m sharing a video I recorded about the harmful effects of artificial probiotics in capsules, I recommend watching it: