Is H. pylori messing with your gut?
Let’s talk about a sneaky little bug called Helicobacter pylori – or H. pylori for short. It’s a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the stomach and can cause all sorts of trouble if it gets out of balance. I see this come up quite a bit in clinic, especially in clients with persistent gut symptoms that just won’t go away, even with dietary changes or probiotics.
So how do you know if H. pylori is an issue for you? And what are your options if it is?
Let’s break it down.
Symptoms of H. pylori
Some people can carry H. pylori and feel totally fine. But in others, it triggers chronic inflammation in the stomach lining (gastritis), and that can show up in all sorts of ways, including:
Bloating, especially after meals
Reflux or heartburn
Nausea
Burping
A gnawing or burning stomach pain
Low appetite
Bad breath
Unexplained iron or B12 deficiency
Anxiety
Globus sensation (the feeling of a lump or obstruction in the throat)
And in some cases, peptic ulcers or long-term risks like gastric cancer
It’s worth noting that H. pylori often suppresses stomach acid – which is the opposite of what people with reflux are usually told! So while acid-blocking meds might give temporary relief, they can sometimes make things worse in the long run.
What increases your risk of H. pylori?
This little microbe spreads mostly through saliva or contaminated food and water. But not everyone who’s exposed ends up with symptoms.
Here are some factors that can increase the risk of an H. pylori infection taking hold or flaring up:
Poor stomach acid production (yep, low acid, not high!)
Chronic stress (which suppresses your gut’s protective defences)
High sugar or processed food intake
Overuse of antacids or proton pump inhibitors
A history of antibiotic use
Close contact with someone who has H. pylori
Travel to countries with poor sanitation
A strong, balanced gut and good hygiene practices can help keep H. pylori in check – but if your digestive system is already under strain, it’s more likely to take hold.
Could H. pylori ever be… helpful?
Here’s where things get interesting.
While H. pylori is often seen as a “bad bug,” some research shows it may actually have protective effects, particularly in children.
Studies have linked early-life H. pylori colonisation to a reduced risk of asthma and allergies. It’s thought that exposure to microbes like H. pylori may help train the immune system to tolerate allergens and reduce over-reactivity.
There’s also emerging evidence that H. pylori may play a role in lowering the risk of:
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) – a chronic inflammatory condition of the oesophagus
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – in some cases, H. pylori may protect against acid reflux
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – with some studies showing an inverse relationship
Growth defects – particularly in developing countries, where H. pylori’s presence may support nutrient absorption and immune function under certain conditions
Of course, it’s all about context. Not every H. pylori infection needs to be treated. The decision to treat or not should consider age, symptoms, gut health history, immune function, and individual risk factors.
A brief history of triple therapy
Once H. pylori was identified as a cause of stomach ulcers in the 1980s (shout out to Aussie scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren!), treatment shifted from antacids to antibiotics.
This led to the development of triple therapy – usually a combination of two antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor (like Nexium). The idea is to kill off the bacteria while suppressing stomach acid so the lining can heal.
It was groundbreaking at the time – and in many cases, still works. But things have changed…
Is triple therapy still effective?
The short answer? Sometimes.
H. pylori is becoming increasingly antibiotic-resistant, which means standard triple therapy isn’t always successful – especially in Australia and other countries where these medications are commonly used.
Plus, antibiotics can disrupt your overall gut microbiome, leading to new symptoms even if the H. pylori is cleared.
This is why many people look for complementary or natural options, either alongside medical treatment or when antibiotics haven’t worked.
How can you test for H. pylori?
There are a few options:
Urea breath test – non-invasive, fairly accurate, often used in conventional medicine
Stool antigen test – looks for H. pylori in your poo; also useful for confirming eradication
Blood antibody test – shows past exposure but not necessarily current infection
Endoscopy with biopsy – usually for more serious or chronic cases
In clinic, I often recommend a comprehensive stool test that checks for H. pylori and gives insight into the rest of your gut ecosystem. This helps us understand not just whether H. pylori is present, but how your gut is functioning overall.
Natural support for H. pylori treatment
A holistic approach to H. pylori means more than just killing off the bug. We want to:
Reduce the bacterial load
Soothe the stomach lining
Support the immune system
Restore the balance of your gut flora
Some natural options that can help include:
Activated garlic - has antibacterial properties
Mastic gum – a resin from the mastic tree with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL) – helps soothe and protect the stomach lining
Berberine-containing herbs – like goldenseal, barberry, or Oregon grape
Broccoli sprout extract – rich in sulforaphane, which may inhibit H. pylori
Zinc carnosine – supports mucosal healing
Probiotics – especially Lactobacillus reuteri and Saccharomyces boulardii, which may help reduce H. pylori and minimise side effects of antibiotics if they’re used
These should be carefully tailored to your individual needs – because if your gut lining is raw, for example, some herbs might be too strong at first.
Long-term gut support: keeping H. pylori from coming back
Even if you’ve treated H. pylori successfully, the key is creating an environment where it doesn’t want to come back. That means:
Supporting healthy stomach acid production (hello, bitters!)
Eating a whole food, anti-inflammatory diet
Managing stress (easier said than done, I know)
Rebuilding a diverse and resilient microbiome
Avoiding unnecessary antibiotic or PPI use
Taking care with hygiene if others in your household have gut issues
Healing from H. pylori takes time, especially if your gut has been struggling for a while. But with the right support, your digestive system can absolutely bounce back – and feel better than ever.
Not sure if H. pylori is part of your picture?
If you’ve been dealing with ongoing gut symptoms and suspect H. pylori might be involved, I’d love to help you investigate and create a clear, personalised plan. Testing can give us the answers you need, and from there, we can rebuild your gut health from the ground up.
Blog Author: Talitha
I specialise in gut health (IBS, IBD, microbiome testing), women's health (preconception, fertility, hormone balance), and mental health (depression, stress, anxiety). I am a degree- qualified naturopath who LOVES helping people transform their health stories!!
