Simon Mitchell - The curious case of H. Pylori

There is a tiny bacterium residing in the gut lining of about two-thirds of all adults on the planet, called Helicobacter Pylori. Research strongly suggests that this bacterium may be central to the cause of 80% of all stomach cancers – yet this dangerous invader is mostly left untreated until it creates serious problems.

Recent research at the University of Michigan (Michael F. Clarke MD) suggests that a unitarian theory of cancer based on the actions of malignant stem cells may not be far away. For much too long the only refuge of a bacterial etiology for cancer has been the complementary and alternative medicine movement, which still suffers ridicule from orthodox practitioners for even asserting the possibility of such theories.

Yet the World Health Organisation now recognise H. Pylori as a carcinogen that may be as dangerous as tobacco and other pollutants. There are a range of gastric dis-eases that have H.Pylori centrally implicated:

“It has been found that at least 90% of those with duodenal ulcers, 70% with gastric ulcers and 50% of those over the age of 50 test positive for the presence of H. Pylori. Indeed about 30% of all people in the UK are probably infected with the bacteria”.
(healthforyouonline)

H. Pylori is a ‘new strain’ bacteria that has adapted itself to the harsh environment of the human gut. Until 20 years ago it was undiscovered. This clever little critter protects itself from digestive acids with an antacid barrier, and protects itself from the human immune system by burying itself in the gut lining, causing inflammation and local irritation. It also produces an enzyme called catalase that protects it. All in all it plays havoc with the digestive processes of about two-thirds of the people on this planet with a knock-on effect to a whole panoply of human discomforts and dis-eases.

Its still not known for sure how people pick up this bug but researchers think it may be found in water supplies, infected people’s saliva, flies on food or contact with infected fecal matter.

A couple of years ago I experienced the worst physical illness I have ever known. I even called a doctor in the middle of the night, the only time I have ever done this. My guts around my upper stomach became severely inflamed and this extreme discomfort put me out of action for a whole week. Couldn't eat, sleep etc. At the time I put this down to the stress caused by UK government legislation – a war of attrition over 12 months where the Child Support Agency made a wrongly assessed ‘attachment to earnings’ effectively terminating my college lecturing career. Classically stress is considered to be one of the causes of gastric discomfort, especially ulcers, and the stress I experienced may well of ‘prepared the ground’ for this invasion.

Over time I cut out wine, coffee, acid-forming foods but with little improvement. I visited the doctor’s who endorsed these decisions, told me to go out walking more often to aid digestion and to his credit mentioned that ‘there is a nasty little bug called H. Pylori going around’ – which started this strand of research for me.

Normally doctors will not treat H. Pylori until it provokes serious gastric illness, and when you see what orthodox medicine prescribes for this treatment its no surprise. At least two anti-biotics, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and a stomach lining protector. Although this prescription may be effective it is also expensive, complex and has unwanted toxic side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting – meaning that many people do not finish the course (patient noncompliance) and remain infected.

The doctor did not prescribe for me – just told me to cut out acidic forming stuff – which I did, and come back later if it didn't go away, which I didn't. I started to experiment to see what would bring relief from the continuing symptoms – gastric discomfort, acid reflux, bloating, poor digestion, wind and inflammation. Cutting out wheat based products was most helpful in the short term. Taking live bacillus in yoghurt and occasional probiotics helped too.

Just by ‘coincidence’ I found out that Pistachio nuts seemed to relieve the discomfort. It was no surprise when I found out that Mastic Gum, which comes from a related tree called Pistacia lentiscus is a classic remedy for gut inflammation that has been in use for thousands of years. There is increasing evidence that shows Mastic gum to be effective against H. Pylori, with a range of therapeutic effects on various gastric dis-eases. There have never been any undesirable effects attributed to the use of mastic gum. Since chewing this gum I am now completely relieved of gastric discomfort.

So as I’m writing this article I am chewing small pieces of mastic gum and have adopted this as part of a preventative ‘yearly spring detox’ for internal parasites. It has a nice woody taste, not unlike the smell of sandal wood or cinnamon. In Mediterranean countries mastic gum has been used for centuries for preventing tooth decay, healing mouth and skin ulcers, controlling diabetes and reducing cholesterol levels. Some African sources even attribute aphrodisiac qualities to this most useful of substances – natural chewing gum !

So here we have a natural remedy that may prevent several forms of cancer and gastric illness. It is a remedy that has been in safe use for thousands of years. Its such a shame that the simple remedial action of 'chewing gum' is now replaced by synthetic alternatives that have removed the very reasons why humans started chewing gum in the first place. The chewing gum you buy in shops is made mainly from gum Arabic and a load of chemicals to make it sweet.

When you are spring detoxing this year, don't forget to get a small packet of mastic gum (about 25gms) and chew about a gram a day for two weeks if you have gastric discomfort.

Source material from:
http://www.modernherbalist.com/products/mastica.html
http://www.health4youonline.com/health_supplements_mastika_natt4444_nat81096.htm
http://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net/articles-81.html
http://www.cancerdecisions.com (The Moss Reports Newsletter)

Please note that this article does not replace the advice and treatment of your medical practitioner.