H. Pylori - A pesky bacteria you should know about

Helicobacter Pylori or H. Pylori is a type of gram-negative bacteria that can cause serious issues in the stomach.

How does someone develop a H. pylori infection?

It can be passed from person to person living in the same household through saliva, vomit or fecal matter. Or, you can be infected by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food.

Wondering what the signs and symptoms of a H. pylori infection are? Let's take a look:

• Burning in the stomach or a stomachache

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain that gets worse when you don't eat

• Loss of appetite

• Unintentional weight loss

• Bloating

Health concerns with H. pylori you should know about:

Aside from symptoms listed above, (which, by the way, are not common for many people. In fact, most people are asymptomatic) an H. pylori infection can cause considerable health issues.

1. It can suppress our parietal cells which release Hydrochloric Acid (HCL). Reducing HCL can lead to iron, B12 and calcium malabsorption, contributing to anemia, malnutrition and osteoporosis.

2. Additionally, low HCL can reduce diversity in our microbiomes and eventually contribute to Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth.

3. If that isn't enough, it can also lead to increased risk of cancer, autoimmunity, gastritis, type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.