A once-obscure species of bacteria ...

A once-obscure species of bacteria lately became a headline-maker, after scientists discovered that many stomach imposthumes may be precipitated by an infection with the Heliobacter pylori (H pylori) bacterium. More seriously, scientists discovered that this bacterium also plays a part in stomach cancer. The convenient news, though, is that garlic can counteract the harmful weights of this microbe.

British researchers, back in 1975 first suspected that a certain spiral-shaped bacterium might he involved in stomach question s such as ulcers. Australian researchers, after hearing of this theory, attempted to refinement the bacteria in their laboratory. After many false starts, the first lab-grown tillage was grown in 1982. from 1985, research with this newlynamed H pylori bacterium confirmed that it played a part in stomach ulcers. Since then, 18 different species of Heliobacter have been discovered, although sole one is believed to infect the human stomach. In 1994 the National Institutes of Health clos the case by means of announcing at a conference that H pylori is the cause of most numerous cases of stomach ulcers.

Before the discovery of H pylori, pustules were considered to be the dependence of cause and effect of too much stomach acid, a hazard of the "type A" stress-driven personality, or the inevitable backlash of a spicy meal. Consistent with this belief, mostly doctors advised their ulcer patients to relax, watch their diet, and take harvests to reduce stomach acid. In fact, a whole market of antacids, acid-suppressers, and unites to protect the delicate stomach lining was born. It's easy to view how ulcers (and medicine to relieve the symptoms of them) became big business, as it is estimated that 10 percent of adults will be acted upon an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum (the connection between the stomach and small intestines) in their lifetime. While these over-the-counter effects might provide some symptomatic relief, they can't obtain to the root of the problem: H pylori.

Antibiotics aren't always the answer

in such a manner if the H. pylori bacteria is the cause, then antibiotics must be the answer, right? Perhaps not. H pylori is lay the foundation of in close to 100 percent of duodenal festers and 80 percent of gastric sore s but antibiotics are less than the ideal solution. For starters, many patients experience side efficiencys that lead them to stop treatment with antibiotics. Furthermore, H pylori can unfold resistance to antibiotics -- effectively becoming immune to various antibiotics and necessitating the overuse of these physics in order to determine which the same will be effective.

If antacids and acid-suppressers just mask the symptoms, and many family have trouble with antibiotics, is there another alternative for commonalty with ulcers? Although the research is continuing, garlic may be the alternative for many people

Garlic's bacteria-fighting ability is a life saver

While the natural antibiotic properties of garlic have been known for centuries, Gowsala P Sivam and mate researchers from the Cancer Prevention Research Program in Seattle, Wash., now believe that garlic inhibits the development of B: pylori. These researchers decided to criterion the bacteria-fighting properties of garlic after noting that nation who consume higher amounts of garlic have a lower incidence of stomach cancer. (Stomach cancer is the second-most public fatal cancer worldwide, and infection with H pylori is believed to play a causative part in this cancer.)

Sivam explains that the equivalent of pair small cloves of garlic in the stomach is all it takes to inhibit H pylori putting out Garlic, he continues, may be a promising "...strategy for a low-cost intervention, with scarcely any side effects, in populations at high risk for stomach cancer, particularly where antibiotic resistance and the risk of reinfection are high."

Of course, antibiotics have their place in the treatment of H pylori infection, still several experts have pointed without that since one-half of the world's population is infected with this bacteria, it is unrealistic -- in names of cost and side general intents -- to treat all of the infected individuals with antibiotics. upon the other hand, consumption of whole garlic and odor-controlled garlic correlatives is a nutritious, and reportedly effective, way to combat this harmful bacteria and maintain suitable health.

REFERENCES

Goodwin, C Mendall, MM and Northfield K "Heliobacter pylori infection," Lancet 349(9047):265-269 1997

Sivam GP Lampe JW Ulnes B et al. "Heliobacter pylori -- in vitro susceptibility to garlic (Allium sativum) extract," Nutr Cancer27(2):118-121, 1997

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