Improving H. pylori eradication
Triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin and clarithromycin or metronidazole is the most commonly prescribed regimen to eradicate H. pylori. Usually the protocol calls for the dosing to occur twice a day for one week. The success of this therapy is about 80% and declining. An alternative to this regimen was presented last… Read More →
Alcohol and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Adnormal intestinal motility can lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Studies have shown that cirrhotics have a propensity towards developing delayed intestinal motility. A recent study conducted at Johns Hopkins using a wireless motility capsule confirmed the presence of small bowel motility disturbances in cirrhotics. This led the researchers to conclude that cirrhotic patients… Read More →
Leaky Gut Syndrome maybe improved using Melatonin
Swedish researchers at Uppsala University studied the effect alcohol has on intestinal permeability (leaky gut). The study was conducted in rats. The rats were administered ethanol and red wine with a subsequent observation of increases in paracellular permeability. The rats were then given melatonin which reduced the mucosal injury and reduced the alcohol effect on… Read More →
Is lactose intolerance exaggerated?
Difficulty in digesting lactose is a very common problem that may affect as many as 80 million Americans. However, the research conducted at the Minnesota VA Hospital suggests that the problem may be over stated. The researchers believe that many people may have “lactose malabsorption” but many fewer have the more serious lactose intolerance. The… Read More →
Fructose Malabsorption is Less Prevalent in Obese Children
Researchers in Germany studied 628 children for the prevalence of fructose malabsorption as it related to obesity. Out of this group 48% were identified as having fructose malabsorption by the hydrogen breath test. Interestingly, obese children had a significantly lower incidence of fructose malabsorption as compared to normal weight children. It may be that the… Read More →
People with high salt diet and H. pylori have a high risk of gastric cancer
Researchers at Vanderbilt University reported that a diet high in salt combined with H. pylori increases the risk of gastric cancer. The study design was to infect Mongolian gerbils with H. pylori and then have half the animals eat a high salt diet. One hundred percent of the animals with a high salt diet developed… Read More →
New Treatment for SIBO
Investigators at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil reported high rates of successful treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth using Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole plus metronidazole. The findings were based on treatment of 20 children who had been diagnosed with SIBO using the lactulose hydrogen -breath test. One month after treatment the children were retested using the hydrogen… Read More →
Fructose Malabsorption in Children
Fructose malabsorption is very common problem in children. Its prevalence has resulted in many people referring to the condition as “apple juice diarrhea”. Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding of the etiology of this condition. Some researchers speculate that the fructose transporter GLUT5 is under developed in children. Researchers in Australia have recently published thoughts… Read More →
Fructose malabsorption and lactose intolerance study
Swiss researchers conducted a study to determine the prevalence of fructose malabsorption and lactose intolerance in patients with symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). The study enrolled 1,372 patients with FGID. Each subject was given a hydrogen breath test to assess for fructose malabsorption and lactose intolerance. The result was that 51% of this group… Read More →
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Researchers in France believe from their studies that there may be a link between intestinal permeability problems and food processing. Intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut syndrome, maybe the cause for allergies and gastrointestinal distress. Leaky gut is found in common disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. The researchers concluded that intestinal permeability can… Read More →