Persistent presence of H. pylori slows growth rate
Children whose Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was eradicated grew taller and heavier than those who were not treated. Researchers at Vanderbilt University came to this conclusion after studying 295 school age children from rural communities in Columbia. The children were separated into two groups: 150 who were treated for H. pylori and 145 who… Read More →
Vitamin C may help prevent stomach cancer
High doses of vitamin C or ascorbic acid may help prevent Helicobacter pylori infection – the bacteria linked to stomach cancer. Researchers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute doing a literature review discovered that high prevalence of H. pylori is correlated with low vitamin C concentrations in the blood and gastric juice. The investigators further uncovered… Read More →
Ulcer causing bug tied to higher diabetes risk
A recent study conducted at the University of Michigan showed that people infected with the ulcer causing bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are more than twice as likely as people who do not to develop diabetes. The researchers tracked 800 people for a decade none of whom had diabetes at the beginning of the study. … Read More →
Efficacy of H. pylori Therapies
A growing body of research has suggested that the efficacy of various Helicobacter pylori treatment regimens can vary significantly when it comes to eradicating the bacteria. This study, conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, prospectively reviewed 1,463 individuals from various countries in South and Central America. All the subjects had tested… Read More →
Meta-analysis: the diagnostic accuracy of lactose breath hydrogen or lactose intolerance tests for predicting the North European lactase polymorphism C/T-13910.
Researchers at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the lactose intolerance hydrogen breath test as compared to north European genetic polymorphism C/T-13910. The north European genetic polymorphism C/T-13910 has previously been identified as the common leak in suffers of lactose intolerance. The researchers reviewed 19 studies of which… Read More →
Helicobacter Pylori and Alzheimer’s
In recent years researchers have begun to focus on the idea that H. pylori infection might also be a risk factor in the development of Alzheimer’s Dementia. One study published in the Journal of Neurology in 2009 even suggested that patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia can improve cognitive function by eradicating the infection. There have… Read More →
Fructose Malabsorption: How much Fructose Can a Healthy Subject Tolerate?
The Hydrogen Breath Test to assess Fructose Malabsorption uses a challenge dose of fructose. The subject of an article published in Digestion examines what is the appropriate challenge dose. The researchers used challenge doses of 15, 25 and 50 grams of fructose. The results of the study were that a high percentage of the subjects… Read More →
Lactose Intolerance and Celiac Disease
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. When a person is newly diagnosed with Celiac disease it is often discovered that they also have become… Read More →
“Upset Stomach” Feels Better After Killing H. Pylori
Numerous studies that looked at H. pylori eradication have yielded conflicting results in regards to the patient benefit. The HEROES (Helicobacter Eradication Relief of Dyspeptic Symptoms) trial was an attempt to clarify the benefit. The study evaluated 407 patients with a diagnosis of H. pylori infection and functional dyspepsia. The patients were divided into two… Read More →
Corn Refiners Association Propose Name Change for High Fructose Corn Syrup
The Corn Refiners Association has proposed to the FDA changing the name of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to “corn sugar”. Many people believe that the requested change is a result of increased consumer awareness of the health concerns associated with HFCS there has been a decline in sales of the sweetener. Proponents argue that… Read More →