益生菌、蜂蜜、大蒜有助殺滅幽門螺旋桿菌嗎？

Early survey data indicates that the rate of Helicobacter pylori stomach infection in Taiwanese residents is as high as 50% to 55%, meaning that at least 1000 million people in Taiwan harbor this particular bacterium. This bacterium not only survives in the highly acidic stomach environment but can also cause chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and, in severe cases, even increase the risk of gastric cancer, posing a significant threat to gastric health.

To confirm whether you're infected with Helicobacter pylori, the medical community has developed a variety of effective testing methods. Previously, HEHO published an article titled "Seven Options for a Stomach Health Checkup: Burping and Burning Lately." The article details various reliable testing methods, including gastroscopy and carbon-13 breath testing. Individuals can choose the test method that's right for them based on their health status and their doctor's professional advice.

Once H. pylori infection is confirmed and stomach damage has occurred, standard medical treatment typically requires approximately three weeks. Currently, the most commonly used treatment is the "standard three-in-one therapy," consisting of proton-pump inhibitors, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin. If the patient is intolerant to amoxicillin, metronidazole is used as an alternative. However, with the increasing number of drug-resistant strains of H. pylori, the medical community has developed a variety of new treatments, such as the "two-in-one therapy" consisting of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and amoxicillin, and the "four-in-one therapy" consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole.

In response to the problems posed by Helicobacter pylori, numerous folk remedies and online claim to kill the bacteria, such as drinking honey, eating garlic, and consuming broccoli. Some even claim that supplementing with probiotics can also achieve this antibacterial effect. Are these claims credible? The following will analyze the scientific basis for each:

honey

Honey is extremely viscous and has a very high osmotic pressure. Under high osmotic pressure, bacterial cells die due to their inability to maintain their water balance. Therefore, honey itself does not typically breed bacteria, but this does not mean that honey actively kills bacteria. More importantly, when thick honey enters the stomach, it is rapidly diluted by gastric juices, significantly reducing its concentration and failing to meet the sterilization requirements. Even if you don't mind the sweetness and drink pure honey directly, it will not effectively eliminate Helicobacter pylori in the body.

garlic

Garlic contains allicin, a compound that not only has strong antibacterial properties and a broad antimicrobial spectrum, but also possesses numerous pharmacological benefits, including lowering cholesterol, inhibiting platelet aggregation, protecting the liver, preventing cardiovascular disease, and regulating blood pressure. Some even believe that eating garlic raw maximizes its antibacterial effects. However, despite these advantages, allicin doesn't necessarily eliminate Helicobacter pylori simply by eating it. For one thing, the amount of allicin we consume through daily diet is extremely limited, making it nearly impossible to kill Helicobacter pylori with just this tiny amount. Furthermore, garlic is a strong irritant, and excessive consumption can damage the gastric mucosa and place an additional burden on the liver.

cauliflower

Research teams from Johns Hopkins University in the United States and France have studied the effects of broccoli against Helicobacter pylori. The results show that the sulforaphane in broccoli not only kills H. pylori but also completely eliminates bacteria hidden in the cells of the stomach lining. However, it is important to note that this research is only in the experimental stage with mice and has not yet been successfully tested in humans. Therefore, claims that "eating broccoli can kill H. pylori" are mostly just psychological comfort, with limited actual therapeutic effects.

Probiotics

Comprehensive analysis of the results of clinical trials published after 2000 shows that in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori, if probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria are supplemented on the basis of the three-in-one therapy, the effect is better than that of non-Add probioticsCompared with other treatment options, the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori can be increased by 5% to 10%, and patients experience fewer side effects. This result suggests that probiotics appear to be helpful in treating Helicobacter pylori. However, in reality, no clinical trials have been conducted that rely solely on probiotics without using the three-in-one therapy. Therefore, the claim that "probiotics alone can kill Helicobacter pylori" lacks sufficient theoretical basis and clinical research support. At most, it can be said that probiotics can help inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori.

In fact, even with standard three-in-one or four-in-one treatments, the complete eradication rate for Helicobacter pylori is only 80% to 90%. Therefore, it's crucial not to fall for claims that simply eating a few foods can kill Helicobacter pylori. Once infection is confirmed, seek medical attention promptly and strictly follow a professional's treatment recommendations to effectively manage the condition and protect stomach health.