They spread a video on networks that assures that the bacteria Helicobacter pylori It can be eliminated with a “powerful natural recipe” that contains ingredients such as oregano, garlic and turmeric if we consume it for a week. There are no studies that support this natural remedy. The experts consulted by VerificaRTVE agree that the bacteria cannot be completely eradicated with these ingredients, although they can reduce its presence. In any case, specialists recommend following the antibiotic treatment prescribed by the doctor.
“Eliminate the helicobacter pylori bacteria with this powerful natural recipe,” we read in a message shared more than 4,400 times on X since August 20. The publication attaches a 1 minute and 15 second long video that says: “Eliminate Helicobacter pylori bacteria with this powerful natural recipe. The ingredients we will need: One teaspoon of dried oregano leaves. One clove of crushed garlic. One teaspoon of honey. A green tea bag. A teaspoon of turmeric powder. They ask that you heat it with water and drink “one to two cups a day” for a week.
There are no studies that support that this natural recipe eliminates Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is a very common type of bacteria that infects the stomach and is the most common cause of peptic ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or intestine). The experts consulted by VerificaRTVE agree that the natural recipe advertised on social networks is not capable of completely eradicating this bacteria. The member of Primary Care doctors of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM), Rafael Ortega, assures VerificaRTVE that the natural recipe spread on networks It is not “eradicative, it does not cure you”. The doctor explains that some foods such as garlic, turmeric or oregano “have activity against Helicobacter“and that an extract of these ingredients”destroys a good part of them, but does not eliminate them”. “It can lower the volume of bacteria so that you can make it undetectable,” however, “As soon as you stop taking it, of course, it’s there again.”emphasizes Dr. Ortega. In fact, the expert indicates that “possibly these types of foods could interfere, if they act as antacids, in the detection of the Helicobacter pylori because its number decreases and when its number decreases it is not detected in the test.” For Pablo Caballero of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges “although some of the components of this recipe may present compounds with anti-inflammatory or antibacterial activity recognized in vitro, generally its concentration is low and the in vivo effects are usually null or very weak.
Experts agree that there are no studies that show that these ingredients can completely eradicate the bacteria.. The doctor specializing in the digestive system Violeta Sastre explains that “there are no studies that support the usefulness or effectiveness of these ingredients for the eradication of “Helicobacter pylori”although “in other pathologies related to intestinal dysbiosis, derivatives of turmeric, black garlic, essence of oregano and thyme, among others, are increasingly used as ‘natural bactericides and anti-inflammatory effects’.” He insists that ““The level of evidence for its protocolization is still low and more studies are necessary in this regard.”. Along these same lines, pharmacist Pablo Caballero assures that “although This recipe probably does not eliminate the infection; to ensure this, a controlled clinical trial should be designed. and randomized with a sufficient sample of cases, which constitutes the most widespread and accepted way to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of a new medication.
Treatment and prevention of Helicobacter pylori
The most widespread and recommended treatment against this bacteria is the use of antibiotics.. Dr. Rafael Ortega is forceful: “What really cures you is a specific treatment,” that is, “an antibiotic treatment prescribed by your doctor.” This specialist adds that “not everyone needs to be removed from Helicobacter pylori” since in some cases “it coexists perfectly with humans and is not harmful,” the doctor clarifies. Dr. Violeta Sastre also recommends antibiotic treatment to combat the bacteria, stating that the ideal is “a regimen of combined antibioticstwo or three types of antibiotics in each, adding double doses of a proton pump inhibitor (such as omeprazole) for 10-14 days.” In general, he explains that “we have lines protocolized by the main scientific societies and based on “efficacy studies in the eradication of the bacteria with rates greater than 90%”.
Pharmacist Pablo Caballero argues that “epidemiological studies indicate a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection in developing countries and population groups with lower socioeconomic statusprobably due to the poorer hygiene and health conditions.” “Infection occurs primarily through the fecal-oral route,” that is, “through the ingestion of fecal matter or waste, usually associated with contaminated water or irrigated products or grown with contaminated waters,” he points out. For this reason, Caballero states that ““The recommended prevention measures are hygienic-sanitary”such as washing hands and improving “water purification and sanitation systems.” On the other hand, Rafael Ortega indicates that “what we have to do is, if we detect a case in a family, make sure the rest of the family is not infected” by doing a breath test.
H. pylori is the main cause of gastritis
The bacteria Helicobacter pylori “is the main cause of chronic gastritis, of most peptic ulcers and in some cases it can cause gastric adenocarcinoma or lymphoma”, the doctor specializing in the Digestive System Violeta Sastre Lozano explains to VerificaRTVE. As the pharmacist from the scientific dissemination area of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges Pablo Caballero explains, “it is estimated that it is present in a high proportion of the population, even more than 50%” although “in the vast majority of cases it is not produces no symptoms.” Caballero adds that this infection “increases the risk of suffering from stomach cancer.”