PRURIGO NODULARIS --H Pylori

Is there a connection between PN and H. Pylori?

There's no conclusive evidence that H. Pylori is or isn't connected to PN.
Therefore, I would use natural protocols because they are effective against H.
Pylori, regardless of whether there's a PN connection or not, since these
protocols are beneficial to overall health.  I've listed the suggestions in the
order of effectiveness against H. Pylori.

1)  Probiotics 12 Plus
2)  Mastic Gum
3)  Lactoferrin, a protein found in bovine colostrum
4)  Fermented Cabbage Juice
5)  Vitamin C

Here's a article with additional information.

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of
Nutrition, Vitamin C may be preventing the onset of stomach ulcers, as well as
other serious health problems that ulcers can lead to.

Helicobacter pylori (h. pylori) is a bacterium that creates peptic ulcers by
weakening the stomach's protective coating, allowing acid to irritate the
sensitive stomach lining. Research has shown that h. pylori infection may also
play a role in the development of heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and skin
diseases. The most recent research even suggests a link between h. pylori and
cancers of the stomach, pancreas, and the larynx.

A team of researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center recently
designed a study to determine the relationship between blood serum levels of
vitamin C and h. pylori infection.

Researchers examined blood samples and accompanying data collected from more
than 6,700 adult subjects as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey conducted in the late 80s and early 90s. About one-third of
the blood samples revealed the presence of h. pylori bacterium. The samples
were also tested to measure levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

After accounting for variable factors that included ethnicity, researchers
concluded that among white subjects who showed the highest levels of vitamin C,
h. pylori infection was reduced by 25 percent. However, non-white subjects with
high vitamin C levels didn't receive the same benefit; only a very modest
correlation to reduced infection.

These are the correlations the researchers are certain of.  Questions about
cause and effect, however, produce less certain answers. For instance: Does
vitamin C reduce the chance of h. pylori infection, or does h. pylori cause
vitamin C levels to be diminished? Also, h. pylori infection often occurs when
patients are very young, leading to ulcers later in life. Whether vitamin C
could prevent this early infection is not known. Some animal studies, however,
have indicated that h. pylori infection may be reduced with high levels of
vitamin C intake.

Obviously, more research is called for. But in spite of the unknown factors,
the lead researcher, Joel A. Simon, M.D., told Science Daily that he would
encourage everyone - especially those who test positive for h. pylori - to
increase consumption of vitamin C-rich foods.

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Antibiotic alternatives 
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For many years the mainstream dismissed the idea that bacteria caused ulcers.
In the past two decades all that has changed, and yet many doctors still don't
test for h. pylori. And when a patient does test positive for the bacterium,
many doctors simply reach for a prescription antibiotic - a practice that has
led to new drug-resistant strains of h. pylori. Even worse, antibiotics can
upset the delicate balance of helpful bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract,
paving the way for more problems.

There are several natural therapies that can rid your body of h. pylori without
the unwanted side effects of antibiotics. A formula called Probiotics 12 Plus
that contains a beneficial bacterial strain proven to destroy resistant
pathogens. Laboratory testing has shown that this formula's helpful bacterium,
called TH 10, inhibits all strains of h. pylori - even those that have become
resistant to antibiotics. Probiotics 12 Plus is available from Uni Key Health
Systems. For more information, you can visit the web site, at unikeyhealth.com.

Lactoferrin, a protein found in bovine colostrum, can kill h. pylori
bacterium, and may also help protect you from becoming infected with h. pylori
in the first place. Studies show that lactoferrin binds iron in your blood,
keeping it away from cancerous cells, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens
that require iron to grow. Research also suggests that the lactoferrin protein
activates specific strands of DNA that turn on the genes that launch your
immune response. Lactoferrin is available through many sources online and in
most health food stores.
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