By Linda Woolven and Ted Snider, The Natural Path
H. pylori is the most important cause of peptic ulcers. The conventional approach to eradicating it has proven problematic. A natural supplement may provide the answer.
In 2005, a Nobel Prize was awarded for the discovery that the H. pylori bacterium plays a major role in causing peptic ulcers. It is now recognized as the single most important cause of peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
Troublingly, the conventional approach to ulcers often includes acid blocking drugs that actually allow the growth of H. pylori. So, the symptoms are suppressed but the ulcer progresses. Often, antibiotics are added. But they have many side effects, and H. pylori is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics with up to 22.2% resistance to clarithromycin and 69.2% to metronidazole.
The encouraging news is that several studies show that adding probiotics significantly improves eradication (J Nutr. 2007 Mar;137(3Suppl 2):812S-8S; Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012; 27(5):888-892; Medicine (Baltimore). 2015; 94(17):e685; Helicobacter. 2023;28(6):e13017; A Critical Review. Dig Dis. 2025; 43(4):455-465; Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024 Jun 5:17:17562848241258021).
Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast. A new meta-analysis has looked at the potential of adding S. boulardii to conventional therapy.
The meta-analysis included 16 studies with 3087 people all of whom were receiving conventional treatment, but some of them also took S. boulardii.
The results showed that adding S. boulardii significantly increased the eradication of H. pylori. The most effective dose seemed to be 500mg a day.
And there was still more advantage to taking S. boulardii. Adding the probiotic significantly decreased the side effects of conventional therapy, including diarrhea, epigastric pain, and nausea.
This study suggests that adding the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii to conventional therapy increases the eradication of H. pylori with the bonus of decreasing the side effects of conventional treatment.
Source
J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2026 Jul 17. doi: 10.15403/jgld-6797.
Find it at Nutrition World
Saccharomyces boulardii on our shelf:
- S. boulardii: Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS and Life Seasons S. Boulardii Probiotic (the probiotic yeast in this study)
Browse the full probiotics collection, or stop by the store at 2401 PGA Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens and we'll help you compare labels. Questions? Call (561) 626-4377.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.