Lactic acid bacteria against Helicobacter pylori - a new approach?
Organobalance reports that the stomach germ Helicobacter pylori can be combated naturally with a lactic acid bacterium. This could make the use of antibiotics unnecessary.
This is the result of a clinical study conducted by the biotechnology company under the direction of Professor Christine Lang and Dr. Caterina Holz ( Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 2014; online December 7) .
A total of around 700 lactic acid bacterial strains from the Organobalance GmbH strain collection were tested, eight of which showed a reaction with the Helicobacter pylori germ.
The strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17648 showed the strongest binding properties.
"It aggregates with the stomach bacteria, which in this way loses its mobility and can no longer penetrate the gastric mucosa," Lang is quoted as saying in a statement from the manufacturer.
The effectiveness has been proven in the laboratory and by a placebo-controlled study with Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects, it is said.
Daily intake of the lactic acid bacterium led to a significant reduction in the pathogen after just two weeks.
According to estimates, more than half of the world's population is infected with the Helicobacter germ without this leading to symptoms, painful inflammation or cancer in all those affected.