Vitamin C: Helicobacter Pylori & Peptic Ulcers
December 16, 2011
A study led by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) found that the lower the level of vitamin C in the blood the more likely a person will become infected by Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. This is the largest study to look at the relationship between vitamin C levels and infection by H. pylori.
The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The study utilized data and blood samples collected from a random sample of nearly 7,000 American adults by the National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during NHANES III, theThird National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
From the available data, researchers cannot determine whether or not vitamin C might prevent initial infection by H. pylori, which often happens during childhood. It is not certain if the infection lowers blood levels of vitamin C or if higher blood levels protect against infection. However, some studies using animal models suggest that adequate vitamin C intake may reduce infection with these bacteria.
Even if it is infection itself that lowers blood levels of vitamin C, it would still be prudent for people who test positive for H. pylori infection to increase their intake of vitamin C. The bottom line is that higher levels of vitamin C may have the potential to prevent peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
In 1982, scientists discovered that H. pylori was responsible for causing peptic ulcers--painful sores in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum, the upper portion of the small intestine. (One in 10 Americans develops an ulcer at some time in their lives.)
More recently, researchers discovered that H. pylori is also associated with stomach cancer, a particularly deadly form of cancer.
For the analysis we are addressing researchers used data collected during the first phase of NHANES III. The survey included participants between 2 months and 90 years of age. Researchers tested stored blood samples for H. pylori infection.
Samples of nearly one-third (32 percent) of the 6,746 participants tested positive for antibodies to H. pylori, indicating that their immune systems had previously mounted an attack against the bacteria. More than half of those who tested positive showed evidence of infection by the particularly toxic strain of the bacteria.
In addition to testing for H. pylori infection, the researchers analyzed vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, levels in the blood of these participants. After accounting for age, ethnicity, weight and other factors, they found that participants with the highest blood levels of vitamin C had a 25 percent lower prevalence of infection.
Testing is now widely available for H. pylori infection and is often performed when stomach or duodenal ulcers are suspected or have been diagnosed.
We encourage those who test positive as well as all Americans to increase their consumption of vitamin C-rich foods and to take daily multiple supplements to help prevent infection with H. pylori or mitigate the effects of infection with the bacteria.
Ellen Troyer, MT MA -
Biosyntrx CEO / Chief Research Officer
Biosyntrx CEO / Chief Research Officer
