While some bacteria naturally live in your stomach, aiding digestion, others aren’t so beneficial. This is the case with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, which can cause an uncomfortable condition known as a peptic ulcer. Not only can a peptic ulcer be uncomfortable, it also can affect the absorption of key nutrients in your diet, leading to low folic acid and vitamin B-12 levels. Talk to your doctor about nutrient-related concerns when you have H. pylori.
Bacterial Significance
The presence of the H. pylori bacteria does not necessarily mean you will experience symptoms. An estimated half of the world’s population carries the H. pylori bacteria, according to MayoClinic.com. The bacterium is often picked up in childhood from direct contact with body fluids or contaminated food or water. If you experience symptoms from H. pylori, they typically include nausea, vomiting, bloating or weight loss. If you have been diagnosed with H. pylori, your physician can prescribe antibiotics in an attempt to relieve the infection.
Research
An April 2002 study published in the “American Journal of Gastroenterology” and conducted at the Oita Medical University in Japan tested the levels of vitamin B-12 and folic acid in patients with H. pylori. The researchers performed endoscopic testing on 93 patients, 57 of whom had H. pylori and 36 of whom did not. Researchers found patients with H. pylori had almost 20 percent lower levels of folic acid than patients without H. pylori.
Concerns
One of the chief concerns surrounding the correlation between H. pylori and low folic acid is that low folic acid levels are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Your body uses folic acid to produce new, healthy cells and it is associated with preventing heart defects in babies. In addition, folic acid keeps homocysteine, an inflammatory compound in the blood, levels low in your body. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Recommendations
The dietary recommendations are to eat 400 micrograms of folic acid per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food sources such as asparagus, spinach, broccoli and avocado all have folic acid. If you have H. pylori and your body cannot absorb folic acid effectively, watch for signs of deficiency, such as anemia, diarrhea, appetite loss, heart palpitations and sore tongue. While these signs can be subtle, talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
References
- Archives of Internal Medicine: Helicobacter pylori-Is It a Novel Causative Agent in Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
- American Journal of Gastroenterology: Relation of Heliobacter pylori Infection to Plasma Vitamin B12, Folic Acid and Homocysteine Levels in Patients
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: H. pylori and Peptic Ulcers
- MayoClinic.com: H. pylori Infection
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts About Folic Acid
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate
