Gareth suffers from ulcers....interesting article

[Guest guest]

From Reuters Health Information

Vitamin C Use May Enhance H. Pylori Eradication Regimen

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Oct 01 - Supplementation with vitamin C enhances

the success of Helicobacter pylori eradication efforts, researchers from

Iran report.

Vitamin C has been shown to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in vitro, the

authors explain, suggesting that addition of vitamin C to the eradication

regimen could increase the eradication rate.

Dr. H. Zojaji and colleagues from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical

Sciences, Tehran, evaluated the effect of adding 500 mg vitamin C to a regimen

of metronidazole, amoxicillin, bismuth, and omeprazole (OMAB) on H. pylori

eradication rates in 312 patients with dyspeptic symptoms and gastritis.

The researchers report their findings in the September issue of Digestive

and Liver Disease.

The H. pylori eradication rate was significantly higher in the OMAB plus

vitamin C group than in the OMAB-only group: 83% vs. 56.4% on per protocol

analysis and 78% vs. 48.8% on intention-to-treat analysis.

Side effects occurred with comparable frequency in each group and included

nausea, loose stool, and headache, with no serious adverse events.

" We recommend further prospective clinical trials to confirm the results of

our study, " the investigators conclude. " Because of the safety of the

supplement and its ease of administration and availability, vitamin C could be

added to H. pylori eradication regimens. "

Dig Liver Dis 2009;41:644-647.

Reuters Health Information © 2009