Helicobacter pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia

Even borderline anemia needs attention because it reduces the functional capability of every cell in the body. Iron deficiency anemia can sometimes respond incompletely to iron supplementation for a variety of reasons. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that Helicobacter pylori is the most common infection in the world, with research showing links to cardiovascular disease, stomach cancer and other diseases. This paper recently published in the Post Graduate Medical Journal was inspired by the observation that...

"Recent guidelines on iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) have confirmed the aetiological role of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), but the relationship still remains controversial."

The authors documented data from eight studies that showed improvement in IDA with increases in hemoglobin and serum ferritin after H. pylori eradication were superior to those seen when iron was given alone. Thus their conclusion:

"H pylori eradication therapy combined with iron administration is more effective than iron administration alone for the treatment of IDA."

Note: Helicobacter pylori infection is most accurately diagnosed by either stool antigens or a breath test for exhaled gases (not blood or stool antibodies). I have seen excellent results confirmed by follow-up tests with an evidence-based antimicrobial botanical formula.