A strain of probiotic bacteria may be useful in treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that is considered one of the major risk factors in developing gastritis and gastric/ duodenal ulcers. The study is found in the February 2011 issue of the Applied and Environmental Microbiology journal.

“Currently, antibiotic-based treatment for H. pylori infection is neither sufficient nor satisfactory, with the most successful treatments reaching 75 to 90% eradication rates,” the researchers write. “The use of probiotics is a potentially promising tool to prevent H. pylori.” In this case, Bifidobacterium bifidum was the probiotic being studied.

Probiotics are live microorganisms which confer a health benefit when given at appropriate dosages. The regular intake of probiotics has been demonstrated to prevent health disorders including diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer and eczema. It has also been shown to improve immunity.

SOURCE: Applied and Environmental Microbiology