Helicobacter pylori Infection and Food Intervention for Preventing Associated Gastric Diseases Including Gastric Cancer

ABSTRACT

Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori infection as the major cause of gastroduodenal disorders including acute and chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, chronic atrophic gastritis, and gastric malignancy almost three decades ago, the possibility of preventing these clinical diseases through eradication has been the focus of active research and debate, especially since eradication can prevent cancer. Eradication intervenes with the initiation and progression of mucosal atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric cancer. Our group hypothesized that nutritional interventions can rejuvenate the atrophic mucosa and ameliorate H. pylori-associated gastric inflammation. In this review article, the experience and outcomes regarding nutritional applications to rejuvenate gastric atrophy will be introduced. Korean red ginseng, garlic extracts, cancer preventive Korea Kimchi, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, special form of licorice, and probiotics will be reviewed. The detailed effects of dietary and bacterial eradication therapy on disease progression and lesion reversibility are discussed.