Positive Health Online

Abstract

OH and colleagues, Department of Head Neck/Thoracic Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA, ywoh@mdanderson.edu, have found that folk yoghurt kills Helicobacter pylori.

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate a traditional yoghurt that is used as folk medicine for its ability to inactivate Helicobacter pylori in vitro.

Methodology

Micro-organisms from the yoghurt were identified and tested in different culture media for their effects on H. pylori in a co-culture well system.

Results

Two yeasts and several strains of lactobacillus were isolated from the yoghurt. Both the yeast and the lactobacilli showed bactericidal activity against H.pylori. They also retained their antibacterial activity when grown in corn meal and soy milk.

Conclusion

The organisms in this yoghurt secrete soluble factors capable of killing H.pylori, the bacterium associated with stomach ulcers. Therefore these yoghurt preparations could become simple and inexpensive therapies for H.pylori infections.

References

Oh Y, Osato MS, Han X, Bennett G, Hong WK. Folk yoghurt kills Helicobacter pylori. Journal of Applied Microbiology 93 (6): 1083-1088, 2002