Extra Virgin Olive Oil

A New Natural Weapon to Fight H. Pylori

Extra virgin olive oil could help prevent and treat H. pylori infections, which cause gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

In laboratory cultures, the phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil had strong antibacterial effects against eight strains of H. pylori, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The compounds were also shown to be capable of remaining stable in the harsh acidic conditions of the stomach.

Add extra virgin olive oil to your list of natural weapons for fighting and preventing H. pylori. Extra virgin olive oil is also one of the healthiest oils you can consume, and is certainly better than most vegetable oils that only worsen your ratio of omega-6 fats to omega-3s without providing any healthful effects. Olive oil has been used by humans for thousands of years. It is a well proven oil that has withstood the test of time. Nearly all other vegetable oils are highly processed and have far more omega-6 fat than you need. The typically American consumes 100 times the amount their ancestors did 100 years ago. How can that possibly be good? Olive oil is loaded with omega-9 fats. Just remember, however, extra virgin olive oil is great on salads but not for cooking. If you plan on using a fat to cook with, your clear choice is coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is a proven antiviral and immune system builder. Another proven natural method for eradicating H. pylori: Eating one or two cloves of raw garlic daily. 1. Make sure your chicken is cooked thoroughly. There is research to show that raw or under cooked chicken is the main culprit. 2. Cook your eggs. I know this contradicts most and Dr. Mercola, but there is research to show that raw eggs cause HP.

Olive Oil Has Anti-Bacterial Properties

Olive oil contains many nutrients that can inhibit or kill harmful bacteria (47).

One of these is Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that lives in the stomach and can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

Test tube studies have shown extra virgin olive oil to be effective against eight strains of this bacteria, three of which are resistant to antibiotics (48).

A study in humans showed that 30 grams of extra virgin olive oil can eliminate Helicobacter pylori infection in 10-40% of people in as little as 2 weeks (49).

Bottom Line: Extra virgin olive oil has anti-bacterial properties, and has been shown to be particularly effective against Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.