3 Ways H Pylori Can Cause Weight Gain

Helicobacter Pylori, or H Pylori for short, is a spiral-shaped bacteria that lives in the stomach and small intestine.

Research has clearly shown that due to its shape, H Pylori can “pierce” the lining of our stomach and duodenum (small intestine).

Think of the lining of the intestine as a kind of internal “skin.” When H Pylori screws into that lining, it causes irritation, swelling, and inflammation. It’s a bit like sticking little thorns into your skin. Irritation and inflammation lead to two relatively common conditions: gastritis and duodenitis.

It is the inflammation and damage to the stomach lining that can set off chain reactions that lead to weight gain. Here are 3 ways this happens:

H Pylori and Weight Gain Explained #1.

Whenever there is inflammation in the body, the adrenal glands produce “fire-fighting” hormones. The main hormone is cortisol. We often see high levels of cortisol in people who have H. pylori because inflammation causes excess cortisol to be released.

When cortisol is high, it can actually lead to the storage of body fat around the belly and in “spare tires” around the waist.

Over time, if the H Pylori inflammation doesn’t resolve, the adrenal glands can weaken. At this point, they may not be able to produce enough cortisol. In turn, this can lead to an inability to burn body fat.

Additionally, tired adrenal glands cause imbalances in other key hormonal systems that regulate the burning of body fat. Lower levels of testosterone in men, for example, are seen with adrenal fatigue and lower levels of progesterone in women.

H Pylori and weight gain explained #2.

It is known that H Pylori actually causes a reduction in the amount of stomach acid that is produced. This is because it damages cells called parietal cells, which produce the acid.

If there is not enough acid, food may not be broken down or absorbed. This causes an inefficient metabolism, which can lead to weight gain.

I know of several cases where people took digestive enzyme and hydrochloric acid supplements and lost weight very quickly. The weight came back as soon as they stopped the supplements and then disappeared again when they resumed.

H Pylori and weight gain explained #3.

Science is beginning to suggest that H Pylori infection may play a role in thyroid problems. Antibodies produced against H Pylori are thought to also attack the surface of the thyroid gland, slowing its function.

It is well known that the thyroid gland is essential for maintaining optimized metabolism. Low thyroid has long been associated with weight gain and the ability to lose weight.

The problems associated with H Pylori seem to increase each year as more and more research is done on this unwanted intruder.

If you’re struggling with weight management, it might be a good idea to find out how to get tested for H Pylori (along with other digestive infections), as that can be a missing link in the puzzle.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *