Stomach pain, fullness, and bloating are common symptoms of gastritis.¹

This inflammatory condition is frequently triggered by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that also causes some stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.^2,3

Globally, approximately 44% of adults were infected with Helicobacter pylori during 2015–2022, including about 45% of adults in the Americas.⁴

H. pylori infection is generally treated with the standard combination of prescription medications; however, antibiotic resistance remains a significant challenge.^2,5

Researchers have explored non‑drug approaches that may complement standard treatment by helping reduce H. pylori burden and support gastric health. In clinical trials:

• Zinc-carnosine healed stomach ulcers in 65% of subjects and eased gastritis symptoms.⁶
• Lactobacillus reuteri DSMZ 17648 reduced the marker of H. pylori infection by 16% in just two weeks.⁷

Combining these two ingredients may offer comprehensive support for stomach health and comfort.

Triggers of Stomach Problems

The interior of the stomach is acidic, which helps it digest food and kill harmful bacteria.¹

To prevent this acidity from destroying the inner lining, or mucosa, of the stomach, it secretes protective mucus.¹

Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial infection that is usually acquired in childhood and can persist for life if untreated. It can disrupt normal stomach function.

Most infected people have no symptoms, but some develop chronic inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), and about 10–15% develop peptic ulcers.⁸

H. pylori produces an enzyme called urease, which creates ammonia to neutralize stomach acid. The ammonia damages stomach tissue⁹ and enables the harmful bacteria to thrive and colonize the mucosa.^2,10 H. pylori also impairs the production of protective mucus in the stomach.¹¹

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil®), can also drive gastritis. Symptoms of gastritis may include:¹

• Belching,
• Bloating,
• Feeling full prematurely,
• Gas,
• Heartburn,
• Low appetite,
• Nausea and vomiting, and
• Stomach pain.

Chronic Gastritis Risks

Over time, chronic gastritis caused by H. pylori can erode the lining of the stomach and duodenum (the top part of the small intestine), leading to painful peptic ulcers.²

H. pylori is responsible for over 80% of stomach ulcers and 90% of duodenal ulcers.⁹

The combination of H. pylori infection with NSAID use causes a 3.5-fold increased risk of peptic ulcers beyond the medication's use alone.¹²

Even more worrisome, individuals with H. pylori infection have 20 times the risk of stomach cancer as those without the infection.¹³

H. pylori causes oxidative stress and DNA damage in stomach cells, provoking cancerous changes.^14,15

Zinc-Carnosine for Gastric Healing

To support gastric health, Japanese scientists developed zinc-carnosine.¹⁶

Zinc is an essential trace mineral and antioxidant that plays a crucial role in healing tissues, and gut health, including the stomach lining.¹⁷

Carnosine is a peptide (a short chain of amino acids) that promotes healing and is found in high concentrations in human gastrointestinal tissues.¹⁸

Zinc-carnosine offers an approach to addressing stomach issues such as gastritis and peptic ulcers.^19,20

Animal research revealed that the combination of zinc and carnosine in a single compound enables the nutrients to stay in ulcerous regions of the stomach twice as long as the individual ingredients. It binds tightly to the stomach lining, allowing zinc and carnosine to remain longer at ulcer sites and provide stronger, targeted stomach protection.²¹

In a clinical trial, zinc-carnosine was shown to be protective of the intestinal mucosal barrier when administered with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), compared to the group that received an NSAID alone.²²

In an eight-week clinical trial, taking 75 mg of zinc-carnosine twice daily healed gastric ulcers in a remarkable 65% of participants, as shown by endoscopy.⁶

Subjects also reported improvement in digestive symptoms, including:⁶

• 63.6% reduction in heartburn,
• 66.7% reduction in nausea,
• 76.9% reduction in bloating, and an
• 80% reduction in belching.

Similar results have been found in other clinical trials.²⁰

Zinc-Carnosine Targets H. pylori

Zinc-carnosine fights H. pylori by inhibiting its urease activity, which is what the pathogen uses to survive in the acidic stomach.¹⁶

Preclinical research shows zinc-carnosine also increases levels of protective heat shock proteins in stomach mucosal cells, helping to protect the stomach lining from damage associated with Helicobacter pylori colonization and activity.²³

A meta-analysis of three clinical trials involving 396 people with H. pylori infection compared triple drug therapy (the standard treatment of two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor) to the same drug therapy combined with 150 mg of zinc-carnosine taken twice daily.²⁴

Pairing the medications with zinc-carnosine eradicated H. pylori in 80% of cases, compared to 67% of cases using only drug treatment.²⁴

Postbiotic Protection

Seeking another way to make H. pylori treatment more effective, scientists selected a beneficial bacterial strain, Lactobacillus reuteri DSMZ 17648.²⁵ This strain is heat-treated to make it more stable, so it is considered a postbiotic.^26-28

In preclinical research, this strain has the unique ability to bind to H. pylori and prevent it from attaching to the stomach lining. Once bound, the pathogen can be eliminated in the stool.²⁵

The reduction of H. pylori levels can be measured using a urea breath test. As H. pylori levels decline, a product of urea metabolism decreases in the breath.²⁹

In two similar trials, adults with asymptomatic H. pylori infection were given a placebo for two weeks, followed by 200 mg of L. reuteri DSMZ 17648 daily for two weeks.^7,25

In both trials, the postbiotic was associated with a significant decrease in urea breath test levels from baseline, indicating a reduction in H. pylori. The placebo produced no significant change.^7,25

In one trial, L. reuteri DSMZ 17648 decreased urea breath test levels by 16%. Scientists followed the participants for 24 weeks after treatment ended and found that significant improvement from baseline was maintained.⁷

A combination of L. reuteri DSMZ 17648 and zinc-carnosine can target H. pylori infection in multiple ways and provide powerful relief for gastritis symptoms.

Summary

The stomach lining is vulnerable to damage from H. pylori infection, potentially resulting in gastritis, peptic ulcers, or stomach cancer.

Zinc-carnosine has been clinically shown to aid in the healing of peptic ulcers and combat H. pylori infection by inhibiting the bacteria's survival.

The postbiotic strain L. reuteri DSMZ 17648 can bind to H. pylori in the stomach and facilitate its elimination.

Oral intake of a combination of these ingredients promotes stomach health and comfort.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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