Stomach Pain? What You Need to Know About H. pylori

Digestive discomfort is something millions deal with every day - but what if the cause isn't just what you eat or how you eat, but a silent bacterial infection?

Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the stomach lining. It’s considered one of the most widespread infections in the world, with more than 50% of the global population affected. Yet despite its prevalence, H. pylori often goes undiagnosed for years, silently damaging the stomach lining and triggering a wide range of digestive symptoms.

To make things more confusing, H. pylori symptoms can closely resemble those of other gastrointestinal conditions like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), acid reflux, or chronic gastritis. Many people spend years treating the wrong problem—eliminating foods, taking proton pump inhibitors, or trying various gut protocols—without realizing they may have an underlying infection that needs to be directly addressed.

Understanding what H. pylori is, how it spreads, and how to identify and treat it - especially in an era of rising antibiotic resistance - is key to restoring long-term digestive health.

What Is H. pylori and Why Is It So Common?

H. pylori is a type of bacteria that colonizes the stomach’s mucosal lining. It’s usually acquired during childhood and spreads primarily through:

- Fecal-oral transmission: contaminated food or water
- Oral-oral transmission: sharing utensils, cups, or kissing
- Gastric fluid contact: caring for someone who vomits while infected

Once in the body, the bacteria burrows into the stomach lining to avoid acidic damage. In many people, it causes no symptoms. But in others, especially those with weakened immunity or poor gut health, it can lead to:

- Chronic inflammation (gastritis)
- Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum
- Disruption of stomach acid production
- Increased risk of gastric cancer over time

How H. pylori Symptoms Are Often Confused with Other Digestive Issues

Because H. pylori doesn’t always present dramatically, it’s often confused with other gut conditions. Here’s how it overlaps:

Symptom	H. pylori	SIBO
Bloating	Yes	Yes
Upper abdominal pain/burning	Yes (main feature)	Occasionally
Nausea	Yes	Yes
Feeling full after small meals	Yes	Yes
Excessive gas	Rare	Common
Diarrhea or constipation	Rare	Common

H. pylori tends to cause discomfort in the upper stomach, especially between meals or at night. If you’ve been treating “SIBO” for months without success - or your symptoms flare with stress and irregular eating - it's worth getting tested for H. pylori.

Why Treating H. pylori Has Become More Difficult

In the past, H. pylori was treated with a triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy. But over time, the bacteria has developed resistance to commonly used drugs like clarithromycin and metronidazole.

This means:

- Conventional treatments often fail
- Recurrence is common
- Side effects from multiple antibiotics can worsen gut health

As a result, there’s growing interest in natural, evidence-based approaches that don’t rely solely on antibiotics.

Natural Solutions Supported by Science:

Sulforaphane + NAC

Researchers have identified two powerful compounds that show promise in targeting H. pylori, especially when used together: sulforaphane and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Sulforaphane: A Natural Compound with Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Properties

Sulforaphane is a bioactive compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Studies have shown it can:

- Inhibit the growth of H. pylori, including antibiotic-resistant strains
- Reduce gastric inflammation
- Support cellular protection by activating the NRF2 pathway

One of the most cited studies (Fahey et al., 2002) demonstrated that sulforaphane could successfully eliminate H. pylori in both animal models and lab cultures. Additional studies in humans confirm its protective and healing effects on the stomach lining.

BrocElite®: A Stabilized Sulforaphane Supplement That Actually Works

Not all broccoli supplements are effective. Most contain only glucoraphanin, a precursor that your body must convert into sulforaphane - a process that depends on gut bacteria and often fails.

BrocElite® contains active, stabilized sulforaphane, which means:

- It bypasses the need for conversion
- It acts directly in the stomach, where H. pylori resides
- It’s highly bioavailable and free from additives
- It can be taken in capsule form or opened into juice (papaya or mango help with taste)

NAC: A Companion to Sulforaphane That Breaks Biofilms

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant known for:

- Breaking down biofilms - the protective coating that helps H. pylori hide from treatment
- Reducing stomach mucus that shields the bacteria
- Supporting detox pathways in the liver and improving immune response

When taken before sulforaphane, NAC helps expose the bacteria so sulforaphane can reach it more effectively.

Red Light, + Methylene Blue

Methylene blue, when combined with red light (660 nm) or near-infrared (NIR) light (810–850 nm), creates a powerful method for breaking down biofilms that protect harmful microbes. Methylene blue enters cells and binds to pathogens, and the red/NIR light activates it, releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). This targeted burst of energy helps break up biofilms and damage the microbes hiding inside. This method is being explored for conditions like long C0vid, chronic sinus infections, gut imbalances, and viral infections like EBV and CMV.

Read more about our protocol for using Red Light and Methylene Blue here.

Our Suggested Natural Protocol to Target H. pylori

Based on current research and clinical experience, here’s how to use NAC and BrocElite® together for maximum impact:

Step 1 – NAC

Take NAC 15–30 minutes before sulforaphane.
This helps break down the mucus and biofilm barrier.

Suggested dose:
600–900 mg daily, ideally on an empty stomach

If you don’t already take NAC, we recommend:
Now NAC, 1000 mg, 250 Tablets – Vegetarian, Vegan, Non-GMO

Step 2 – BrocElite® Sulforaphane

Take BrocElite® immediately after NAC.
This delivers sulforaphane to the stomach when the bacteria is most exposed.

Suggested dose:

- 2 capsules daily (or 1 teaspoon of the liquid version)

For intensive protocols:

- 3–4 capsules daily, spaced with meals

Order BrocElite® here:
https://mara-labs.com/products/brocelite

Step 3 – Red Light and Methylene Blue

A few tips:

- To move lymph easily throughout the day, consider a vibration plate or rebounder
- NIR and Red light options abound, but our favorite portable option is LumeBox
- When sourcing Methylene blue, liposomal glutathione, Vitamin C, activated charcoal, bentonite clay, etc, only purchase from companies with transparent 3rd party testing. Even better find companies that specialize in a niche area rather than ones that make 100's of supplements.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been dealing with unexplained bloating, upper abdominal pain, nausea, or reflux - and haven’t found relief through diet changes or probiotics - it may be time to consider a deeper cause: H. pylori.

While antibiotics may still be appropriate in some cases, natural tools like sulforaphane and NAC offer a promising alternative, especially for those dealing with resistant strains or seeking gut-friendly solutions.

A two-step protocol that weakens the bacteria’s defenses and delivers targeted support where it’s needed most may be the missing piece in your healing journey.