New yoghurt fights stomach ulcers
The yoghurt is already in sale in some Asian countries
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Monday, 23, Mar 2009 08:53
A new form of yoghurt offers effective treatment for those suffering from stomach ulcers.
Japanese scientists are reporting the yoghurt provides almost vaccine-like effects at a meeting of the American Chemical Society today.
The active ingredient in the yoghurt is a protein originally produced by chickens in response to the type of bacteria, helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for most stomach ulcers.
Forty-two volunteers consumed two cups daily of either plain yogurt or yogurt containing the antibody for four weeks.
"The results indicate that the suppression of H. pylori infection in humans could be achieved by drinking yogurt fortified with urease antibody," Hajime Hatta of Kyoto Women's University said.
The yoghurt is not as effective as traditional antibiotic treatments. But it is easier to incorporate it into a regular dietary regime, experts claim.
It's already on sale in Japan, Korea and Taiwan and may be heading to British shores soon.