Micronutrients (Other than iron) and Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#ascorbic-acid #helicobacter-infections #helicobacter-pylori #humans #iron-dietary

Micronutrients (Other than iron) and Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review

Lahner et al., 2012 | Helicobacter | Meta Analysis

Citation

Lahner Edith, Persechino Severino, Annibale Bruno. Micronutrients (Other than iron) and Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review. Helicobacter. 2012-Feb;17(1):1-15. doi:10.1111/j.1523-5378.2011.00892.x

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many micronutrients depend on a healthy stomach for absorption. Helicobacter pylori chronic gastritis may alter gastric physiology affecting homeostasis of vitamins and minerals. OBJECTIVES: Systematic review to assess whether H. pylori infection is associated with reduced micronutrient levels (other than iron) in the plasma or gastric juice and whether low micronutrient levels are modified by eradication treatment. METHOD: Medline was searched for relevant publications from inception to June 2010. Studies describing micronutrient levels in H. pylori-infected and not-infected adults and/or the effect of eradication treatment on micronutrient levels were included. FINDINGS: Fifty-two publications were selected: 46 investigated the association between H. pylori infection and reduced micronutrient levels and 14 the effect of eradication treatment on micronutrient levels. Sixty-four studies investigated vitamins (23 ascorbic acid, four ß-carotene, 21 cobalamin, 11 folate, and five α-tocopherol) and 10 addressed minerals (one calcium, one copper, one magnesium, one phosphorus, three selenium, and three zinc). Pooled standardized mean differences in micronutrient levels showed positive associations with H. pylori infection for ascorbic acid (gastric juice, -1.087) and cobalamin (-0.744), and a positive effect of eradication treatment, which increased ascorbic acid in the gastric juice (-1.408) and serum cobalamin (-1.910). No significant association between infection and low folate levels was observed. Meta-analyses for other micronutrients were not performed owing to insufficient data. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analyses indicate that H. pylori infection is associated with reduced levels of ascorbic acid and cobalamin, supported by the positive effect of eradication treatment. For other micronutrients, further studies are needed.

Key Findings

Fifty-two publications were selected: 46 investigated the association between H. pylori infection and reduced micronutrient levels and 14 the effect of eradication treatment on micronutrient levels. Sixty-four studies investigated vitamins (23 ascorbic acid, four ß-carotene, 21 cobalamin, 11 folate, and five α-tocopherol) and 10 addressed minerals (one calcium, one copper, one magnesium, one phosphorus, three selenium, and three zinc). Pooled standardized mean differences in micronutrient levels

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Helicobacter Infections
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • Humans
  • Iron, Dietary
  • Micronutrients
  • Vitamin B 12
  • beta Carotene

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09