H. pylori as a root contributor to osteoporosis?

Posted by br03 @br03, Feb 22 2:33pm

I’m curious if anyone here has been diagnosed with H. pylori as a root contributor to osteoporosis? I just found out I have H. pylori.

I’ve been reading about the potential connection (~25% increase risk) and would love to hear real experiences.

From what I understand, possible links include:

Proposed pathways include:
• Hypochlorhydria & gastritis associated with H. pylori → impaired ionization and absorption of calcium, magnesium, and possibly iron and B12
• Chronic systemic inflammation → increased osteoclast activity and bone resorption
• Potential disruption in vitamin D metabolism
• Altered gastric physiology affecting intrinsic factor and long-term nutrient assimilation
• Secondary effects from prolonged proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use during treatment

Has anyone:
*Identified H. pylori as a root cause of their bone density loss?
*Successfully eradicated it? (Antibiotics? Natural protocol? Worked with a functional medicine provider?)
*Seen measurable improvement in bone density afterward?

Appreciate any experiences or insights anyone can share. Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

mcchesney | @kathleen1314 | Feb 22 5:16pm

Yes, there is substantial research backing an association between H. pylori infection and an increased risk of osteoporosis. While not always cited as a "root" contributor in isolation, modern studies identify it as a significant risk factor that may trigger or accelerate bone loss through several biological pathways.

Risk is notably higher in patients carrying the CagA-positive strain, which is more virulent and induces stronger inflammatory responses.

A 2022 meta-analysis of 22 studies (over 24,000 participants) found that H. pylori infection is significantly associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, with an odds ratio of 1.12. Earlier meta-analyses in 2019 also reported even higher odds ranging from 1.37 to 1.39

The reasons are because the infection increases the break down of bone, lowers absorption of nutrients needed for bone health, inflammation lowers estradiol and levels of a product that prompts bone growth.

Japanese research (n=255) indicated that while H. pylori positivity is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis, patients who successfully eradicated the infection no longer exhibited a significantly greater risk than uninfected individuals.

debbie1956 | @debbie1956 | Feb 23 3:35pm

I was diagnosed with OP in November 2019 with spine T score at -2.8. During 2020 I was on high dose Prednisone with the immunosuppressant Micophenolate for my new autoimmune condition diagnosis, during which time I developed H polori and gastritis. I have had a lifelong struggle with acid reflux. The h pylori was eventually eradicated in 2022 after stopping Prednisone and Micophenolate in late 2020, followed with two triple antibiotics courses over a 2-year period. In November 2023 my spine T score had plummeted to -3.5 from previous -2.8. I have always wondered why this staggering rate of bone loss continued after stopping the prednisone in late 2020. I wonder now if the h pylori and gastritis played a role in this continuing bone loss. I have since regained close to 5% BMD, over a 10-month period since starting BHRT, in July of 2024. I am presently due for another bone scan so will see if this gain is holding or has increased again. I worked with a naturopath physician as well as a medical physician to eradicate the h pylori. The naturopath advised that natural methods alone without antibiotics were less likely to eradicate the h pylori.