Is Helicobacter useful for weight loss?

No, Helicobacter pylori is not useful for weight loss. H. pylori is a pathogen that colonizes the stomach lining and can cause gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer. Some observational studies have found an inverse association between H. pylori infection and BMI, but the effect is modest and often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, bloating, or loss of appetite – not a healthy or sustainable weight loss. After eradication therapy, weight gain is common, suggesting the bacterium may suppress appetite via inflammation or hormonal changes. The evidence is mechanistic and associative, not interventional. Deliberately acquiring H. pylori is dangerous and unethical. For weight management, evidence-based approaches like dietary changes, exercise, and behavioral support are recommended. Caveat: Do not attempt self-infection with H. pylori.