A prominent Chilean scientist has achieved significant progress in the fight against gastritis and gastric cancer. Dr. Apolinaria García Cancino, a researcher at the University of Concepción, has developed the first patented Chilean probiotic, called NUP! PyloriOFF, which acts against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the main cause of these diseases.
After more than two decades of research, Dr. García and her team isolated a native strain of Lactobacillus fermentum called UCO-979C. This strain is able to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach and block the adhesion of H. pylori to the gastric mucosa, thus preventing its proliferation and associated infections. In pilot clinical studies, administration of this strain through a functional gelatin showed 93% efficacy in preventing infection, with no side effects.
NUP! PyloriOFF doesn’t completely eliminate the bacteria, but it prevents its establishment by blocking the initial stage of infection. Unlike traditional antibiotic-based treatments, which can negatively alter the intestinal microbiota and generate bacterial resistance, this probiotic offers a preventative, natural solution without adverse side effects.
The product has been enriched with more than 40 billion units of the UCO-979C strain per dose, along with minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin D2. It is available in capsule format and has been patented both nationally and internationally. It is currently distributed in Chile, with international expansion planned.
This breakthrough represents an example of how scientific research can have a direct impact on public health, offering an effective and accessible alternative for preventing gastric diseases.
