Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD
Mastic Gum
BotanicalLast updated
AVELOR SUMMARY
Mastic gum is a resin from the mastic tree unique to the Greek island of Chios, with a documented 2,500-year history of GI use.
Our research shows it has genuine anti-H. pylori activity (cleared H. pylori in 30% of patients as monotherapy, remarkable for a plant extract) and significant evidence for functional dyspepsia (indigestion) symptom improvement.
The EU granted Chios mastic gum PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. A 2010 RCT found 350mg 3x/day significantly reduced dyspepsia symptoms by 40%.
It also has anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties. The key limitation: mastic gum from Chios is relatively expensive and only the Chios variety has clinical evidence.
WHAT IT DOES
Mastic gum's triterpenic acids work through: (1) H. pylori inhibition, masticadienonic acid inhibits H. pylori urease (the enzyme bacteria use to survive gastric acid) and disrupts bacterial adhesion to gastric epithelium; (2) cytoprotective, increases mucus secretion and prostaglandin E2 in gastric mucosa, protecting against acid damage; (3) anti-inflammatory, inhibits NF-κB and reduces inflammatory cytokines in gastric tissue; (4) lipid modulation, triterpenic acids inhibit cholesterol absorption and hepatic cholesterol synthesis (mechanism similar to plant sterols). The H. pylori mechanism is notable: mastic gum doesn't kill H. pylori like antibiotics; it disrupts its survival mechanisms (urease, adhesion), which may explain the 30% clearance rate.
OPTIMAL DOSAGE
Look for: "Chios mastic gum" or PDO-certified origin; whole resin tears or powder; 500-1,000mg per serving
Avoid: Non-Chios origin mastic; products not specifying geographic origin; very low doses (<250mg)
Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.