Got heartburn? GERD? Listen up! This isn’t new news, but it’s news I think everyone should know: Using proton pump inhibitors (commonly known as PPIs) for extended periods of time could make you more likely to suffer osteoporosis-related bone fractures.

Why do I think this is so important? Because folks, PPIs are the third-highest-selling class of drugs on the market today, and one of the most popular PPIs—Nexium® (you know, the little purple pill)—has the second-highest retail sales among all drugs sold in the U.S. That means there’s a good chance that you or someone you know is taking one. So let’s review:

What is a PPI? A PPI is a drug that blocks the production of the enzyme in the stomach that produces acid. PPIs are commonly prescribed for the following conditions:

• Ulcers
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or acid reflux)
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare disease that results in the overproduction of gastrin, which releases excess stomach acid)

Do PPIs work? Yes, on the surface they work remarkably well. They reduce stomach acid, which reduces pain almost instantly, but—and I can’t stress this enough—covering up the symptoms does not solve the underlying problem. And even though it’s recommended that PPIs aren’t used for more than 8 to 12 weeks at a time, a lot of people are taking them for much longer, probably because they’re so readily available!

What worries me is that people just don’t know enough about the side effects and complications of using PPIs longer than they should, but there are so many—which brings me back to my point. Research shows that long-term PPI use is linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis-related bone fractures, especially hip, wrist and spine fractures.   

What’s the connection? Simple: Hypochlorhydria (which is just a fancy term for low stomach acid) can decrease calcium absorption, and PPIs create hypochlorhydria in the stomach. This results in reduced calcium absorption, and if the body doesn’t get enough calcium from the diet, where does it take it from? Your bones!

It’s a vicious cycle, but it’s one that can be avoided by taking steps to establish a strong foundation of digestive health. These include eating a high-fiber diet and avoiding heavily processed, high-sugar and high-fat foods, as well as taking daily enzymes, probiotics and beneficial Omega-3 oils. I’ll cover more on the dangers of PPI use in future blogs, so stay tuned. But remember—there are safe and effective natural alternatives to using PPIs, and all it takes is a quick trip to the health food store!

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Acid, antacids, bone, bone fracture, calcium, calcium absorption, diet, Enzymes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, Heartburn, high-fiber, hip, hypochlorhydria, Omega-3s, osteoporosis, PPI, Probiotics, proton pump inhibitor, spine, Stomach, symptoms, ulcer, wrist

I know too many people who are swallowing antacid pills and potions and even taking prescription drugs on a daily basis, and it got me thinking about stomach acid and pH levels. I recently read an article titled “Too Little Stomach Acid Can Be a Problem Too” by Pharmacist Suzy Cohen. Imagine my surprise—finally someone in mainstream medicine was echoing what we in the natural health field have been saying for years now: most physicians do not test you for pH levels and just assume you have a high stomach acid level, and they hand you a prescription to reduce stomach acid—not what you need!

In reality you likely have a condition known as hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) and can be setting yourself up for compounded health issues by taking the acid-blocking meds that are commonly prescribed. The article then goes on to say that a simple blood test for gastrin levels can indicate whether or not you have low stomach acid.

Gastrin is a hormone that is produced to stimulate the production of stomach acid.  Because it works on negative feedback, high blood levels of gastrin can indicate that your body is producing too much in an attempt to produce more stomach acid.  This could be one way to test for hypochlorhydria, but a more accurate test would be the Heidelberg capsule test.

I have to say, I was very impressed by the information contained in this article and by Dr. Cohen’s understanding of basic physiology and natural health approaches to this growing problem. Check it out for yourself, or better still, take a copy to your physician and get properly tested before swallowing any more meds.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/sfl-suzy-cohen-columnist,0,2948334.columnist

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Achlorhydria, Acid, digestive system, Gastric acid, Gastrin, Gastroenterology, Heartburn, Heidelberg test, hypochlorhydria, indigestion, Stomach, stomach acid, Stomach disease, Suzy Cohen