As any new mom can tell you, everyone has an opinion when it comes to breastfeeding—why it’s good, why it’s not, how you should do it, how long you should do it for, and the list goes on. But regardless of personal beliefs, the health benefits to both mom and baby have been proven time and time again, which is why this recent study really caught my attention.

According to experts at the CDC, not even half of all U.S. moms breastfeed as long as experts recommend (which in case you’re wondering is 6 months exclusively, then up to 2 years or longer with appropriate foods), and not even a quarter of new moms are still breastfeeding after a year. On top of that, even though a high percentage of moms start breastfeeding right after birth, research shows that many of them switch to bottle feeding pretty soon after.

The main focus of the study was actually to see if there was a connection between breastfeeding and childhood obesity rates, and guess what? Breastfed babies are actually less likely to have problems with obesity as they grow older. I wasn’t surprised by this, since I know how important breastfeeding is for newborn babies.

Breast milk is, in essence, a source of complete nutrition straight from Mother Nature, chock full of essential nutrients and powerful antibodies that help to establish a newborn baby’s natural defense system in the gut, which in turn helps protect them against everything from allergies to digestive problems to chronic disease and yes—even weight gain—later on in life.

Breastfeeding is also important for women, since studies show that mothers who breastfeed lessen their risk of breast, ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancers, and it even helps protect against osteoporosis and bone fractures as they age. But to be honest, this is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the overwhelming health benefits of breastfeeding, so if you or someone you know is expecting, be sure to pass the word along!

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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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It’s a subject you’ve heard me talk about before, but considering new research it’s definitely worth repeating. A recent CBS news segment revealed that not one but five new studies showed that using acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be potentially dangerous to your health, and that “more than half of prescriptions for these drugs are unnecessary”. Folks, this is an eye-opener if there ever was one!

Every year more than 100 million Americans are prescribed PPIs to help relieve symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux, but what many people don’t know is that these drugs often come with some pretty serious side effects—including a nearly 75 percent greater risk of developing a severe intestinal infection known as C. diff, according to new evidence. Essentially, taking PPIs upsets the healthy bacterial balance in your intestines (which is where the majority of your natural immune defenses can be found), leaving your body vulnerable to illness and infection.

Widespread PPI use has also been linked to higher rates of pneumonia, as well as esophageal candidiasis (yeast overgrowth), inflammation of the stomach lining, increased permeability of upper GI tract lining, and even osteoporosis-related bone fractures due to the fact that PPIs block calcium absorption in the body. Because long-term PPI use also leads to hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid secretion), bacterial overgrowth and acetaldehyde production, PPI users have an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. 

The good news? There are simple things we can do every day to help prevent heartburn and acid reflux without relying on harmful drugs. Diet changes like limiting our intake of caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods can make a big difference, along with maintaining a healthy body weight, getting plenty of exercise and quitting smoking—all pretty good advice if you ask me! Natural supplements made with ingredients such as ellagic acid (from raspberries and pomegranates) can also provide soothing relief for occasional heartburn, and digestive enzymes with added HCl can help ensure complete digestion and reduce the chances of heartburn and acid reflux happening in the first place.

The bottom line is this: why take a potentially dangerous drug when smarter, safer alternatives exist? My hope is that the more people learn about PPIs and their side effects—including why they may not even need them in the first place—the more people will take steps to improve their digestive health naturally.

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