This is a quote from Mitchell Katz, MD, Director of Health for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. That alone is telling, but what is equally important is that these acid-suppressing medications are known to cause many other health conditions.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications and include:
- Omeprazole (brand names: Losec, Prilosec, Zegerid, Lomac, Omepral, Omez)
- Lansoprazole (brand names: Prevacid, Zoton, Inhibitol, Levant, Lupizole)
- Dexlansoprazole (brand name: Kapidex, Dexilant)
- Esomeprazole (brand names: Nexium, Esotrex)
- Pantoprazole (brand names: Protonix, Somac, Pantoloc, Pantozol, Zurcal, Zentro, Pan)
- Rabeprazole (brand names: Zechin, Rabecid,Nzole-D,(NEHAL PHARMA Pvt. Ltd.), AcipHex, Pariet, Rabeloc)
A recent article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrate that in addition to an increased risk of pneumonia, a well-known side effect of PPIs, these medications are also associated with other side effects, including increased risk of bone fractures and an increase in Clostridium difficile infection, which is a cause of severe diarrhea.
Common sense gives us some insight into why this could occur – stomach acid is necessary to properly break down and absorb minerals; it is also one of the main ways our bodies protect us from harmful microbes (including bacteria, viruses and fungi) that we consume with our food. Therefore, a lack of stomach acid would inhibit proper mineral absorption and increase the likelihood of offensive microbes entering our body successfully.
There are many ways to improve digestion and eliminate the need for PPIs, including:
- Relax before and during meals
- Chew your food until it is a liquid before swallowing
- Drink minimal liquids with meals, especially sodas and iced beverages
- Drink about 4 oz. of water every 30 minutes throughout the day (except with meals)
- Eat organic whenever possible
- Eat your veggies! Start with steamed vegetables and increase raw vegetables as tolerated.
- Consume legumes everyday
- Eat ripe fruit in season daily
- Decrease your consumption of meat and dairy products
In our clinic, we have been able to eliminate almost 60% of acid reflux/heartburn by increasing hydration and proper chewing alone – that’s pretty amazing and it’s free.
While it is true that all medications have side effects, there is no level of side effects that is acceptable when you don’t actually need the medication.
References:
Arch Intern Med. 2010 May 10170(9):747-48, 765-71, 751-58, 772-78, 784-90, 779-83, 749-50.
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