A newly published study by the Mayo Clinic shows that regularly taking the acid blocker medications known as PPIs (protein pump inhibitors) causes an imbalance in the bacteria that line the gut and creates risk for infections like pneumonia, clostridium difficile, and it also causes mineral and vitamin deficiencies and an increase in the rate of bone fractures.
Lead author of the study John DiBaise, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist reviewing current knowledge explained. “Evidence has been mounting for years that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors poses increased risks for a variety of associated complications, but we have never really understood why. What this study does for the first time is demonstrate a plausible explanation for these associated conditions.”
Dr DiBaise cautions, “We’re not saying people should stop taking their regular antacids. What we are saying is that the medical and research communities should consider these medications in the context of the patient’s microbiome. This is an area that needs further study.”
This study should caution all potential users of these medications to seek a nutritional dietary approach to controlling heartburn. Simple ideas not necessarily easy for people to do, would be controlling the size of portions eaten at one time, maintaining a proper body weight and avoid eating at night within a couple of hours of going to bed. If these are not enough, natural remedies like licorice root extract, slippery elm, aloe juice, and ginger extract or tea, may be helpful in avoiding pharmaceuticals for treatment. Taking pre and probiotics seems advisable as well.
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