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LINK BETWEEN ACID SUPPRESSANTS
AND YOUR BONES
There is a recent study about the use of PPIs. It shows an increased risk for hip fractures among older patients using PPIs, and that the risk is especially high for those using higher doses or for those using PPIs for longer periods (year or more).

The study, from the University of Pennsylvania, reviewed 13,556 hip fractures and 135,386 controls from the United Kingdom from 1987 to 2003. All of the data were from people older than age 50 at enrollment. The mean age at enrollment in the database was 77 and 79% were female.

The study demonstrates that people who had used a PPI for more than a year had an significantly increased fracture risk ... long-term use of higher doses was even more startling compared with people who had not used these acid-lowering drugs.

As many as 20% of the cases of hip fractures lead to death within a year, and older adults are increasingly being prescribed PPIs, which makes these findings cause for concern.
Here are some examples of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs):
  • esomeprazole (Nexium),
  • omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • lansoprazole (Prevacid).

How do these "acid drugs" affect bones?

First, let me state that PPIs are probably effective treatment for people with known ulcers - when used for a very limited period of time. However, many people take a PPI, not because of ulcers but to treat gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining that causes pain, belching, bloating and nausea. Others look to these drugs to treat gastric reflux problems. In these situations people are inclined to use the drug regularly for long periods of time - particularly easy because they are available without a prescription.

Over time PPIs will disable the body's natural ability to produce necessary amounts of digestive acids. This creates havoc in the digestive process because we all need sufficient acid to keep our digestion working well. The PPI drugs also interfere with our ability to absorb calcium and magnesium - both essential for strong bones. These important minerals must be transformed in the stomach in order to be absorbed and used by the body. This requires a strong acidic environment, not one that has been suppressed by a PPI drug. Without adequate levels of stomach acid, calcium and magnesium won't be absorbed properly, no matter how much you ingest. It is important to note that digestion can decline naturally over time. Adding the PPIs can accelerate this loss or make it much worse.

PPIs are very popular. So, many people have probably already compromised their stomach acid, According to this large study they have an increased risk of hip fracture.

In addition, these same people can be experiencing additional problems associated with inadequate digestion. For one, the very thing they think they are treating seems to be getting worse. They can have fewer nutrients absorbed and they can still feel like they have excess acid - when they actually have too little. Often, gastric reflux can be caused by low acid. So, lowering acid levels even more with a PPI can make symptoms worse over time - suggesting to many that they probably ought to take more. That's a prescription for even more problems.

As I mentioned above, PPIs are probably fine for very short periods of time (up to three weeks) IF you know you have an ulcer. Lowered acid levels in this situation can aid in healing. Using PPIs for anything else, or for longer, can be disastrous.

But, you will ask, how can I treat these symptoms if I shouldn't take a PPI? Keep in mind that 1) stomach acid is necessary 2) it naturally declines with age 3) you probably need more acid - not less.

If you have gastric reflux, for example, consider taking small amounts of additional acid to relieve the uncomfortable feelings. Add one teaspoonful of lemon juice to a small glass of room-temperature water. Drink it slowly over a 15 minute time period. Also consider using probiotics every day (my favorite is Florajen 3) and digestive enzymes with each meal.

Keep in mind that diseases are not actually drug deficiencies.

 

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