Taking Omeprazole or other PPI’s?
You are at more risk of –
Having a heart attack
Long term kidney damage (thought to be from magnesium depletion from the drug)
B12 depletion
Depletion in folate, zinc and Vitamin A
C-diff brought on by long term acid suppressing drugs
Osteoporosis and bone fractures
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
44% increased dementia risk in older people taking PPI’s – “there is some biological plausibility to the hypothesis that PPIs can cross the blood-brain barrier. They may increase both production and degradation of amyloid, at least in animal models, and bind to tau. There is also evidence of reduced levels of B12 and other nutrients among PPI users that could possibly relate to an increased risk of dementia.” JAMA Neurology
Acid reflux is mostly due, NOT TO A DISEASE OF TOO MUCH STOMACH ACID as has been traditionally thought, but when the muscular valve, the lower esophageal sphincter valve which is meant to stop acid coming up, relaxes inappropriately.
Consider foods that make your condition worse – caffeine, wheat, acidic foods, alcohol etc.
Get tested for Helicobacter pylori – a major factor of acid reflux.
Is stress involved? Take magnesium and Holy Basil.
Consider taking Hydrochloric Acid and digestive enzymes.
Slippery Elm is extremely beneficial and soothes the digestive tract, reducing inflammation.
Acid suppressing drugs were never intended to be used long term.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758268
http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/…/pr…/20068748.article