Second Nature Care Blog

Negative Effects of Long-Term PPI Use

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 7, 2016 6:44:09 PM / by Isadora Guggenheim & Winter Ninivaggi

Negative Effects of Long-Term PPI use

Do you feel like your spoon feeding yourself antacids?  YOU could be doing more harm then good.  GERD is a gastroesophageal reflux disease most commonly treated with over the counter PPI's. PPI stands for proton-pump-inhibitor. They include omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazol. 

Long term daily use is common in many adults against FDA advisement of 14 day use within a 1 year period. Chronic use can have long term consequences on your health with a very clear link between chronic use of PPI's and B12 deficiency. 

With a B12 deficiency an individual can feel a number of neurological symptoms along with physical symptoms. Symptoms including memory loss, irritability, dementia, weakness, sensory ataxia, and paresthesias. 

Optimal functioning of many enzymes and organs such as the stomach, pancreas and small intestine determine the journey of B12 absorption. 

PPI's increase your gastric pH levels, in turn, making the absorption of B12 difficult. Supplementation with vitamin B12 has been shown to alleviate neuropathic symptoms. B12 supplements can improve nerve function, promote regeneration of injured nerves and inhibit ectopic spontaneous discharges of injured primary sensory neurons.

Although PPI's are most often prescribed for patients with gastrointestinal dysfunctions and GERD, vitamin deficiencies should be closely watched. PPI's also deplete you of iron, and cause calcium malabsorption along with a disruption in the gut microflora. They have also been associated with increased risks of some cancers.

GERD management can not rely on the use of PPI's. If you are using proton pump inhibitors to treat your  gastrointestinal conditions visit us at Second Nature Care. Our Good Gut probiotics can drastically change your digestive system without harmful side effects. Along with our Good Gut products, we offer a variety of homeopathic remedies that can remedy your condition.

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Topics: Gut Repair

Isadora Guggenheim, ND, FNP, RN, MS, CNS, LMT, owner of Second Nature Naturopathic Care, LLC
For all appointments: Tel: 845 358-8385 Fax: 845 358-2963 drguggenheim@msn.com