According To A Recent Study, PPIs Change The Gut’s Microbiome
Proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world, and many are available over-the-counter. Popular brands include Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Nexium. They reduce the amount of gastric acid produced by the stomach by inhibiting the enzyme that produces acid.
PPIs were found to increase the risk of:
Bacterial infections:
PPIs may also be fueling a rise in intestinal infections. According to a study published in Gut, PPIs change the gut’s microbiome, the tens of trillions of mircroorganisms that live in the gut. PPIs raise the numbers of harmful bacteria, especially Clostridium difficile (C.diff), and lower numbers of beneficial bacteria. People who took PPIs regularly had a 65 percent increase in C.diff bacteria, a bacteria that causes diarrhea and abdominal pain. According to researchers, PPIs cause a more drastic change in the gut’s microbiome than antibiotics. Acid-blockers increased the risk of pneumonia by 4.5 times. “Apparently, without acid in the stomach, bacteria from the intestine can migrate upstream to reach the throat and then the lungs to cause infection,” says naturopathic doctor Michael T. Murray.
In the short-term, PPIs can do a great job of reducing unwanted and uncomfortable symptoms, but in the long run they may deplete nutrients and unbalance the intestinal flora triggering a series of infections along the gastrointestinal tract. The net result can be bloating, gas, loose stools, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms.
If you are taking PPIs on an ongoing basis, then perhaps it’s worth considering Proton Support by Companion Therapeutics. Your long term health may be at stake.
Proton Support is specifically designed to help maintain the balance of vitamins, minerals and intestinal flora, typically affected by the prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec® (Omeprazole), Nexium® (Esomeprazole), Prevacid® (Lansoprazole), Dexilant® (Dexlansoprazole),and Protonix®, among others.
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