Keep Your Digestive System Healthy Without PPIs

Protein Pump Inhibitors or PPIs as they are known are used to treat gastric problems including GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), stomach ulcers and Helicobacter Pylori. They are one of the most over proscribed drugs and recent research has shown that they can have serious side effects.

PPIs work by slowing the acid producing enzyme in the stomach wall, although the reduction of acid prevents the occurrence of and helps heal stomach ulcers, when we take PPI’s our body naturally wants to produce more acid causing a vicious cycle making it hard to come off them.

PPI’s come with a long list of side effects including: headaches, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal cramps, nausea, skin rash, weight gain and pneumonia. Equally worryingly as these side effects which can be troublesome enough is the fact that taking PPIs for prolonged periods of time can cause deficiency in vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Calcium and Magnesium. The body needs acid to break down the foods and absorb the nutrients so reducing stomach acid means we can’t get the most from our food.

Vitamin B12 is essential in red blood cell production and maintaining a healthy heart, also a deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to anaemia and a damaged nervous system. Vitamin C and calcium are important in maintaining health bones and in fact studies show that taking ongoing use of PPIs can increase your risk of osteoporosis fractures.

Magnesium is vital for correct function of the muscular system and again plays a role in heart health.

In many cases, if not all, are ways of managing stomach problems without the use of PPIs although we never recommend you come off prescribed medication without first talking to your health care provider. Here are some suggestions on alternative treatments:

Keep meals small

Eat small meals more frequently than 3 large meals a day, avoiding as much as possible the following:
Red meat
Spicy food
Excess salt
Caffine
Refined carbohydrates
Alcohol
Aspirin (where possible)

Raw vegetable juices can have a healing effect on the digestive system and help reduce indigestion, particularly beetroot, cabbage, carrot, celery cucumber, parsley and spinach. Also the inclusion of probiotic foods are particularly beneficial for a healthy digestive system and raw garlic, particularly in the case of Helicobacter Pylori.

Have an allergy test

Many people who suffer with digestive problems can have intolerances to certain foods without realising. Lactose and gluten are among the most common intolerances causing problems in the digestive tract.

Natural remedies

There are various remedies that have worked for many people, improving symptoms and in some cases keeping the problem at bay completely. It is a matter of trial and error finding out which combination could work for you, the following taken on a regular basis have shown they can be effective remedies: