Warning: FDA Says Heartburn Meds Can Increase Your Fracture Risk

So a new "review of studies" has been released by the FDA and it finally reports 'breaking news' on some of the negative side effects I've been talking to patients about for the last 3-5 years! It seems every day there's one new medication in the spotlight receiving its own 'black box' label, or at least increasing the size of their already-lengthy list of additional unintentional side effects.

What's interesting to me, is that most people taking antacids are actually doing the exact OPPOSITE of what would be best for them. That's right. Most people taking antacids are actually acid-depleted. They are making too LITTLE acid and that lack of acid in the stomach is allowing the food to putrify and essentially rot. This rotting food is not pleasant and off-gases quite a bit, which forces air - and usually stomach acid - into the esophagus, giving the individual the sensation of 'heartburn.'

This is self-induced heartburn, though. In taking an acidic supplement, most people would then have enough stomach acid to properly break down the food that is entering the stomach, thereby avoiding the heartburn!

So, onto the FDA's 'scoop:'

The FDA has mandated that proton pump inhibitor heartburn medications must carry a label warning of increased fracture risk. This group of drugs include Prevacid, Prilosec, and Nexium.

The FDA suggests those taking these drugs should consult with their doctors, and those using such drugs over-the-counter limit their use to no more than three 14-day periods a year.

According to the FDA website:

"... [The decision is] based on the Agency's review of several epidemiological studies that reported an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine in patients using proton pump inhibitors."

If you or someone you know is taking the damaging medications and would like help in getting off of them, please give our office a call. We'd love to help you, just as we have helped so many others!

In Health,
Dr. Scott
www.hilltopwellness.com

News Flash: Acid Reflux Caused by Too Little Acid, Not Too Much...

I don't think I will ever forget the reaction on a patient's face when I first mentioned this information about a year and a half ago. After I told her 95% of heartburn is caused by hypochloridia (too little stomach acid), the lady said, "If that's true then why would my [medical] doctor give me this antacid?" My answer was simple, "Probably because of one of two reasons; 1) he never studied nutrition, or 2) he was getting too nice a kickback from Big Pharma." In retrospect, I guess the most likely answer would have been both 1 and 2.

In Ohio, I'm not licensed to give recommendations to alter prescriptions (thankfully), but it is very common to be able to stop taking antacids after adding some natural acidifiers to the diet. At Hilltop Wellness & Chiropractic, we carry excellent sources of probiotics and betaine hydrochloride (which I take). If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to call the office and set up an appointment to discuss this, or anything else that may be of interest to you.

In the meantime, take a look at this short video and feel free to leave your comments or feedback on the blog.

In Health,
Dr. Scott
www.hilltopwellness.com