Drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce the ability of the stomach to make hydrochloric acid, can be dangerous if used long term. Five years of research data revealed that people taking these PPI drugs increased their risk of chronic kidney damage/disease by nearly one third, and kidney failure by a whopping 96%. The longer a person took the PPI drug, the greater the risk of kidney damage.

This is somewhat alarming and the medical consensus is that PPIs should no longer be prescribed long term. However, the message is not getting out there and as of 2016, millions of people worldwide are on PPI drugs for years on end. If you are on PPI drugs (such as Nexium, Losec and Zoton) you need to have regular 6 monthly tests of your kidney function.

Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs have recently become available over the counter in many countries, without a prescription. This is a huge problem, as many people have not got a clue about their risks!

PPI drugs are safe for short term use. Ideally not more than 12 weeks. If you have a digestive problem that persists, ideally the cause would be investigated and managed. PPIs only mask the symptoms.

Proton Pump Inhibitors are mostly used for heartburn and reflux.

Here are some natural things you can do to relieve these symptoms –

  • You will probably need to change your diet. Dairy products, grains (especially gluten-containing ones) and sugar commonly cause or aggravate reflux. Basing your diet on salads, cooked vegetables, protein rich foods such as seafood, poultry, eggs and healthy fats like olive oil or avocados should provide immense relief. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is one of the most common causes of reflux. Fermentation of carbohydrate in the small intestine causes gas production, which travels up into the stomach, putting pressure on the lower esophageal valve. Reducing bacterial overgrowth with Intestinal Para-Clean capsules should help. Taking a Digestive Enzyme with each meal will help you digest your food more thoroughly, leaving behind fewer scraps for bacterial fermentation.
  • If you are overweight, it is vital to lose weight, and the best way to do this is with a low carbohydrate diet, such as in my weight loss book.
  • Meal sizes should be small, as large meals increase pressure inside the stomach. Also try not to eat too late at night. Ideally dinner should be at least 3 hours before you go to bed.
  • Do not drink with your meals, and confine your fluid intake to between meals.
  • Avoid tight fitting clothes around the middle and do not bend over after meals.
  • Avoid excessive coffee and alcohol. Coffee relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, so the acidic contents of the stomach are more likely to travel upwards. If you really love coffee, make sure you have it with a meal; not on an empty stomach. Some people find that spicy food such as chilli or curry will aggravate symptoms, so trial and error is required. Magnesium can help to improve the function of the lower esophageal valve, so taking a supplement can bring good relief.
  • Raw juices or green smoothies can help to alkalinize the stomach between meals. Alkaline juices or smoothies contain plenty of green produce such as green apples, celery, cucumber, mint, parsley and fennel combined with carrot; these foods alkalinize your gut thereby reducing excess stomach acidity.
  • If you are taking long term antacid drugs such as PPIs, it is wise to sip organic apple cider vinegar during your meals to increase acid for the digestive processes. Dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar in ¼ mug of warm water and sip slowly during your meals.
  • Glutamine is an amino acid that can reduce inflammation in the lining of the stomach and good results can be achieved by taking one teaspoon of pure glutamine powder twice daily on an empty stomach.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Reference

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