Antacids, such as Prilosec and Nexium, taken
to suppress stomach acid and control heartburn and acid reflux, are
among the bestselling medicines in the US. However, a recent Dutch
study questions the safety of these drugs, suggesting that they may raise
the risk for pneumonia. Although the risk is small, so many people take
them that a large number might be affected. Link: Stomach acid not only
plays a valuable role in the digestive process, it also kills bacteria and
viruses such as those that cause pneumonia and influenza.
According to Andrew L. Rubman, ND, one also has to ask: Do acid-suppressing drugs
similarly cause increased vulnerability to the flu? In his view, there
is no such thing as "excess stomach acid." Dr. Rubman believes that there
are safer ways to control heartburn and reflux, and suppressing stomach acid
is not the answer.
About the study
Researchers in the Netherlands examined the medical
records of 364,683 individuals, in whom 5,551 cases of pneumonia were
diagnosed. They found that those who used proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs
(such as Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid), were almost twice as likely to risk
developing pneumonia than former users. These drugs work by blocking the chemical
pump necessary for stomach cells to make acid. People who took another class
of acid-suppressing drugs known as H2 receptor antagonists (including Tagamet,
Pepcid and Zantac) also faced a higher risk, although to a lesser degree.
Older people and those with chronic lung conditions were
especially vulnerable, and researchers recommended that these groups use
acid-suppressing drugs only when necessary and at the lowest
possible dose.
What you can do
According to Dr. Rubman, using antacids on a short-term
basis for two to three weeks is fine for stomach ulcers or acute gastritis.
However, on a day-to-day basis he advises that you instead follow a natural
approach to efficient digestion...
Eat slowly and take more time to chew your food thoroughly.
Do not drink fluids with meals. In the absence of fluid,
saliva becomes more concentrated and contributes to more efficient
digestion of food.
Do not lie down immediately after meals -- wait at least an hour.
Do not eat late at night.
Identify and avoid the foods that contribute to your
heartburn. Common offenders include fried foods, fatty foods, spicy dishes,
coffee, alcohol and chocolate.
Stop smoking.
If you are overweight, make an effort to shed pounds.
If despite following these measures you experience
heartburn and reflux, Dr. Rubman recommends that you see a naturopathic
physician. He/she can prescribe a digestive enzyme to take with meals,
which will calm your stomach without suppressing beneficial, germ-fighting
stomach acid. As for the risk of pneumonia -- the healthier your entire body,
the better able you will be to fight it.
