Acid reflux is an uncomfortable and painful condition affecting many people around the world, and as a result, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium have become staple medications in many medicine cabinets. However, recent research has not only shown these drugs to cause a plethora of other health issues but has also linked them to an increased risk of ischemic strokes.
A study that was conducted with the Danish Heart Foundation in Copenhagen examined the health records of 244,679 people experiencing stomach pain and indigestion. They found that those who took PPIs were over 20 percent more likely to experience a stroke within six years. The risk of having a stroke varied depending on which drug was being taken and the specific dosage. For example, those taking high doses of PPI pantoprazole (Protonix) were found to increase their stroke risk by 94 percent.
Why do PPIs pose such a high risk of stroke? It all comes down to the negative effect that PPIs have on your vascular system. This means that they prevent your arteries and veins from carrying blood to vital organs like your heart, brain and kidneys. Ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, occur when a blood clot blocks blood flow to your brain, and can lead to paralysis and brain damage.
For a long time, PPIs were thought to be a safe way to treat acid reflux. But, as Thomas Sehested, M.D., the study’s lead author explained, “This study further questions the cardiovascular safety of these drugs.”
It is now clear that PPIs may not be worth the risk. So, what can you do instead to combat the symptoms of acid reflux? The answer lies not in medications, but in making a few lifestyle changes.
Simple dietary adjustments can go a long way toward preventing acid reflux altogether. An anti-acid reflux diet consists of avoiding certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol, caffeine, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, peppermint, spicy foods, processed foods and unhealthy fats. Instead, try to incorporate more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein into your diet.
Another helpful way to improve your gut health and combat acid reflux is through supplements like probiotics, digestive enzymes, and papaya leaf extract. Bonus tip: when you experience an uncomfortable acid reflux episode, try mixing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it down. If you do not have apple cider vinegar on hand, a teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water will do the trick too.
In conclusion, while PPIs, like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium, may have been a common solution for acid reflux in the past, their negative side effects and links to issues like heart attacks, migraines, bone loss, vitamin deficiency, kidney disease and dementia outweigh the benefits. The key to combating acid reflux lies not in drugs, but in simple and effective lifestyle and dietary changes.
