Is heartburn actually CAUSED by too much acid?Is decreasing acid production a good idea?What happens in the long term if acid is continually decreased?
While doctors don't seem to think that these are important or even interesting questions because Omeprazole Side Effects seem rare and non-problematic, it's VERY possible that the side effects of Omeprazole just occur over such a long period of time that your doctor doesn't notice- but rest assured that in time YOU will notice.
Only you may not recognize them as side effects of Omeprazole either, so brainwashed are we to believing that chronic health problems are simply a natural part of getting older, but what if chronic health problems are, in many cases, simply drug side effects?!
Omeprazole Side Effects
Be Knowledgeable and Be Warned
Omeprazole side effects can be EXTREMELY serious. These drugs were NEVER intended to be used longer than a few months, yet they are being used for YEARS and sometimes even decades. However, reports are starting to come out that there truly ARE problems with taking these drugs long term and that maybe reducing acid isn't such a good idea after all. Some of the more serious problems are highlighted below.
Poor Nutrient Absorption
Next to breast cancer, probably one of the most feared health problems for a woman is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis seems to be so random, striking women who always believed that they wouldn't get it. But what is coming to the forefront now is that one of the Omeprazole side effects is poor absorption of calcium and magnesium- leading to osteoporosis. How's THAT for the long term side effects of antacids!
Our stomach is DESIGNED to be acidic and it's well known that calcium is best absorbed in the presence of acid. That's why they fortify orange juice with calcium and why calcium in the store is often in the form of calcium citrate. The citrate is really citric acid- the same stuff that's in orange juice- and helps you to absorb the calcium.
Calcium, however, is actually overrated as a 'bone builder' and it's actually magnesium that helps to build bones as much, if not more so than calcium. Interestingly, side effects of Omeprazole have led to such severe Magnesium Depletion that there have been cases of people having seizures from low magnesium that were directly related to the use of prescription antacids! Yipes! Seizures and osteoporosis!
And since there are many many researchers who believe that Signs of Magnesium Deficiency are epidemic and are actually being misdiagnosed as chronic health problems like depression, migraines and chronic back pain- could the use of these prescription antacids be contributing to the epidemic of these magnesium deficiency health problems in the US?
Omeprazole side effects also can cause Vitamin B12 Malabsorption If calcium, magnesium and Vitamin B12 absorption are all inhibited, what OTHER nutrients are not being absorbed that researchers just haven’t studied yet?
Omeprazole Side Effects
Can Cause Intestinal InfectionsStomach acid is designed to do more than just help you to digest food and absorb nutrients. Every single time that you eat or drink, you are taking HORDES of bacteria into your body, and your stomach acid is the first line defense to kill these pathogens. While most people are constantly worried about washing their hands to avoid getting sick, these same people would have no qualms against taking a prescription antacid and unknowingly allowing all sorts of pathogens to take up residence in the digestive tract!
A problem called C Difficile Infection is the most well studied intestinal infection that Omeprazole Side Effects can contribute to. This is because C Difficile infection is a big problem in hospitals and is becoming extremely strong and resistant to antibiotics. While other intestinal infections have not been studied as being related to side effects of omeprazole, the same reason it increases the risk of C Difficile Infection should theoretically allow other intestinal infections to flourish under the decreased acid conditions as well.
Alternatives to Omeprazole Side Effects
And Proton Pump Inhibitors
You might think that this is all well and good that Omeprazole Side Effects can lead to serious health problems, but what alternative do you have? If you have acid reflux, you may THINK that there is no other solution to that terrible acid feeling, but there really is a solution. Surprisingly to most people, the sensation of Too Much Stomach Acid is nearly always due to too LITTLE acid instead!!
While this is counterintuitive, it's true in many cases and the answer is not to DECREASE stomach acid, but to INCREASE it!! You can find out if this is true and solve the problem at the same time by taking the Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency Test and seeing if that improves your symptoms. I urge you to give it a try if you have heartburn or an 'acid stomach'.
Research on Omeprazole Side Effects
