Beware of the “Prazol” side of life

Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole and the like (all the “prazol” out there).

Understand once and for all that the inappropriate use (chronic, abusive and/or mistaken) of these drugs can be very dangerous for your health! There are good substitutes for them, equally or more effective and often more natural, with far fewer associated undesirable effects, or even none at all. I suggest you look for health professionals who understand this and know the possible options.

1️⃣ What they are: These are called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), prescribed mainly for the treatment of peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, indigestion, gastritis, among others.

2️⃣ Trade names (of some): Losec, Prepazol, Peprazol; Ulconar; Victrix, Prazol, Pantozol, Pantocal, Ziprol, Zurcal, Nexium, Lanz, Lanogastro, Neozol.

3️⃣ For example, the “wrong” use of them can lead to: Lack of folic acid, calcium and proteins (when acidity is reduced, their metabolization and absorption by the body is impaired).

4️⃣ And more: More and more studies are proving that chronic and/or inappropriate use of these drugs is linked to dozens of health problems (causing or aggravating them), such as osteopenia/osteoporosis, cardiac arrhythmias, intestinal infections, pneumonia, multiple nutritional deficiencies and even heart attacks and strokes. Understand: https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/acid-blocking-drugs-increase-heart-disease-risk

More and more studies are proving that chronic and/or inappropriate use of these drugs is linked to dozens of health problems (causing or aggravating them), such as osteopenia/osteoporosis, cardiac arrhythmias, intestinal infections, pneumonia, multiple nutritional deficiencies and even heart attacks and strokes. Understand: https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/acid-blocking-drugs-increase-heart-disease-risk

To explain in detail, when IBP raises the pH of the stomach, among other problems, it leads to:

• Reduction in the action of pepsin, thus impairing protein digestion.
• Reduced immunity against bacteria, fungi and viruses, which depends in part on the acid attack on them when they come from food.
• Reducing the ionization of various minerals and nutrients, which is the initial step for them to be better digested, absorbed and even metabolized later on.
• Reduced signaling required for the pancreas to release its digestive enzymes.
• Reduced production of “intrinsic factor”, which is essential for the proper absorption of vitamin B12. Understand its importance, from detoxification and longevity to the prevention of dementia and anemia: https://icaro.med.br/velhice-ou-carencia-de-vitamina-b12/

Apart from emergencies, try to use less medication. It takes work, but it's usually perfectly possible and healthier! I explain here: https://icaro.med.br/antesdosremedios/

The better your lifestyle habits, especially your dietary pattern, the less need you will have for PPIs and medication in general. Pay due attention to THIS in your life.

5️⃣ Many people are using IBPs unnecessarily. To find out more, go to: https://icaro.med.br/60-a-70-de-usuarios-de-ibps-nao-precisariam-fazer-o-uso/

6️⃣ Often, the problem is a lack of acidity (and not the excess that “prazols” treat). For more information, go to: http://www.serdanatureza.com/artigos-falta-de-acidez-no-estomago-hipocloridria.php. When the problem is treated as excess, but in reality it is lack, the situation can get worse!

7️⃣ I'm not against medication, which does have its uses in many cases, especially for short periods of time, until the causes of the disorder have been resolved. I just think that, before resorting to them or using them for a long time, there is much more to be done. I'll explain here: https://icaro.med.br/remedios-nao-precisar/

*In almost 20 years of medicine, I've never seen a single case where the cost-benefit of chronically taking PPIs was favorable. Taking medication for life? I rarely see this as favorable or necessary.

8️⃣ Are there possible alternatives to long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)? Yes. Examples include optimizing lifestyle habits, especially water intake and diet quality, the use of Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Azianon (fisioquantic.com.br), kefir, sea buckthorn, fennel and digestive enzymes, among others.

*Before using it, I suggest that you evaluate these options with your up-to-date, competent and trusted health professional. That way, you'll know which ones are right for you, the correct doses, the appropriate form of use, the ideal time frame, among other things. After all, even the most natural options, if misused, can bring unwanted results.

Want more evidence of the harm? Check it out:

On the “chronic use of omeprazole: Folic acid deficiency can cause symptoms... and although it is abundant in food, it is in the form of polyglutamate which requires the presence of the enzyme folate conjugase, which is dependent on the acidic environment. Could omeprazole be raising the gastric pH (thus making it less acidic) and impairing the absorption of folic acid? Most elderly inpatients with depression are deficient in folic acid.” - Here's another excellent tip from Artur Lemos, in his excellent book “Prática Ortomolecular” (Orthomolecular Practice).

🔗 A 2014 review, published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, analyzed kidney biopsies taken over 18 years. The results showed that omeprazole caused more cases of kidney failure than ciprofloxacin, a well-known nephrotoxic antibiotic, and also more than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For more information, visit: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272638614008270.

🔗 A study published in 2015 in PLoS One looked at the chronic use of prazols and the risk of acute myocardial infarction. For more details, see the full study at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0124653.

🔗 An April 2016 study published in JAMA shows an association between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and an increased risk of dementia. The conclusion of the study is: “The avoidance of PPI medication may prevent the development of dementia”. For more information, visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26882076.

Chronic prazol users have an increased risk of hypomagnesemia, which can increase the chances of cardiac arrhythmias and osteoporosis. For more information, see the study available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22762246.

🔗 This review, published in July 2016 by a German source but available in English, lists the main complications associated with the use of prazoles after 25 years of systematic use in clinical practice. Among the complications are: vitamin B12 and iron deficiency, increased risk of osteoporosis, fractures, dementia, cardiovascular disease, infectious complications including increased incidence of pneumonia and Clostridium difficile infections, chronic renal failure and spontaneous peritonitis. More information can be found in the study available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4973002/.

In short, there is room in medicine and health for the safe use of medicines, including this one and others. However, abuse, misuse or chronic use is common today and is often associated with various health risks. Unfortunately, many health professionals seem to be unaware of these dangers, resulting in excessive and, in many cases, unnecessary prescriptions. It's important to inform yourself to prevent harmful practices from damaging your health!