Are you ready for this? Are you sure?
One of the main components of antacids is a compound called aluminum hydroxide, it is used to neutralize hydrochloric acid. This basically means that it destroys the stomach acid that everyone needs. By obliterating the acid the problem of reflux or GERD is temporarily solved. However, your body is programed to essentially heal itself. Meaning that when your body knows that your stomach acid is low or gone it begins over producing. Therefore, making the problem worse. Your body begins relying on this compound to end the pain that it is effectively causing.
If that isn’t bad enough, aluminum hydroxide increases your stomachs pH levels which inhibits the effectiveness of pepsin. Which is an enzyme that lives in your stomach that serves to digest the proteins found in food. It prevents proper digestion making reflux symptoms worse!
Lets’ talk about PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) such as omeprazole, Nexium, and esomeprazole. So, what are PPIs and why are they so bad for you? They reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Now lets talk about the common side effects, these include:
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Rash
These are just the common ones. The longer a person ingests PPIs the side effects become more serious. These side effects include colon infections, decreased bone density, and reduces absorption of vitamin B12. After 2 years of taking PPIs regularly side effects escalate to increased risk of heart attacks, reduced kidney function, pancreatitis, and more.
Aside from the dangerous side effects that come along with PPIs, they often inhibit the absorption of other medications because your stomach doesn’t have enough acid to break it down successfully.
Bottom line, with all of the chemicals, drugs, and medications most Americans are taking on a regular basis it is in everyones best interest to replace a daily medication with a natural supplement that has a better effect than PPIs.
That’s just my opinion…
