Top pharmacist warns millions of Brits are ‘addicted’ to common reflux drug linked to dementia
Millions of Britons are ‘addicted’ to drugs to control acid reflux, putting them at risk of dementia, a top pharmacist has warned.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly used medicines in Britain, with 73 million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England in 2022-2023, at a cost of £190 million.
The medications, such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, help reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, limiting the painful symptoms of reflux, also called heartburn, including pain and difficulty swallowing.
However, studies have suggested that long-term use could increase the risk of developing dementia.
A 2023 US study published in the journal Neurology found that taking PPI drugs such as omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole for more than four and a half years could make you 33 percent more likely to develop dementia , compared to those who never used it. .
The study authors theorized that the connection could lie in the effect of PPIs on the body’s absorption of essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12.
‘This is essential for brain health,” said Dr. Thanu Jey, one of the researchers involved in the study. ‘PPIs may also lead to an increase in the formation of the protein beta-amyloid, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.’
Now pharmacist Deborah Grayson, who has worked as a chemist for 25 years, has warned that in many cases the benefits of these drugs are not worth the risks.
Research has shown that those who take long-term acid reflux medications such as omeprazole are at a much greater risk of developing dementia.
She told MailOnline that they are often prescribed as a ‘miracle cure for a variety of digestive complaints, without an obvious clinical need to suppress acid production’.
Because there is no ‘exit strategy’ to get patients off the medication, many remain ‘addicted’ for life – as long-term use can actually worsen symptoms, making patients more dependent on it.
‘We are sleepwalking into a significant culture of PPI addiction due to over-prescribing for no apparent reason and the failure to provide patients with a clear exit strategy from treatment,’ says Ms Grayson, who is also a nutritional therapist at Heartburn Cancer UK and directs her. called my own clinic Digest with confidence.
‘It only takes three days of taking PPIs to run the risk of heartburn, which can be five times worse than normal reflux.
‘This may mean that patients wrongly assume that the medication is essential because excess acid must have been the problem.
‘It is this rebound that leads to the inability to stop taking a PPI in many patients, essentially causing them to become addicted.’
Furthermore, up to 40 percent of patients do not respond to a PPI, meaning they are useless.
Pharmacist Deborah Grayson has warned that millions of Brits are trapped in a ‘vicious cycle’ with acid reflux drugs.
Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid travels to the throat. If it persists for a long time, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is usually caused by a weakness in the muscles that connect the food pipe to the stomach.
Ms Grayson said too often patients are prescribed medication instead of being informed about diet and lifestyle interventions that can alleviate symptoms.
For example, reducing stress and adopting regular eating patterns can help.
The most important thing is to take enough time to eat a meal, preferably at the table.
According to Grayson, digestion begins in the brain, with 20 percent of stomach acid produced in anticipation of food consumption.
“This is known as the cephalic response,” she said, explaining that before the invention of fast food, preparing and cooking meals initiated the same process, firing up the digestive system.
“The modern lifestyle has led to many people deciding within minutes that they are hungry, running to the nearest food store and eating food,” Grayson added. ‘This means the body has to catch up and produces excess acid, worsening symptoms’
She advised – even though she was too busy to cook – to start the ‘preparation process’ about 20-30 minutes before going out to get something to eat.
‘Think about what you’re going to eat, what it tastes like and what it smells like. This can trigger the anticipatory response, just as you would have done yourself.”
Chewing is of equal importance.
“Most of us are extremely busy and often ‘inhale’ our food,” says Grayson. ‘The chewing process reduces the burden of stomach acid.’
Each bite of food should be chewed until it’s soft, she added, while putting down your knife and fork between bites gives the stomach a much better chance of digesting the food you’ve eaten.
Grayson also warned about the many foods that can worsen reflux by relaxing the sphincter in the food pipe that allows acid to flow.
Some with reflux suffer from the ‘silent’ type, which is much more difficult to diagnose. Symptoms usually consist of a dry cough and frequent throat clearing.
These include coffee, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes and citrus fruits.
Spicy meals, fatty foods and large portions also cause the muscles to not function properly.
“Avoiding these foods within three to four hours of bedtime can help tremendously,” she said.
Her final tip is to add certain herbs to your diet, which can stimulate digestion and protect the system from acid and bile damage.
‘Drinking chamomile or artichoke tea can help stimulate the digestive process in the same way as bitter leaves, while fennel can also have a calming influence on digestion.
‘Drinking tea with marshmallow root or slippery elm can help protect the digestive system from acid and bile.’
These two teas should be consumed an hour after medication to reduce the risk of affecting the absorption and action of any medications you are taking.