![\"OTC](\"https:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Acid-Reflux-456484677.jpg\")
If you suffer from acid reflux, you have or are probably taking this over-the-counter medication.<\/p>\nIf you suffer from acid reflux, you have or are probably taking this over-the-counter medication.<\/p>\n
Please, stop right now!<\/p>\n
This medication been linked to several types of cancer and many other health issues. A new study published in the journal Cureus<\/em> reveals another dangerous consequence of its use.<\/p>\n This pill causes a hidden condition called B12 deficiency in up to 50% of its users. <\/p>\n B12 deficiency has almost no obvious symptoms until there is irreversible damage, characterized by an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, weakness, mental confusion, neurological damage, and possible death.<\/p>\n The researchers searched through numerous medical journal databases and, after excluding animal studies, they were left with 21 articles to review. After a quality analysis, they excluded 14 of these as lacking sufficient scientific rigor.<\/p>\n The seven studies they reviewed had 48,108 participants, made up of 27,653 proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users and 20,455 non-users.<\/p>\n The studies did not all draw exactly the same conclusion, but the general trend was that PPIs reduced vitamin B12 levels in users.<\/p>\n Some studies revealed that up to 50% of PPI users were deficient in vitamin B12 (vs 21% for non users).<\/p>\n Why do PPIs cause vitamin B12 deficiency?<\/p>\n Stomach acid separates B12 from food so that it can bind to a protein in the stomach and be absorbed. These are then sent to the intestines, where B12 is meant to be extracted. <\/p>\n If your intestines don\u2019t find B12 in the proteins where they are meant to be, nothing can be extracted. This can lead to a life-threatening B12 deficiency.<\/p>\n