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Research has linked medication called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to a wide range of conditions like bone fractures, dementia, kidney disease, infections, and several types of life-threatening cancers.<\/p>\nResearch has linked medication called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to a wide range of conditions like bone fractures, dementia, kidney disease, infections, and several types of life-threatening cancers.<\/p>\n
So it\u2019s essential you dump these medications ASAP.<\/p>\n
However, according to a new study in International Journal of Molecular Sciences<\/em> there is a big problem with that.<\/p>\n Apparently, these drugs are highly addictive and will make your acid reflux much worse for a while once you stop taking them.<\/p>\n A team of researchers was interested in a phenomenon called rebound acid hypersecretion (RAHS), which can make it seem like PPIs are addictive. This is a phenomenon that makes you feel like you\u2019re right back where you started, or even worse, once you ditch your PPIs.<\/p>\n They performed a review of the scientific literature on this experience and found that it was very real.<\/p>\n Here are their key findings:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 2.\tDuring PPI treatment, your stomach produces more gastrin, a hormone that stimulates acid production. When you stop taking PPIs, the sudden surge of gastrin leads to an overproduction of stomach acid.<\/p>\n 3.\tThese symptoms are often mistaken for a recurrence of the original condition, prompting many people to restart PPI treatment.\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n Let\u2019s break down what happens in your stomach in more detail.<\/p>\n Under normal conditions, proteins in your meals trigger G-cells to release gastrin, which then stimulates other cells to produce acid. This process is regulated by a feedback loop that keeps both gastrin and acid levels in check.<\/p>\n But now, when you take PPIs, they block the final step of acid production. They directly block those other cells from producing acid.<\/p>\n This sounds great, except that the lack of stomach acid then also stops the feedback loop that normally keeps gastrin levels in check.<\/p>\n What does this mean after you stop taking PPIs?<\/p>\n Well, you have now killed the feedback regulation that keeps gastrin in check, and your body has a lot of gastrin ready to go. And there’s no other natural mechanism that can stop it. Large amounts of gastrin will trigger huge amounts of stomach acid, and now you’re feeling like your acid reflux is worse than it’s ever been.<\/p>\n So, while it’s a good idea to dump your PPIs, you must be aware that this rebound process might make it feel like there’s a terrible underlying condition that requires you to restart these drugs.<\/p>\n During the first few weeks, it might be a good idea to steer clear of foods and drinks that can trigger acid production, like spicy foods, creamy dairy, caffeine, and alcohol.<\/p>\n Slowly tapering off PPIs can also help to minimize the rebound effect, as the feedback loop to regulate stomach acid is then slowly restored.<\/p>\n This is an example of drugs that look like they’re helping, while they’re actually harmful to the point of worsening symptoms and being physiologically addictive.<\/p>\n\n