Lowering HCl Has Implications for Health

by Carolyn Pierini, CLS (ASCP), CNC

While stomach acid medications can provide temporary digestive relief, they carry significant risks to overall health. Acid suppressing drugs were originally intended for a 16-week tissue “cool down” for healing, not a lifelong therapy—and for good reason. Changing the pH of the stomach and subsequently the whole gastrointestinal tract, carries some serious side effects.

Blocking HCl increases the risk for microbial proliferation and pathogenic infections since acid destroys a multitude of “germs” as they enter the stomach through food, drink and other sources. Studies indicate that acid blockers increase the risk of contracting serious infections such as pneumonia and the intestinal bacteria, Clostridium difficile.^1-2 Blocking acid interferes with mineral and vitamin absorption necessary for normal biochemistry. Bone osteoclastic activity may also be affected. One study showed a 44 percent increase in hip fractures for people taking acid blockers longer than 1 year3 and a large 2008 Canadian study found the risk to be 62 percent with 5 or more years of use.⁴ Another study showed increased fracture rates for spine, wrist and forearm in postmenopausal women.⁵ It is interesting to note that the most common side effect of medications such as Fosamax®, used to treat osteoporosis, is reflux. An acid blocker such as Nexium® is often prescribed to tolerate the Fosamax. Ultimately, the contribution Nexium makes to increasing fracture rates may outweigh any reduction provided by the Fosamax.

Actually, many stomach problems begin due to decreased HCl levels. The production of stomach acid activates pepsin for protein digestion and triggers the proper response of the small intestine to further digestion. Interfering with the digestion of food nutrients leads to malabsorption issues, gastrointestinal imbalance and eventually affects the immune response. Brain nutrients such as amino acids from proteins and B12 depend on HCl for availability and acid blocking drugs may raise the risk of age-related cognitive decline according to one study.^6-7

It is estimated that over 16 million prescriptions for acid blockers are written each year. As people continue to take these drugs long term, further studies will begin to reveal the magnitude of the potential implications on total health.