Thursday, October 23, 2014

Acid Blocking Meds Make Getting Sick Easier

Researchers in a recent JAMA Pediatrics study wanted to determine if acid-suppression use results in gastric bacterial overgrowth, if there are changes in lung microflora associated with the use of acid suppression, and if changes in lung microflora are related to full-column nonacid gastroesophageal reflux in children ages 1 to 18 years. They found that 46% of patients taking acid-suppression medication had gastric bacterial growth compared with 18% of untreated patients. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were found more commonly and in higher concentrations in the gastric fluid of treated patients. 

Bonnie: As we have said incessantly, acid suppression increases the risk of infection. We need a 60/40 (acid/alkaline) ratio in our gut to ward off infection.

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