Tag Archives: Osteoporosis

BONE REGENERATION USING CYPLEXORIL FOR STEM CELL GROWTH

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BONE REGENERATION USING CYPLEXORIL FOR STEM CELL GROWTH

​​I have been researching Cyplexinol for a while and now with additional research I am comfortable mentioning it to you.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy  stimulates Growth Factors in high concentrations.  it triggers a recruits stem cell activation.

4-12 months is the recommended time to accrue bone rebuilding results

  • Some Bone Facts:
  • Bones loss is primarily caused by decrease in Estrogen
  • It takes years  / lifetime to develop
  • It has nothing to do with what you eat and all to do with what we ABSORB
  • Bone health has little to do with Bone Density

I still have faith in Magnifical ; Vit. D;  Magnesium (Re-Mag) and a touch of Calcium (Calphonite) ; Plant based Xylitol used in Europe;as well as Progesterone or DHEA to help regulate Estrogen.

Overall and in general I am not a fan of  Bisphosphonates  with exception to  HR positive HER 2 negative individuals using estrogen blockers as part of their treatment protocol.

And I must admit, none of my patients have ever had an outright bone fracture as  result of Osteoporosis.However, Platelet Rich Plasma, Stem Cell Growth and what triggers stem cell growth may be the next frontier in keeping bones healthy.. 

Please read a little bit on Cyplexinol and as always know that any product I recommend is the best on the planet. This applies to Cyplexinol and everything else originating from this office.

AND please pass this info onto others who are experiencing either Osteopenia and or Osteoporosis.For those who cannot make it in to  see me or  live in “my neighborhood”, I offer Zoom consultations


CYPLEXINOL

Stem Cell and Research Therapy—-Cyplexinol

Cyplexinol® is an all-natural stem cell signaling protein complex[,] which uniquely stimulates key pathways to help support your body’s ability to create new bone and cartilage tissue!

Cyplexinol®  is a natural BMP complex, which consists of a collagen fragment matrix with the BMPs and endogenous growth factors bound within and to the matrix.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), originally identified as osteoinductive components in extracts derived from bone, are now known to play important roles in a wide array of processes during formation and maintenance of various organs including bone, cartilage, muscle, kidney, and blood vessels.

Contact me for further information!

To your health,


Vitamin D-Comprehensive

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It is only within the last few years that the important role Vitamin D plays has been researched and recognized.

Here are some facts regarding “Vitamin D” which is actually a hormone as opposed to a vitamin.
* Vitamin D, also called Calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin which means it is found primarily in animal fat. Unlike other vitamins that must be obtained solely through supplements or diet, vitamin D is manufactured in the body when sunlight comes in contact with the skin.

Here is a short list of what Vitamin D is responsible for.

  • Vitamin D is responsible for regulating over 800+ genes in the body!
  • It is a known fact that Vitamin D 25- Hydroxy levels lower than 15  will lead to many varieties of Cancer especially Colon Cancer
  • Vitamin D deficiency was responsible for older patients losing their balance and falling.  Two studies, one from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and the other in Pharmaco Economics support this theory
  • .Low Vitamin D associated with age related cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimers.    In a new study published earlier this month in JAMA Neurology, researchers demonstrated a significant association between vitamin D insufficiency and cognitive decline that is specifically seen in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The results reinforce the importance of identifying vitamin D insufficiency among the elderly. Here, low vitamin D levels were associated with significantly faster rates of decline in memory and executive function performance..
  • Vitamin D has historically been used to treat Low Blood Pressure as there appears to be a correlation between blood pressure and low blood calcium levels and Vitamin D is directly responsible for where calcium should be and should not be.
  • Vitamin D is vital for bone growth and repair, especially in children and the elderly. Calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood stream are maintained by vitamin D. Vitamin D assists in the absorption of these important nutrients during digestion. This role in calcium and phosphorous absorption makes vitamin D an important part of bone growth and maintenance; and liver and kidney health Vitamin D also contributes to the function on the thyroid gland and to the immune system.

*The vast majority of the vitamin D used in the human body is manufactured in the skin. When vitamin D is consumed it is absorbed into the blood stream from the intestines with the help of bile. From the intestines Vitamin D is transported to the liver where it may be stored or used by the body. The daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin D is 400 IU’s for an average adult man/woman.

Why suddenly is everyone Vitamin D deficient?

  • Not eating the foods high in Vitamin D which include fish liver oil, egg yolks, butter and cod liver oil. Vitamin D which naturally exists in milk is destroyed during the pasteurization process making it necessary to replace the naturally occurring Vitamin D that once was in the milk with synthetic Vitamin D which the body cannot utilize
  • Not enough sun exposure due to fear that the sun causes cancer when in fact that is not the case. Poor diet is!
  • Actually,  it may not be a deficiency of Vitamin D atoll, but a deficiency of Vitamin F, Vitamin D’s antagonist. Vitamin D picks up calcium from the gut and puts it into the blood. Vitamin F takes it from the blood and puts it into the tissues.

How to Optimize Vitamin D?

  • To optimize your levels, you need to expose large portions of your skin, such as your back, chest, legs, and arms, to sensible sun exposure. And, contrary to popular belief, the best time to be in the sun for vitamin D production is actually as near to solar noon as possible.
  • During this time you need the shortest exposure time to produce vitamin D because UVB rays are most intense at this time. Plus, when the sun goes down toward the horizon, the UVB is filtered out much more than the dangerous UVA.
  • Just be cautious about the length of your exposure. You only need enough exposure to have your skin turn the lightest shade of pink. Once you reach this point your body will not make any additional vitamin D due to its self-regulating mechanism. Any additional exposure will only cause harm and damage to your skin.

Vitamin D is important, but as we know, it is not the only key player. It is also important to assess calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, and other trace minerals for deficiencies and support accordingly. There are several labs that can assess RBC minerals and fat-soluble vitamins.

What about Vitamin F–I never heard of this vitamin before?

  • Vitamin F is a source of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids which are needed to transport calcium from the blood to the tissues.
  • It contains Linolenic and Linoleic Acids which the liver will convert to Arachidonic Acid.  Arachidonic acid is the only form of polyunsaturated fat that can be utilized by the body.
  • It does not exist in vegetable oil—only in fat meat and butter—not margarine.
  • Because polyunsaturated fats reduce blood-cholesterol levels, they are much preferred over saturated fats.

D without F will cause the blood calcium level to increase at the expense of the tissue calcium level because Vitamin D not only picks up calcium from the gut in a deficiency of F, it brings calcium from the tissues back into the bloodstream and then targets the additional D to be stored by the Liver.

Vitamin F Deficiency results in or plays a major role in the following conditions::
* Hives                                     *Dry Skin
* Itchy Skin                              *Muscle Cramps (Charley Horse)
* Canker Sores (Herpes)        *Sun Poisoning
* Hypothyroidism                     *Sun Sensitivity
* Ridged Nails                          *Heat Prostration
* Poor Hair Quality                   *Prostate Problems

In my practice, I often recommend a blood test called Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy to determine the blood levels of Vitamin D.. Once the blood Vitamin D levels are determined, I may recommend specific supplements;hopefully on a short rather than long term basis.  I do not want my patients to stay on supplements forever, and prefer they increase their D levels using foods and the sun.

Note: Because vitamin D is stored in the body (in the liver), it can be toxic if taken in excess quantities. Vitamin D doses of three of four times the RDA may result in nausea, excessive thirst, confusion, heart rhythm abnormalities, weakness and headaches. Vitamin D is also known to interfere with certain medications including steroids and some seizure drugs. Point being do not take Vitamin D because it is a new fad–see a health care provider that knows what they’re doing, get the lab test and correct appropriately

There is a lot of chatter going on regarding Vitamin D.  For further information on the subject, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 619-231-1778

Magnifical

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Magnifical is a revolutionary mineral and herbal complex that holds tremendous potential in the field of anti-aging medicine. It is designed to provide magnesium and other nutrients that are critical to healthy heart function and to provide outstanding support for strong bones and teeth.

Most importantly, Magnifical contains nutrients that are known to support the transport and utilization of calcium out of the soft tissues and back into the bone where it belongs.

Thinning of bones (demineralization) and corresponding calcification of soft tissues is
one of the benchmarks of the aging process. The leaching of calcium and other minerals
from the bones in order to maintain blood pH and neutralize acid wastes caused by our
carbohydrate laden diet catches up with us in the form of osteoporosis, cardiovascular
disease, hormonal imbalances and a multitude of other ailments. To learn more about
the critical role that bone health ‘plays in the aging process, go to our website and read
the published article, “Strong Bones – The Ultimate Anti-Aging Strategy”.

The need for calcium and magnesium supplementation is well established today, but
typical Cal/Mag products (with their poorly absorbed mineral forms presented in the
wrong ratios) are woefully inadequate. In fact, long term consumption of excessive
calcium can lead to a buildup in the urinary tract, gall bladder (kidney and gall stones),
arteries or other internal organs.

Rather than introducing massive quantities of poorly absorbed calcium into the body in hopes of it being assimilated and properly excreted (which is what modern and even alternative medicine is doing), Magnifical seeks to regulate calcium metabolism itself.

Therefore, those who understand how the body uses bone minerals to regulate various body systems are recognizing Magnifical as The Ultimate Anti-Aging formula!

Magnifical has been specially developed with natural source minerals in their most
highly absorbed forms to provide the body with easy access to the critical nutrients
necessary for bone growth and repair. In order to maximize dietary calcium absorption
and utilization, multiple forms of magnesium are combined ‘with zinc, strontium and
boron. Vitamin 86 (together with magnesium) is said to inhibit the precipitation of excess
calcium out of body fluids, thus retarding the formation of stones.

The average American is getting about 800 mg of calcium per day from their diet, so
mega dosing with calcium (especially poorly absorbed forms like carbonate) is not
necessary as long as sufficient magnesium is being consumed. Calcium carbonate
(which is what is used in the vast majority of calcium supplements) is only about ten per
cent bio-available because it is not water soluble. So if you take 1500 mg of calcium
carbonate you are only getting 150 mg of calcium at best. Magnifical is designed to
enhance the absorption and appropriate utilization of calcium in the body, driving
calcium out of the soft tissues and back into the bone.

To order Magnifical go to this link LOGOS or call Jill directly at 1-800-556-5530 (EST)

For additional Information on Osteoporosis go to this link The Real Truth about Osteoporosis or e-mail me at [email protected] or ring me at 619-231-1778

The Real Truth about Osteoporosis

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The real truth about Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis literally means porous bone. The word refers to a horrible disease in which bones become fragile and much more likely to break, and the skeleton looses its integrity and turns into a terrifying time bomb inside of you. Osteoporosis makes an everyday act, like going to the mailbox, fraught with the danger of a hipbone snapping simply from the act of walking. Osteoporosis is seen much more often in women than in men, and it can begin when you least expect it.

Though osteoporosis is generally considered an old woman’s disease, this is not actually the case. The most recent data from the National Osteoporosis Foundation shows that about 12 million people in the U.S., age 50 or over, already have full blown osteoporosis, and another 40 million are on the doorstep of the disease because they have low bone density, a condition known as osteopenia. Unless proper intervention is taken, women with osteopenia almost always slide into osteoporosis.

Although the common wisdom says those younger than 50 only rarely exhibit symptoms of osteoporosis, a study from the University of Arkansas found the disease to be a greater risk than most women suspect. Researchers collected information on 164 women of typical collage age, and found that 2 percent of them had bone densities low enough for them to qualify for a diagnosis of osteoporosis, and 15 percent had bone densities low enough for a diagnosis of osteopenia.

There are no symptoms when osteopenia begins. There is no pain or change as bones becomes thin, brittle and less dense. As you progress to osteoporosis, the first signal of disease is often a bone breaking from only minor injury and in some cases, from no injury at all. Other symptoms include:

  • Back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
  • Loss of height over time as vertebra deteriorate and compress
  • Stooped posture and distended abdomen (the body takes on the shape of an S)

Mainstream media and the medical establishment perpetuate the myth that osteoporosis is caused by a deficiency of calcium, and support the notion that calcium supplements are the answer. But this fails to explain why Americans, who have the highest rates of calcium consumption in the world, also have the highest rates of osteoporosis.

There is a psycho-social component to osteoporosis, as the disease is usually seen as a woman’s own fault. (She has osteoporosis because she doesn’t eat right, doesn’t take enough calcium pills, doesn’t exercise enough etc.) And nothing herald’s aging more than a stoop.

Factors that speed the way to a diagnosis of osteoporosis include:

  • Poor diet during formative years
  • Being athletically active as a young woman (results in low estrogen levels)
  • Radiation (including mammograms)
  • Use of synthetic corticosteroids such as prednisone
  • Being a thin white woman
  • Having Celiac, Crohn’s or any other disease that blocks nutrient absorption
  • Smoking
  • Eating disorders
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Prolonged use of birth control pills
  • Chemotherapy

The truth about osteoporosis is that bone is an endocrine tissue. In both women and men, bone expresses receptors for the steroid hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. This is undeniable full faced evidence that optimal and balanced levels of these hormones is essential for healthy bones, and it is the reason that osteoporosis, like all the degenerative diseases, does not show up until hormones have diminished.

Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone directly power the two essential components for the production of healthy bone. They are:

  • Osteoblasts–new bone cells
  • Osteoclasts–old bone cells

It is important at this point to realize that bone is not static. It is instead a dynamic process in which new bone is constantly being made, and old bone removed in a process known as resorption. When steroid hormones are at optimal levels and in balance, bone is healthy and strong. And when hormone levels decline and become unbalanced, the disease process begins.

In both women and men, osteoblasts are powered by estrogen and testosterone. Osteoclasts are powered by progesterone.

Osteoblasts are in charge of producing bone matrix and mineral. Ideally, they work as a team with components of bone marrow and osteoclasts for optimal bone formation.

The function of osteoclasts is critical in the maintenance and repair of bone. Bones are stronger than aluminum on a weight basis, and are a composite material of approximately equal amounts of hydrated protein and mineralization.   Osteoclasts disassemble this hardy composite at the molecular level by producing collagenase, an enzyme that destroys collagen.

Osteoblasts and osteoclasts together control the amount and quality of bone tissue you have in your body. This means that when you have optimal levels of balanced steroid hormones, osteoblasts and osteoclasts will work in harmony to produce healthy bones, and not a sign of osteoporosis will be seen, no matter what your age.

Hormones are essential to total body health and well being

There’s more to hormones than high quality bones. Hormones are of supreme importance to your overall health and well being. They are the great communicators of the body, by sending chemical messengers that transfer signals and instructions from one set of cells to another. When all hormones are present at optimal levels, not only is harmony restored to your osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but to your body as a whole. Developing osteopenia or osteoporosis is a signal that your hormones need attention.

Don’t discount hormones. They are so important that they have a branch of biological science devoted to them, known as endocrinology. Even the medical establishment grudgingly recognizes the tremendous importance of hormones, and labels doctors who specialize in them as endocrinologists.

Hormones influence and regulate almost every cell, tissue, organ, and function of the human body, including growth, development, metabolism, and sexual and reproductive function. Hormones orchestrate the maintenance and balance of our internal terrain, through a process known as homeostasis.

Yes, there has been much bad press about negative effects of hormones. This has been done intentionally to scare you away from hormone replacement. Selling drugs to the hormonally deprived is big business at its worst. However, more and more women are getting the message that optimal balanced hormones are key to wellness at all levels and the absence of osteoporosis.

This is what’s behind the new breed of physicians who are trained in anti-aging medicine. These doctors specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement, not the hormone substitution drugs we heard so much about a decade ago. Bio identical hormones are exact replicas of the hormones humans make naturally when they are young. Bio-identical hormones can be replaced at levels you had in your prime. The result is not only freedom from osteoporosis and other degenerative diseases. It is the only way to recapture some of yourself as you used to be.

NOTE: For decades I have recommended the DPD Urine Pyrlinks Test which measures the amount of Osteoclasts vs. Osteoclasts.  As long as there are more Osteoblasts then Osteoclasts, you are in good shape. This test is considered the Gold Standard because its accuracy far outweighs the standard Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptionmetry  most doctors use for osteoporosis determination.

NOTE: Osteoporosis has nothing to do with calcium.  One of the best products I have ever recommended for Osteoporosis is Magnifical and although the last three letters are “cal” there is no calcium in this product.

NOTE: As written above, hormones play a vital role in the prevention of Osteoporosis. Women past menopause or heading into menopause usually display a very weak Progesterone signal and men usually have no signal at all.  For this I recommend the Saliva Test for Hormones because it measures both RNA and DNA and as such is a more accurate marker than conventional blood test which can only measure one point in time.

NOTE: Drugs like Fosamax and Prolia interfere with the breakdown of dead cells (Osteoclast) and as such, dead bone cells are not being eliminated to make room for new fresh bone cells ((Osteoblasts)) to replace them. This causes “spontaneous fractures” which is when you are sitting down watching TV and your arm or leg suddenly breaks.  This has been well documented and was shown in a i hour piece on ABC News a while back.

NOTE: You do not fall and break your hip–your hip broke and you fall as a result!!

For more information:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25202834

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24385015

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21815190

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21149714

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20162450

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Magnesium

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After oxygen, water, bicarbonate and iodine, magnesium may be the most important element needed by our bodies.  It is vital for heart health, bone health, mental function and overall body maintenance – yet 80% or more of us are deficient in this vital mineral.

Magnesium is more important than calcium, potassium or sodium, and it regulates all three of them. This vital mineral plays an important role in over 1300 different biochemical reactions.  Contrary to popular misconceptions, it is magnesium that is actually most important in building strong bones and preventing bone loss. Recent research has revealed that lack of magnesium may put your heart and your overall health at significant risk.  This research also found that a deficiency may be linked to cognitive dysfunction and mental decline.

Called the The Forgotten Mineral and the 5-Cent Miracle Tablet by medical researchers, magnesium is a muscle relaxant, and low magnesium intake is associated with muscle spasms, tremors and convulsions. It protects against heart disease and heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke, type II diabetes and much, much more.

Many researchers have reported that adequate amounts of this mineral in the population at large would greatly diminish the incidence of kidney stones (1 in 11 Americans), calcified mitral heart valve (1 in 12 Americans), premenstrual tension, constipation, miscarriages, stillbirths, strokes, diabetes, thyroid failure, asthma, chronic eyelid twitch (blepharospasm), brittle bones, chronic migraines, muscle spasms and anxiety reactions.

An increasing number of medical scientists also believe that additional magnesium and other minerals missing from today’s diet may prevent cognitive disorders such as ADD, ADHD and bipolar, and help prevent Alzheimer’s and mental decline as we age. Sufficient intake by the American population would likely reduce health care costs by billions of dollars.

In addition to the problems listed above, deficiency of the master mineral has been associated with:

  • Insomnia and other sleep disorders
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Body-tension
  • Headaches
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Other heart disorders
  • PMS
  • Backaches
  • Constipation
  • Kidney stones
  • Osteoporosis
  • Accelerated aging
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and irritability

Our depleted soils, processed foods and fast food diet lifestyles have led to a steady increase in mineral deficiencies. Nowhere is this more true than with magnesium.  The U.S. minimum RDA is about 320 mg per day for women and more than 400 mg per day for men, while optimum daily amounts are closer to 500 to 700 mg per day. Yet studies show that after over a century of steadily decreasing intake, today more than 8 out of 10 people do not take enough daily magnesium for even the minimum daily amounts recommended.

In 1900, magnesium consumption was 475-500 mg per day.  By 1990  consumption had dropped to 175-225 mg per day, and it has continued to drop since then.

Following is a list of some of richest sources of the master mineral, including standard serving sizes and calories:

  • Pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted – 1 oz contains 151 mg of magnesium /148 calories
  • Brazil nuts – 1 oz contains 107 mg of magnesium /186 calories
  • Bran ready-to-eat cereal (100%), – 1 oz contains 103 mg of magnesium/74 calories
  • Halibut, cooked – 3 oz contains 151 mg of magnesium /148 calories
  • Quinoa, dry – 1/4 cup contains 89 mg of magnesium /159 calories
  • Spinach, canned – 1/2 cup contains 81 mg of magnesium / 5 calories
  • Almonds – 1 oz contains 78 mg of magnesium / 164 calories
  • Spinach, cooked from fresh – 1/2 cup contains 78 mg of magnesium / 20 calories
  • Buckwheat flour – 1/4 cup contains 75 mg of magnesium /101 calories
  • Pine nuts, dried – 1 oz contains 71 mg of magnesium /191 calories
  • Mixed nuts, oil roasted w peanuts –1 oz contains 67 mg of magnesium /175 calories
  • White beans, canned – 1/2 cup contains 67 mg of magnesium /154 calories
  • Pollock, walleye, cooked – 3 oz contains 62 mg of magnesium /96 calories
  • Black beans, cooked – 1/2 cup contains 60 mg of magnesium /114 calories
  • Bulgar, dry – 1/4 cup contains 57 mg of magnesium /120 calories
  • Oat bran, raw – 1/4 cup contains 55 mg of magnesium /58 calories

The list of dietary magnesium sources shows that although it might be possible for a person to obtain optimum, or at least minimum, amounts of magnesium from the diet, doing so on a daily basis would take very careful planning.  When processed food is part of the diet, it becomes even more unlikely for the general public to consume enough magnesium through dietary sources alone on a daily basis.

Only supplementation is likely to make up for such a widespread magnesium deficiency for most people. Since the same problems with soil depletion and diet cause deficiencies in many other vital minerals, it would be a good idea to supplement magnesium and to also supplement with a wide range of other minerals. The very best mineral supplements are those derived from whole food and plant sources because they are more readily absorbed than mined rock minerals.  Taking a tablespoon of molasses daily is an excellent choice for supplementing magnesium as well as many other minerals.

If you want to take a pill instead, it is believed that the best forms of supplemental magnesium are the ones chelated to an amino acid (magnesium glycinate, magnesium taurate) or a Krebs cycle intermediate (magnesium malate, magnesium citrate, magnesium fumarate).  The only side effect of too much magnesium is loose stool. Reducing the dosage or dividing daily doses into smaller amounts resolves the problem.

Blood tests for magnesium are notoriously inaccurate since only about 1 percent of the total body magnesium pool exists outside of living cells. Thus, blood serum levels are inaccurate and your doctor can’t easily tell by a blood test if your magnesium levels are low.

For optimum health, magnesium and calcium intake needs to be at about a 1 to 2 ratio. So, if you supplement with 500 mg of magnesium, you should supplement with 1000 mg of calcium (or less if you get plenty of dietary calcium and little dietary magnesium).

Proton Pump Inhibitors

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 Proton Pump Inhibitors Worse than the Indigestion they Supposedly Cure

A class of antacid medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has now been proven to be quite harmful. Some common PPIs include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, and Protonix. Many of these are available over the counter with no prescription. Proton pump inhibitors are used in the management of simple heartburn, gastro-esophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease. PPIs decrease acid in the stomach by blocking an enzyme that is needed for the production of hydrochloric acid.

The FDA itself has issued a warnings about these drugs, including statements that they cause low magnesium and increased risk of osteoporosis. PPIs increase the risk of infectious diarrhea caused by such organisms as Clostridium difficile (C. diff). This infection often requires hospitalization, treatment with various IV antibiotics, and can be fatal in the very young, elderly and immuno-compromised individuals. PPIs also inhibit the absorption of vitamin B12 and calcium, and have multiple drug interactions. Higher doses and long-term use of PPIs greatly increase the risks.

Fracture Risk: The FDA has come out with a warning to health care professionals and consumers that PPIs lead to increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine. This warning is based on the agency’s own review of several studies.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients over age 50 who were treated with PPIs for over a year had a 44% increased risk of hip fracture. High doses and long tern use increased this risk even more. At the same time PPIs inhibit the absorption of calcium, they inhibit the proton pumps in the cells which build new bone. This leads to osteoporosis due to both calcium deficiency and impaired ability to build new bone.

Low magnesium: In 2011, the FDA issued a warning that PPIs can induce low magnesium if taken for long periods of time. They recommended that prescribers obtain a serum magnesium test prior to initiation of therapy and periodically thereafter. In patients taking Digoxin for heart conditions, low magnesium greatly increases its toxicity. In 25% of patients who developed low magnesium, supplements were not enough to correct this, and the drug had to be discontinued.

Magnesium is a critical mineral and is needed for virtually every function of the body. It activates enzymes, is involved in energy production, regulates heartbeat and muscle contractions, and regulates calcium, copper, zinc, potassium, Vitamin D and many other nutrients present in the body.

Deficiency of magnesium can cause heart arrhythmias, profound weakness and fatigue, restless leg syndrome, confusion, jerky muscle movements, and high blood pressure.

Be aware that the bottom of the “normal” range for serum magnesium is so low that it is not going to pick up a problem until the person is already very ill. It is nearly impossible to take too much magnesium unless there is a problem with the kidneys. If serum magnesium levels get too high, the kidneys will excrete it. Also, oral magnesium, especially magnesium oxide, at higher doses will cause diarrhea and can be excreted this way.

Drug Interactions: These are listed in the material given with the OTC products, but how many people read and comprehend these tiny inserts?

Plavix (anti-coagulant): The FDA issued a warning to avoid taking PPIs and Plavix together as concurrent use can decrease the effectiveness of Plavix by up to 50%. This in turn could lead to blood clots, stroke and heart attacks.

Warfarin(Coumadin, anti-coagulant): PPIs inhibit breakdown of this drug in the liver, leading to high blood levels which can cause hemorrhage.

Diazepam (Valium, tranquilizer): Due to less breakdown in the liver caused by PPIs, high blood levels can result in respiratory depression, respiratory arrest, extreme fatigue, sleepiness, and confusion.

Antiretrovial agents (drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS): PPIs increase blood levels of these drugs, leading to increased side effects.

Tacrolimus (used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs): PPIs increase blood levels of this drug which cause significant problems.

Antifungals: These drugs are dependent on low pH in the stomach for absorption. Therefore, when acid production is inhibited, they are not absorbed and are thus ineffective. Any drug dependent on normal stomach acidity for absorption will be affected similarly

Treat heartburn and reflux naturally

If you have persistent heartburn and/or reflux, there are non-drug solutions. First determine the cause of the problem. Reflux is caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This is the doughnut shaped muscle that allows food to enter the stomach. The more common cause of heartburn/reflux is weakening of the LES caused by low stomach acid.

The hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach functions to break down proteins into amino acids, stimulates the pancreas and small intestine to secrete digestive enzymes, and prevents infection by killing pathogenic bacteria and yeasts commonly present in foods. Correcting low acid in the stomach will virtually stop heartburn/reflux without drugs. There are a few things you can do at home to help determine if your problem is low stomach acid.

  1. The baking soda test: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of water and drink it. Do this first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Start timing and note how long before you belch. If you have adequate stomach acid, you should belch within 2 or 3 minutes. Stop timing at 5 minutes. No belching within 5 minutes is a good indicator of low stomach acid. Early and excessive belching may indicate excessive stomach acid.
  1. Trial of Betaine HCL: Using a product such as Gastro Plus, take 1 to 2 capsules immediately prior to eating. You may feel a sensation of warmth, but not burning. If you feel burning, discontinue use as your problem may be excess stomach acid, which is very rare. Under the guidance of a qualified professional, the dose may be titrated upwards until you feel burning, then decreased to the point where you don’t feel any actually burning. A healthy stomach produces many times the amount of hydrochloric acid found in this product.

There are medical tests which actually measure the amount of acid produced by the stomach, and some lab tests can indicate low stomach acidity. Stool analysis will show elevated short chain fatty acids. Blood tests will indicate amino acid, B vitamins and mineral deficiencies.

Some dietary and lifestyle changes can also help alleviate symptoms:

  • Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Keep a food diary and eliminate foods which cause or worsen the problem Many of the foods conventional medicine warns you to avoid may be fine, so listen to your own body
  • Keep the head of your bed elevated at least 6 inches until symptoms are resolved. This helps prevent the reflux of acid back into the esophagus through the LES
  • Quit smoking
  • Don’t wear tight clothing, such as belts, bras or tight waistband
  • Remain upright for an hour or more after eating
  • Avoid eating close to bedtime

For more information:

https://drprincetta.com/hcl-hydrochloric-acid-deficiency/

http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm213377.htm

http://www.raysahelian.com/protonpumpinhibitor.html

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/296/24/2947.abstract

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm245275.htm

http://www.drdebe.com/stomach-acid-assessment.html