Bacteria, Cancer, and GERD

This article caught my eye because I know people that have had to deal with this health problem.  My concern is about the over use of acid blocking drugs which are known to lead to cancer and also to reduction of hydrochloric (HCl) acid in your stomach. 

The acid problem is of concern because it may really be with reflux that you do not have enough stomach acid.  This is very true as you age and also if you are taking too many prescribed drugs (Are you prescribed an acid blocker for all your Rx?)

Acid blocking drugs also create a risk for infection and illness because of the reduced HCl, something that is part of your immune system.  Get sick too often when on these drugs?  Get food poisoning?

Do you have a wheat allergy?  The connection between Barret's and wheat allergy has been well established for decades.

Many things to consider -

Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 1;45(1):29-38. Epub 2007 May 22.

Microbial colonization of the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Macfarlane S, Furrie E, Macfarlane GT, Dillon JF.

Source

Dundee University Gut Group, Ninewells Hospital Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom. s.macfarlane@dundee.ac.uk

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which patients are at greatly increased risk of esophageal dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Over the past 2 decades, there has been an increase in the incidence of both BE and adenocarcinoma; however, the involvement of microorganisms in BE is uncertain. The aim of this study was to characterize microbial communities in esophageal aspirate specimens and on distal esophageal mucosal samples from patients with BE.

METHODS:

Biopsy and aspirate specimens were obtained by endoscopic examination from 7 patients with BE and 7 control subjects without BE. Samples were cultured under aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerophilic conditions for yeasts and bacteria, including Helicobacter pylori. Bacterial isolates were identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Fluorescence microscopic examination was also used to determine the spatial localization of these organisms on mucosal surfaces. Significant colonization was detected in 6 patients with BE and in 4 control subjects.

RESULTS:

Overall, 46 bacterial species belonging to 16 genera were detected, with 10 species being common in both groups. Both aspirate and biopsy samples from patients with BE contained complex populations of bacteria. Uniquely, high levels of Campylobacter species (Campylobacter concisus and Campylobacter rectus), which have been linked to enteritis, periodontal infections, and tumor formation in animals, were found in 4 (57%) of 7 patients with BE but in none of the control subjects. Microscopic examination revealed that bacteria on mucosal biofilms often occurred in microcolonies.

CONCLUSIONS:

The occurrence of nitrate-reducing Campylobacter species in patients with BE may suggest that there is a link in either the initiation, maintenance, or exacerbation of disease processes leading to adenocarcinoma formation.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17554697

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Dr A Breck McKay, in a letter to the British Medical Journal, said " long term use of PPIs cause gastroparesis, delayed total gut dysmotility and bloating" Patients suffer  acute, explosive, exacerbation of their gastritis and reflux, on attempted cessation of the PPIs. While the PPI drugs block acid production, these drugs actually stimulate hormones like gastrin, cholecystokinin, and glucagon which in turn stimulate growth of acid producing cells to massively increase and thus, are able to produce large quantities of acid, suddenly, when inhibition from the acid blocker PPI drug stops.

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While you now just are learning about the problems with acid reflux drugs you might wish to know that this is no real surprise.

The drugs shutdown acid production in the stomach that impairs protein metabolism because you must have acid to digest protein. Lacking protein interferes with structural health.

Often reflux symptoms are from too little stomach acid rather than too much and yet your mainstream doctor does not evaluate this condition. Any easy test can tell you more using an available supplement.

You may also not have enough enzymatic function and you may eat too fast without thoroughly chewing your food, or eat too many unhealthy foods or smoke.

Anti-acid drugs also impair the P450 detox pathway in your liver, among many of the problems they cause.

Here are a few things to consider already known to Big Pharma: Notice that two of the drugs are fluoride based compounds and all have a benzene component.

The active ingredient in PREVACID Delayed-Release Capsules, PREVACID for Delayed-Release Oral Suspension and PREVACID SoluTab Delayed- Release Orally Disintegrating Tablets is lansoprazole, a substituted benzimidazole, 2-[[[3-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-pyridyl] methyl] sulfinyl] benzimidazole, a compound that inhibits gastric acid secretion.

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NEXIUM Musculoskeletal: arthralgia, arthritis aggravated, arthropathy, cramps, fibromyalgia syndrome, hernia, polymyalgia rheumatica;

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Musculoskeletal Disorders: rhabdomyolysis

PRILOSEC Musculoskeletal: Muscle weakness, myalgia, muscle cramps, joint pain, leg pain

You may wish to check all the other information here at Natural Health News about these drugs using the search box.

We also have listed some natural approaches to resolving acid excess.

Please note that these drugs are not good for babies and young children which is a common practice today. Elders may have more problems with the drugs because of delayed metabolism times. In the May 10 Archives of Internal Medicine it is reported that PPI use was associated with a 42% increase in the risk of recurrent C. difficile infection, with the greatest risk among patients older than 80 and in patients treated with antibiotics that were not targeted to the bacterium.

US FDA says acid reflux drugs carry fracture risk
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* FDA recommends lower dose, shorter duration of use
* Drugs include Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix
* Package insert labels to include fracture-risk warnings
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"When prescribing proton pump inhibitors, health care professionals should consider whether a lower dose or shorter duration of therapy would adequately treat the patient's condition," Korvick said.
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The FDA recommended that consumers report any side effects or other product problems to its MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch or by calling 800-332-1088. (Reporting by Ransdell Pierson, Bill Berkrot and Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/GERD/20030

A Dead Give-A-Way

ZEGERID® (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) is a combination of omeprazole, a proton-pump inhibitor, and sodium bicarbonate, an antacid. Omeprazole is a substituted benzimidazole,5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl- 2-pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole, a racemic mixture of two enantiomers that inhibits gastric acid secretion.

Omeprazole is the generic substance marketed as Prilosec.

Prilosec just as other PPI acid suppressing drugs can lead to interference with the P450 (Phase 1) liver detoxification system and may reduce protein metabolism, a ney nutrient for health.

Of course, buffering with NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) makes you thing you are getting some fancy-schmancy pill that will solve your acid reflux problem.

Of course it doesn't fix reflux and it just might be covering your low stomach acid problem, making it worse, and then worser, and then worsest...

Zegerid will cost 'ya to the tune of about $70 for a two week treatment.

A box of NaHCO3 will set you back about a buck, and the box will last a long time using a teaspoon in a 8-10 ounce glass of water when you eat your biggest meal of the day.

A better approach is to first get the level of hydrochloric acid in your stomach evaluated, Next, stop at your local health store for some high quality digestive enzymes that contain Betaine HCl, then if your test results are low, get some betaine tablets as well.

You'll get better sooner and still have money in the bank.

The better thing to do would be to change what you eat, and change how you eat.

Natural Health Tip - PPI

For most people who would like a natural replacement for anti-acid drugs start first by getting a true evaluation of the hydrochloric acid level in your stomach.

If it is low then consider using Betaine HCl supplements.

In addition, consider that drinking fluids with a meal lowers the available HCl and digestive enzymes produced by your body to help in digestion and metabolism. Drink liquids before you eat, chew your food very thoroughly, and wait a good hour or so to drink more liquid.

Using high quality digestive enzymes, like our full spectrum blend, with each meal will help substantially especially if you are older than 35.

A taste of Celtic salt, a cayenne capsule, a glass of apple cider vinegar tea or just sipping a glass of tepid water will go a long way to improve the acid problem you may be facing.

Another good suggestion is to use bitters. Contact us for our effective formula.