Are You Taking Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Long-Term?

While PPIs are effective and often necessary, they’re not without risk. 
Here are 2 lesser-known risks - worth keeping in mind:

1) Nutrient Deficiencies
PPIs reduce stomach acid, which is essential for absorbing key nutrients. Long-term use may lead to:

A) Vitamin B12 deficiency (fatigue, nerve issues)
B) Magnesium deficiency (muscle cramps, arrhythmias)
C) Calcium malabsorption (increased fracture risk)

2) Higher Infection Risk

Stomach acid acts as a barrier to harmful pathogens, the high acidity killing them.
PPIs decrease stomach acidity increasing the likelihood of pathogens eg bacteria surviving the stomach.

Prolonged PPI use has been linked to serious health risks such as

Increased Mortality
Cardiac Events
Kidney and Liver Disease
Bone Health
Infections and nutrient absorption issues
Dementia
Macular degeneration

Regularly reviewing the dose and duration can help minimize harm.