This summer, a study published in the online journal BMJ Open 1 revealed that long-term use of commonly-prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was associated with a higher risk of early death. Lisa Patient looks at what recent research says about both PPIs and acid reflux
Sometimes prescribed for the treatment of gastric ulcers, bacterial infection Helicobacter pylori, and diseases such as Barrett’s oesophagus (a non-cancerous complication of chronic acid reflux that can develop into cancer in some people), PPIs are most commonly prescribed for acid reflux.
Known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD); the symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn, an acid taste in the mouth, bad breath, bloating, nausea and/or vomiting. Whilst PPIs have been shown to be effective in treating the condition, recent studies indicate that long-term use may have serious consequences. For this reason, the team behind the latest research has urged caution over prescribing PPIs unnecessarily.
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine, USA, studied more than 250,000 medical records of people taking PPIs or H2 blockers. While PPIs inhibit the enzymes necessary for acid production in the stomach, reducing it to around 10 percent of normal acid production, H2 blockers reduce the amount of histamine (which stimulates acid production) released in the stomach. The team found that, compared with H2 blocker use, PPI use was associated with a 25 percent heightened risk of death from all causes — a risk that increased the longer PPIs were taken.
This story is from the Autumn 2017 edition of Optimum Nutrition.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Autumn 2017 edition of Optimum Nutrition.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gluten : Problem Protein Or Fad Food Fear?
The ‘gluten-free’ label is becoming a familiar sight. Mike Murphy looks at why more people are choosing to cut out this natural protein, even without doctors’ orders.
Summer Of
Summer is when we want to be out and about, as the warm embrace of the sofa on a cold winter’s night becomes a distant memory. So where do you go when the brain is willing but the body just can’t cut it at the same level of performance that it managed decades ago? Graeme Wilcockson reviews a few ways to satisfy those competitive weekend instincts that will tax both mind and body — yet leave you able to move on Monday morning
Eat For A Glow That Is More Than Skin Deep
Now that summer is here, it’s time to peel off the layers and make some vitamin D. But if your skin isn’t as peachy as you would like, or if you are worried about staying safe in the sun, find out how good nutrition may support your skin’s health. Maggie Charlesworth writes
Natural Beauty
If headlines about microbeads from cosmetics polluting our seas have got you wondering how you can do your bit for the environment, try using nature’s harvest to feed your skin. Hannah Maryse Robinson writes
Common Kitchen Practices Making Us Sick
Every year, thousands of us fall sick from food poisoning because of how we have handled food. Louise Scodie and Louise Wates look at common ways in which we are going wrong
Could Antioxidants Save Our Bacan?
Nitrates and nitrites have long been linked to cancer. We look at how they are part of a chain reaction that may not always be harmful to human health... So what’s the case with bacon?
Red Meat
Depending upon the headlines, red meat can be in or out of favour; we look at recent research.
The Big Sleep
With more demands on our time, sleep is becoming a poor relation. Jane Dawson investigates the associations between health, feeling good, and that all-important eight hours sleep a night.
Tea
Tea, especially the green variety, is often touted as a panacea for health and even weight-loss. Louise Wates puts the kettle on and looks at whether it is a reputation that is well-deserved.
When Bad Is Good
Social campaigner Mary Whitehouse abhorred it. Writer and actor Stephen Fry has publicly done and defended it. But how do you feel about swearing? Yeshi Dolma writes.
