Do you use antacids? Then watch out for a Vitamin B12 deficiency
Many elderly people use antacids (proton pump inhibitors) and they are therefore among the most prescribed medicines in the world. In recent years, the drug has come to the attention because of the serious side effects it can cause, such as various vitamin and mineral deficiencies (Canadian Medical Association Journal – Amine Benmassaoud 2015).
In the Netherlands, doctors prescribed a proton pump inhibitor such as Omeprazole to almost 2014 million patients in 2. In addition, the drug is available without a prescription, so exact figures are unknown. The drug works by inhibiting the enzyme H+/K+-ATPase, the so-called proton pump. This reduces gastric acid secretion and raises the pH in the stomach. The frequent use of antacid buckets can cause a deficiency of vitamin B12, iron and magnesium.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays a role in the formation of red blood cells, it ensures the proper functioning of the nervous system and is an essential factor for growth. Vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, milk and eggs. With a high intake, the body itself can limit the absorption of vitamin B12 from the diet. Moreover, there are no known adverse effects on the body from an excessive intake.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: memory problems
With a deficiency of vitamin B12, less DNA can be produced, which is necessary when body cells multiply. Blood and nerve cells in particular multiply quickly, and the effects of a deficiency are therefore first noticeable there. In the Netherlands, it is estimated that one in four elderly people is deficient in vitamin B12, due to reduced absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to anemia and damage to the nervous system. This manifests itself in symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite and headache, but eventually also in typical symptoms such as tingling and numb hands and feet, memory problems and coordination disorders.
Vitamin B12 affects homocysteine levels in the blood. Homocysteine is a substance that is produced during the metabolism of proteins. High homocysteine levels are associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease.
antacids
Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the last part of the small intestine. To release vitamin B12 from proteins, stomach acid and an enzyme are needed. Gastric acid inhibitors inhibit the production of stomach acid, but also of the enzyme. As a result, vitamin B12 is released less well and the vitamin can be absorbed less well in the body.
Simple heartburn products (such as Rennie, Maalox and Gavioscon) have no effect on the vitamin B12 status in the body. These stomach acid products only convert excess stomach acid into water and other body substances. There is then still enough stomach acid to release vitamin B12 from dietary proteins.
Shortage?
People who use antacids have an increased risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency. This does not mean that everyone who takes antacids actually has a vitamin B12 deficiency. The elderly should be extra alert because seniors sometimes already have a reduced absorption of B12 in the intestines.
Do you have symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency, see here: foundationb12shortage.nl then contact your doctor.
Sources: Medical Contact and Health Network
Very nice to know!
For example, yesterday I saw a story about high cholesterol and the statins prescribed for it in the form of simvastine or pravastine in the section “dr Maarten”.
I also took this myself until I got all kinds of physical complaints, only before you realize that, you've been a while further. One problem that occurred to me was a pounding headache.
According to my doctor, this was a migraine. I assumed that at first, because he's a doctor. However, headaches were commonplace, so I stopped and watch my headache disappear.
Many people seem to have problems with statins and it appeared in Radar since 2008.
That's what you'll find when you google. It even seems that the conclusion high cholesterol with cardiovascular disease is not really proven.
Statins do have a lowering effect, but have numerous side effects. Such as in the form of breaking down your muscle mass, cramps, breakdown of Q10 co-enzyme in your body, impotence and can even lead to diabetes and Parkinson's and what not, listen to your own body !!.
Since there is nothing else, this drug is in the top 3 most sold drugs and brings in many medical people and pharmaceutical companies a lot of money. All the more so since this remedy is increasingly being prescribed preventively for a somewhat high cholesterol level.
Despite my high cholesterol level, probably inherited, I will definitely not take this poison again. It already gave me a huge headache and it is of no use to me to get another illness or physical disability instead. My pharmacist didn't say anything about it, my doctor didn't (not even see a connection) and the package insert doesn't say anything either.
If you don't believe me, google it and see, I've come to my conclusion and never take them again, but high cholesterol level.
Totally agree with Peter, my doctor was even angry that I didn't want to take statins.
If you don't even read anything about it on the Internet anymore, yes, then bells will ring, and you will go deeper into it.
The connection between high cholesterol and heart disease is indeed not really proven, I also read this on the Internet.
The body also produces cholesterol itself, and if a deficiency occurs, more cholesterol is produced in the liver. Aldosterone is also made from cholesterol, which in turn is important for the regulation of blood pressure.
So the cholesterol story remains interesting, read a lot about it and listen to your body!
Greetings Sonja and Henk.
I replaced statin with “turmeric (curcumin)” and it works fine.
Of course nothing about this told the doctor.
Turmeric capsules are widely available in Thailand.
Benefits of turmeric are:
Lowers cholesterol, protects the liver, good for digestion, and much more!
Just google it and you will know more about it.
All statins are THE money makers of Big Pharma and all have, especially in the long term, serious and disastrous side effects, as with all pharmaceuticals.
It is definitely best not to touch, search intensively for alternatives, they are there, e.g. as Chander says, turmeric, etc., not only available in capsules but also fresh.
Success.
Nico B
Gastric acid inhibitors also reduce bone mass, which can have harmful consequences, especially for the elderly among us (are there young people among us?). The deficiency of vit b12 is combated by injections once in a while. You can safely take short-term antacids if you are taking diclofenac, for example, or other medication for which stomach protection is desired. At most 1 to 2 months. After that, you should stop to avoid habituation. If you are still used to it due to long-term use, you will have to reduce it or take the side effects for granted. Reducing is desirable because the body seems to produce extra stomach acid with long-term use to compensate for the antacid. So that the remedy ultimately exacerbates the ailment instead of alleviating it. The same effect as with tranquilizers. In the long run they don't work, but you can't do without them, because then the symptoms manifest themselves more intensely than before you started with the "medicine". The body reacts to everything.
Another important side effect of antacids, and this is certainly important in a less clean country like Thailand: Less acid also seems to reduce resistance to harmful bacteria.
And statins? Oh well, don't attach too much importance to what a doctor tells you. I've ignored almost all their advice my whole life and I'm perfectly healthy. Can still remember all their threats: If you don't swallow this or swallow that you will possibly: a chain of mischief! Never noticed anything. Throw that rubbish down the toilet and have a bear Chang.
think logically. Gastric acid inhibitors slow down the stomach acid. Stomach acid is essential for processing or digesting the food you ingest. If your food is poorly digested, all kinds of shortages and defects arise. Stomach acid, compensate with lime or norith. Even better watch your alcohol consumption and eating habits. An antacid once a week can do no harm, excess is harmful. Many ailments can be prevented with a healthy diet, mai pet, and sufficient exercise.
So don't eat too spicy, lots of vegetables and walk to the pub.
For people with, for example, a serious stomach rupture, antacids are sometimes the only solution. You can also get Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) in a melting tablet, which does not need to be injected, unless there is a major deficiency. I have no experience with statins, but 1 gram of Omega 3 (EPA & DHA) per day seems better to me, along with other changes in behavior. Good and useful article!
Also make sure that you do not use vitamin B12, nor melt tablets or spray before you have had a b12 deficiency tested. Keep in mind that if you have taken B12 pills to supplement your values, these values can be falsely elevated in most cases.
B12 deficiency is a serious disease which, left untreated or undertreated, can lead to permanent neurological and cognitive damage and disability. Untreated B12 deficiency can lead to death. People still die unnecessarily every year from B12 and folate deficiency (CBS 2016). We therefore prefer injections as we believe that the effect of oral supplementation has not been (sufficiently) scientifically proven and the disease is too serious to run the risk of permanent damage to the patient. Except for very flimsy evidence in the literature, (see our response to NHG's position provided with relevant literature references http://wp.me/P5dzwH-1h,) we also see in our practice that patients relapse after the initial improvement of the complaints pattern after oral supplementation and eventually do not recover. Injections are then required. The assumption that 'therefore no vitamin B12 deficiency can be present, since oral supplementation does not improve people' is therefore not correct, we see that every day in clinical practice. What may work for one patient may not work for another patient (one size doesn't fit all!). Especially because of the many underlying causes of a B12 deficiency, you cannot generalize the treatment. By giving injections, you avoid any absorption problem that may be present and patients can get the maximum benefit from their treatment.