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increased risk for dementia in older patients. irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and research A Harvard
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The study used data from the largest manda- has concluded that there is a “higher prevalence Medical
tory public health insurer in Germany, which of IBS in subjects with GERD compared with
covers roughly one-third of the population subjects without GERD.” A study published School doctor
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and includes information on both diagnoses in Digestion likewise has noted that GERD, was quoted
and drug prescriptions. The analysis included dyspepsia and IBS commonly overlap in the as saying that
over seventy thousand elderly subjects (aged general population. Interestingly, these over-
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seventy-five or older) who, at the outset of the laps are most likely to occur in individuals with PPIs “are not
study, did not have dementia. After following anxiety. One reason for this may be the fact the benign
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the subjects from 2004-2011, nearly 60 percent that protein breakdown cannot occur properly drugs the
of the subjects had dementia, but there was a sig- without correct stomach function and adequate
nificantly higher risk of dementia in the nearly hydrochloric acid—and without proper protein public thinks
three thousand patients who regularly used PPIs, digestion, we cannot liberate and absorb the they are.”
compared to patients not taking any PPIs. This amino acids needed to build neurotransmitters
is very important information if we consider like dopamine and serotonin. Symptoms like
that PPI usage has been steadily increasing, insomnia and anxiety (as well as many others)
not just in the elderly but in an ever growing can result from improper protein digestion,
population of younger people who potentially sometimes even before any major symptoms of
will take these drugs for decades. GERD appear.
An even more recent observational study Jonathan V. Wright and Lane Lenard have
published in 2017 in The British Medical Jour- come to similar conclusions in their book, Why
nal Open found that PPIs increased the risk Stomach Acid is Good for You, a must read for
of premature death. Compared to individuals anyone having symptoms or facing a diagnosis
exposed to PPIs for a month or less, the risk of of GERD. I will take it one step further and
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death increased by 17 percent for those using note that when dysbiosis is present, proteins that
the drugs for three to six months, by 31 percent are not digested serve as “dinner” for many op-
in people on the drugs for six months to a year portunistic bacteria. The caustic fermentation
and by 51 percent in those using PPIs for more products produced when these bacteria break
than a year. down protein then lead to further stomach and
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Where can we turn if we hope to avoid intestinal (colon) irritation.
the pitfalls of Western medicine’s dangerous Current research highlighted by Dr. Da-
approach to GERD? First, we must understand vid Perlmutter in his book Brain Maker: The
what is really going on in the stomach (and in Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect
the intestinal tract as well) that creates this Your Brain—for Life describes how our gut
problem in the first place. As laid out above, microbiome develops from birth and evolves, for
mainstream medicine considers GERD to be better or worse, based on our diet and lifestyle
a problem of hyperacidity (too much acid) and choices—and discusses how this microbiome
treats it accordingly, but in fact, it is almost can even affect our brain. Perlmutter makes
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always the complete opposite. I am certainly a point that is even more critical to the GERD
not the first to put forth the notion that GERD discussion when he states:
is actually a problem of hypochlorhydria (lack
of stomach acid), which can arise in response The research is clear: your gut’s bugs may
to multiple triggers. as well be considered an organ in their own
right. And they are just as vital to your
THE GUT FLORA health as your own heart, lungs, liver and
The first causative factor linked to GERD— brain. The latest science tells us that the
supported in the medical literature yet seldom intestinal flora that take up residence on the
discussed—is dysbiosis (abnormal intestinal delicate folds of your intestinal walls aid in
flora). Disruption of the human intestinal tract's digestion and absorption of nutrients [and]
normal healthy flora is a well known link to create a physical barrier against potential

SUMMER 2018 Wise Traditions 19