Scientists have warned that a common heartburn medication may cause a deficiency of essential minerals in the body, potentially affecting millions of people who take it regularly.
Omeprazole (brand name Prilosec), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is used to reduce stomach acid and treat frequent heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers, and erosive esophagitis caused by chronic acid reflux. This medication is available both with and without a prescription and has been trusted by scientists for over three decades due to its effectiveness.
However, these medications are designed for short-term use only, as reducing stomach acid affects the body's ability to absorb essential minerals. A recent study conducted by scientists at the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil on mice showed that administering doses equivalent to the human dose of omeprazole led to significant health problems.
The study involved monitoring mice for 10, 30 and 60 days, measuring mineral levels in the blood, liver and spleen, and analyzing blood cells, to illustrate the long-term effect of the drug on mineral balance and body health.
A sharp decrease in copper levels in the liver, which hindered iron absorption.
Iron accumulates in organs such as the liver and spleen instead of being distributed in the blood to produce red blood cells, leading to early signs of anemia.
The body draws calcium from the bones to maintain its levels in the blood, which may weaken the skeletal structure over time.
An elevated white blood cell count suggests a possible inflammatory response caused by an increase in bacteria resulting from decreased stomach acidity.
It is worth noting that Prilosec is dispensed more than 45 million times annually in the United States, making it one of the top ten most prescribed medications. While animal study results do not necessarily translate to humans, the mechanism of mineral absorption is similar, highlighting the need for monitoring patients who use it long-term, particularly through regular blood tests for the early detection of problems such as anemia and mineral deficiencies.
These results confirm previous warnings about the long-term use of acid suppressants, and their possible link to anemia, bone fractures, magnesium deficiency and kidney problems, and call for adherence to the recommended doses and medically prescribed treatment periods.
