In a massive study of more than 70,000 older adults who were dementia-free at baseline, PPI users developed significantly higher rates of dementia compared to non-users.

PPIs increased cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fractures, kidney disease, dementia, all cause mortality (death), B-12 deficiency, pneumonia, and infections.

Contents

1. Context: Pharmaceutical Drug Harms

2. Handouts

3. PPIs, Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD, Gastric Ulcer Drugs

4. Evidence of Harm: Executive Summary

5. Detailed References

6. Free Reference Guide

7. For Wellness Providers & Educators: Boost Your Impact — Premium Resources Just a Click Away from $19

Context: Pharmaceutical Drug Harms

1. Pharmaceuticals generally + overprescription — In a controlled trial with disabled elderly adults, doing nothing except terminating some of their prescriptions dropped the death rate by 53% compared to the control. “More than half of the patients were candidates for deprescribing. The most common criterion was inappropriately long use, followed by safety concerns, and lack of indication.”

2. Acid blockers, PPIs, drugs for acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, gastric ulcer (you’re here) — PPIs increased cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fractures, chronic kidney disease, neurodegeneration including Alzheimer’s and dementia, all-cause mortality (death), B-12 deficiency, pneumonia, and infections. PPIs altered children’s gut microbiome, the foundation of immunity and health, and increased infections in children. Stomach acid is crucial for health.

3. ADHD drugs, stimulants — Caused “long-lasting changes” in brain function “similar to those that occur with cocaine.” “There is no such thing as a Ritalin deficiency.” Harms from ADHD drugs are many, and effects from higher doses are severe. Get verifiable research and alternatives for resolving the underlying issues.

4. Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s drugs — Alzheimer’s & dementia drugs are less effective than B vitamins. And they cause fluid build-up & bleeding in the brain and increased death. Parkinson’s drugs deplete nutrients needed for brain health. Parkinson’s symptoms can be reversed. Successful therapies promote brain autophagy, “the removal of old and damaged brain cells and the creation of new and healthy brain cells.”

5. Antibiotics — “Like TNT for the body’s microbiome” and linked with kidney stones, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects. Since 70 to 80% of the immune system is in the gut, damage to gut health is damage to immune health. Review curated research + alternatives and considerations.

6. Asthma, allergy & hay fever drugs, antihistamines — Antihistamines cause heart problems, cognitive impairment, seizures in kids. Asthma “med” caused depression, anxiety, aggression, suicides. “Common medications like diphenhydramine [called benadryl, other brand names] cross the blood-brain barrier, disrupting normal brain activity and lowering seizure thresholds in vulnerable children.”

7. Blood pressure drugs — Allergies, Diabetes, Weight Gain, Sexual Dysfunction, Depression, Acute Kidney Injury, Lung Cancer, Abnormal Heart Rate, and More. Blood pressure-lowering drugs have not been shown to be effective; do not address the root cause(s) of hypertension; have been contaminated with cancer-causing agents; and cause harm (“side effects”).

8. Chemotherapy, other cancer drugs, radiation — “Chemotherapy makes cancer worse.” “Chemotherapy doubled the number of cancer cells in the bloodstream and lungs.” “Omitting radiation from treatment did not have an effect on survival rates.” “Radiation therapy increases the risk of solid tumors.” Chemotherapy drugs harm the healthcare professionals who administer them.

9. Diabetes drugs, metformin — Caused death, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, reduced blood flow to brain & organs. 90% + of diabetes is reversible with diet but professionals push drugs that harm. Professionals avoid telling the simple truth about the effectiveness of low carb diets and push profitable drugs that cause harm. In 2023, the FDA approved more drugs to treat diabetes in children.

10. Osteoporosis drugs, bisphosphonates — Caused “substantially reduced bone strength” and caused more microcracks in bone than the controls. Osteoporosis drugs caused blood calcium levels to drop, digestion problems, internal bleeding, irregular heartbeat, bone fractures, and bone death.

11. Over the counter drugs (OTCs) — Tylenol: ADHD, autism, ulcers, GI issues, kidney disease, heart failure. Laxative given to children: rage, tics, insomnia, seizures. Ibuprofen: DNA damage, hypertension. Sunscreens? Nightmare. Prescription drugs cause great harm, but so do over-the-counter meds and personal care products. Get an organized curation of research and reports.

12. Pain relievers, NSAIDs, opioids — Even at “safe doses,” opioids cause confusion, dependence, depression, increased pain sensitivity, diminished energy, and low sex drive. Consistent use of NSAIDs caused heart attacks. Doctors are not trained in pain management or addiction, but they prescribe dangerous, highly addictive drugs. Get an organized curation of research and reports, plus alternatives and considerations.

13. Psychiatric drugs: antidepressants, SSRIs, anti-anxiety, benzos, other psychotropics — Anti-depressants cause suicidal thinking, violence, and homicide. Anti-anxiety drugs cause insomnia and anxiety. Anti-psychotic drugs cause agitation, psychosis and violence. This organized curation of research and reports makes it clear that the evidence of harm from psychotropic drugs is overwhelming. We also provide alternatives and considerations.

14. Scans: mammograms, CT scans, X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds — Many types of common medical scans rely on ionizing radiation, which damages DNA and increases cancer. Mammograms do not reduce risk of death from breast cancer, but increase distress and unnecessary “treatment.” CT scans increased cancers with “clear dose-response relationships.” Contrast agents can cause serious kidney injury and brain damage. Ultrasounds do not use radiation, but instead use high frequency sound waves, which have been demonstrated to damage fetal tissues.

15. Seizure drugs, anticonvulsants, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) — Devastating effects, negatively impacting virtually every system of the body, including damage to blood vessels and reduction in all three types of blood cells. Seizure drugs caused liver failure and death in young people and in healthy adults. A long list of non-harming alternatives listed below, with links to research on their effectiveness.

16. Sleeping pills, sedatives — Sleeping pills make you unconscious, not asleep. They impair the sleep cycle. They increase dementia, falls, and death. And they’re highly addictive. Sleeping pills deprive people of true sleep and they impede essential brain functions (which are causes of dementia, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases)

17. Statins — Statin drugs damage health at foundational levels — mitochondria, muscles and nerves — which can lead to more than 300 health problems. Research curation on statin harms, plus research showing that 1) lowering cholesterol does not improve heart health, and 2) statins do not lower all-cause death rates.

18. Steroids — Cause osteoporosis and double the risk of bone fractures. They increase heart failure, diabetes, psychiatric issues, glaucoma, and serious infections. Steroid users report rapid weight gain, intense hunger, irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, acne, stomach pain, nausea, joint pain, and withdrawal reactions, among other adverse events.

19. Vaccines — Reports by vaccine type.

20. Weight loss drugs — Ozempic & Similar Weight Loss Drugs Cause Kidney Failure, Pancreatitis, Thyroid Cancer, Gallbladder Issues, Depression, Severe Stomach Problems, Bone & Muscle Loss, Blindness, and Death. “Ozempic, similar weight loss drugs linked to 162 deaths in U.S.” Get an organized curation of research and reports, with quick links to verify sources.

Handouts

Handouts available for purchase here. Samples below.

PPIs, Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD, Gastric Ulcer Drugs

The following prescription and over-the-counter drugs are used for heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, GERD (gastroesophageal / gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) and gastric ulcer.

• Antacids are OTC (over the counter) and include Aluminum Hydroxide, Calcium Carbonate, Gaviscon, Magnesium Trisilicate, Mylanta, and Tums. [source]

• H2 Blockers/Antagonists (histamine type 2 receptor antagonists) are OTC (over the counter) and include Axid, Cimetidine, Famotidine**, Fluxid, Nizatidine, Pepcid**, Ranitidine*, Tagamet, and Zantac*. [source and source]

• PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) include Aciphex, Dexilant, Dexlansoprazole, Esomeprazole, Lansoprazole, Nexium, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Rabeprazole, and Zegerid. [source and source]

• Promotility Agents include Bethanechol, Cisapride, Domperidone, Metoclopramide, and Metozolv. [source]

*Ranitidine [Zantac] was “revoked from the market in 2020 because it contained cancer-causing agents.” [source and source]

**”Pepcid (famotidine) uniquely blocks serotonin activity unlike other H2 blockers, helping interrupt chronic pain, inflammation, and fatigue caused by elevated serotonin levels. Elevated serotonin impairs mitochondrial energy production and drives chronic inflammation, depression, and pain, contrary to the popular ‘feel-good chemical’ misconception. Pepcid is safer than recalled Zantac (ranitidine) and more potent than older H2 blockers, with fewer drug interactions and decades of proven safety. Unlike PPIs with serious long-term risks, Pepcid offers a safer approach by targeting serotonin overload while providing effective heartburn relief.” [source and source and source]

Evidence of Harm: Executive Summary

• Systemic Risks: PPIs increased cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fractures, chronic kidney disease, neurodegeneration including Alzheimer’s and dementia, all-cause mortality (death), B-12 deficiency, pneumonia, and infections.

• Significant Cognitive Harm: In a large-scale study of more than 70,000 older adults who were dementia-free at baseline, PPI users developed significantly higher rates of dementia compared to non-users.

• Pediatric & Microbiome Effects: PPIs altered the gut microbiome and increased infections in children.

• The Digestion Paradox: Sufficient stomach acid is critical for digestion, absorption, and pathogen elimination. In fact, chronic reflux symptoms can frequently stem from insufficient stomach acid rather than an excess.

• Nutrient Depletion: Lowering stomach acid reduces the release of minerals and the absorption of certain nutrients. These nutrient deficiencies are linked to numerous downstream chronic diseases.

Detailed References

PPIs increased cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fractures, chronic kidney disease, neurodegeneration including Alzheimer’s and dementia, all-cause mortality (death), B-12 deficiency, pneumonia, and infections. [source and source]

Sold both by prescription and over the counter… proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been linked to numerous severe side effects: chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, heart attacks, pneumonia, dementia, bone fractures, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Patients have even begun to file lawsuits, claiming the companies behind these blockbuster drugs were aware of the risks but failed to warn the public. – Dr. David Jockers link and 10-min video

PPIs have been associated with a variety of severe adverse effects such as osteoporosis and associated fractures, hypomagnesemia, pneumonia, Clostridium difficile colitis and cardiovascular morbidity… PPI use was accompanied by unapproved indications, frequent inappropriate co-prescription with [steroids] and excessive dosages. – Yujuan Liu et al, BMJ link and link

The patients receiving regular PPI medication had a significantly increased risk of incident dementia compared with the patients not receiving PPI medication. – Willy Gomm PhD et al, JAMA Neurology link

PPIs… have been shown in studies to increase people’s risks of dementia by 44 percent. – The Epoch Times link

[PPIs] may potentially affect several [disease mechanisms] involved in cardiovascular and kidney morbidity, immune response and infections, absorption of selected nutrients, bone metabolism and cognitive function. Clinical epidemiology evidence coming from well-designed analyses of observational data consistently reported that long-term use of PPIs may increase the risk of cardiovascular events… – Dr. Andrea Corsonello MD & Fabrizia Lattanzio PhD link

Massive Study: Dementia Significantly Higher in Older Adults who Used PPIs Compared to Non-Users (2016)

• Participants: 73,679 adults age 75 or older, dementia-free at baseline

• Study: Data from 2004 – 2011 comparing dementia development among those who regularly use PPIs to participants not using PPIs

• Results: Dementia was significantly higher among regular PPI users