Brain Drain

There is a recent study which indicated that the elderly with higher vitamin B12 levels have less shrinkage in their brains. Shrinkage of the brain is associated with degenerative brain diseased like Alzheimers. There has been a lot of discussion, since the release of this study, about proper food sources of B12 and whether it is advisable to use supplements.

However, the most important implication of this study has not been mentioned. STOMACH ACID IS ESSENTIAL for the absorption of vitamin B12 from food or pills through the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach acid also reduces the risk of cancer of the bowel and maybe overall cancer rates as well. As we age there is a reduction of acid production.

People are spending billions of dollars every year to REDUCE THEIR STOMACH ACID. There are many different kinds of antacids: the over the counter liquids and pills containing chemical neutralizers, H2 blockers and prescription PPI’s. They are marketed on billboards, in TV ads, and in magazines, with images of happy looking people being encouraged to eat food that disagrees with their digestion and use a drug chaser to make it all better.

 

Our stomach acid is there for a reason! Excess stomach acid can cause problems including burns to the esophagus (swallowing tube leading to the stomach) but the antacids should be seen a temporary fix in the vast majority of people. It is important to understand that most acid reflux, indigestion, and heartburn are diet induced. We were not all made to eat the same diet: tomato sauce or jalapeno peppers don’t sit well with some people. Fatty and fried foods should be rare inclusions in our diet and not the daily staple. Learn to eat in a way that keeps your stomach happy with the minimum amount of medication.

(There are some people with uncommon conditions which will require them to use antacids in the long term to prevent serious disease. This article is not addressing those health conditions.)

Factette

Drug companies are run by marketing executives and not scientists. There is not a reliable market in sick people. There is a larger market share in healthy people. Many classes of drugs are being marketed to convince healthy people that they need to take drugs for the length of their lives.)