When deciding on a treatment option for stomach problems, it is often tempting to go for the conventional option which offers immediate relief of symptoms. However, it is important to consider the long term implications of treating symptoms rather than the actual cause of digestive problems.
Take a look at the comparison between The Other Option’s DIGESTIVE REMEDY™ Siberian Pine Nut Oil and conventional stomach treatments and decide for yourself:
Digestive ailments are usually treated with antacids or acid blocking medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 Blockers. Most antacid disclaimers maintain that the product should be discontinued after 14 days, whilst PPIs and H2 Blockers’disclaimers state that the product should be discontinued after 8 weeks. Conventional medicines only offer short-term relief of symptoms, but do not treat the underlying issues.
Removing acid in the stomach by neutralizing it or by blocking its production has been found to increase the occurrence of food allergies – particularly in sufferers of digestive disorders who regularly use antacids. By neutralizing stomach acid, or stopping acid production altogether, the body is unable to absorb the vital nutrients essential for normal functioning. Without these nutrients and proper digestion, the brain, bones, immunity and nerve functions are all compromised.
A 2009 report in The American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that PPIs may cause dependency in digestive ailment sufferers by increasing gastric symptoms if they are discontinued. A 2010 report in The American Journal of Gastroenterology reported on another study where healthy volunteers who were given a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or placebo for four weeks and then followed for six additional weeks. One week after treatment was stopped, 44% of the PPI recipients reported symptoms of dyspepsia, compared to 9% of the placebo recipients. By the third week, this difference between the two groups had disappeared. The conclusion is that rebound hyperacidity mediated by gastrin hormone secretion occurs following the discontinuation of PPI’s. Patients should expect symptoms of hyperacidity to worsen for a week or two after stopping these drugs.
According to Professor Erika Jensen-Jarolim and colleagues at the University of Vienna, regular use of antacids can increase the risk of food allergies. “Medications that reduce acid secretion OR neutralize the acidity within the stomach may set up a situation where harmless food proteins become potential allergens, which can then trigger an immune system response resulting in an allergic reaction,” says Professor Erika Jensen-Jarolim. Although Professor Jensen-Jarolim’s study was conducted on adults using the proton pump inhibitor medication, these findings have important implications for infants, who by the very nature of their young age have immature digestive and immune systems, which increases the risk of food allergies developing.
