Heartburn drugs can cause vitamin B12 deficiency Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prilosec and Nexium, can interfere with the absorption of calcium and iron.
Now, the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that vitamin B12 be added to the list. They find that people with B12 deficiencies are significantly more likely to have taken PPIs for at least two years than people without the deficiency.
Heartburn drugs called H-2 blockers, such as Zantac and Pepcid, were also linked to elevated risk, but less so. Doctors at the University of California, Berkeley, say those who take these drugs regularly should have their B12 levels measured.
B12 supplements are available in pill form, but for a serious deficiency, shots are recommended. I recommend a trying a healthy simple supplement first. Nutrilite® Vitamin B Dual-Action.
Left untreated B12 deficiency can lead to nerve damage, anemia, dementia and other complications.
Lynn Susoeff
Very Simple Solutions
10624 S. Eastern Ave.
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 752-9913
