When I went to medical school there was a different attitude toward drugs than there is today. We were taught to give drugs only when necessary and only as long as necessary. In the past few years, drugs for long-term use and even for preventive use have become the norm. And the consequences of chronic drug usage are being documented in more and more studies.

The latest study I read is about proton pump inhibitors. We’re talking about Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach and small intestine ulcers, and inflammation of the esophagus.

These drugs kill your stomach acid, and now it looks like they also kill your bones.

The findings are that high doses or long-term use of these drugs may increase the risk for hip, wrist, and spine fractures by 25%, and can more than double the risk of contracting the intestinal bacterium, Clostridium difficile.

The US Government, medical societies and drug companies say they are all mystified as to why this is happening with this extremely important class of drugs. Well, I’m not mystified, because the answer is quite simple:

Proton pump inhibitors inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach. Stomach HCL is our first line of defense against parasites, bacteria, yeast and fungi that we unwittingly ingest in our food and water. HCL is necessary for the breakdown and proper absorption of minerals. And you can’t digest your food without it! So, what do you expect will happen when you kill your stomach’s ability to produce HCL?

You won’t have enough minerals for proper bone formation. You will be susceptible to parasite, bacteria and yeast overgrowth in your intestines, and your undigested food will feed these organisms.

Gas, bloating, upset bowel movements leading to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and colitis can be the result. Since most doctors still think IBS is a “functional” condition, patients with these symptoms are simply treated with more drugs.

If bacterial overgrowth is found on a stomach ulcer test, then more drugs – antibiotics – are the immediate medical answer. This, then, leads to more yeast overgrowth and myriad toxins.

Is this what you want for yourself and your family?

Supplemental hydrochloric acid is available in Hippocrates Digestive Compound.