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When you suppress or eliminate the body’s acid production with heartburn drugs, you also make it harder for the gastrointestinal tract to digest food – causing gas, bloating, and constipation
By now, most of you are aware of the drug epidemic that is causing thousands to die each year as a direct result of prescription opiates that include OxyContin, oxycodone, fentanyl, and others. In my view, a much lesser known but more cruel and unusual punishment is the slow but certain death suffered by chronic users of a class of drugs called PPIs.
A few years ago, I wrote about PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) and warned about the dangers of long-term use of this class of heartburn-relieving medications in a Vitality article.
Now I offer this article as a second, and louder, warning.
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In my private practice, not a day goes by without the arrival of patients who have been prescribed PPIs for heartburn, GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder), or indigestion by their family doctors or specialists. Some of these people have been on the drugs for years. This is in spite of the fact that we now have proof that this class of drugs can cause early death in addition to side effects like dementia, osteoporosis, recurrent infections including pneumonia and Candidiasis, as well as kidney failure.
Despite this, the number of prescriptions issued for PPIs is nothing short of staggering. For example, in 2015 there were 15 million prescriptions for Nexium alone, just one of the numerous PPI choices.
PPIs are called proton pump inhibitors because they bind or inhibit an enzyme (hydrogen potassium adenosine triphosphatase), also known as the proton pump. The proton pump causes the parietal cells in the stomach to produce acid. Through this proton pump inhibition, stomach acidity is reduced or eliminated much more and for much longer periods of time than the histamine H-2 receptor blockers (e.g. cimetidine or ranitidine).
To be specific, here is the current list of generic and brand names of PPIs most commonly in use:
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Some of these PPIs have also been combined with other drugs (e.g. Vimovo). This appears to be either an attempt to fool people into thinking the combos are safer or somehow more effective, or is just a money grab for a new type of drug formula. One recently published article in ProPublica claimed it to be the latter. These drugs make billions of dollars for Big Pharma each year.
PPIs are well tolerated if used for a few days or weeks, but common side effects can include constipation (a frequent symptom of excessively low stomach acidity), diarrhea, headache, skin itch, and skin rash. Rarely, there are reported cases of acute pancreatitis, flu-like illnesses, vomiting, low platelets, hepatitis, and autoimmune disorders. Adverse drug reactions vary from person to person but can be quite devastating when these medications are used for extended periods of time.
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Proton pump inhibitors can raise the risk of hip fractures by 44% if taken for longer than a year because, when you block acid production, you make it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium.
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When you suppress or eliminate the body’s acid production with these drugs, you also make it harder for the gastrointestinal tract to digest food – causing gas, bloating, and constipation. Sometimes this set of symptoms is labelled as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), for which further medication is often prescribed. (By the way, ginger and/or enteric-coated peppermint oil might be a reasonable alternative to the drugs commonly used to treat IBS.)
When PPIs are used regularly, stomach acidity can become so reduced that the body fails to absorb vital nutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, and numerous other minerals. Because these drugs reduce acidity, they can impair a person’s primary defence against bugs in food (bacteria, parasites, and fungi like Candida). This can then lead to both acute and chronic gastrointestinal infections like C. Difficile, which in turn can set one up for a lifetime of IBS, Candidiasis, and food sensitivity syndromes. Essentially, a person is increasing their risk of food poisoning every time they use these drugs.
QUOTE
“There are studies showing that about 40% of patients don’t have an evidence-based reason to be taking a proton pump inhibitor, and that a lot of patients haven’t tried other alternative therapies such as lifestyle modifications or medications that aren’t as strong, or ones that have fewer side-effects.”
Dr. Emily McDonald, McGill University; 2016
The biggest issue with PPIs is the length of time that one uses the drug. Clearly, questioning the use of PPIs after a year of continuous use is a smart thing to do. A word of warning here: do not take yourself off a PPI without medical supervision. PPIs can be lifesaving for those with bleeding ulcers and other serious gastrointestinal issues. Going off of them suddenly can cause serious problems for some individuals, so always work with your doctor to wean off these prescriptions.
As far as I know, no one was born with a PPI deficiency. In my experience, less than 5% of patients prescribed this class of drugs really need to take them. Even if they do, the treatment length of time for heartburn unrelated to ulcers, gastritis, or serious pathology should be no more than a few weeks. Natural alternatives are just as effective and certainly much safer.
LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE: Since stress, poor lifestyle choices such as cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity can cause hyperacidity as well as just about any disorder, great benefits can come from making major changes in these areas.
INFECTION
INFECTION: Helicobacter pylori bacterial infections are usually thought to be the cause of peptic ulcer disease and the symptoms that trigger doctors to prescribe either proton pump inhibitors or other drugs. There are a variety of tests your doctor can order for you to make the diagnosis. These include blood tests, breath tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, scopes and even biopsies. Medical doctors treat the H. pylori infection with antibiotics and a variety of antacids and/or acid suppressing drugs.
DIET
DIET: With respect to diet, the best thing to do is eat frequent small meals throughout the day instead of the usual three large meals. Drink more spring or purified water to help dilute acid excess. Therapeutic vegetable juices include carrot, spinach, beet, cucumber, parsley, celery, cabbage and potato. These should be used liberally throughout the day (2 quarts daily). Raw, organic, potato juice consumed just before breakfast can help reduce acid regurgitation.
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Therapeutic vegetable juices include carrot, spinach, beet, cucumber, parsley, celery, cabbage and potato
INFO
(Ed. note: As well, a glass of room temperature water with a squeeze of lemon juice or a spoonful of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in it can calm the stomach and aid digestion.)
Avoid red meat, alcohol, hot sauces, spicy and fried foods, added salt, caffeine products, sugar, and refined carbohydrate products. If you use aspirin, replace it with white willow bark capsules. At least this will not further aggravate the discomfort.
FOOD ALLERGY
FOOD ALLERGY: A large number of people suffer from hyperacidity because of an allergy to milk protein (casein) or gluten found in most grains. Testing for food allergy or sensitivity might be a good idea in the more stubborn cases failing to respond to other diet and supplement changes.
SUPPLEMENTS
SUPPLEMENTS: If you have been diagnosed as having an H. Pylori infection, a common cause of ulcers and gastritis, then the standard medical therapy is antibiotics plus antacids of one kind or another. Alternative natural health products that work like natural antibiotics include garlic, wild mountain oregano oil, mild silver protein (colloidal silver at 23 ppm or less) and berberine. Side effects (in comparison to prescription antibiotics) are minimal. You may already have heard of their safety and efficacy for numerous infections in the gut and other organs like the lungs and sinuses (bronchitis and sinusitis).
Both prescription and natural antibiotics can inhibit the growth of your friendly gut flora including bifido bacteria. This is why, if indeed there is proof of an H. Pylori infection, a multi-strain high potency probiotic (60 billion organisms) should be taken about two hours away from any antibiotic prescription. To soothe any gastrointestinal discomfort and help in the repair of damaged gut tissue, there is a long list of nutritional supplements that can be highly beneficial. Bovine colostrum contains immune modulating substances and has a long history of use to successfully treat chronic diarrhea and other gut disorders.
Essential fatty acid supplements (flaxseed oil, cod liver oil, salmon oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil) are anti-inflammatory and have numerous healing properties. Other nutrients than can either curtail H. Pylori or improve healing include choline, lecithin, PABA, bismuth, bentonite, goldenseal, slippery elm, burdock, manuka honey, ginger root, mastic gum, and aloe vera juice.
Another very effective gut remedy is licorice root, but be careful here. It should be noted here that the long-term use of licorice can elevate blood pressure in some sensitive individuals. The glycyrrhetinic acid component of licorice is what is responsible for this potential side effect. The best way of getting around this problem while still taking advantage of licorice’s ability to protect the gastrointestinal lining from acid irritation is to use deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Many herbal brands manufacture DGL, a supplement widely available at most health food stores and pharmacies specializing in natural remedies. DGL encourages the goblet cells of the stomach to secrete more mucin, a natural agent that protects the lining of the stomach and duodenum from acid. It is not an antacid but works like one without preventing mineral absorption.
HIGHLIGHT
A multi-strain high potency probiotic (60 billion organisms) should be taken about two hours away from any antibiotic prescription
The amino acid L-Glutamine can also be very useful in treating most hyperacidity symptoms. Well known for its ability to improve muscle definition, L-glutamine can also play a major role in repairing the lining of the gut while reducing food cravings and heartburn symptoms. The usual effective dose is 5000 mg twice daily. I recommend that people use it in a powdered form, mixed with water.
The four-herb combination of burdock, slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb, and sheep sorrel (a.k.a. Essiac) is effective for a wide range of gut problems including hiatal hernia, duodenal ulcers, gastritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, non-specific indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids and bowel infections. It can be used alone or in combination with DGL, aloe vera juice, or prescription medications in more resistant cases. Check with your doctor or naturopath for a personalized treatment regime.
Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin
Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook (co-authored with Jeanne Marie Martin)
Yan Xie, Benjamin Bowe, Tingting Li, Hong Xian, Yan Yan, Ziyad Al-Aly. Risk of death among users of Proton Pump Inhibitors: a longitudinal observational cohort study of United States veterans. BMJ Open, 2017; 7 (6): e015735 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015735
The Dangers of PPIs (by Chris Kresser). https://tinyurl.com/h8sw6cw
Overmedication with PPIs (report on CBC). https://tinyurl.com/y9njyto6
Zoltan P. Rona. Drugs You Don’t Need. https://tinyurl.com/b3nsfmd
Proton pump inhibitors drug class. https://www.medicinenet.com/proton-pump_inhibitors/page2.htm
How Two Common Medications Became One; posted on ProPublica: Journalism in the Public Interest. https://tinyurl.com/yccrvd8o
L-Glutamine for ulcers; published in the Harvard Gazette: https://tinyurl.com/yaf4a3y4
L-Glutamine: the ultimate healing supplement.https://www.naturalnews.com/035956_glutamine_supplements_healing.html
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Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc
Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc, offers consultations on nutrition and natural remedies in Thornhill. He has recently retired from medical practice as a Complementary and Alternative medical practitioner and now strictly offers nutritional and wellness consultations. He is the medical editor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing and has also published several Canadian bestselling books, including Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. To see more of Zoltan Rona’s articles, visit: www.highlevelwellness.ca and for appointments, please call (905) 764-8700; office located at: 390 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 19, Thornhill, Ontario
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I first read about the connection between parasites and cancer in the 1995 book entitled “The Cure for All Cancers” by naturopath Hulda Regehr Clark. Based on my medical knowledge at that time I believed that the title represented an outrageous and fraudulent claim. After all, mainstream medicine dismissed the idea that parasites were somehow involved with causing cancer.
Yet reports over the past few decades have surfaced claiming that even late-stage cancers could be brought into remission with a range of anti-parasitic regimens. More studies were also being published in the medical literature on the mechanisms by which parasites cause cancers of all kinds and how various anti-parasitic drugs and natural remedies were causing cancer to be eliminated in humans.
It is estimated that parasites can be found in about 50% of the population in North America. Conventional doctors tend to dismiss parasites unless they show up in stool tests and do not look for them in blood tests or by other means. Livecell (dark field) microscopy can often detect parasites even when stool tests are negative.
We can get parasites from contaminated water, fish and seafood, sushi, pork products and other contaminated foods as well as from close contact with people carrying parasites in their oral cavities, genitals, and gastrointestinal tracts. Some dentists who conduct microscopic examinations of a gum scraping will find parasites in the microscopic field.
Parasites include tapeworms, amoebae, protozoa, flukes, nematodes, hookworms and others. These organisms often cause all manner of digestive disturbances, immune system abnormalities, and chronic fatigue. A high blood level of the white blood cell known as eosinophils is often a strong sign of the presence of parasites in the body.
There are several effective natural parasite killers which have virtually no side effects in most individuals. Unfortunately, those afflicted with serious parasite infiltration will experience die-off reactions as the natural remedies kill off the parasites. This is because the parasites release their toxins as they die off, irritating the gastrointestinal tract which in turn causes pain, cramping, and diarrhea.
The good news is that this is only a temporary effect that stops once the majority of the parasites have been eliminated. In her book “The Cure for all Cancers,” Hulda Clark recommended several of these herbs in her treatment protocol.
Black walnut contains large amounts of juglone, a poison for parasites but not humans. It has been used for centuries to fight numerous bacteria, fungi and parasites. It also works as a mild laxative that eliminates dead microbes and other waste from the digestive tract.
Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia Annua) has also long been employed as a parasite killer and has been used successfully to inhibit malaria (Plasmodium Falciparum). It was also used successfully to treat viruses like Covid-19 in some countries during that pandemic. Some research suggests that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immunoregulatory benefits.
Garlic is another traditional parasite and unwanted microbe killer. Bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites are all killed off by one of its beneficial compounds called allicin. Eating fresh garlic smashed and chopped up can help kill most parasites.
Wild mountain oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial remedy which has been used to treat infections with bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. It’s often also recommended to treat allergy symptoms and chronic infections like sinusitis, bronchitis and many types of gastrointestinal infections.
Neem is a potent anti-microbial originating from the Neem tree and used in Ayurvedic Medicine especially for a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. It can be used both orally and topically as an anti-inflammatory remedy. It contains the anti-parasitic compound nimbidin. According to Klaus Ferlow, renowned Neem researcher, Neem leaf tea taken twice per day for one week is the usual method for eliminating parasites from the body. Tinctures and extracts are also available.
Grapefruit seed contains the bioflavonoid hesperidin which has both antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Grapefruit seed extract is especially effective as an anti-fungal remedy.
Most people know that cloves are an effective remedy for toothaches and gum infections. Even conventional dentists use the clove extract eugenol in treating gum and tooth pain. What’s not widely known is that cloves also kill parasites and numerous other pathogenic microbes. They have profound anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits.
On the other hand, Neem is generally used individually as a tea or tincture for treating parasites. Oil of Oregano is available as a bitter-tasting oil that only requires one or two drops for a therapeutic effect. Dr. Hulda Clark recommended many of these listed above in her book, along with an electronic parasite zapper.
It’s important to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrate foods to prevent parasites from flourishing. Consuming anti-microbial herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, clove, cayenne pepper, and ginger in your diet is also a good preventive strategy.
Foods that can fight parasites include:
These latter foods help establish a healthy bacterial flora that can prevent parasites from getting a foothold in the intestines.
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Studies show that the full moon is associated with higher parasite activity. We produce less melatonin and more serotonin during the full moon and this imbalance weakens the immune system that fends off parasites effectively. A melatonin supplement taken for a few days before and after the full moon may be worthwhile not only to help with sleep but to boost one’s immunity to parasites.
I have not historically recommended the use of any of these drugs. But many clients are now coming to see me who have already purchased them without a prescription or their doctor’s approval and are seeking more information about how they work and the evidence of their safety and efficacy.
These drugs have been strongly vilified by both Western medicine and the mainstream media and efforts are currently underway in Canada to ban them from the market. The various Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons across Canada, in collusion with provincial governments, are attempting to ban these drugs and are both penalizing and disciplining doctors that prescribe them. I expect you will hear a lot more news about these censorship events soon.
Ivermectin has been available since the late 1970s for the treatment of a variety of parasitic infections. It is also recognized as a potent anti-viral compound. Many of you may have heard of its success during the Covid-19 era both as a preventive or as a curative for this infection.
Now evidence is accumulating to show its benefits as an anti-cancer and anti-tumor agent. In 2015, Dr. Satoshi Omura won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of Ivermectin. Despite media misinformation, the fact is that Ivermectin is safe for human use with few side effects in most users. Critics have labelled it as a horse de-wormer which is toxic to humans but this is a complete falsehood. It is remarkably safe and well tolerated with minimal side effects.
There is an accumulating body of evidence showing that Ivermectin has substantial value in the treatment of many different cancers.
The most common ones reported in the medical literature include:
Despite its record of success, the public has been misled about Ivermectin, and the character and reputation of ethical physicians has been maligned across the US and Canada for daring to prescribe it. Not only that, but social media posts about its benefits have been censored and well-meaning physicians have been delicensed and/or fined for prescribing the drug to treat viral infections like Covid-19.
Currently the Alberta government is attempting to ban its prescription and various Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons across Canada have been disciplining physicians who prescribe Ivermectin.
Liquid, paste and cream forms of Ivermectin sourced from countries like India may contain chemicals like Polysorbate 80 and thus are not fit for human consumption and may be pro-inflammatory. Swallowing these forms could damage the gastrointestinal tract and cause leaky gut syndrome. Veterinary sources of Ivermectin are at the low end of purity and could have side effects on the GI system that non-veterinary sources don’t have.
On the other hand, the raw material used for one brand of Ivermectin called IverMed-12 is 98.6% pure. This brand is available from www.freedomhealth.is and is preferred over veterinary sources.
Mebendazole is another potent anti-parasitic drug which was first used to treat a broad spectrum of parasites in humans in 1971. Fenbendazole is the veterinary version of the same drug and has also been successfully used by humans to treat cancer but is not as pure as Mebendazole.
Despite this, many people use Fenbendazole that they purchase from veterinary sources to treat their cancers. It works by disrupting and inhibiting glucose uptake by cancer cells and parasites, thus starving them to death. It has additional anti-cancer effects through microtubule polymerization, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and blocking glutamine uptake pathways. No wonder that it has been reported to reverse even end stage cancers.
Mebendazole has low toxicity but may cause transient symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea because of a die-off reaction to the killing of parasites. In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, urticaria, and angioedema, have also been observed. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and must be used with caution in infants below the age of 2.
Mebendazole can sensitize cancer cells to conventional therapy such as chemotherapy and radiation, thus enhancing overall cancer controlling therapy.
Mebendazole has been shown to have a high level of activity against leukaemia, colon cancer, CNS, colon and melanoma cell lines, with lesser activity in breast, ovarian and renal cell lines.
Other cancer types which have responded favourably to Mebendazole include lung cancer, adrenocortical cancer, chemo resistant melanoma, and glioblastoma multiforme. Mebendazole can cross the blood brain barrier and has a low toxicity profile, thus making it an attractive anti-cancer remedy for brain cancers like glioblastoma.
It is also available online through the Health Freedom website, at: https://healthfreedom.is/product-category/healing/mebendazole/
Since 1876 Methylene Blue has been used not only as a textile dye but also as a remedy for parasites such as those causing malaria.
Peer reviewed studies have shown that Methylene Blue has had success in a diverse list of health concerns. Its benefical effects include cognitive enhancement by improving mitochondrial function, anti-aging, improving cellular vitality, increasing longevity, anti-cancer benefits, anti-parasitic and other anti-microbial effects as well as antioxidant and free radical protection benefits.
Methylene Blue is generally regarded as safe but may react adversely with MAO inhibitors, SSRIs and other anti-depressants so caution is indicated for those who take those types of drugs.
Joe Tippens is a man who was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 small cell lung cancer in 2017 and sent home to die. He had exhausted all conventional treatments and was told he had a 1% chance of survival. Nothing was prescribed for him by his doctors who had basically given up on him. A friend suggested that he had nothing to lose by taking Fenbendazole and some natural remedies (curcumin, CBD oil, vitamin E). To make a long story short he achieved complete remission of his cancer within months and is now alive and well.
(taken from Dr. William Makis web site)
Please understand that I am not endorsing any of these anti-cancer treatments but just reporting the facts from the medical literature and what many cancer victims are now doing on their own. The connection between parasites and cancer is still very controversial and mainstream medicine and oncologists are adamantly opposed to the treatments advocated by doctors like Dr. William Makis for cancer.
Whatever you decide to do about this information, discuss it with your family doctor and specialist before embarking on anti-parasitic treatment for cancer. Do your own research and talk to other people that have used these therapies before you make any decisions regarding your own situation.
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