LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

atrophic gastritis

Double infection with H pylori and non-H pylori during acid-suppression – (07-30-01)

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Double infection with H pylori and non-H pylori during acid-suppression

The co-infection of H pylori along with other bacteria during acid suppressive therapy is believed to contribute to the progression of atrophic gastritis, a condition where the portion of the stomach that produces stomach acid is destroyed. This article suggests a cycle of stomach problems treated with acid suppression that encourages bacterial growth. This growth then produces an increased inflammatory reaction against the stomach in an attempt to destroy the bacteria. The attack ultimately wears away the gastric antrum. I cannot stress how important stomach acid is to our health, and the casual nature with which acid suppression is prescribed and bought over the counter is frustrating. Any doctor willing to give acid suppressive therapy (with a few severe cases warranting its use) does not understand the physiology of the GI tract.

Synergy : Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 15 (8), 1163-1175

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TEST BEFORE GOING ON ACID SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY – (02-17-03)

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Ratio between IL-8 and pepsinogen A/C: marker for atrophic gastritis

Atrophic gastritis is the wearing away of the portion of the stomach that contains the parietal cells–the cells that produce stomach acid.

This article finds that markers in the blood can identify patients with this condition. This makes things very, very interesting in a time with the “purple pill” that is advertised everywhere totally shuts down acid production (it wasn’t important anyway…). Next time a physician suggests you go on acid suppressive therapy, ask him/her for this test. Despite popular opinion (and contrary to medical research and clinical presentations) most people make less and less stomach acid as we get older, making acid suppressive therapy baseless.

Synergy Abstract –

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WILL DIET PROVIDE ENOUGH B12 AS WE GET OLDER?

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First and foremost, we need to understand just how darn important B12 is to the proper functioning of our bodies.  Playing in the same physiological circle as B6, folic acid and betaine, which is called methylation, B12 plays a role in neurological function (depression, cognitive decline, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers), cancer prevention, cardiovascular function and bone health.  This is, of course, a brief list.

B12 needs proper digestion and stomach acid levels to be absorbed.  As we age, we lose the region of our stomach that produces stomach acid (parietal cells) gets worn away.  This leads to problems absorbing B12.  This is also a problem with stress and drugs that shut down digestion (Nexium, Prilosec, Aciphex, etc..).  Good thing that stress is not an issue in today’s society and that patients put on acid blocking drugs never take them longer than a few months…….

This study looks at whether or not the current dietary recommendations for B12 intake is adequate for an aging population.  The answer is definately no.  So what do we do?  Supplementation is very easy, but B12 levels in the supplement need to be high to overcome the poor absorption.  Our office uses a B12, B6 and folic acid lozenge that has 2,000 mcg of B12.  Not sublignual