Do You Need More Stomach Acid?

Vol. 9, Issue 7 O Do You Need More Stomach Acid? ne of the most common complaints I hear from patients is that they are suffering from stomach issu...
Author: Beryl Rice
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Vol. 9, Issue 7

O

Do You Need More Stomach Acid?

ne of the most common complaints I hear from patients is that they are suffering from stomach issues. The most frequent of these issues include a persistent sour taste in the mouth, a burning feeling in the throat, and bloating. My father, Ellis, was one of my first patients. Unfortunately, he suffered a myriad of health concerns, some of which I have written about before. In addition to other issues, my father suffered from chronic stomach problems. I learned more from treating him than any other person I have ever treated. In this month’s issue of Natural Way to Health, I will tell you about how the stomach works, what can go wrong with it, and what you can do to fix your stomach problems without resorting to drugs that actually worsen stomach function and overall health in the long term.

Problems With Powerful Antacids

When I was a child, my father was always taking antacid medications, and like many of my patients, complaining about a sour taste in his mouth, particularly after meals. To be fair, my father wasn’t always the best patient. He ate a lot, and often that was not healthy food. He also smoked cigarettes. Ellis also complained about bloating, and would suffer from stomach pain after he ate. After a meal, he usually chewed on Tums. Finally, he went to a see a gastrointestinal (GI) doctor who diagnosed him with gastritis, a condition that involves inflammation of the stomach.

July 2016

(“Gastro” refers to the stomach, while “itis” indicates inflammation). Once he was diagnosed, the GI doctor prescribed an antacid medication called Zantac, the active ingredient of which is ranitidine, a compound that works by blocking histamine H2 receptors in the cells lining the stomach. Once the H2 receptors are blocked, less stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) is produced. Newer antacid medications include Prilosec and Nexium, which work by blocking the proton pumps in the stomach, resulting in less stomach acid production. These drugs are called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are even more potent antacids than H2 blockers. My father began on H2 blockers, and later was prescribed PPIs. Although he took his meds dutifully,

In This Issue . . . How Acid Aids Digestion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New Therapy for Gastritis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Case Study: Curing a Burning Case of Shingles. . . . 4 Reasons for Low Acid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Special Report: Roots of Peanut Allergies. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Natural Ways to Increase Stomach Acid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ask Dr. B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Consequences of Low Stomach Acid The production of adequate stomach acid is crucial for overall health. The consequences of low stomach acid production are severe, including vitamin B12 deficiency and bacterial overgrowth of the gut that can lead to increased risk of C. difficile and H. pylori infections. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, low stomach acid also ensures poor digestion of proteins, potentially leading to malnourishment. Mineral deficiencies are also common with inadequate stomach acid production. Thyroid disorders are also associated with low stomach acid. Worse yet, the New England Journal of Medicine reports that low stomach acid production decreases the absorption of thyroid hormone by approximately 25 percent.

he still suffered from gastritis symptoms. He would regularly visit the GI doctor for tests, which included esophagealgastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a procedure in which a scope was placed down his throat to look at his esophagus and stomach lining. Each time the doctor performed an EGD, he would remark that my father’s esophagus and stomach lining looked red and irritated. From that, he concluded that my father had to take more stomach acid medications. So my dad was prescribed more and more antacid medications, even though he kept having stomach problems. In fact, he was prescribed antacid medications for more than 15 years. Dr. David Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health® is a monthly publication of Newsmax Media, Inc., and Newsmax.com. It is published at a charge of $54.95 for print delivery ($49.95 for digital/online version) per year through Newsmax.com and NewsmaxHealth.com. The owner, publisher, and editor are not responsible for errors and omissions. Rights of reproduction and distribution of this newsletter are reserved. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution of information contained herein, including storage in retrieval systems or posting on the Internet, is expressly forbidden without the consent of Newsmax Media, Inc. For rights and permissions, please contact Newsmax Media, Inc. at 
PO Box 20989, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416 or by email at [email protected].

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Like my father’s doctor, I was taught to prescribe antacid medications like H2 blockers at the first sign of gastritis symptoms. Later, when the PPIs were discovered, I began prescribing them instead. But shortly after finishing my residency, I began changing my practice to a more holistic focus. And I began to ask questions about the use of common antacid medications. For instance: How long should such medications be prescribed? The Physicians Desk Reference states that there are no safety studies of H2 blockers for periods of more than eight weeks. Yet it is common for doctors to prescribe these drugs for much longer periods, even indefinitely. In the case of PPIs, the PDR states, “Do not use for more than 14 days.” I’ve seen many patients taking PPIs for more than 10 years. Remember, these antacid medications block the production of stomach acid.

How Stomach Acid Aids Digestion

As I have noted before, pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a liquid is, on a scale of zero to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, meaning water. In a resting state, the stomach’s pH is around 4. When food enters the stomach, it triggers the release of hydrochloric acid to digest the food. The stomach’s pH can quickly drop to approximately 1. Exposing your skin to a solution with a pH of 1 would cause a tremendous burn and result in severe tissue damage. The stomach also works to break down food by contracting. The resulting semi-digested food then enters the duodenum — the first part of the small intestine — where bile and pancreatic enzymes are added to the mix. In the small intestine, the walls are lined with

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Please note: All information presented in Dr. David Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health (including answers to reader questions) is for informational purposes only, and is not specifically applicable to any individual’s medical problem(s), concerns, and/or needs. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information presented in Dr. David Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health should not be construed as medical consultation or instruction. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publication’s contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional about any issue regarding their health and well-being. Any action you take on the basis of the information provided is solely at your own risk and expense. The opinions expressed in Dr. David Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health do not necessarily reflect those of Newsmax Media, Inc.

July 2016

small, hair-like structures called microvilli that help absorb nutrients. The food then goes into the large intestine where its progress slows to enable fermentation by gut bacteria. Disrupting the normal function of the stomach with acid-blocking medications has a negative ripple effect on the rest of the gastrointestinal system. In the small intestine, nutrient absorption is inhibited. In the large intestine, bacterial flora are adversely effected. It’s absolutely no surprise that people who take antacid medications for long periods of time suffer from multiple GI complaints, including bloating, pain, and nutrient deficiencies. That is exactly what I see in my practice. And research now shows that long-term use of acid blocking medications cause kidney disease.1

Symptoms of Low Stomach Acid

Let’s go back to my father’s story. I was attending a holistic medical conference where Dr. Jonathan Wright was lecturing about the importance of hydrochloric acid production. It was the first time I had seen him lecture. Since then, Dr. Wright has become a friend of mine. Dr. Wright described the effects of a condition called hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid. When I heard what he said, I immediately thought of my father. Low stomach acid production is actually common. Symptoms include: • Early fullness • Bloating after eating • Feeling as though food is stuck in the stomach • Constipation or diarrhea • General abdominal discomfort Patients with hypochlorhydria often also suffer from fatigue and brain fog. I remember times when my father would stop eating a meal right in the middle because he was having stomach pains. When I returned from Dr. Wright’s lecture, I told my father that I thought he had low stomach acid production. “How can that be?” he asked. “My doctor tells me I have too much stomach acid.” So I said, “Let’s check your stomach.” July 2016

Trying a New Therapy

I told my father I wanted to perform a Heidelberg test on him. This medical diagnostic procedure measures the pH of the stomach. But first, he had to stop taking antacid medications for 14 days. Interestingly, he felt no different when he quit taking the drugs — he suffered the exact same symptoms. At the end of the two weeks, we performed the test. My father swallowed a small pill that was tied to a string. The pill was positioned in the stomach and the string was taped to his cheek. (I know it sounds odd, but it’s actually a very simple test to perform.) The pill contained a transducer that could measure and transmit the pH of its environment. I measured my father’s resting pH, which was around 4.0. Next, I had him swallow an alkaline solution of baking soda and water, and continued to measure his stomach pH. If the parietal cells in the lining of his stomach were working normally, an alkaline solution should cause them to release large amounts of hydrochloric acid to begin the digestive process. But my dad’s stomach did not lower the pH after he drank the alkaline solution. “You have hypochlorhydria,” I told my father. “What’s that?” I explained that his stomach was unable to produce enough hydrochloric acid to properly digest Continued on page 5 David Brownstein, M.D., is a boardcertified family physician and one of the foremost practitioners of holistic medicine. Dr. Brownstein has lectured internationally to physicians and others about his success with nutritional therapies in his practice. His books include Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do!; Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It; Salt Your Way To Health; The Miracle of Natural Hormones; Overcoming Arthritis; Overcoming Thyroid Disorders; The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet; B12 For Health; The Guide to a Dairy-Free Diet; and The Soy Deception. He is the medical director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, Mich., where he lives with his wife, Allison, and their two daughters, Hailey and Jessica. For more information about Dr. Brownstein, please go to www.drbrownstein.com.

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Dr. B’s Case History of the Month

Curing a Burning Case of Shingles In each issue, I will share with you the story of one of my patients and how sometimes simple alternative approaches can solve major health problems. Names and some details have been changed for privacy’s sake, but the problems and their resolutions are real. — Dr. David Brownstein Linda was a 51-year-old woman who had been suffering with back and chest pain for about three weeks. At first, she told me, the pain would come and go. But in recent days, it had gotten so bad that she was waking up at night. I asked Linda if she had injured herself in any way, but she said no. She described the pain as a burning sensation. When a patient says pain is “burning,” my first assumption is that the problem is neurological. In addition, Linda was having pain in her left upper back radiating to her left chest. Pain that occurs on one side of the body also narrows the diagnosis. My first thought was that Linda had shingles, but there was no characteristic rash. Then I thought she may be suffering from a subluxation — or partial dislocation — in her spine. When I palpated her spine in the upper back area on the left, she said that brought the pain around the front of her chest. I adjusted Linda’s back and she felt better. But two days later she returned. The pain was burning more on the left side. This time when I looked at her back, there was a faint shingles rash. Linda was at least happy to get a diagnosis. But she had a skiing trip planned for the following week, and didn’t know if she should go. I advised her not to cancel the trip.

Are We Better Off With Vaccine?

Shingles is a neurological condition caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus — a strain of herpes virus known as varicella-zoster. Once a person contracts chickenpox, he or she will always have the virus hiding in nerve tissue near the spinal cord. Years later, it can reactivate and cause shingles. And shingles can cause tremendous pain, often described as burning, and sensitive to the touch. When I was in medical school, shingles was not very common. It mostly occurred in the elderly and patients whose immune systems were compromised by things like chemotherapy. Back in the ’80s and 4

early ’90s, it was very rare to see shingles in a healthy 50-year-old. But now it is rampant, even in children. Then the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine changed everything. When the original studies on the chickenpox vaccine were being conducted, researchers noted an increase in shingles occurring in chickenpoximmunized populations. But those studies were not publicized. Because the chickenpox vaccine is given to nearly every child in the United States, the incidence of chickenpox has declined markedly. However, the incidence of shingles has increased to epidemic rates. The truth is we need the chickenpox virus to stimulate our immune systems. But because the vaccine has decreased the incidence of chickenpox, adults’ immune systems are no longer exposed to the herpes zoster virus. The question is this: Are we better off having less chickenpox — a benign disease for 99 percent of children who get it — and having more shingles? I don’t think so.

‘Worked Like Magic’

Linda asked me if she should have gotten the shingles vaccine. I explained that it was only 1 percent effective at preventing shingles. In other words, it fails 99 percent of the time. I treated her with an antiviral medication and recommended she take 2,000 mg a day of L-lysine, an amino acid that has been shown to inhibit the replication of the herpes virus. I also asked her to take 10,000 mg of vitamin C per day and to inject 1 mg of vitamin B12 with 25 mg of thiamine daily. Because I knew that the virus had irritated the upper left part of her back, I talked with Linda about injecting the area with ozone, which is an inorganic molecule with a gaseous structure that can be a beneficial medical therapy. I injected 10 cc of ozone in her upper left back and the next day called to see how Linda was doing. “Whatever you did worked like magic,” she said. “The pain started to lift later that day and I slept all night. It’s 99 percent gone now. I am definitely going on my skiing trip.” A holistic approach to shingles can be very effective. If you get a shingles infection, find a holistic healthcare practitioner to help you recover.

DrBrownstein.Newsmax.com

July 2016

Reasons for Low Acid Level

Continued from page 3

food, and that was leading to the bloating, abdominal discomfort, and early fullness. I told him that he needed to take hydrochloric acid pills with his meals, but he was unsure, thinking it sounded dangerous. So I explained about the lecture I had heard from Dr. Wright, and the success he’d had with the treatment. He asked me if I’d ever prescribed this treatment before. I told him that I hadn’t. Though he didn’t look fully convinced, my dad was always willing to be my first patient to try new therapies. I asked my father to take 600 mg of hydrochloric acid at the beginning of his next meal. Amazingly, that was the first meal in years in which he did not complain of feeling bloated or suffering abdominal pains in the middle. From then on, my dad took 600 to 1,800 mg of hydrochloric acid with every meal, with larger doses for heavier meals, such those containing animal protein. My father went back to his GI doctor for a routine checkup. He informed the doctor that he was taking hydrochloric acid pills and that nearly all his GI discomfort was resolved. But the GI doctor insisted that he should be taking antacids, not acid pills. He even suggested that the acid pills were dangerous because my father was already producing too much stomach acid. At that point, my father asked the doctor how he could know that a patient was producing too much stomach acid if he had never measured the patient’s acid levels. The doctor had no answer. That was the last time my father ever saw a GI doctor.

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The are many reasons people can produce too little hydrochloric acid. Medical conditions that are associated with hypochlorhydria include: • Gut infections such as candida and H. pylori • Iron deficiency • Pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) • Thyroid disorders My father had a history of hypothyroidism that I was helping him manage when I diagnosed him with low stomach acid. All patients with a thyroid condition should remain vigilant about whether they are producing enough hydrochloric acid. How do you do that? By watching for symptoms such as bloating, early fullness, abdominal pain when eating, and a change in bowel movements. Iron deficiency is a very common cause of hypochlorhydria. My daughter, Hailey, has a long history of Hashimoto’s disease. I wrote previously about Hailey also having Dieulafoy’s disease, which makes her prone to spontaneous, massive GI bleeds. This summer, Hailey suffered another GI bleed. Immediately afterward, she began complaining of bloating and abdominal pain after eating. Allison (my wife and Hailey’s mother) asked if I thought Hailey needed to take hydrochloric acid pills with meals. I hadn’t even thought of it! I started giving Hailey 600 mg of hydrochloric acid with her meals, and her abdominal complaints resolved. After a month of oral and intravenous iron therapy, Hailey’s iron levels returned to normal. She no longer needs the hydrochloric acid pills. Other mineral deficiencies that can cause hypochlorhydria include zinc, copper, and calcium. When multiple nutritional deficiencies are identified, it is important to check for low stomach acid. But in my experience, the most common reason a patient suffers from hypochlorhydria is the use of antacid medications, particularly PPIs. Proton pump inhibitors are incredibly effective at stopping the stomach’s production of hydrochloric acid. But long-term use of PPIs is fraught with problems because it leads to nutritional deficiencies, bacterial overgrowth of the gut, and poor digestive capability.

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Continued on page 7 5

Special Report

Getting to the Root of Peanut Allergies When I was young, I don’t recall anyone having a peanut allergy. In fact, we used to eat peanut butter sandwiches nearly every day at my elementary and middle schools. But now peanut allergies are common in our schools. Kids are even told not to bring peanuts or peanut butter sandwiches to the lunchroom because it could cause anaphylaxis — a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction — in some children. Anaphylactic reactions can cause a drop in blood pressure and inability to breathe. A serious reaction to peanuts can even lead to death. The prevalence of peanut allergies tripled in the United States between 1997 and 2007. Since then, they have increased to affect nearly 4 million people. It’s now estimated that 1 percent of American adults and 3 percent of children have a peanut allergy. In fact, it’s occurring among children all over the world, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, as well as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, and parts of Africa. The fact that it is so widespread rules out a genetic cause. Clearly, there is an environmental cause. Theories include parasitic infections, mothers eating peanuts when pregnant, and too-sterile environments for children. But none of these can explain why children everywhere are suddenly deathly allergic to peanuts. Something must be simultaneously happening to children around the

world to be causing this epidemic. A wonderful book by a mother of a child with a peanut allergy has brought the problem to light. I highly recommend The Peanut Allergy Epidemic by Heather Fraser. Fraser begins by describing the history of anaphylaxis, a condition characterized by hives, inflammation, vomiting, shock, and drop in blood pressure. In the 19th century, animals sensitized to egg whites went into shock and died after an injection. When penicillin was first manufactured, peanut oil was used to prolong its action after injection. Hives were reported as a side effect. In 1953, there were multiple reports of anaphylaxis and other problems from injectable antibiotics that contained peanut oil. The peanut allergy epidemic began taking root in the early 1990s. That was the time period when vaccination rates for children increased, and the vaccination schedule started to expand. The Hib (haemophilus influenza type b) vaccine was licensed in 1985. It contains a protein that has a similar molecular weight to the peanut protein Ara h1. According to Fraser, “The countries in which the peanut allergy first emerged were those that paired the Hib with the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccine. This combination of two childhood vaccines has been shown to produce anaphylaxis in

‘Theof prevalence peanut allergies tripled in the United States between 1997 and 2007.

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DrBrownstein.Newsmax.com

children and enhance the risk of allergic sensitization to foods in the diet or food proteins in a vaccine.” In Tasmania, Australia, a 2001 study found that none of 456 children tested reacted to a peanut allergy test. Before 2001, only 27 percent of Tasmanian children were vaccinated. But in 2001, the Australian government instituted a campaign vaccinating more than 94 percent of Tasmanian children. In 2009, the rate of peanut allergies in Tasmanian children was 1.11 percent. Similar results were seen in other countries that increased vaccination rates. Vitamin K injections in newborns also contribute to peanut allergies. And nearly all newborns in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and other Western countries receive vitamin K injections to prevent hemorrhagic diseases. Injectable vitamin K1 contains castor oil. Fraser writes that antibodies to castor seed bind to similar proteins of other oil-seed plants, including peanuts and soy. Therefore, injecting newborns with protein from castor oil would increase the risk for sensitization to other oilseed plants — like peanuts. Why aren’t all children allergic to peanuts? Each child is a unique biochemical individual, with his or her own ability to get rid of toxins. Fraser explains that allergies are the body’s way to defend against toxins that cannot be excreted. Therefore, a child with a more compromised immune system, or those given too many vaccines, can be expected to have higher rates of allergies. Fraser’s book is a warning that vaccines come with adverse effects, such as severe food allergies. July 2016

Natural Ways to Increase Stomach Acid For those with low stomach acid production, I suggest checking mineral levels with particular focus on zinc and iron. Optimizing zinc and iron levels can aid the body’s production of hydrochloric acid. Correcting B12 deficiency can also

help with acid production. In addition, taking 1,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin C at mealtime can aid in the production of hydrochloric acid. Taking 2 to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before meals can also aid the stomach’s production of

Continued from page 5

Although I do not believe that PPIs should be pulled from the marketplace, I have no doubt they are overprescribed. When PPIs are prescribed, stomach acid is severely lowered. Worse yet, after the long-term use of PPIs, it can be very difficult for a patient to quit using these drugs. In such cases, a rebound production of hydrochloric acid can occur. It is best to work with a holistic healthcare provider who can help manage such a situation.

Is It Too Much or Too Little?

I have been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and in that time I have seen countless patients with gastrointestinal complaints. Sometimes it’s unclear if the problem is too much or too little stomach acid. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that low stomach acid is not an uncommon condition. The gold standard for determining whether a patient has low or high stomach acid levels is the Heidelberg test, which measures pH. Unfortunately, the test is not practical for everyone. If a patient is reluctant to take a Heidelberg test, a simple trial of hydrochloric acid supplements can often answer the question of whether or not they have low stomach acid. I ask many of my patients to try taking 60 to 1,200 mg of hydrochloric acid with meals. If they experience burning or worsening discomfort, I tell them to stop immediately. For those patients, taking acid pills is not the correct course. But others can experience relief from multiple July 2016

hydrochloric acid. Ingesting lemon or lime water before meals will also help. An adequate intake of salt is crucial, as hydrochloric acid requires chloride. Salt contains the most bioavailable source of chloride.

GI complaints with hydrochloric acid pills. For them this routine supplementation can be a miracle treatment. No one should try hydrochloric acid pills without being under the guidance of a skilled holistic healthcare provider who understands the therapy. Taking hydrochloric acid pills can cause adverse effects, including a stomach ulcer. Hypochlorhydria is a common condition. If you suffer from multiple GI complaints, you should consider the possibility that low stomach acid may be part of the problem. I have seen many patients immediately turn around their GI issues with the use of hydrochloric acid supplements. Don’t forget, the most common reason hypochlorhydria occurs is due to the use of anatacid medications, particularly PPIs. If you have to take a PPI, take it for the shortest time period possible. More information about PPI medications and hypochlorhydria can be found in my book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do! REFERENCE 1. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology,April 14, 2016.

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Ask Dr. B Dear Readers, I will try to answer as many questions as I can. However, because of the volume of questions, I cannot answer each letter personally. Please include your full name, city, and state when submitting. If you have a question for me, please email it to: [email protected].

Are There Alternatives to Statins? What holistic alternatives are there to statin drugs, which I am currently taking because of a stroke four weeks ago? — Bruce B., Waconia, Minn. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies the brain is blocked. The tissue that the blood vessel was supplying dies. Statins are the most profitable drugs in the history of Big Pharma. Nearly one-third of adult Americans are currently taking a statin drug in order to prevent a stroke or a heart attack. You might think that if one-third of our adult population is taking a medication, that it is very effective at what it is being prescribed for. In the case of statins, you would think wrong. In the best of the studies, treatment with statins resulted in a less than 1 percent reduction of risk for suffering a recurrent stroke. We may be willing to accept this miniscule benefit if the medication was inexpensive and not associated with serious adverse effects. For statins, neither is true. Adverse effects of statins include muscle weakness and breakdown, brain fog, and dementia. A better approach is to try to ascertain why a person suffered a stroke in the first place. Strokes commonly occur because of hypercoagulation of the blood. Many patients suffer with genetic or environmental problems that cause blood to clot too quickly. There are safe and effective natural and prescription therapies that can treat this condition.

Other causes of stroke include nutritional imbalances and toxicities. A knowledgeable healthcare provider can help you determine the underlying cause of a stroke and then implement a treatment plan to decrease risk of another episode.

How Can I Treat Osteoporosis? I have had osteoporosis for several years. I took Prolia, but it didn’t work. Are there any other treatments that will work better? — Lynda G., Guymon, Okla. Osteoporosis can be caused by many different factors, including nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and toxicities. Searching for an underlying cause can guide you to a more effective treatment plan. Prolia works by disrupting the osteoclasts — bone cells important for remodeling bones. Like bisphosphonates, Prolia has a very long half-life and is associated with serious adverse effects, including increased risk of infections and cellulitis, bone and muscle pain, and atypical fractures. Both Prolia and bisphosphonates should be pulled from the market because they are too dangerous and their efficacy for preventing fractures has never been proven. A better approach to osteoporosis is to search for an underlying cause. Most cases of osteoporosis can be effectively managed with a nutritional approach that corrects underlying nutritional and hormonal imbalances. More information can be found in my book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do!

To your good health,



David Brownstein, M.D.

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July 2016

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