Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications for symptoms like heartburn, reflux, and persistent bloating. Many people are told they’re perfectly safe to stay on long-term – but the reality is a little more complex.
In the video, I explain why PPIs aren’t always as ‘neutral’ as they’re often made out to be when it comes to gut health.
Medications like omeprazole, lansoprazole, and esomeprazole work by switching off stomach acid. This can provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms, but stomach acid also plays an important role in digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut.
Research suggests that long-term PPI use may be linked with changes to the gut microbiome (read more in this British Medical Journal study) and studies, such as this one, have also observed a higher likelihood of developing conditions such as diverticular disease. While PPIs are not causal, there can be a correlation. PPIs are not entirely neutral for your digestive system.
When stomach acid is suppressed over long periods, it can influence how food is broken down, how nutrients are absorbed, and how the digestive system functions overall. Over time, this may contribute to digestive changes including gut dysbiosis and low-grade inflammation in the walls of the bowel that many people simply aren’t warned about – and this can contribute to a weakening in the bowel wall, increasing the risk of diverticular pocketing and diverticulitis.
That’s why understanding the root cause of digestive symptoms is so important.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diverticular disease – or you’re experiencing symptoms that could point towards it – knowing what to look for and how to support your gut can make a huge difference.
Common symptoms can include:
• Ongoing bloating
• Lower abdominal discomfort (often on the left side)
• Changes in bowel habits
• Episodes of pain or tenderness in the abdomen
• Digestive flare-ups that seem to come and go
To help people better understand and manage this condition, we put together our Diverticular Disease Guide. So many people with diverticular disease feel left at a loss about what they should or shouldn’t be doing to prevent flare-ups. This Guide is designed to change that, offering practical diet and lifestyle strategies to help support your gut and reduce the likelihood of flare-ups, antibiotics, and hospitalisation.
And to be clear – this isn’t about fearmongering or judging anyone’s treatment choices. Medications absolutely have their place when symptoms are severe.
But alongside the ‘crisis management’ approach, there is also so much you can do to support your digestive health long-term.
Inside the Guide, we share simple steps that can help you take back some control of your gut health. We hope you find the information helpful. If you have any questions about our range of digestive, gut, and women’s health supplements, please get in touch.
